A version of this article was previously published on Ni Hao New York.
Forget the impractical stilettos in Sex and The City–a true New Yorker invests in sensible walking shoes that will stand up to the daily grind.
Footwear is often the last piece of the puzzle for someone transitioning to ethical fashion, so I’ve compiled a list of stylish sneakers that you will be proud to rock in the new year. Bear in mind the cost per wear formula, and choose to buy better so that you can look and feel better, and your purchase will pay for itself over the long run.
1. NAE Sneaker in Basic White (€99.00)
Don’t underestimate this classic white sneaker design–the upper is a unique fabric called Piñatex™, made from pineapple leaf fibers (yes, pineapple!), and the lining is a breathable and anti-allergy ecological microfibre. Nae is a Portuguese brand with a focus on environmental sustainability; they work with alternative materials to leather.
2. Pozu Brisk Natural in Pink (€95.00)
The Pozu Brisk ticks all the right boxes–with an upper and lining made from organic cotton canvas and a footbed made from OEKO-TEX certified microfibre and a breathable foot mattress of coconut husk and natural latex that will mold to your foot shape and provides good insulation. Po-zu stems from the Japanese word for “pause” and is a nod to slow fashion and living, and they are committed to the highest standard of ethical manufacturing and honoring the work of traditional artisans.
3. Matt & Nat Bonadventure in Cerise ($58.50)
The wildly-popular Montreal-based brand Matt & Nat is known for their chic and functional vegan handbags, so you can imagine the excitement when they recently added footwear to their product lineup. The Bonadventure is a sleek design that features a PU upper and lining made from recycled plastic bottles and a chunky rubber sole.
4. Bourgeois Boheme Erika Vegan Sneaker in Rust ($147.50)
I love the attention to detail in this hand-crafted design with a beautifully polished waterproof PU upper and a contrasting grey and white rubber sole, redefining the perception of what leather-free footwear has to look like. Bourgeois Boheme is an independent British footwear brand that produces luxury designs from the finest eco-friendly Italian vegan leather, and they make vegan look sexy.
5. The People’s Movement Brazier Ekocycle Runner ($99.00)
What’s your favorite vegan shoe brand?
Related: 11 Functional Vegan Bags For Every Lifestyle
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Photo: Respective Brands
