Stepping into a vegan wardrobe means more than just wearing cruelty-free shoes. It’s about living a conscious lifestyle that perfectly harmonizes ethics and contemporary style.
Vegan footwear excludes materials derived from animals such as leather, wool, felt, and fur and animal-based dyes like cochineal insect blood for red pigment or bones for black pigment. It also prioritizes sustainable and durable materials such as recycled synthetics, PU made from pineapple leaves (Pinatex), and cork using carbon-harmful farming methods.
Ethicalwares
Living a vegan lifestyle goes beyond food choices. You can take a look at what you wear too, and that includes shoes. The good news is that today, more and more footwear brands make cruelty-free ethical shoes. They use materials that are better for the environment and more humane for their makers while bringing fashion-forward designs to their customers.
The main ingredient in most shoes is leather, but it’s a massive contributor to climate change and deforestation. Plus, the tanning of leather requires a lot of harsh chemicals and water from a dead animal. Many vegans choose synthetic materials for their shoes, like polyurethane. It could be better, but it’s much better than the station of animals and water resources for traditional leather shoes.
Some brands have taken this one step further and use recycled plastics in their shoes. They also create shoes from organic cotton grown without pesticides and source raw materials like rubber and cork that implement carbon-negative farming methods. They are even working to ensure that their shoes last longer to avoid waste and reduce the amount of materials that go into landfills.
Immaculate Vegan
If you’re looking for vegan women’s shoes, several brands produce high-quality, stylish footwear with a commitment to sustainability. These include shoe brands, which have an ethical fashion from recycled materials and use a closed-loop supply chain. They also use a vegan leather alternative, making them a good option for those who want to avoid animal products but don’t want to sacrifice style. They have a range of boots and loafers available in different colors, including black, tan, and eye-catching green.
There is a clothing brand that is committed to sustainable fashion and has earned PETA’s approval. They use microfibre, Pinatex, and Oeko-Tex-certified textiles to create practical and stylish styles. They also make their shoes in Europe, which cuts down on carbon emissions and labor exploitation.
Other companies strongly focusing on sustainability and ethical fashion make eco-friendly apparel for men and women. They reduce waste by using low-waste cutting techniques and a closed-loop system for fabric production. The brand also supports ocean clean-ups, tree planting, and carbon neutrality.
Many people believe that vegan shoes are sweaty, which may be because the shoe material of choice for non-leather footwear in decades past was PVC, which is exceptionally sweaty. However, newer vegan shoes use breathable materials and are much more comfortable than traditional leather shoes. Some companies even use plant-based materials that are more environmentally friendly than PVC.
Some brands offer a complete range of shoes, while others specialize in certain types of footwear, such as sneakers or heels. It is important to note that not all vegan shoes are created equal, so be sure to look for the right fit and comfort before buying.
The best thing about shopping at a vegan online store is that you can buy cruelty-free fashion that’s also fashionable. That’s find anything from classic sneakers to chic heels and boots, and you can even find some that are repurposed or upcycled.
Frye
Plenty of stylish options exist whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or just concerned about how your footwear is made. These brands are committed to cruelty-free production and use innovative and environmentally friendly materials. Choose shoes and boots that complement your casual attire, or wear a dressier look with a vegan leather bag. You can opt for slip-on sneakers that are perfect for daily wear.
These new styles are made from various environmentally friendly materials, including recycled rubber and PETA-approved faux leather. They are also designed to be durable and comfortable.
Impetus
Some shoe brands are leading the way as we move away from animal leather to plant-based materials. These vegan shoes are as innovative and stylish as any other leather footwear but have the bonus of being cruelty-free, eco-friendly, and toxins-free.
One such brand is a Portugal-based footwear company that rescues plastic trash from the sea and uses it along with natural rubber to make its shoes. These vegan sneakers are a fun, colorful, and eco-friendly alternative to animal-based footwear.
The shoe label identifies each pair’s composition with a pictogram that tells you what the upper, lining, and sole are made of. Some shoe materials include Pinatex, organic cotton, PU, and 70 to 80 percent sustainable cork.
Luxury veggie fashion brands also offer several vegan shoe styles that are both beautiful and functional. Their shoes are designed by a renowned shoe designer and are crafted from eco-friendly, renewable, recycled, and sustainable materials, including plastic bottles, hemp, and recycled nylon.
Featured Photo by Cristi Ursea on Unsplash