The Big Toe, or what podiatrists refer to as the hallux, is the largest and most crucial toe. The digit is responsible for bearing weight and forward movement during walking, stepping or running, and the shoe industry is taking notice.

For years, shoes that single out the big toe have been intermittently popping up on runways, but at the 2027 Copenhagen Fashion Week, it’s clear that the style is becoming a permanent fixture in shoe lovers’ wardrobes.

The Tabi split-toe, once dismissed as an “ugly shoe,” has become a fashion girl’s stylish alternative to traditional ballerina flats. The mainstream reach of the style is mainly thanks to the widespread popularity of Margiela’s Tabi flats.

The Tabi design splits the big toe away from the other four, encasing it in its own solitary space. While the long-term effects of split-toe shoes remain unclear in terms of foot health, the design is intended to allow for greater toe splay and ground feel.

Split shoes were spotted in various iterations in Copenhagen this week, from ankle strap pumps to high heels and more, becoming one of the most popular street style choices outside the fashion shows. The design has also been popular in the sneaker space, with the Nike Air Rift sneakers that feature a unique split-toe design being among the most popular shoes this summer.

The Nike Air Rift got an update this year as the first Nike Skims sneaker, bringing its silhouette to a new audience. The shoes new styles retain Nike’s split-toe silhouette and come in satin, breathable mesh and an array of pastels and neutral colors.

The footwear industry’s focus on the big toe also extends to recently released sandals and dress shoes that partially cover the toe area. Earlier this week, Havaianas put its popular flip-flops on a kitten heel, with a new design, unveiled during Copenhagen Fashion Week on the Studio Constance spring 2027 runway. The new design reinterprets Havaianas’ signature toe-post construction with a distinctive toe cap that conceals only the big toe.

Tory Burch recently released the Multi-Buckle Monk Strap shoe, an innovative take on the traditional buckled oxford. The design modernizes the formal men’s shoe by slicing half the upper away. The asymmetrical design secures the foot with three functional buckles and leaves the four smaller toes exposed while keeping the big toe concealed.

Toe Loops have also appeared on sandals this year, from runways to the streets of Copenhagen and New York during the warmer months. The toe loops wrap only around the big toe, securing the shoe in place while leaving the remainder of the toes untouched and free. They are usually made of either leather or metallic hardware, often with some type of embellishment decorating the toe. 

The shoes have found mainstream appeal with fast-fashion brands like Zara and Mango featuring their own takes on the toe loop, while luxury brands like Giuseppe Zanotti and Miu Miu also offer the style. The Alohas Tebas sandals, for example, put a direct spotlight on the big toe, with an upper that includes a toe ring that wraps around the hallux.