**Q&A Friday on a Wednesday? What! Have we lost our minds? Don't worry, we will be back to our regular posting schedule next week. Truth is, I am still working on my handbag post for this week and the Q&A was more fun. So here goes:Q: If you ever come across some sexy, fashionable vegan shoes, let me know, as it's pretty hard to find a pair that don't make me look like a hippy earth mama.
A: It's no picnic trying to find fashionable shoes if you are Vegan. Choosing an ethical and eco-friendly lifestyle, Vegans do not consume or use animal products of any kind. Not only do you need to find shoes made without ANY animal products, you also have to consider the environmental impact right down to the manufacturing of those shoes. When I think Vegan shoes, I think Earth brand as pictured above. I think hemp, flip flops, and gargantuan sandal foot. I don't think style, sex appeal or fashionable, but I have found hope.
If you want stylish, sexy vegan shoes without compromise, look no further than the collection at te casan, designed by Natalie Portman. They are not cheap, but are attainable at $200-$300 a pair. Plus, they are limited edition pieces and the proceeds go to animal rights non-profit groups. How about the strappy red heels to the right? Timeless Style + Sinister Red + Hand Crafted Satin = Sexy Vegan indeed.
If you are not keen on spending that kind of cash, other affordable options include:
Faux Seude Platform at Vegetarian Shoes and Bags on sale for $30.96. If they had my size available, I would buy these in a second.
Sexy Stacked Heel Sandal available at MooShoes, a vegan-owned boutique that sells an assortment of cruelty-free footwear, for $95. Four inch platforms mean serious business. 
D'orsay Pump at Vegetarian Shoes and Bags on sale for $32.90. A cutesy retro look.
So there you go. Sexy. Vegan. Shoes. and some new shopping alternatives. And if any of my readers have some advice on Vegan shopping, please drop me a comment!
21 comments:
Those are all very cute shoes! They look like they'd be cruel to your foot though and I'd probably hurt myself trying to wear them. LOL!!
Emily - cruel to your feet...hehe! I didn't think of that :)
I don't really understand the whole vegan shoe thing.
Like you said, it still has to be manufactured and a new object still has to be brought forth into the world.
What about vintage?
It already exists, so....
Iron Chic - you're right, if the animal was killed 10-50 years ago or longer, does it still make a difference? The resources and ethics have already made their mark so buying used would seem an appropriate solution. I overlooked this point in my hastiness to find some cute new shoes!
And, I wonder how vegans feel about this issue. Are they creeped out by any animal products touching them? I know I am creeped out by meat right now and will not eat beef or pork to save my life. I may just be a vegan in the making...
The closest I ever got to wearing 'heels' was a pair of cowboy boots I used to own. I discovered that cowboy boots have a distinct advantage over heels - even if you fall off you don't wind up walking on your ankles. You just stumble a bit and look rather silly - but you don't hurt yourself - which is why men don't wear heels - because you CAN hurt yourself.
Impressive finds! I'm shocked that there are such cute vegan.
I kind of take exception to the "ethical" part of the description though. It sort of makes it sound like those of us who don't care about vegan living are unethical.
I agree with iron chic...what about vintage!?! Of course it can be difficult to find proper sizes and it probably takes a little more work to find the right items, but at least then it's re-using.
But still...I'm shocked that there are such cute vegan shoes. :)
castocreations - I was surprised too, that is why I enjoy reader and customer questions because I get to research new things.
Lou - I can see how cowboy boots would work better for men than heels. You ought to pull out those babies for Annie and strut your stuff - I know how you like to make her laugh :)
Oh Michelle you are clever. Have you told Slutty?
I can't get to grips with veganism but that has nothing much to do with shoes, more that I cannot envisage a life without cheese. I suppose I'm going to have to now you've found some sexy shoes and I have no further excuses not to make an honest woman of Slutty.
Reluctant - I live in Wisconsin (aka The Dairy State) and also cannot live without cheese. I am sure Slutty will be over soon to join the party. I think the red ones would be perfect with her wedding ensemble, don't you think?
Yes, here I am! Hello!
Wow, I'm impressed that you managed to find so many vegan shoes! Yes, the Earth brand is definitely not my cup of tea at all. Very occasionally they have something nice....
I bought a really nice vegan handbag and shoes in Moo Shoes when I was in New York in November. It's on the Lower East Side, I believe. There's also 99X in the East Village, which is meant to have an amazing collection, but I never made it there because I was hung over that day!
My only problem with your great finds is that I'm kind of skeptical about ordering shoes online, as there can be so much variation in the sizes depending on who's made the shoe. I'd be worried I'd buy something and that it wouldn't fit.
As for vintage, I don't really like the idea of wearing second-hand shoes or jeans either, for that matter. I think that jeans and shoes change over time to fit the body of the first owner, and I just don't think it's a good idea to buy those items used.
Oh what an awesome topic. <3 I'm not vegan myself, but it is amazing to see you cover a topic like this. Muchly appreciated and kudos again!
Slutty - yes, I will go to great depths to answer questions and enjoyed learning about the vegan lifestyle. I understand your issues with buying shoes online - I have bought online a few times as long as I am familiar with the brand. Interesting take on why you don't wear used stuff, I haven't had that problem yet, but again, I usually seek out brands that I know will fit my body type (I am obsessed with fit).
Jessi - Thanks for the kudos. If my readers ask, I try my best to answer and even though I am part of the fast fashion problem :)...I do my best to balance. Who knows, maybe someday lady language will morph into a vegan-thrift boutique...
Have you seen any vegan shoes suitable for the office?
Stylish would be more appropriate than sexy for me as I have to visit building sites as well as the office. Therefore *must* have non-slip soles as well, which many sexy shoes do not.
Once found some wonderful 1930s-style T-bar shoes with kitten heels in microfibre in Marks and Spencer. Had to buy them in black, navy and red. Sadly ten years later only the red survive (as I have the least to go with them!), but they were fantastic and comfortable shoes and the red still draw admiring glances on the rare occasions I wear them.
Again it is the old chestnut of having to choose between the practical and the beautiful in female fashion. We should have our cake and eat it I say!
Poet - Vegan shoes for the office is a tough one. Most of the styles I have seen have rounded toes or are Mary Jane styles - a UK site to check out is http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/
I have also heard that Lifestride and Naturalizer make some eco-friendly shoes and have seen fashionable examples suitable for the office. But as you said, you usually end up choosing practicality over beauty.
Your Marks and Spencer shoes sound lovely - it's too bad they are no longer wearable.
Oh wow...I didn't know Natalie Portman designed shoes. I'm not surprised it'd be pricey.
This is an awful thing to admit, but one reason I stopped being a vegetarian was the lack of decent non-leather shoes (I am very shallow). That was 10 years ago so it's nice to see the situation's changed.
Linda - I really like Natalie, not only as an actress, but as an animal rights activist - even though the shoes are a bit pricey, at least the profits go to a good cause.
Nicola - I can understand that and it takes an honest person to admit it:)
I can only imagine the lack of fashionable options 10 years ago!
I actually had no idea that Natalie Portman was vegan, which is strange, as I think she's the most beautiful actress around, and I tend to follow her career. I checked out her shoes, and they look great, although, yeah, they are a bit pricey.
And, Nicola, I'm not always the most ethical vegan around. I actually bought a woolen scarf a couple of months ago, and I'm not supposed to wear any animal products. Also, I still own and wear leather shoes and a (second-hand) leather jacket from my pre-vegan days. I think it would be stupid not to wear them. I bought a really warm winter jacket this winter, too, which, when I looked at the label more closely, turned out to be stuffed with goose feathers. I'm ashamed to say that I kept it. If I'd noticed before I bought it, I wouldn't have got it, but still....a true hard-core vegan would have returned it.
It's vegan confession time. Lady Language: will you be the priest?
Miss. McWhore - Man (er, Woman?) is born into sin so of course we cannot escape it. I hereby absolve you of your vegan sins - I am sincere, this can be done and you are worthy.
Furthermore, I am impressed by your second hand purchases and as Iron Chic said "it already exists" so you were not sinful in this regard.
And in conclusion, even if you did wear a woolen scarf or purchased a cozy down jacket, you are still on the right path trying to live a respectable vegan life, conserve energy, respect animals and all that good stuff. I cannot say the same for the other 97% of the population.
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