Shoo

As I’ve mentioned previously on this blog, I’m not really big on shoes. I go barefoot whenever possible, and my shoe collection reflects my dislike of foot-confinement.

But, I had to suck it up and get some new shoes recently.

I wanted some proper sandals, because my thongs were making me feel a bit under-dressed in certain settings.

And my biking shoes were in a pretty bad way. My heel pushed through and the sole flapped. And a rainy day left them with a terrible stink which no amount of newspaper, baby powder, bicarb soda and sunlight could fix.

I was left with a dilemma—where to get them from? I could get an affordable pair from a shop around town, but I would have to search out a vegan pair of shoes. Plus, affordable usually means not-very-ethical. So, after much hemming and hawing, I decided to pay a bit more to get shoes from Vegan Wares. They are non-leather (duh), and made in Melbourne, rather than in a sweatshop in Southeast Asia. They are handmade, which means they are likely to last a while. And they are comfy.

I got one pair of sandals, which I wear all the time and I love.

And I got one pair of closed-toe shoes, which are also comfy and totally cool.

I’ve gotten tons of compliments on them, and I haven’t gotten any blisters. I am very happy with my decision to spend up, especially considering that I absolutely hate shoe shopping and I don’t want to have to do it any time soon. I highly recommend Vegan Wares.

And, after throwing away my poor old stinky shoes, my collection has grown 20%.

From bottom to top, there’s my two new kick-ass pairs, my thongs, a pair of dressy shoes I got second-hand four years ago, and a pair of pregan Earth Shoes, which I never wear and should realistically donate. Not pictured are a pair of uncomfortable plastic sandals I leave at uni to wear in the shower.

Even with my rocking new footware, I still prefer to go barefoot.