Tabi nails divide fashion fans as split-toe manicure goes viral

A new manicure trend known as tabi nails is drawing sharp online division after images and videos of the split-toe design circulated across TikTok and Instagram. The look, inspired by Maison Margiela’s tabi-inspired footwear, features a distinct division at the tip of each nail, creating a silhouette some have labeled as the “camel toe” look. While fans flock to nail salons to request the style, others say simply looking at it makes them feel uncomfortable, sparking a culture-wide debate about where fashion ends and provocation begins.

The trend has moved from runway-inspired novelty to consumer service, with salons reporting rising demand from people who want nails shaped and designed to resemble the iconic split-toe shoe. Adopters have used the design to craft everything from a quirky French manicure embellished with bows and 3-D accents to minimalist, solid-color takes that emphasize the silhouette. Reactions have ranged from fascination to disgust online, with social media users calling the look “ugly,” “weird,” or even “a sensory nightmare” because of the way the split interacts with objects or hair in daily life.

Nail artists say the look is achievable only with a certain length and technique. Nails should be medium to long to accommodate the split and prevent the design from appearing crowded. Artist Ramon Duran told PoshSugar that extra length helps the design come through, adding that shorter nails can work but may feel less elevated. The creation of the split typically involves guiding the needle section of a nail drill to the top of each nail and sealing the gap with a top coat so the seam remains visible and durable. As with many fashion-forward techniques, the execution is as important as the concept, and professionals emphasize precision to avoid snagging or catching on fabrics and hair.

The design has become a talking point beyond the beauty world, echoing discussions about the original accessories. Maison Margiela’s tabi shoes, dating back to 15th-century Japan, feature a split-toe silhouette that continues to inspire contemporary fashion. In the late 1980s, Margiela showcased split-toe boots on the runway, and the concept has resurfaced in various forms ever since. The shoes have sparked strong opinions, with some fans praising the avant-garde look and others likening them to pig’s trotters or camel toes. Selfridges once drew attention by marketing tabi-inspired camel toe heels for around £740, prompting bemused reactions from shoppers who called the pair among the “ugliest” they could imagine. A representative from Selfridges described the shoes as an expression of the designer’s artistic vision, underscoring the trend’s basis in high-concept fashion rather than conventional wear.

Tabi socks themselves originated in Japan more than five centuries ago and were traditionally worn with thong sandals. The concept of a split-toe shoe has traveled through fashion, with Margiela revisiting and reinterpreting the motif in various forms over the decades. In recent years, tabi-inspired footwear has gained traction among younger fashion enthusiasts, and the manicure adaptation is now a styling option for those who want to echo the look without committing to a full pair of shoes.

Industry observers say the appeal lies in the novelty and the bold statement the nails make, even as critics argue the design sacrifices practicality for surprise. Some fans are drawn to the way the nails push fashion into conversations about body aesthetics and consumer risk-taking, while others worry about catching the nail on everyday objects or hair—a concern commonly voiced by online commentators who describe the style as challenging to maintain in daily life.

Already, creators are experimenting with variations, including mini replicas of Margiela’s shoes and even decorative props placed between the split lines for photo-ready impact. The trend’s viral momentum appears to hinge on the balance between artistry and wearability, with some adherents embracing the look as 2025’s most talked-about manicure and others insisting it should remain outside mainstream beauty culture. As with many fashion-forward expressions, practitioners expect a range of adaptations and evolving opinions as the trend continues to unfold across salons and social media.