By now you've definitely seen these shoes. It seems like everyone is wearing them right now, but I haven't seen a review of them yet. My friend DodotheExtinct asked me how they were and she inspired me to write this review for other curious buyers. Go check out her youtube if you prefer your Lolita fashion content in v-log format:
Spotlight
The "Muffin Tata" platform shoe first stepped onto the scene in the Autumn of 2021. They're from Chinese brand Modo, who to this day appear to deal exclusively in shoe designs. This is probably their most popular release with Lolita fashion enthusiasts. It was originally released in 6 colours: Red, pink, white, blue (sax), black, and brown, and in two different platform heights: high and low.
In May 2022 it was re-released with 4 new candy colours in a patent finish: rose red (a dark pink), purple (lavender), mint green, and bright yellow. This release was only in the "high" heel option.
It has features from a few shoe designs that are iconic in our fashion.
The criss-crossed straps across the instep and the strap that doubles around the ankle were made popular with many of Angelic Pretty's shoes in the early 2000's, the most enduring and famous of which is the "Teaparty" design shoes. Of course criss-crossed instep straps were also used by Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, Metamorphose, Moi-même-Moitié, and others in this time as well. They're often made to resemble the ribbons that ballerina pointe shoes use, and oftentimes shoes with this feature will be named "ballerina" or "ballet" or something along those lines. These straps feel quite secure across the instep and keep the shoe firmly in place.
A big bow on the toebox is also a common feature found on sweeter Lolita fashion shoes, and this one is especially cute because it appears to be two bows stacked one on the other - it is thick and has a lot of volume and shape. This is different from AP's previously mentioned "teaparty" style and even BABY's famous "Antique Ribbon" shoes. In the AP "Teaparty" style the toe-bow is two flat rectangles bunched in the middle to look like a bow, but it has a flatter profile. In BABYs "Antique Ribbon" shoes the toe-bow features a 3D bow loop with 2 flat tail sections.
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| Side-by-side examples of the AP "Teaparty" Bow (left), and the BABY "Antique Ribbon" bow (right) |
The buckles on Modo's "Muffin Tata" shoe are round (versus the heart shape commontly found on modern AP "Teaparty" shoes and some other Japanese Brand releases) and feature a hidden, easy-to-use metal snap design that makes getting in and out of these shoes snappy. All joking aside I always appreciate this kind of buckle as it really is a pain having to find a clean spot to sit my petticoated butt and painstakingly unbuckle shoes with more than one strap.
The thick "wooden" sole of the "Muffin Tata" shoe is actually made of a dense and light EVA foam. This means that it doesn't clomp or clack when you walk. It can be dented, scratched, and scuffed like any dense foam, and it also can be stained by dirty water, general filth, etc. It is so much lighter than solid wood, though. While wooden platform shoes are no stranger in Lolita fashion I think the general shape of the sole that Modo used in these shoes was inspired by Meta's wooden platform shoes from 2010, such as the "Back Ribbon Strap Shoe" or the "Tassel Ribbon Shoes". These shoes had a curved platform that meant that it wasn't just a flat block hitting the pavement but that it had a bit of shape to it, and Modo's "Muffin Tata" faithfully stick to that same ergonomic and soft shape. Even Meta's modern wood platform shoes use a shape like this to this day.
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| Side-by-side comparison of Meta's "Back Ribbon Strap Shoe" (left) and Modo's "Muffin Tata" (right) |
Product Review
The review is based on how the product performs according to the following criteria: price, comfort, quality, and design.
Price
These shoes aren't expensive from Modo so I can't fault them for the extreme rise in postage fees from China. They retail at 178 yuan for both colour releases, and the price is the same for both "low" and "high" heels. This is a very reasonable price for such comfortable and cute shoes. Because of the size of the shoes the shipping fee can get very high so please be aware that you'll possibly pay over double the price of a pair of shoes just to ship it, depending on the destination country. I give the shoe itself 5/5 for price, and the shipping companies a very pleasant fuck you for their insane price increases.
Comfort
The shoe has a built in padded insole. This insole is significantly better than no insole, and does improve comfort. The toe-box is very spacious so my toes were not very crowded and I haven't gotten blisters on my toes from wearing these, even for long periods of time in warm weather with many KM worth of walking. I have the "high" heel and "low" heel and can say that I prefer the "low"-heel for walking comfort. The heel drop in the "low" pair is 2cm, and in the "high" pair its 2.5, and that 0.5cm is apparently very significant for my foot not slipping forward as much while walking. I give the "low" heel height a 5/5 for comfort, and the "high" heel a 3/5.
Quality
I thought I scuffed them a few times but it just buffed right out. I'm rather happy with the quality of the PU on the original release. It's pretty similar to most PU outers, but a tiny bit smoother and glossier so it feels less crispy or brittle and prone to peeling and cracking. Because the shoe is a platform you don't get the bend at the toe that usually turns into a crack so I think their lifespan will be better than a flat shoe in that regard. I think the patent release would be even more durable against scuffs. I like that they made the foam sole look a bit like wood to somewhat disguise the lower quality material. So far the sole hasn't started to peel off like it does on so many inexpensive platforms so I'm happy about that too. Overall its better than I'd expect for around $35CAD, and pretty much comparable to Brand shoes for most of the materials, so IMO its a better deal than buying old dusty beat-up brand shoes any day. I give the shoe 4/5 for quality. It lost a point only because the foam isn't as dense as other platform shoes I've had so it would be easier to gouge or damage.
Design
I love the design of this shoe. I love the scalloped edge, I love the curved plaform sole, I love the big fat bow, I love the ballerina straps. I love all the little things they made sure were cute but functional. I'm glad it doesn't have a bow on the heel because that is an easy bit to damage if you cross your feet when sitting. I'm glad the straps have buckles that have little snaps on them. I guess my only wish is that the toe-bow was detachable, but that is a very minor thing that doesn't detract from the shoe so much as make me want the exact same shoe, but without a bow, so it would be even better for Gothic coords. 5/5 for design.
Total
The "Muffin Tata" shoe from Modo has earned 19/20 for the "low" heel and 17/20 for the "high" heel in original colours from me. Its a banger and I recommend that if you're sleeping on it you jump right away. It doesn't seem that Modo wants to stop manufacturing it yet but its so cute, why wait? Jump on the platform bandwagon.
