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.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Chinese Laundry Women's Paloma Pump
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
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
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
April Black by Vegetarian Shoes
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
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.
Resource Review - Endless.com
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.
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
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.
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.
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