Fashion
Tabi Demand Up Fourfold Since 2022 as Freaky Footwear Goes Mainstream
Freaky footwear has stopped being a runway curiosity and started showing up on the morning commute. Shoes that split the toes, balloon at the heel or look like a garden tool are now selling in volume, and the numbers suggest this is more than a passing joke.
According to the fashion search platform Lyst, demand for Tabi styles, the cloven-hoof design that separates the big toe from the others, has risen fourfold since 2022. Vibram’s glove-like FiveFingers, which give each toe its own pocket, are up 57% year on year. A few seasons ago, both would have marked their wearer as a committed eccentric. Now they are being worn to offices and even weddings.
From the school run to the high street
The trend’s defining feature is a love of shoes once considered too humble, or too odd, for polite company. Simone Rocha has covered supersized Crocs in pearls and gemstones. Etro has joined Dior and Valentino in reworking the cork-footbed Birkenstock clog, a shoe long treated as the opposite of fashion.
Price is no barrier to the appeal, and nor is it a guarantee of it. This summer, French gardening clogs called Gardanas, which cost £38 and come in an earthworm-like shade, generated long waiting lists, and not only among gardeners. Celine sells a similar mossy-coloured pair for £670, which suggests the look is being priced across a wide range.
High-street retailers from John Lewis to Zara have also embraced hybrids dubbed “Frankenshoes”. The sneakerina crosses a trainer with a ballet flat; the snoafer marries a sneaker to a penny loafer. They are odd, but they are easy to wear, which may explain how they travel so far beyond the fashion crowd.
Even the heel is being reimagined
High heels haven’t vanished, but they have been reshaped. Designers have offered versions that resemble deflated balloons or broken eggs. Tory Burch inverted the heel altogether in her latest collection, creating the look of a flat mule while still lifting the wearer. The most sought-after height is now a stubby half-inch “nipple heel”.
Why strange shoes now?
Dal Chodha, a writer and lecturer at Central Saint Martins in London, calls the shift “thrilling”. He argues it pushes people to embrace “the jolt of something that feels ugly or absurd”, and describes a “liberating place where more people can have fun with their shoes”. He has personal form: as a teenager he wore Nike Air Rift trainers with a split-toe design.
Valerie Steele, chief curator of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, offers a practical explanation. Shoes sit far from the face, she says, so wearers can “play with elements of ugliness” and make a statement without committing to a whole outfit. A strange shoe can be a low-risk way to experiment.
She also notes that this is hardly new. Medieval poulaines, with elongated toes, signalled social rank, and some were so long they had to be fastened to the knee to prevent tripping. Towering chopines, worn by women from the 15th century, also indicated status. In ancient Greece, sex workers are reputed to have worn sandals with “Follow me” carved into the soles.
What it means for your wardrobe
The history suggests that unusual footwear has long been a way to signal something, whether power, wealth or a sense of humour. What has changed is access. The latest freaky footwear comes at £38 or £670, from gardening suppliers and luxury houses alike, and is worn on ordinary commutes rather than only in front of photographers.
Whether the fourfold rise in Tabi demand keeps climbing is anyone’s guess. For now, the polite pump and the inoffensive trainer have company, and it is wearing split toes.
Explore more on this topic with Vexel Search.
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
‘Tis the season for cozy blazers, and the Talbots Shetland blazer has been one of my favorites for ages. If you’re looking for a classic herringbone pattern that will hold up for years, Talbots has your back. I have one in my closet that I’ve been trotting out on chilly fall days for the past five Octobers.
I love this purple color, but it also comes in green, burgundy, ivory, and burnt copper.
The blazer is $199-$219 at Talbots and comes in sizes 2-18, 0P-16P, 14-24, and 14P-22P. Right now you can get 25% off select regular-price styles, and this one is included!
Sales of note for 10/23 (ALSO, friendly PSA – check any NAS or Amazon Prime Day purchases for the return policies…)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your purchase + $50 off your $200+ purchase
- Brooklinen – Friends & Family – 20% off sitewide and 50% off select bundles
- J.Crew – Up to 40% off select fall styles. Also, donate any gently worn coat in one of their stores and get $25 off your next purchase of $125+.
- J.Crew Factory – 40% off new arrivals + extra 15% off orders of $100+
- M.M.LaFleur – 72 hours only, save 20% on jardigans (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off on other items)
- Nordstrom – 5840+ new markdowns for women, up to 40% off
- Talbots – 50% off one regularly-priced item, 40% off everything else
- Theory – End of season sale is on with extra savings (new prices are marked)
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Fashion
Meg Stalter Style: Four Costumes This Year, No Rules, and Jorts at London’s Biggest Queer Halloween Night
Meg Stalter style can be summed up in a phrase she offers herself: “There are no rules, really.” The comedian, who has turned up to events this year as an astronaut, an Emmy statue, an orange latex-clad Kylie Jenner and a BDSM-lite Carrie Bradshaw, spoke to British Vogue in London about why getting dressed should be as playful as her work.
A year of costumes and a Halloween dilemma
Halloween has become almost as competitive as the Met Gala, with celebrities trying to outdo each other. For someone who is “always wearing costumes,” that raises an obvious question about what comes next. Stalter’s answer was unexpected: “Sometimes the answer is… no costume at all.”
She was in London as a guest at False Idols, billed as the city’s biggest queer Halloween club night, held at the Tottenham venue Drumsheds. Her look there was low-key by her standards: jorts, a tank top, ankle socks and Mary-Jane flats. She added hair in rollers and skinny, ’90s Madonna-style brows, so it was still hardly a standard jeans-and-T-shirt outfit.
Why the red carpet should be fun
The principle behind Meg Stalter style is that creative work should carry over into how she dresses. “Our jobs are so fun and exciting and silly, why wouldn’t we take that to the red carpet and not be so in a box?” she says. Her one condition is that people respect others and be kind. Within that limit, she argues, artists should be free to “go off.”
The same attitude shapes her career. A veteran of Chicago comedy and improv, she built her profile with viral Instagram sketches during the pandemic. She then joined HBO’s Hacks in 2021 as the deluded talent agency assistant Kayla, and later played the lead in Oh, Mary! on Broadway. Her latest move is music. Her debut album, Crave, arrives with the lead single “Prettiest Girl in America.”
She says even the idea of her making music is “out of the box,” and in the next breath insists she has “always been a pop star.” Her influences include Britney Spears, Dolly Parton and Addison Rae. She also lists herself, without apparent irony, at the top. Watching Spears’s 2000 Live in Hawaii performance of “Baby One More Time” was formative, she says, because it showed how much could happen on a stage.
Chic Brits, beans on toast and the perfect scare
London is familiar territory. Last year she starred opposite Will Sharpe in Lena Dunham’s Too Much. She says she has had little free time here because of the shooting schedule, though she compares the city to “a less chaotic, cleaner New York.” On Britons, she is complimentary: “absolutely chic and fabulous,” with “beautiful voices.” She also says they are kind, whereas “Americans are loud and can be obnoxious.” On stage at Drumsheds she announced that she “loves beans on toast.”
Her test for a good costume is whether it makes people a little nervous. She knows an idea is right when her team is excited but slightly anxious about pulling it off. “Something that scares everybody a little bit,” she says. Her Hacks co-star Paul W Downs, who has been involved in some of her best-loved red-carpet moments, may feature in whatever she does next. Judging by this year’s run of costumes, Meg Stalter style will keep surprising people, and the surprise this Halloween was a toned-down outfit of jorts and rollers.
Fashion
Recap: Inside the Culture Bowl Murder Mystery Dinner in Atlanta Hosted by Bryon Javar and Kim Blackwell
Fashion Bomb Daily was on the scene at the Culture Bowl murder mystery dinner in Atlanta, hosted by celebrity stylists Bryon Javar and Kim Blackwell.
The evening brought together some of the city’s most stylish names for a night of mystery, fashion, and fun, and guests came dressed to slay.
The dinner was Bryon Javar’s idea, created as a fun way for guests to interact. We caught up with him to talk about the concept, and he also shared his best tips for aspiring stylists.
Co-host and Culture Bowl creator Kim Blackwell wore a YSL look with Fendi boots. She spoke with us about the night and shared her highlights from The Culture’s Coldest Icon Honors.
Actress Danielle Brooks spoke about the importance of women supporting women.
Actor Jacob Latimore shared that he’s relaxing after eight seasons of The Chi.
Celebrity stylist Elly Karamoh, the stylist behind Steve Harvey and Mike Epps, wore an Oyeleke coat and shared his secrets to being an amazing stylist.
Celebrity hairstylist Alonzo Arnold talked all things Atlanta fashion.
Stay tuned for more from Culture Bowl!
Video: JayNextDoor
Photos: Rodney Pointer
Fashion
Recap: Inside The Culture’s Coldest Kick Back in Atlanta, Sponsored by Procter & Gamble and Sprite
Fashion Bomb Daily was on the scene at The Culture’s Coldest Kick Back in Atlanta, part of a weekend of events curated by marketing executive Kim Blackwell. Now in its inaugural year, The Culture’s Coldest is rooted in impact, celebrating the icons shaping culture while connecting creators with brands and giving back to the community.
Sponsored by Procter & Gamble and Sprite, the Kick Back brought guests together for an evening of karaoke, games, and plenty of style, and guests came to slay in their flyest fits.
We caught up with Kim Blackwell to talk about her mission of connecting creators to brands. The weekend also included a community food drive, extending the celebration beyond the guest list.
Marsai Martin, who hosted The Culture’s Coldest Icon Honors earlier in the week, stopped by to talk about her look and reflect on the weekend.
Yandy Smith shared her thoughts on Atlanta fashion versus New York style.
With karaoke on the menu, we had to ask guests about their go-to songs. From “Just Kickin’ It” by Xscape to “Weak” by SWV, there was range. The segment featured Miss Lawrence, Yandy Smith, Kenny Burns, and more.
Of course guests tipped through in style! Take a look at some stand out ensembles:
The Culture’s Coldest Weekend was the bomb! Many thanks to Kim Blackwell for having Fashion Bomb Daily cover the festivities.
Check out even more reasons to love Kim Blackwell below:
Until next year!
To have FBD cover your next event, email Book@clairesulmers.com
Interviews: Claire Sulmers
Photos and Video: JayNextDoor, Caz
Outfit Details: Markarian Top (old, similar here), Dries Van Noten Pants (more sizes here), Manolo Blahnik Pumps, Chanel Bag, Arielle Ratner Necklace
There’s something about saturated color paired with metallics that I find irresistible. Deep burgundy against gleaming gold, warm bronze alongside an almost electric shade of turquoise. I’m always curious to see how far I can take a color combination, and these pieces make a wonderful case for introducing more texture and shine. Metallic accents have such a beautiful way of bringing out the depth and richness of darker shades, while vivid hues give gold, silver, and pewter a livelier, more playful side.
This season, I’m seeing this kind of pattern play show up in so many different ways. Botanical jacquards and gilded florals turn up on sculptural tops and embroidered jackets, alongside sweeping fringe and heels with an ornate sensibility. I love the interplay between the softness of velvet, the liquid movement of satin, and the brilliance of a finish that reads like precious metal. With the season of dinners and celebrations nearly here, it feels like the perfect excuse to see just how decorative an outfit can be.
Velvet Coat
Lustrous golden velvet, traditional frog closures, and a long silhouette give this coat a striking vintage-inspired appeal.
Fringed Cape
Intricate gold embroidery, shimmering beadwork, and cascading fringe bring dramatic movement to this black cape.
Between school being back in full swing, fall activities filling up the calendar, and the holidays right around the corner, this stretch of the year always seems to pick up speed. Coming off a couple of back-to-back work trips, I’ve been really cherishing any chance I get to carve out time for movement, whether it’s a morning workout, a long walk outside, or even just twenty minutes on my walking pad while I answer emails. Squeezing in those moments for myself makes all the difference in juggling everything on our plates this fall. And I’ll admit, a few new workout pieces always give me a little extra motivation to get moving.
For this week’s Amazon Sunday, I’ve rounded up colorful activewear that passes the test in both fit and fabric, versatile layers, and fitness essentials for the season ahead, including my favorite pair of workout sneakers. Together, these finds bring a fresh perspective to everyday movement.
Browse the full edit below, and explore more in our JB Amazon Shop and Amazon Storefront, refreshed weekly.
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
I saw a character on a TV show wearing a midi-length plaid skirt recently, and I’ve been on the lookout for one ever since. Initially, I was thinking of something with a more substantial fabric, but this slip skirt from LC Lauren Conrad might do the trick. I would wear this with a cozy turtleneck and boots for the office (and probably add a slip under the skirt for some extra warmth).
The skirt is $12.99, marked down from $39.99, at Kohl’s and comes in sizes XS-XXL. It also comes in four other colors.
Sales of note for 10/23 (ALSO, friendly PSA – check any NAS or Amazon Prime Day purchases for the return policies…)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your purchase + $50 off your $200+ purchase
- Brooklinen – Friends & Family – 20% off sitewide and 50% off select bundles
- J.Crew – Up to 40% off select fall styles. Also, donate any gently worn coat in one of their stores and get $25 off your next purchase of $125+.
- J.Crew Factory – 40% off new arrivals + extra 15% off orders of $100+
- M.M.LaFleur – 72 hours only, save 20% on jardigans (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off on other items)
- Nordstrom – 5840+ new markdowns for women, up to 40% off
- Talbots – 50% off one regularly-priced item, 40% off everything else
- Theory – End of season sale is on with extra savings (new prices are marked)
Thoughtful gifts for him start with the things he uses daily, from better underwear to a backpack that finally replaces his worn-out favorite.
Tabi Demand Up Fourfold Since 2022 as Freaky Footwear Goes Mainstream
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