Surely I'm not the only one to admit that split-toe shoes took some getting used to. But after spotting them on the street, on my roommate, and flooding my social media feeds, it began to click for me. The silhouette, inspired by traditional Japanese tabi shoes, which separate the big toe in a “Y” shape for balance and grip, started to feel intentional, thoughtful, and chic! In all honesty, though, it took me a couple of months to come around to their unique appeal and dive in myself. And just as I was finally intrigued, I learned the classic, designer version retails for nearly $900—aka half of my monthly New York City rent.
Obviously, those were an automatic no-go. Instead, I waited for the look-alikes to make their way into the market—and right on cue, the king of dupes delivered. Enter the Steve Madden Calico Black Leather ballet flats, priced at $119.95, and looking nearly identical to the designer version. A truly spot-on dupe, if you ask me. And at basically one-ninth of the price? It was my duty as a shopping editor to put them to the test. So, here’s my honest review of the Steve Madden Tabi ballet flats dupes and whether they measure up to the beloved originals.
Design and Aesthetic
The fact that my roommate (and proud designer Tabi shoe owner) was surprised by how similar they looked to the OGs was all the validation I needed. The resemblance is uncanny—like, right down to the cute knotted tie at the top of the shoe. Though if I had to point out any differences (and you only notice them if you’re staring at both pairs side by side), it’s that the Steve Maddens have a rougher texture, rather than a smooth finish.
Aesthetically, they hit all the same notes: the signature split-toe everyone loves, a sleek silhouette, and a subtle half-inch heel for some added height. They look luxe, are easy to style, and honestly feel way more high-end than you’d expect. Sometimes, more affordable shoes can feel a little meh because of lower-quality materials, but these are very much the opposite.
Fit and Comfort
Based on what my roommate told me, the original Margiela Tabis gave her minor blisters the first few times she wore them, but after that initial break-in period, she never had any issues. Even though I was trying the faux pair, I fully braced myself for some temporary suffering—but surprisingly, there was none. They fit like a glove, are true to size, and never once rubbed against my skin, even after a full day of wear. The material is super lightweight and flexible, and it never felt tight or restrictive.
Might I add, it was also my first time wearing a split-toe shoe, and I won’t lie, it felt a little strange at first having my big toe separated from the rest. Thankfully, that feeling faded quickly as the day went on, and it never caused any discomfort. Honestly, I could’ve worn them for another 12 hours without a problem!
Price and Value
Let’s not forget that buying the original Tabis basically means dropping the price of a brand-new laptop. And I don’t know about you, but in this economy, I’d rather have functioning technology than designer shoes! In comparison, Steve Madden’s version—priced just over $100—doesn’t even come close. They’re practically twins, insanely comfortable, and feel like they’ll last. Honestly, they’re just as much of an investment—minus the stressful price tag.
It's worth noting that Steve Madden doesn’t specify whether the shoes are made entirely of real leather. The description says it’s “crafted from premium materials,” and the upper part is listed as leather. At this price point, we can probably assume that they’re a mix of real leather and synthetic materials—or maybe even some faux leather. Even so, for what you’re getting, it’s still a pretty solid deal!
Final Verdict
If you’ve been eyeing the luxury pair but simply can’t justify the price tag, consider this my official endorsement to pivot to the Steve Madden dupes and fully commit. I promise—you’ll be the only one who knows they’re not designer (and honestly, we all know that's what matters). They deliver the same It Girl energy without costing a bajillion dollars. Plus, I can say firsthand: there was no painful adjustment phase here. Bottom line? These check every box, save your wallet, and still make you feel like a fashion queen!
Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she's also written for Delish, House Beautiful, and People. Follow her on Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok.
