Vegan Pumps

neuaura shoes - Current Sales

2011-06-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

neuaura shoes - Current Sales

Technorati Tag: childfree

Matt & Nat Sale

2011-02-09T11:53:00.000-08:00

50% off when purchased at Pure Citizen (Groupon for eco-conscious folks).

Cri De Coeur Sale - 50% off. Sale ends 1/20

2011-01-18T08:27:00.000-08:00

I know most of my readers probably already lust after this brand, so I've been stalking Pure Citizen for deals on vegan products like this. The site is touted as Groupon for the eco set, although it appears to announce multi-day sales more than it makes you pre-purchase more limited ones. I'll keep watching for more vegan friendly deals like this one.

Aldo Shoes

2010-11-18T17:22:00.000-08:00

I've owned a pair of simple ballet flats from Aldo for a while. There happens to be a store in my neighborhood, and I found them while bored and browsing one day. I wear them a lot - they're simple and comfortable. They don't hold up on the days when I walk 2 miles or more (a lot of them!) but work just fine for when I use the subway or stay nearby.

Since I heard VegWeb and Alicia Silverstone's Kind Life blog mention them, I realized they do carry a larger than average number of vegan shoes, like these. A great option for those who like buying shoes in-person and don't live near Moo Shoes or similar!

Another tip - if your workplace is casual enough for boots, I have found that a lot of mid-end boots are vegan. Maybe the larger size makes leather too costly? Oddly enough, a lot of discount chains use leather - perhaps they think they need the perception of quality? Worth looking into if you haven't taken a peek in the boots aisle in your basic Nine West or DSW lately.

Susan Nichole

2010-11-18T17:15:00.000-08:00

Well, I don't have one yet, but they're on my short list since I have heard so many nice things. Anyway, they have a giveaway on their blog, twitter, and Facebook every Thursday night at 9. I like the communal aspect of the live countdown to the give-away. A way for us vegan fashionistas to commune! Worth missing Vegan Drinks for? Maybe not, but this does save me a very long subway ride...

2010-07-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

Saavy Abby's post this week is on affordable Vegan Shoes.

Melie Bianco

2009-03-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

I was surfing through Piperlime, which lamentably doesn't yet let you sort by vegan goodies. Nonetheless, I was clicking on cute and affordable bags, in the hopes that some of them would turn out to not have animal products. Many of those I clicked happened to be by designer Melie Bianco, and I noticed time and time again they were synthetic. Curious, I mosied on over to the designer's website - lo and behold, they're purposely vegan.

I just received my new Matt & Nat purse last night (picked to house my new Kindle), and owe you reviews of it and my briefcase. So perhaps it is too soon to invest in one of Melie's creations - a delicious blend of ladylike and professional. In the meantime, I seek reviews from readers who might be fans.

I also implore those of you with a Kindle 2 to let me know what you're using as a case, and how it works. So far an outer pocket on my purse is my only solution - yet I am still having visions of dropping it while reading on the subway.

Endless.com Roundup

2009-02-19T08:16:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more work-appropriate vegan shoes I found but cannot review. I was surprised to discover a pair of Easy Spirit slingbacks made without leather; they cost only $20, have a 2.5" chunky heel and come in four color choices. Another slingback choice is this Annie Women's Expression Pump with corset detailing - don't worry, the lacing is subtle. It has a 3" slim heel and cost $35. Yet another slingback is the more daring 3 14" slim heel on these Rampage Milan Pumps, at just under $28.

Girly yet surprisingly grown-up are these Madden Mary Jane Pumps; the double strap and 2" kitten heel give a twist to this classic style. These are just a few of the offerings, and the availability varies by size, so I suggest those interested use the sorting feature to see what is available in their own size.

Chinese Laundry Women's Paloma Pump

2009-02-19T08:11:00.000-08:00

Also at Endless.com. The black shade might be office appropriate. Although the fabric material might not weather the outdoors, the retro style can add a little personality to your work wardrobe while still appearing professional. I do not own these, and as such cannot attest to their comfort or quality.

Rampage Women's Maria 3 Pump in Tan Patent Snake

2009-02-19T08:06:00.000-08:00

Buy them at Endless.com or many other stores.

I have reviewed other colors of this classic pointy-toed pump, and it still remains a very good value for the money. Having finally bought the "tan patent snake" version, I can say that the color is more of a bronze-gold, but a more subdued metallic that would work in a less conservative office atmosphere. I'm always on the hunt for shoes that work with both warm and cool tones (aka black, brown, and grey slacks) and this fits the bill quite nicely.

As before, these are fairly well made and comfortable for office wear, but are not as finely balanced as expensive Te Casan shoes, and I probably would not attempt to commute home in them.

Te Casan by Natalie Portman Women's Poppy Pump

2009-02-19T08:01:00.000-08:00

Buy them at Endless.com

I tried these on at Te Casan when the store was still open. I'm a 37.5 in this and nearly every other line of shoe, and this was way too small. If you opt to get this (in black if for work because the metallic purple is a night-out color) order half a size large. the 38.5 was definitely too large. If you're my size, you're out of luck - that size has been out of stock for ages.

April Black by Vegetarian Shoes

2009-02-03T13:07:00.000-08:00

I bought these at Moo Shoes about a year and a half ago. They're about as basic as you can get, and are best worn with pants, unless you're going for a specific look under a skirt.

They're quite comfortable. The material is water-resistant and stain resistant.

Pia Ballet Flat - Te Casan by Natalie Portman

2009-02-03T13:00:00.000-08:00

Although I don't own these shoes, I did try them on and spent some time in the store walking around in them. I found the strap across the toe rather uncomfortable, and was unable to get used to the feel of it. I was lead to the conclusion that this line really excels at its heels, which is where you really need to spend your money in any case. For my flats, I think I'll stick to those I find at Moo Shoes.

[link]

Resource Review - Endless.com

2009-02-03T12:46:00.000-08:00

Endless.com is one of the shoe-shopping websites that allows you to browse just by those shoes labeled as "vegetarian". At the moment, it is showing 26 pages of vegetarian shoes (at 40 per page). Although this doubtless includes strappy sandles, sneakers, clogs and other footwear that isn't quite office-appropriate, that still leaves quite a selection from which to choose.

Unfortunately, you cannot cross-search by style, vegetarian is an alternative search to "pump" and "flat". However, you can further narrow your search by size, width, heel height, brand, price, and even color family.

Although I am not certain of their algorithm, it appears as it takes more than just being leather-free to make the cut. For example, a shoe with a manmade sole and satin (silk?) upper is not appearing on the vegetarian search engine. The same is true of a pair of shoes with "fabric" upper that appear to be made of wool. My conclusion is based on the fact that other shoes from the same maker do appear in the search, and the assumption that the shoe manufacturer does the labeling, since the system is by no means complete. For example, a pair of rubber sandles with no animal content fails to appear in the search.

Yet although one looking for each and every leather-free (or vegan) shoe on the site might have to do their own work, the fact remains that this is a good resource as is. Importantly, it is one of the places currently liquidating the Te Casan by Natalie Portman line of shoes, a line I have raved about for its comfort and quality.

Cheap Vegan Shoes

2009-02-03T12:27:00.000-08:00

Although it takes a lot more searching to pull out the office-appropriate shoes from the pickings at Forever 21, they do have a large selection of shoes that are 100% synthetic.

Some, such as the pair to the right, could be worn to a casual office, and are available for a song ($14.80).

Delias also has a selection of polyurethane shoes in the $35-50 range, if you can dig past the bright patterns and sneakers. For example, these kitten heels, these bronze flats, these black T-Strap low heels, and these ballet flats in black or pink. Many of these are notable since the PU material is more weather resistant than canvas, satin, or other fabrics.

They also have unique T-strap flats in snakeskin-print black or a metalic lavender (the latter perhaps more appropriate for evening) and carry two colors of poly-satin Rocket Dog flats. Keep your eyes peeled for Rocket Dog; although Delia's selection of this brand is limited, they do appear to produce a wide range of vegan shoe options.

Picasso Wedge

2009-01-15T07:58:00.000-08:00

Picasso Wedge -Te Casan, Natalie Portman

I've never been big on wedges, in fact I have never owned a pair before. This pair made me a convert. Granted, the faux-suede material makes this pair of shoes decidedly indoor-appropriate.

Overall, they do give you the height of a heel with the stability of a wedge while still remaining professional enough for the workplace. The wrapped styling of the material is just enough interest to keep the shoe from being too plain, while staying neutral enough to allow a bit more creativity in the clothes themselves.

Today I am wearing these with black cable-knit tights, a black pencil skirt, and a gray cardigan. I hav a punch of teal under the cardigan. If you don't already own grey shoes, they are a greay neutral to add to any shoe wardrobe. They allow you to break out of the black-brown rut, especially if you wear as many black tights and stockings as I do. These have become a staple of my winter wardrobe.

Matt and Nat - Tracy Marrow

2008-12-23T14:27:00.000-08:00

[link] This company only makes vegan products.

I picked up this bag on a whim while in Te Casan to buy Natalie Portman shoes. It has replaced my Kathy Van Zeeland bags as my new staple. It is large enough to fit a large paperback and a pair of pumps - a must if you have a lifestyle that resembles mine. But it isn't so heavy that you feel silly carrying it for just your wallet, cellphone, and makeup.

I love the little snap-ring for your keys. I have never found anything comparable in terms of ease of getting them on and off, and I always know right where they are.

The four outer pockets would be great for making cellphones, Blackberries, and ipods easily accessible, unless you're me and you take the subway everyday, and you're paranoid. I would have preferred more inner pockets. The three they have are fairly low down and not the easiest (or hardest) to reach. But they do work well for my building pass, NFT and inhaler; three other things I need to keep on hand.

Rampage - Maria

2008-12-23T14:09:00.000-08:00

[link] When I started my new job, these were the first shoes I got, in brown and black. They're basic, professional, and made of the following:

Polyurethane lining
Polyurethane outsole
Upper: 100% polyurethane

At $50 a pop, they were the perfect mid-priced shoe to get me through until my first paycheck, without making me look like I didn't belong there. They're now on sale for $30 each.

The snake print is on my shopping list. I'm linking to Piperlime, where I got them, but they're available at plenty of other shoe stores.

Te Casan - Natalie Portman

2008-12-23T14:08:00.000-08:00

The line is strictly vegan.

The photo to the left is my purple pair, it also comes in black (pictures available via link below). Suffice it to say that these are the shoes that inspired this blog, and many subsequent and expensive purchases at the Te Casan boutique in SoHo.

They're peep-toe shoes, with a fabric bow in the front that is attached in the sides and manages not to be too twee. The remainder of the shoe is patent-leather style material, in other words, fairly stain and water resistant.

They're the hot accent color for this season, and if you're a little bold, as I am, can take you from work to play. Most importantly, they're the most unbelievably balanced shoes I've ever worn. Even with that formidable nearly 4" heel, they manage to be comfortable for reasonable walks. I've been known to keep wearing them for shopping jaunts even with a pair of flats in my bag. A poster on another blog stated she finds this line as comfortable as the Manolo Blahniks from her pre-vegan days. Speaking only for this pair of shoes, I'm ashamed to admit I can say the same.

I loved the purple pair so much I went back to Te Casan and bought it in black. Their website is down right now, but Endless.com is selling the black version right now.

Vegan Pumps

2008-12-23T11:55:00.000-08:00

This blog will hopefully fill a niche that still remains in the blogging world - an accessories-focused version of the Professional Vegan blog, and a professional version of the Great Green Shoes blog.

I'm a corporate employee in Manhattan who doesn't wear leather, so I've already road tested a lot of mid-range and high-end vegan goods. Over the next few months, I'll catch readers up on what I've already bought and am wearing, then continue to update with reviews of new purchases, newly released items, and perhaps reader contributions as well.

There's a whole new world of ecoluxury opening up, and vegans are finally getting in on the fun. Since we're no longer confined to cheap plastic flats from discount stores, this will be a way to explore our expanding choices.