These Hooves Were Made For Walking

If you’re looking down enough, you might have noticed some funky-looking shoes on some people’s feet. Don’t worry, you’re not seeing things! Yes, they look like hooves.

Tabi shoes look like a hoof, because of their split-toe design inspired by 15th-century Japanese tabi socks. 

After the surge of ballerina flats, Tabis feel like they’re pushing the fashion narrative right now. 

One of my close friends, Anna Karoline Maddox, had just purchased them and I knew I needed to interview her about them after spending a weekend in Boston wearing them. 

E: What made you buy the Tabis? 

A: I kept seeing them on Pinterest, and they were with a really cute outfits outfits- similar to what I have in my own closet- and I was curious, because for as long as I've known [the] Tabi, I thought they were the ugliest thing ever and I thought that it was a super big like disappointment to the world. However, I started seeing these fits on Pinterest and I was like that's really cute and then there's this girl I follow on Instagram, @anna_barger, she is the ballet flat queen. She wears them everywhere. She had a pair and when I saw that she had a pair I was like I need to try these. 

E: Where did you get them?

A: I bought them off of Amazon, from a brand called Cushion Air. I wanted something that was a lower price cause I wasn't committed, but I still wanted them to look like they were nice quality or like leather in a way. 

E: What would you rate them? Walkability, Are they fashionable, etc?

A: Fashionable I think is up to the opinion of the audience. I know a lot of people have a lot of very strong feelings towards Tabis. I would say don't knock them till you try them. They currently are my most comfortable walking ballet flat. These are super comfortable to walk in, I don't really notice the toe thing either.”

Anna Karoline encourages people to try new things. “You never know what you might find, don't place judgment so harshly so quickly things sometimes grow on you. Take risks.”

My final verdict? I currently have Tabis in my Amazon cart right now… I’ve wanted a reason to jump headfirst into the flats trend and this seems like the perfect time to do so.

A weekend in Boston with Anna Karoline and her Tabis

Do you have them? Or a strong opinion on them? Tag @theedgemag on Instagram, we’d love to see.