Your Toes are Trending!
Tabis, toe rings and barefoot sandals - footwear trends I’m loving for SS26
It’s officially flip flop season again and as someone who immediately shucks her footwear as soon as is appropriate, I am thrilled. It seems the dark years of toe-shaming have come to an end (thank god), as words like ‘dogs’ and ‘grippers’ fade from the zeitgeist and flip-flop wearing icons like CBK reappear in everyday conversation. This has me thinking about all the avenues opening up in terms of accessorising your feet. Yes, I am primarily talking about toe rings. But also all the other fun that can be had when selecting your footwear and pimping your tootsies.
I’ve noticed that in recent years, toe-centric footwear options have been all the rage. As always in fashion, once a trend has grown stagnant, the pendulum often swings the other way entirely. Early 20s fashion seemed hell-bent on hiding our feet: think socks with birkenstocks, close-toed platform heels and mini uggs. So now, as we head into the second half of the decade, the logical reaction is to reject these options and do a complete 180. Enter: Maison Margiela Tabis, flip flops and the age of the transparent ballet flat.
[Chanel Cruise 26/27]
The inspiration for this article struck a few weeks ago when Chanel sent their now viral barefoot heel caps down the 26/27 cruise runway to mixed reception. I personally think they’re cool - not enough shoe for me to ever consider purchasing but if I had the money, best believe I would be wearing them on my mega yacht. These half shoes seem reminiscent of ancient Greece and while some have claimed they’re ‘completely off-base for Chanel’ the romantic image of Aphrodite sporting these elegant half soles seems to coincide nicely with Chanel’s new whimsy under Matthieu Blazy.
Speaking of divisive designer footwear, the Margiela Tabi has gone from quirky to cult classic almost overnight. While the split-toed icon has been a staple of the brand since its inaugural runway in 1988, Tabi ballet flats have recently taken the fashion world by storm and are a welcome break from the decades-long slog of sneaker-centric footwear trends. Like the Chanel heel caps, the Margiela Tabis draw focus to the wearer’s toes, except instead of casting the mind to an ancient goddess, you are reminded more of their Satyr sidekick.
[Maison Margiela ‘Tabi Ballerina’]
It seems cloven hooves really are the leading inspiration for shoe designers these days. Maison Valentino has officially revived the peep-toe trend with their Révélé pumps, referred to (hopefully) lovingly online as the ‘miss piggy’ heels. I mean, who wouldn’t want to splash out over a grand to have your legs compared to a barn animal? But seriously, sometimes just because you wouldn’t personally buy into a trend, doesn’t mean it’s not incredible to witness. To quote Kourtney Kardashian, ‘I can’t eat this, but how exciting is it to smell it?’
Similarly polarising has been Margiela’s newest shoe drop. Just this past season, the brand has reimagined their trademark tabi and introduced the ‘tabi claw’. I wonder how long it will take for the internet to get past the initial peculiarity of the claw and adopt it as the it-shoe of the summer… time will tell.
As we’re on the topic of summer, my personal favourite toe trend has been the renaissance of the toe ring. With bohemian fashion being well and truly re-established (everybody say thank you Chemena) it was only a matter of time before this jewellery trend came back around. So, throw on your favourite pair of flip flops, book yourself a pedicure and have fun selecting toe rings to match. If you’re particularly enjoying this trend, maybe even buy yourself a pair of sandals with built-in jewellery. AMANU has been the pioneer of the toe-ring sandal but if you’re looking for something more affordable, they seem to be available at most high street boutiques this summer. Here is some toe jewellery inspo I’ve cobbled together from Pinterest in hopes of tempting even the most reluctant readers.
[AMANU, Simonett]
[AMANU, unknown]
[unknown, ÖUGIE]
And so, as May bleeds into June and summer 2026 officially begins, reevaluate your go-to shoes. If a pair of flip flops isn’t in the rotation, you’re doing something wrong. And for the more daring among us, tap into the unconventional shoe game and treat yourself to a pair of unorthodox ballet flats. God knows they’re easy to find these days. Whether you go for a split-toe look, or opt for mesh, find something eccentric enough to get people gawping at you on the metro. Sometimes, shoes are the best conversation starter.
And so, I leave you with a small album of footwear inspo I collected last week in New York. I promise you, the best place to find fashion inspiration is in your nearest big city…
12/06/26 Darcy Jones