Review: Steve Madden Large-size Tabi Ballet Flats

Jumping on the Tabi Ballet Flats Trend

So the interesting thing about the Tabi shoes trend is that with Tabi being from Japan, they have been around here for forever. Not just the traditional Tabi socks worn with Kimono, or the work boots worn by construction workers, but even the Tabi ballet shoes that inspired the Maison Margiela ones that have become all the rage have been a staple on the streets of Tokyo for years and years now. Even the Nike Air Rifts, the Tabi Mary Jane that have also blown up from the same trend are nothing super new. (They were actually what I wore the very first time I stepped outside as Tisha 4 years ago🥹❤️) 

Personally, having fallen in love with my Air Rifts (which are wildly comfortable and a rarity that I could actually find in my size here in Japan), I’ve always thought Tabi ballerinas were super cute too (in an adorably ugly kind of way🥰) but I also always assumed that I would simply never be able to get a pair in my size here and that they would simply never be available anywhere else.

Fast forward to now, and thanks to Maison Margiela producing a relatively standard pair of them, the Tabi ballet flats have become a worldwide fashion trend. As a major maker, I still assumed that they would be out of my reach due to my size. I did find a cute pair on OnlyMaker in size up to 15; ordered them, but they were really big…(since starting my transition, it seems like my feet have gone down a size) tried to return them so I could order another pair, but the return address in China didn’t work, and they got lost in the mail. After that, I was hesitant to try again with a different size. Then as luck (or opportunity!) would have it, I saw a video review of a woman talking about hers from Steve Madden… and she was a size 12. I couldn’t help but check the website and lo and behold they were one of multitude of women’s shoes and boots that they carried up to size 14!!! Decided to order a pair during a trip to the states (as well as 3 other pairs of Steve Maddens in the same size😅) and they arrived in time and were almost a perfect fit🥹❤️❤️❤️🥿

WHY I WANTED TABI BALLET FLATS

Overall, I’m really really happy with these. So if you have read this blog before, y’all know ya girl is obsessed with flats (especially ballet flats ❤️🥿❤️) but the narrow toe box always limits how long I can actually wear them. Up until now the best ballet flats I had found to alleviate this issue are the ones from OnlyMaker which have really rounded (almost square) toe. 

Tabi ballet flats actually take it even farther as the separation not only spreads the toes, but most pairs (Skims Air Rifts aside) not only naturally have a square toe box but an extra wide one at that. 

This means that these are not just cute and fashionable, but combined with their thin soles, they are actually really healthy shoes to wear that will strengthen your feet and help alleviate feet, leg and knee problems over time. As an absolute health, fitness and anti-aging nut, makes them a SUPER winner in my book! 

ABOUT STEVE MADDEN’S TABI BALLET FLATS

As for the actual Steve Madden pair I got, there was a lot I like about them. For one, I really wanted a standard issue pair; meaning a pair that had the same kind of design as the most popular ones, and that they do. 

Secondly, they are made from just about the softest leather EVER. 

The sole could be a bit more padded, and even the size 14 were still a bit big… but those are both easily solvable with a heel pad; which I picked up and now they fit just fine. Bring prices at about $100, they aren’t exactly cheap, but they are still $400 less than the Maison Margiela Tabi ballet flats, so I’m certainly not complaining. 

The only other issue that I have with them is that the seperation between the toes ran deeper than I expected, but I have worn them out for a full day however, and have had zero issues with it, making these literally the most comfortable cute shoes I’ve ever owned. 🥹❤️❤️ Love 'em!!