How common are tabi boots in Japan?

Question

I hear that tabi boots are becoming more popular in Japan. They are used by construction workers, but are now being used more by civilians. Would they be cool as regular American street footwear? I'm a male and really want to get a pair but if I do, I don't know if I should wear them to school. I want to start a trend, but I don't know what others would think. Is it like this in Japan?

Answer 1

I don't know where you get the information, but tabi boots aren't popular in Japan. They are only for construction workers and other blue color workers. It's very odd to wear them to school. What kind of clothes do you think coordinate well with tabi boots?

If you want to set a trend, you must be considered "a cool person" or "an innovator" to be picked up by ''early adopters,'' ''early majority,'' and ''late majority'' respectively. And real cool people do not "intend" to set trends.

I strongly recommend you wear tabi boots only on Halloween.

Answer 2

You can wear whatever you like on your feet, but I've never heard of anyone wearing tabi to school in Japan. I think that would rate as "dasai", but there's always something new on the go in Japan. However, every new trend needs someone to start it, and tabi as street shoes seems as good a trend as any other. At least they aren't expensive, and you get a good grip if not a lot of support.

Answer 3

I don't know, but I do not see very many people wearing tabi in the trains in Tokyo. Maybe I am in the wrong part of town. However I did have a friend from the UK who bought a couple of pairs and was wearing them.

Answer 4

I'm not really sure that I know what you're talking about ... tabi-boots are like non-stretch socks with vinyl soles, they're only called 'boots' because Westerners think they LOOK like boots because of the length...!

They're not very practical for wandering around in the street you know! Construction workers use them for the extra grip that's combined with the flexibility of almost bare feet!

Do you think you're brave enough to walk to school in geta and tabi, then walk around at school in tabi socks with a vinyl 'grippy' bit on the bottom??

Everyone else here in Japan (non-construction workers in other words!) usually wear simple tabi with geta, it looks better than Western-style footwear with a kimono..!

Really though, if you WANT to start a trend you have to be prepared to be laughed at! If you feel even slightly embarrassed or nervous you'll just look like a fool! Try tabi-boots, and if they're comfy then try wearing them at school for the COMFORT - not as a fashion statement! If you're at ease with yourself, it will be SEEN as a fashion statement ..!!

Here's more info on tabi boots;
http://www.japanesekimono.com/tabi.htm
and here's info on the sandals - called geta - that are normally worn with tabi socks!
http://www.japanesekimono.com/geta.htm

BTW! I just looked at some of your other questions, and the answer to one of them is YES!! You DO have a foot fetish!!
; )
(That explains it all!!)

Answer 5

If you wore them in Japan people would think it was weird. But if you wore them in another country you might get away w it. They are kind of like "ninja boots," after all. And they're cheap!

I would NOT wear tabi SOCKS and geta to school. You'd look like a total sissy.

Answer 6

I say hell yeah! start a trend! who cares what others think?!! If you find a way to wear them that looks really cool, they might become really popular all over the world!
But as far as their popularity in Japan goes, it may still be marginal. Also I'm not sure how much insulation or protection they provide.