Matcha Lattes, Toffee Nails, and Tabi Shoes: Has the Concept of 'Good Taste' Diminished by 2026?

      You’ve replaced ceremonial-grade matcha with ube, traded a barn jacket for a funnel-neck windbreaker, switched Puma Speedcats for Nike Air Superfly LXs, and updated a classic burgundy pedicure to glossed toffee. But indulge me for a moment: does this mean you have taste? The indicators might suggest so—you’re indulging in and wearing the "right" items—but are we mistakenly equating being fashionable with possessing good taste? Taste is something far more transformative, isn't it? It can’t simply be a series of breadcrumbs anyone can trace on Instagram; rather, it’s a combination of personal expression, an appreciation for vintage (or even better, archival) fashion, and a steadfast avoidance of anything too "predictable." Can quiet luxury be considered good taste? Is "boom boom" bad taste? And, perhaps the most critical question of all, is it even possible to have taste in 2026? Nowadays, it’s not just "vulgarity" that equates to "bad taste," but also a decrease in relevance. Confusingly, that term can also apply to things that are so "bad" (read: odd, outrageous, alternative) that they become good. Consider Maison Margiela’s Tabis. These Japanese-inspired shoes, resembling a cleft hoof and often compared to a camel's toe, have not deterred celebrities like Zendaya, Rihanna, and Michael B. Jordan (among many others) from wearing them. And therein lies their dilemma.

      In a recent Instagram Reel, fashion commentator @trendyjosh_ explained how mass appeal has somewhat diluted the shoe's uniqueness. "Nine times out of 10, if someone was wearing Tabis, the ‘fit was fly. [...] When it really started to go mainstream, like summer 2024 until now, that’s when the 'fits started to take a turn. It basically became no different from wearing loafers or Mary-Janes or whatever," he stated, concluding with a piece of advice. "Tabis are one of my favorite silhouettes, still, but it’s time to give them a rest for a little bit."

      In 2026, a product can quickly reach its saturation point due to Instagram and TikTok—the algorithms contribute to something becoming "cult" before it's eventually run into the ground—but also because of the accessibility of the product, which would have previously been much harder to acquire, especially at a lower, secondhand price. Now, a well-optimized search term on your preferred resale site (Vinted, Vestiaire Collective, The RealReal, or good old eBay) typically yields results, often from the comfort of your couch.

      Taste revolves around remaining authentic to yourself—despite external pressures. As Fana Haile, senior stylist at Tibi, explains, "Taste is [someone] who has their own perspective. Now more than ever, in the era of AI and social media, I find that the people with the best taste are [those] who follow their own rhythm," she notes, providing two examples: Bob Marley and Lee Radziwill, Jackie Kennedy-Onassis' younger sister. "I see it as a type of rebellion—very punk." However, there is a silver lining to this connected era. "There are no gatekeepers (or not as prominently). If you believe something is tasteful, then it is. Period," Haile asserts.

      Taste should ideally serve as a means of communication; not a tool for judgment, but rather one that fosters connection. Davina Efetie, a fashion stylist in New York, describes herself as an introvert, which has influenced how she puts together her outfits and, consequently, her taste. "I’ve found it easier to navigate spaces and engage in conversations by letting my looks serve as an icebreaker. It has always piqued the curiosity of those around me, both familiar faces and strangers," she shares. "Anyone I meet, whether in person or online, who evokes a sense of wonder about what could be—that’s what taste signifies for me." Efetie believes that discovering her taste has been a transformative journey, moving from wearing a school uniform to imitating the "copy-and-paste formula of dressing like everyone’s favorite style influencer" during her college years. "I’ve stopped judging myself for that phase," she explains. "I now understand it’s part of the journey."

      It was only in her final year of college that she began to envision a different approach to dressing. "My understanding of how I wanted to present myself to the world began to evolve. Initially, I was influenced by those I had just started to admire; people who seemed to share a similar mindset. But I ultimately realized that each outfit was essentially a dialogue with my own mind."

      Refining your taste is a lifelong endeavor, one that ultimately contributes to your sense of self. Efetie believes it’s possible to have taste