Sustainable summer shoe brands that should be on your radar
With the Extinction Rebellion making their presence known in cities across the UK and various brands pledging to go plastic-free by 2020, its hard to get sustainability off our mind at the moment.
Its a good thing too, with a study reporting that us Brits will buy 50 million one-time-use outfits this summer. Now, more than ever, is the time to invest in sustainable fashion.
Footwear is a good place to start.
During the summer months, our feet really take a beating – from swelling in the heat to getting dirty sandal toes – so investing in a reliable, comfortable pair of summer shoes is a no brainer. Even better if they are eco-friendly too.
These are the sustainable shoe brands that should be on your radar this (and every) summer.
Nomadic State of Mind
You probably already recognise this vegan sandal brand – its been doing the rounds on Instagram over the past few months.
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The brand has been around since the 90s, but has seen a recent resurgence with places such as & Other Stories and Office stocking their ropey products.
Handmade in Nicaragua, the sandals are made from recycled polypropylene rope and anything left over goes into making bottle carriers, rugs and even rope art.
Matt & Nat
It may be best-known for its minimalist leather backpacks, but Matt & Nat has a hefty shoe offering too.
While you might assume the brand is named after two people, it actually stands for two different things Mat(T)erial and Nature. Get it?
Many of the products are made with recycled plastic bottles and recently its thrown recycled bicycle tires into the mix too.
Its a brand committed to staying sustainable and eco-friendly, with a no-leather (or any other animal-based materials) policy.
Toms
This fail-safe summer shoe brand has been around for a long time – since 2006 to be precise.
Over the years, its been using money from purchases to help provide shoes, sight, water and safer birth services to those in need.
Toms has now turned its sights to sustainability with a whole collection of fully vegan shoes, and the range is getting bigger day by day.
Whatever your summer shoe preference, you can be sure that Toms has a vegan version waiting in the wings – be it flip flops, sandals, canvas shoes or the signature espadrille.
Dr Martens
While it feels like Dr Martens has been around since the dawn of time, the brand was actually established in 1947.
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Now, 72 years on, the brand has a vegan range, which is proving to be increasingly popular.
But its not just the classic high top boots that have made the vegan transition – the collection boasts all kinds of summer footwear from gladiator-style sandals to the brands brogue-like Cambridge Brush shoes.
Veja
Youve probably seen a fair few people stomping around your office in a pair of these trainers.
