Flesh It Out: Vegan Dress Shoes for Men
When it comes to shoes, men have always gotten the short end of the aesthetic stick. Women’s shoe designers take more risks, use a greater variety in materials, and have been given much more creative license for as long as fashion has been celebrated – especially in Western society.
The “conscious shopping” craze has catered to women, too: I can always find a patent pump with a vegan sole, or a sustainably-harvested wood base with a fun fabric upper.
But every time my boyfriend and I end up in the shoe section, I realize that as I’m trying on pair after pair, he’s left with only one or two eco- and animal-friendly options…and both of them are ugly.
It took some searching, but I assure you: there are consciously-manufactured shoes out there for men. They’re well-made, too! I’ve grabbed my favorite dressy options from Togged, Alternative Outfitters and Moo Shoes, for your viewing pleasure. (Click the image to be taken to its retail site.)
I had to start with the shoe that actually made me swoon a little. These lace-up ankle boots by NOHARM are totally and completely vegan. (You could have fooled me.) I love the classic look combined with the linear detail – apparently, the ladies’ market doesn’t have the patent on unique visual interest.
If you’re looking for a thicker sole – something to wear every day, or for more comfort – the Soft Stags Manchester Oxford is a better bet. It caught my eye as something I could see my boyfriend wearing to work every day, without coming home with blisters.
Dress…boots? For men? And they’re vegan? Yes, yes and yes, actually. They’re by NOVACAS, and I love the cap toe combined with the high ankle. (I don’t know many men brave enough to wear them, but I’d like to meet some.) The Skyline Dress Boot by Vegetarian Shoes is similar, but without the cap-toe, if you want a cleaner line.
No, you don’t have to be a hippie to wear a slip-on. Pairing your designer jeans with a dressier shoe, like these loafers from Borgeois Boheme, looks a hell of a lot more classy than those loosely-laced Converse.
Sadly, I think that blue tint is just a trick of the light. Knowing that doesn’t take away from the classic cut of these lace-ups, though. They’re listed as the Dennis Shoes, by NOVACAS – if you’re looking for the brown version, check out the Jamie shoes, which are similar.
Yes, another loafer. (You need something to slip on when you’re running late, right?) I love the front view of these shoes (go to the main listing – Jensen Shoe by Vegetarian Shoes – to view it) and think they’d look awesome over a pair of fitted straight-leg jeans.
This boot by Novacas may seem a little overwhelming for the casual male, but to me, it looks like one of the most comfortable and versitle of the lot. With jeans, it looks like a basic wingtip (and I love wingtips) but when you sit or crouch, your colleagues (or friends, or that dude on the bus) will see a surprisingly high boot cut instead of your socks. (Laundry day, anyone?)
…and that’s not even the half of it. I don’t want to overwhelm you, though, so if you want to see the other zillion options I didn’t post, you can do so at Togged, Alternative Outfitters and Moo Shoes.
For more vegan shoe options – I’m going to tackle men’s vegan boots and casual shoes next – stay tuned to this site. (I promise: no Birkenstocks.)
EDIT: I’ve added a second installment to Flesh It Out! Click here for vegan boots for men.
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That NOVACAS company is doing things right. Not sure about the thick soled shoes, but either of the ankle boots would be perfect.
The first pair is so sleek. Kudos to you for finding so many stylish vegan shoe options for men!
lisa´s last blog ..Legwear 101
[...] Awakened Aesthetic – Men need sexy shoes too! Awakened Aesthetic searches for the best men’s dress shoes…and all of them are vegan. [...]
[...] Awakened Aesthetic – Men need sexy shoes too! Awakened Aesthetic searches for the best men’s dress shoes…and all of them are vegan. [...]
[...] Awakened Aesthetic – Men need sexy shoes too! Awakened Aesthetic searches for the best men’s dress shoes…and all of them are vegan. [...]
[...] Awakened Aesthetic – Men need sexy shoes too! Awakened Aesthetic searches for the best men’s dress shoes…and all of them are vegan. [...]
[...] Awakened Aesthetic – Men need sexy shoes too! Awakened Aesthetic searches for the best men’s dress shoes … and all of them are vegan. [...]
[...] Awakened Aesthetic – Men need sexy shoes too! Awakened Aesthetic searches for the best men’s dress shoes…and all of them are vegan. [...]
[...] Awakened Aesthetic – Men need sexy shoes too! Awakened Aesthetic searches for the best men’s dress shoes…and all of them are vegan. [...]
[...] Awakened Aesthetic – best vegan men’s dress shoes [...]
[...] Awakened Aesthetic – Men need sexy shoes too! Awakened Aesthetic searches for the best men’s dress shoes … and all of them are vegan. [...]
[...] Flesh It Out: Vegan Dress Shoes for Men : Awakened Aesthetic [...]
[...] Awakened Aesthetic – Men need sexy shoes too! Awakened Aesthetic searches for the best men’s dress shoes…and all of them are vegan. [...]
I was looking for this very thing! i had been talking with my buddies about the lack of vegan dress shoes (they all are omnivores) and how hard it is to dress nicely with canvas sneakers and what look like orthopedic walking shoes! thanks a billion for compiling this!
phillipe bojorquez´s last blog ..Their Calling Is Defending Rats, Yet These Folks Aren’t Lawyers
Great! I’ve got another post about men’s vegan shoe options coming up tomorrow, too – you have good timing!
[...] this is part two of Flesh It Out: Vegan Shoes for Men. You all seemed to appreciate Part I (Vegan Dress Shoes), and to be candid (and a little sappy) I’m just pleased to have a decent male following. [...]
[...] Flesh It Out: Vegan Dress Shoes for Men : Awakened Aesthetic [...]
[...] Flesh It Out: Vegan Dress Shoes for Men : Awakened Aesthetic [...]
[...] Flesh It Out: Vegan Dress Shoes for Men : Awakened Aesthetic [...]
[...] Flesh It Out: Vegan Dress Shoes for Men : Awakened Aesthetic [...]
[...] Awakened Aesthetic – Men need sexy shoes too! Awakened Aesthetic searches for the best men’s dress shoes … and all of them are vegan. [...]
Dear Awakened, As an ethical vegan for 35 years, I am always on the lookout for men’s vegan shoes.
Thank you for featuring the shoes you did and for introducing me to new vegan sites. Keep up the awakened aesthetic!
Pretty good article. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed following your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon with other fascinating stories.