Some people make shoes out of crappy materials and call them “vegan.” I’m not talking about those today.

I’m talking about those boots that are intentionally vegan – animal-free, made by companies who give a damn – that you can wear as we head into fall.

(Seriously, all I want to wear every damned day is boots. Boots and pants. Boots and dresses. Combat boots. Grannie boots. Wedge boots. I might need an intervention. Actually, no. Let me have my obsession. Join me if you’d like.)

There’s a difference between boots that are intentionally vegan and those that happen to fall under the vegan heading. Companies that create intentionally vegan boots are concerned about quality and durability; accidentally vegan boots are made by companies that only care about their bottom line. (Translation: accidentally vegan boots still use cheap, bad for the earth materials…just not animal-based ones.) Intentionally vegan boots are outside the box, so their styling is often outside the box too; accidentally vegan boots are churned out as poorly-copied replicas of whatever is going down the runway.

Ew.

But intentionally vegan boots are more expensive. We all know this. Sometimes we cry about it. So my goal for the day is to find as many on-trend vegan boots under $250 as humanly possible. (Because let’s face it: well-made leather knee-high boots would run you somewhere around $200 anyway.)

Peep Toe

Cri de Coeur Allison ($375 $220) and Skate ($130)

Time for an admission: I’m not into peep toe booties. When fall hits here, it’s going to hit hard, and I’m going to be cuddled up in the warmest portions of my wardrobe, showing less skin than an albino in the sun. This includes my toes.

…but I still really like peep toe booties, and hope that you’ll wear them for me. The Allison is a special favorite of mine – a way to follow the animal print trend quietly, and without too much fanfare. And Cri de Coeur? Perfection. They’re one of my top-of-the-list “save money because you must own these” brands. (They’re also great with color – both of the above booties come in three different color schemes.)

Shooties

olsenHaus Jean-Claude ($260 $143) and Christo ($148-$158)

So much perfection. Cannot contain. olsenHaus: please let me live in your basement.

It always surprises me when I realize how much color has affected my interest in a shoe. I saw the Christo in black and was bored out of my skull, but the moment I viewed it in coral I was sold.

Wedges

Cri de Coeur Erin ($390 $229) and Sara ($390 $229)

My personal favorite makes its appearance. Wedges are comfortable, striking and also the best things ever created. God was having a really good day when he came up with this idea. (He also decided to make the Erin in leopard print and the Sara in a patent creme color. Great choices, boss.)

Kick Your Ass Boots (Punk/Biker Style)

Cri de Coeur Rebel ($165) and Dynamic ($165)

One of these Fridays I will wear stud-heeled boots to my day job. Everyone will love them, and no one will tell me they’re not appropriate for the office. Then they will promote me and give me a raise.

Yep.

(Both these boots come in black and brown, and the second pair laces up in the back, which I love.)

Kick Your Ass Boots (Short Boot Style)

Dr. Martens Vegan 1460 ($114) and Cri de Coeur Lure ($120 $48)

Why yes, those Dr. Martens do come in their classic cherry red color. (Oddly enough, so do the Lures.)

Knee High Vamp Boots

Cri de Coeur Stephanie ($340 $136) and Brilliance ($88)

Oh yes. This is happening. You love it.

Faux Fur

Cri de Coeur Wendy $290 $116) and olsenHaus Peace ($360 $211)

You read that right: fur. Faux fur, of course, so you can enjoy the upcoming furgasm all the designers are having this year without actually hurting any animals. As much as I try not to project the idea of fur as a clothing option, I love the second pair so much. I can’t wait until the idea of imitating animals is assumed to be a (synthetic) celebration of their beauty, and not the practice of literally wearing their skin!

Are you planning on buying new boots this fall? Which style suits you best?

eco

When I was little, I used to pretend I was a wild girl. I would sit in the tub, water running, while my parents complained that my baths took too long and can you imagine the hot water bill and what was I doing in there?…and suddenly the shower became a waterfall, the steam became the heat of the jungle, and I became a powerful Amazon, lost to the wilderness, raised by wolves.

I still do that sometimes, actually. (Luckily, my partner loves long baths just as much as I do. It’s our one big eco-waste.)

Unlike me, Erin Shaw doesn’t waste anything. In fact, her warrior fantasies are represented in her art: faux animal headdresses made of found natural objects, like tree bark, woven together with felted wool.

“The very beginning of nature and earth can be read in a tree. By using fragments of trees through consistent collecting, the work echos it’s inherent lineage. The collected material that I incorporate into the work inspires the direction of each piece. Allowing the work to transform the wearer, creating a new story in each atmosphere.

“This work reflects a personal exploration of the living soul through metaphorical constructions. Each piece investigates multiple associations that are present in nature through timeless enchantment. I favor found materials that contribute their function, cultural value, and traces of personal history into each design. By employing basic methods of connection such as felting, knitting and crochet the work is imbued with a strong feminine sensibility.”

-Erin’s artist statement

Based in Cambridge, MA, Erin uses traditional techniques to create free-form sculptures that are inspired by and pertain to the female figure. Her work “stems from an affinity to nature and a mysterious connection to [her] ancestry.”

“The silhouette of each work is derived from the silhouettes of trees with an emphasis on the feminine figure.”

Each one-of-a-kind piece starts with found materials, which Erin is constantly collecting, and takes two-to-three months to complete. The headdresses are needle felted by hand, or created using free-form knit and crochet to symbolize the textures of bark and moss. However, all of her designs have one thing in common: they each lead back to a respect and reverence for mother nature, for the female form, and most importantly, for the found items she uses to create her headdresses: trees.

“The idea of the tree in particular; family tree, roots, time, history remains an important icon in the direction of each piece.”

To see more of Erin’s work, please visit her website.

I don’t own a pit bull, but in a sense, I know their plight.

Every time I apply to rent a house, potential landlords always ask.  “I see that you have a…bull mastiff?  Is that related to the pit bull?”

If you only knew.

It seems breed bias is more and more common these days, both in cases like the above – no pits! – and in the opposite direction.  Have you ever known someone to pick up the cutest little Pomeranian, or pug-a-poo, or whatever’s adorable and cute, and a month later, come to the inevitable realization that dogs poop, and bark, and don’t listen just because you want them to?

I have.  And I’ve watched each of those pups go to the local animal shelter, just another victim of a poor choice, or an unexpected hardship, or bad circumstances.  It’s not always the owner’s fault, and it’s certainly not always the dog’s.  So what can we do?

American Pit Bull Tee: Men / Women

Jus Animalium Culture Apparel (JACA) is an apparel line with a purpose.  It was created to help animal shelters care for those millions of unwanted and homeless pets that enter their doors every year, and to send a message reminding you to have respect and care for your companion animals.

Every month or so, JACA chooses one shelter to donate 5% of their sales to -  this month it’s Cat Care Society – and holds a second promotion for another shelter.  (In January, JACA is donating $5 from every sale of their American Pit Bull tee to Midwest Rescue, which fosters, trains and adopts out dogs, as well as works to destroy anti-pit myths.)  They’re hoping to up their donation amounts as their sales increase…they’ve just started out!

Lethal Injection Tee
Lobo Tee: Men / Women

Not only does JACA donate and educate, but they also print on Alternative Apparel’s organic and natural clothing lines.  JACA sent me a sample of their Red Fox tee, printed on organic cotton, and I was surprised at how soft it was, while still retaining vibrant color.

The Red Fox Tee

What I like most about JACA is that they’re not trying to rile you up.  Their shirts are all about love – for animals, the planet and ourselves – and the most “in your face” of the lot is just a simply stated fact: it takes eighteen dead red foxes to make one red fox fur coat.  Even my easily-bristling meat-loving boyfriend can’t argue with that logic.

And what does Jus Animalium stand for, you ask?

“I believe in Jus Animalium, the rights of beasts, and Jus Herbarum, the rights of plants.

The right to exist as they have always existed, to live and let live.”

- John Aspinall, referring to historical 19th century animal rights activism

Leather boots are in. Like, really in.

For some of us, that poses a problem…the “it’s made out of cow” problem.

There are a lot of things that can be made out of fake leather and still look respectable, but one thing that’s really hard to replicate is that “worn leather” look.  Worn leather creases…and fake leather cracks.  Worn leather lightens as it wears…fake leather just dulls.  With the resurgence of the mid-nineties casual era, full of riding boots, cowboy elements and hints of grunge, fake leather just won’t cut it.

Which is why this is one of the only times I’ll seriously look into buying vintage.

Vintage Camel Leather Boots: $43

I’m creeped out by used shoes, but they CAN be cleaned and refurbished, so I am trying to get over it.  Besides, shoes from twenty and forty years ago were made with much more care than the shoes of today.  (Blame fast fashion.)  It’s like buying designer instead of knock-offs: the heel is less likely to come apart, and the leather is more likely to wear evenly.

Vintage Black Riding Boots: $76

They’re also oftentimes cheaper, if you hunt a bit, than new boots, even off of places like Endless.com.

Vintage Camel Leather Western Boots: $68

Proof that the ’10s weren’t the first time this heel showed up.  I don’t think it will ever be out of style in my head.

Grunge 90s Knee High Lace-Up Combat Boots: $62

Sixty-two bucks for knee-high combat boots.  They’re not Docs, but those are easy to find on Etsy, too.  (And I do adore a good pair of Docs.)

Classic Western Cowboy Boots: $38

That’s right.  Even cowboy boots.  Like almost every girl, I’ve got a soft spot for horses.

Sometimes, “covet” isn’t a strong enough word to suggest the impression a trend, or an untrendy “fashion idea,” has made on me.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been obsessed with the color grey.

Maybe I’m just copying Elle (who stopped wearing color for a few months in 2009), or maybe I’m exemplifying a subdued time in my life, but whatever the reason, I almost never leave the house without a grey article of clothing, or handbag, or hunk of jewelry.

And I still want more.

Elwood Strange Fruit Jumper Short: $50 at Nimli
Sustainability: made from natural bamboo cotton

Compose Grey Winter Hobo: $48 at Mapel
Sustainability: vegan leather; from a small, local, woman-owned boutique.

STELLA McCARTNEY Pumps:$290 $145 at Yoox
Sustainability: made with eco-leather (genuine leather is banned from all S.McCartney collections)

Nixxi Batwing Top: $130 $91 at Nimli
Sustainability: made with tencel (remember? the more eco-friendly chemical manufacturing process) and wool

Compared to black and brown, grey is just so interesting. It also doesn’t show wear or fading nearly as much as black or brown, and makes colors – especially primary colors and jewel tones – stand out without looking garish.

What do you think of grey as a neutral?

It has been a while since I last mentioned shoe designer Charmoné – almost four months, in fact – so for those of you that haven’t been shown their eco-friendly, vegan awesomeness, here are the basics from that post:

• Compassion for Animals: Charmoné shoes are completely vegan friendly, and constructed with Italian microfibers that are breathable, lightweight, colorfast and even waterproof.
• Compassion for the Planet: Using microfiber also creates less pollution than using animal skin: no tanning or factory farming necessary.  Charmoné also avoids using PVCs and incorporates recycled materials into their production process and marketing practices.
• Compassion for People: Though the shoes aren’t US-made, they are sweatshop free, which supports a healthy global economy (via Italy and Brazil).  They also donate 5% of their profits to charities like Women for Women International, which provides tools and assistance to women survivors of war to help them become self-sufficient.

Above all, Charmoné strives to design shoes that are both ethical and fashionable – and they’re one of the best at doing so.  That makes their shoes heavily coveted (especially the Cinnamon, which is only available during the fall/winter season) and, because of the extremely high quality, a little-high priced.  Last time I covered them they were having a 25% off birthday sale, and this time…every single thing in their store is 40% off when you use the code “Glee” at checkout.

Sit down.  Relax.  Breathe.  This is about to be kind of intense.

Cinnamon – in Black and Bordeaux: $179
$107.40 with code Glee

See?  I told you.  It’s entirely possible that these are the perfect holiday party shoes….ever.

Dragonwell: $169
$101.40 with code Glee

I’m never going to stop loving these boots.  Just look at that damned heel detail.  Skinnies, a chocolatey silk top, some big gold jewelry…casual glam, baby.  (It comes in a Mary Jane style, too.)

Caravaggio (Graphite), Bellini, Caravaggio (Espresso)
$107.40, $95.40, and $107.40 with code Glee

Three more holiday shoes, anyone?  I love the little bit of bling on the Caravaggios – it’s made of hand-crafted Italian jewels.

Star Anise: $149
$89.40 with code Glee

Rosemary: $149
$89.40 with code Glee

For those of you that like a more subdued look (and shoes that easily transfer from the office job to the office holiday party) I recommend checking out the ““Herb Collection”, where I found both the Rosemary and Star Anise options above. They’re a little more conservative, while still being festive and fun.

So, don’t forget to use the coupon code “Glee” - it expires December 31, so you have lots of time to shop – and to keep up on Charmoné’s future sales, follow them on Twitter or fan them on Facebook.

If you say a word, over and over, eventually it starts to sound less like a word, and more like amusement.

Boots. Boots. Boots.

This past weekend, I was playing around on Endless.com, which has been adding more and more eco-conscious shoe designers to its arsenal, and saw the word “boot” so many times that it started to sound a little funny.  I also found some really cute winter boot options – all of which are vegan – and as long as I’m going to be fixating on how the word “boot” sounds like a comic book sound effect (it totally does) I should make myself useful and show them to you.*

Cri de Coeur: the Wendy Boot and the Felicity Boot

These beauties are certified carbon-neutral and cruelty-free, made by hand (as much as possible, anyway) and 100% vegan (while still using durable, high-quality materials).  If you’re committed to sustainability but still want a shoe that will last for years, spend the extra dough to buy high-end shoes like these ones from Cri de Coeur. Bonus: the Felicity Boot is on sale – almost half off.

Madden Girl Women’s Sheldun Boot
(Comes in Black Paris and Cognac)

Steve Madden (along with Madden Girl) is one of my favorite “big brands,” and when I don’t want the hassle of trying a new brand (which may or may not fit right) I come back to him. These are patent, so you get that leather look without the cow, and they’re right on trend.

Chooka Women’s Buffalo Rain Boot, Charcoal

From what I’ve been seeing all over Seattle (and beyond) these are the rain boots about town.  Chooka makes them with tons of different patterns, too, from Vintage Tattoo to Abstract to this really cool Voodoo pattern (which is on sale, by the way). Wellies for the win.

olsenHaus Blondie Boot

Another high-end option, olsenHaus makes sure that both their materials and their factories are as sustainable as possible. Every single shoe is made animal-free and cruelty-free.

Not Rated Women’s Hysteria Boot
(Comes in Brown and Black)

Here’s your no-brainer of the day: if you don’t want to wear leather…wear fabric. I like that this boot has lots and lots of texture, while still retaining its shape (unlike Uggs, which are the antithesis of “shaped”). This boot also has a whedgle, which means the click-clack of a regular heel, with the support of a wedge.

*Looking for men’s vegan boots?  I’ve got ‘em here.  Men’s dress shoes?  I’ve got those too.  My affiliate information?  That’s over here.

All right, men.  You asked, and I deliver: 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.  Who says intelligent, eco-conscious men aren’t fashionable?

This round I’m focusing on men’s boots.  I think it’s a shame that more men don’t wear boots: they’re sexy, they show off muscular calves, and they allow you guys to avoid the hunt for socks that go with your suit/t-shirt/each other.  (Girls, you know you do it too. Hell, I did it this morning.)  If you haven’t tried rocking a boot, consider it – it’s definitely a sexy turn from typical dress shoes and sneakers.

In my last post I mentioned these ankle boots by NOHARM and Novacas, but there’s no harm in showing them to you one more time.  One is classic, the other a little more daring (but only if you crouch or wear shorts with them – the latter of which I don’t recommend).

With the current nineties craze, how could I not offer you a vegan alternative to classic, lace-up, black Doc Martens?  These 14 Eye Boots from Vegetarian Shoes fit the bill…and yep, I’ll try to find more vegan options as time goes on.

Check out the side view – this cap toe (Benjamin by Novacas) has one of the cleanest lines up the leg I’ve seen in a men’s boot.  (And again, it’s vegan.)

Why yes, I AM telling you to buy some hardcore Engineer Boots (by Vegetarian Shoes).  Wear them with designer jeans, with Carharts, with a ratty t-shirt and something oil-stained…I don’t care.  Just wear them, ’cause they’re sexy.

And that’s it!  Short and sweet.  There are other boots out there (Mooshoes.com has a number) but none of them caught my eye like these ones did.

What do you think: are these boots for you, or are you looking for something totally different?

I’m a feedback nut, so let me know!  I’ll be posting more vegan shoes – this time sneakers (and maybe sandals) – in the next few weeks.  In the mean time, if you’re looking for more dressy vegan options, head over to the Vegan Dress Shoes post.  It’s bountiful.

(Who uses that word – “bountiful”?  Me, apparently.  Oh, Jen…it’s late.  Go to bed.)

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.

Charmoné is the kind of company you want to point out to every eco-fashion skeptic you know.  When people complain that fashionable shoes have to be made out of leather, or that conscious brands are filled with ugly flats and “safe” colors, all I have to do is point them to Charmoné to shut them up.

“Our mission is to create beautiful, luxurious, sexy shoes that are also sustainable and cruelty-free. Every shoe incorporates European design and quality while using only animal-free, eco-friendly materials. We believe no one should sacrifice their style conscious just to serve their social conscience.”

I’ve seen a lot of companies claim to be ethical and fashionable, but most of them don’t hit the mark like Charmoné does.  Their shoes push the limits, both in style and in consciousness:

• Compassion for Animals: Charmoné shoes are completely vegan friendly, and constructed with Italian microfibers that are breathable, lightweight, colorfast and even waterproof.
• Compassion for the Planet: Using microfiber also creates less pollution than using animal skin: no tanning or factory farming necessary.  Charmoné also avoids using PVCs and incorporates recycled materials into their production process and marketing practices.
• Compassion for People: Though the shoes aren’t US-made, they are sweatshop free, which supports a healthy global economy (via Italy and Brazil).  They also donate 5% of their profits to charities like Women for Women International, which provides tools and assistance to women survivors of war to help them become self-sufficient.

All this awesomeness comes at a price, and these shoes aren’t cheap.  However, if you’ve got some extra skrill lying around, you’re in luck: Charmoné’s owners are both having birthdays and, to celebrate, are offering 25% off of any purchase until August 20. (Just use coupon code LEO at check out.)  Many of their designs are already on sale, too, which means some of their $325 pumps are now under a hundred dollars!

Still skeptical?  Haven’t clicked over to Charmoné’s site yet?  No worries – I’ll just show you my favorites to tempt you a little more.

Charmoné Darjeeling: $111.75
Also comes in green!

Charmoné Marco Polo: $111.75
Also available in green!

Charmoné Cinnamon: $134.25
This is the shoe that made Charmoné famous, and I can see why.
It also comes in black.

Charmoné Cezanne: $126.75
For the bold, these also come in antique garden…with red straps.

Charmoné Dragonwell: $126.75
I love the heel detail. I must have these, like, yesterday.

If you love these designs as much as I do, now’s the time to pick them up.  These are the more expensive designs (for fall) so if you’re looking for even deeper discounts, check out their bright, bold summer sale.  (My favorites are Thistle, a Grecian style platform on sale for $96.75, and the tie-up Monarch flat – in reds or blues – on sale for $59.25.)  Don’t forget to use coupon code LEO to get that 25% discount!