Designer Vegan Deal: Charmone Shoes

I've been very MIA the past month -- and may be for a while longer as to regular posting. But I wanted to highlight the Greenloop's massive close-out sale on Charmone pumps and boots from last season (though still perfectly acceptable style-wise for 2010, in my opinion). The Greenloop came to my attention when a couple of my friends sent me an awesome gift certificate. I spent a portion of the gift certificate already, and just used the rest to get the right pictured "marco-polo" pumps in the moss color. As with all Charmone shoes, they are vegan. Originally $229, they are on close-out for $49. They also come in a slate (grey) version. Find the moss color here and the slate color here.

The Greenloop also is offering Charmone's "darjeeling" booties for $49 (originally $269). They come in the pictured black and a green. They have a 3.75" heel (same as the above pumps) and are made from a vegan micro-fiber "suede" that give them a velvety look and feel. Find the black here and the green here. Also check out Charmone's "dragonwell" tall boots -- originally $299, on sale for $59 -- here.

Vegan Purchase: Neuaura Booties

It was gorgeous (gorgeous!) in New York City yesterday (and just about everywhere else on the east coast). I walked around SoHo for a few hours with friends . . . eating, shopping, talking . . . straining my winterized legs until my calf muscles screamed in pain. It was a fabulous Sunday!

While out, my friends and I stopped at Moo Shoes -- at my request, of course. I couldn't resist purchasing the cutest pair of Neuaura bootie-pumps (pictured left): the shiny faux leather combined with the super-soft faux suede and the satin ribbon -- very professional, but with a stylist twist. At 3 inches, the heels are do-able also. There was only one black pair left in my size . . . so, clearly, I had to get them. I am wearing them today with a black Ann Taylor suit (the triacetate vegan) and a cotton-polyester-blend white collared shirt with subtle ruffling around the buttons (a holiday gift from a friend -- love the shirt!). And I intend to pair them with the White House Black Market tuxedo-esque suit I got on super-sale a few weeks ago (see previous post). The shoes were $89. Find them here (they also come in brown -- here).

I also really liked these black Neuaura Lolita flats (1/2" heel), but they weren't available in my size. If you are size 6, 6.5, or 9.5, check them out -- on sale for $39.99 (originally $74).

Sale on Designer Vegan Handbags

I love handbags. It's why I post about them constantly. Net-A-Porter has some wildly overpriced designer vegan handbags on sale. Even on sale, they are still wildly overpriced, but one can dream (and post), I guess.

Of the sale items, my favorite is this Stella McCartney "textured tote" (pictured right). Originally $1,295, it is now $777 (gulp!). I love, love, love the deep navy / charcoal color which will go with almost any suit. And I absolutely adore the fact that it has a zillion pockets: zipped pockets on the sides, a zip fastening across the top, and two compartments on the inside. You can never have enough pockets.

Slightly less expensive, I also enjoy this Stella McCartney "chenille shoulder bag" (pictured left). Originally $1,395, it is now $697.50 (I'm still gulping). I think its slate gray floral pattern with wood and gold-tone hardware is quite work appropriate. And at 16" x 16" x 6", everything will fit!

Also, I posted about the faux-leather version of these (faux-patent leather version) Stella McCartney booties awhile back, which Net-A-Porter has on sale for $417 (originally $695).

And, to give credit, I found these handbags via this Corporette post, which highlights another still wildly expensive yet on sale vegan designer handbag.

More Vegan Shoes

Whenever I say I am a vegan, people ask me about finding shoes or people tell me that it is impossible to find good looking vegan shoes. To be honest, I collected so many pairs of shoes pre-vegan, that I likely will not have to replace very many for a while. But that doesn't prevent me from browsing the web for shoes. In my latest internet travels, I found a few more vegan shoes designers. All three primarily make vegan shoes for women, although the third makes some vegan sandals for men.

1) NEUAURA. According to its website, "NEUAURA provides contemporary, high-quality, animal-friendly fashion footwear for today’s uncompromising consumer." That's me! All of NEUAURA's shoes do not contain any leather, fur, silk, wool, shell, or pearls, and no animal by-products are used during manufacturing and/or finishing processes. The shoes cost $79 - $104. I especially enjoy the "Mariposa" pumps (pictured right in the black, $79). The pumps also come in a mulberry color.

2) Georgette Shoes. The best website to find these shoes is Nimli. Not all Georgette Shoes are vegan; Nimli indicates which are with a little drawing underneath the shoes of what looks to me like a combination of a sheep and a cow. The shoes cost $160 - $410. My favorite is the "Monique" bootie (pictured left in the black, $160). The bootie also comes in brown. With a 2.3" heel, I think the bootie would look great under a pant suit.

3) Rina Shah. Rina Shah makes all animal-friendly products, including handbags, belts, and shoes (for women and men). The shoes cost $50 - $350. Most of her products are available online. In the United States, Rina Shah products are available at Otsu (San Fransisco) and Moo Shoes (New York), among other outlets. I really enjoy the "Crochet" pump (pictured right, $95). Finding the perfect pant or skirt suit to wear with them might be a challenge, but the pumps truly would make the outfit. I also love that you can choose the heel height (2", 3" or 4") of this pump.

Professional Vegan Shoes

The point of this blog is to identify and showcase vegan clothing and accessories suitable for the corporate world. The last post -- Keds -- despite the intrigue of wearing Mrs. Dalloway on my feet, is not suitable for the corporate world, possibly not even suitable for those long weekend hours. So here are some professional vegan shoe options. First 3 for women; second 2 for men.

1) Te Casan by Natalie Portman shoes. Entirely vegan, including sandals, flats, wedges, pumps, and boots! Most of the shoes are in the $250 - $300 price range; tall boots are in the $400 - $450 range. I work in an extremely conservative environment (full suit everyday, jacket must be on when you step out of your office, no funky stuff, definitely no open toe shoes). These "Poppy" pumps (pictured left, $255, 3" heel) are my favorite of her offerings.

2) olsenHaus shoes. I previously blogged on the designer bags; the shoes are just as great. The current line of shoes is mainly pumps, flats, and booties. Slightly less expensive than the Te Casan by Natalie Portman line, the shoes range from $175 - $225.

3) Stella McCartney shoes. Stella McCartney is also a vegan-friendly designer, although her line of shoes is way more expensive than the previous two (in the $600 - $1,000+ price range). Nevertheless, of course, her shoes are gorgeous, and her shoe line includes pumps, flats, wedges (tons of wedges!) and boots (short and tall!). If you can't make it to her boutique in NYC, Neiman Marcus carries a good selection. I love this pull-on ankle bootie made of black faux leather (pictured right, $645, 4" heel).

4) The Vegan Collection shoes. The Vegan Collection is an online shoe company based out of Los Angeles. They offer vegan men's shoes at reasonable prices (around $50!). Best of all, 25% of all profits from purchases is donated to one of four animal-rights organizations (the purchaser gets to choose which one of the four).

5) Vegetarian Shoes. If you can deal with ordering your shoes from the UK, Vegetarian Shoes offers some great options for men, such as this black semi-dressy "Kent Clark" shoe (pictured left, £54.95). I'm not as into the women's options, but there seem to be lots for men to choose from.

Also, Moo Shoes, a NYC boutique, carries tons of women's and men's vegan shoes. Check out their website here. They also carry bags, wallets, belts, cosmetics, and a small selection of clothing.