Article of Vegan Interest About Jelly Shoes

On Monday (Aug 17), the New York Times ran an article by Jessica Michault titled, "The Reincarnation of the Jelly Shoe, With a Designer Flair." The article discusses the pervasiveness of jelly shoes in designers' shoe lines this summer, specifically mentioning Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, See by Chloé and Tory Burch. The comeback of jelly shoes is a blessing for vegans: finding cute and trendy footwear from mainstream designers that are vegan is practically impossible save a flip-flop or a sneaker here and there. But with the proliferation of jelly shoes, every vegan can wear designer shoes, provided the jellies are comfortable and she (or he) wants to designer-brand-herself (or himself). This summer, I have been wearing Tory Burch's jelly version of her famous Reva shoe (in navy blue), and Burberry's jelly thong sandal (in black).

I'm interested to see what designers create for the fall and winter. According to the article, it was the rise of Crocs that caused designers to launch into the jelly shoe arena. This winter, as it did last winter, Crocs will offer a variety of fleece (vegan!) lined Crocs appropriate to the colder weather (see picture). I'm not much of a fan of Crocs -- too wide for me; perhaps a few designers will create something to take the place of these Crocs.

Vegan Purchase: SE Boutique Ballet Flats

I wear ballet flats like sneakers: with jeans and a t-shirt on the weekend to walk around town. I recently purchased these SE Boutique "Celeste" ballet flats via DSW to replace an ailing pair (which weren't vegan -- I view it as a great wardrobe upgrade). They are incredibly comfortable, flexible, and stylish. Most importantly, despite what the DSW website says, they are vegan. More accurately, I purchased them in the pictured black; the inside label clearly states they are comprised entirely of man-made materials; so, at the very least, the black version is vegan. They were $59.95 (the compare at price was $95); find them here.

Wednesday's Work-Appropriate Shoes: Rocket Dog Flats

I recently received an email from Piperlime stating that grey and other neutrals add "a rich touch to your look." For the summer, I too enjoy adding a bit of non-black to my outfits by mixing up the color of my shoes. As such, today's vegan shoes are these grey Rocket Dog's "Mystique" round-toe ballet flats. Although they do have a 1/4" defined heel and the pleated detailing, making them work-appropriate in my opinion, they definitely are for more casual work days. Perhaps pair them with black slacks and a nice button-down shirt or summer sweater. The shoes are made from synthetic leather and rubber. They are $40; find them here via Piperlime.

Also via Piperlime -- although most likely not work appropriate, I thought I would point out these Blowfish "Zandu" high shaft slouchy boots. They boast an interesting drawstring at the back of the shaft. Made from fabric lining, textile outer, and a synthetic sole -- vegan! I'm not sure how wearable they are in the summer heat, but they'll be great as summer transitions into fall. The boots come in the pictured "bark" and black; they are $75; find them here.

Wednesday's Work-Appropriate Shoes: Marais Flats

Available at MooShoes. These cute flat faux patent leather shoes with a tiny 1/4" heel and side cut-outs are perfect for more casual days at work or walking to and from the office. The tiny heel makes them dressier than the very flat flats that are pervasive lately. The shoes come in the pictured chestnut and in a green-tinted "Easter" color that I don't find all that office appropriate, though it may depend on the office. $49; find them here.

Wednesday's Work-Appropriate Shoes: Kitten Heels

I've been looking for a certain type of kitten heel for months and months and months -- black, pointed toe (not the round that seems to be everywhere), a one-inch heel, perhaps some decoration to make the shoe intriguing. I finally found a pair . . . via Payless no less! Their "American Eagle" brand black kitten heel features a one-inch heel, a pointed toe, and pleats around the toe. I haven't tried the shoe on yet (going this weekend), so I can't attest to comfort. The shoe is vegan though -- made from manmade materials. Regularly $24.99, the heels are on sale for $19.99. The shoes also come in a "raspberry" color; find them here.

Vegan On The Weekend: Eco-Friendly Shoes For The Weekend

Ecoshoes are in; and major companies (Payless, Keds) are launching lines of eco-friendly shoes. Being eco-friendly, most (perhaps all) are vegan. Most of the freshly-released ecoshoes are sneakers or sneaker-ish casual shoes. Great for weekends, though not so good for work -- perhaps good for walking to work, though.

Payless recently launched a new line of casual footwear (and bags and jewelry) made from materials like hemp, organic cotton, and water-based glues. The Zoe&Zac line was designed with help from eco-model Summer Rayne Oakes. It includes sandals, the right pictured wedges (which also come in a brown), skimmers, mary janes, and sneakers. The shoes range from $19.99 to $29.99; check out the collection here. Also, for every pair of Zoe&Zac shoes you buy between now and May 4, Payless will donate $1 to plant trees.

Keds also recently launched a line of eco-friendly shoes, titled its "Green Label." The Green Label includes Keds' classic lace-up in green, black, or white; and Keds' more-recent "moc" in tan, blue, or white (the blue is pictured left). The shoes are made from organic cotton and recycled rubber; the laces are made from recycled water bottles, which I think is the coolest feature of the shoes. The shoes are $55; find the entire collection here.

On a related note, on Earth Day (April 22), H&M is set to release a line of clothing made from recycled plastic bottles. Not quite sure how that will work, but I'm eager to see what they have to offer. And Loomstate, purveyors of expensive organic clothing, is teaming with Target to make a line of clothing aptly named Loomstate for Target. As with all "[fill in the blank] for Target," the line will run for a limited-time; it will include men's and women's casual clothes (jeans, dresses, swimwear). It debuts at Target this Sunday!

A Pelican, A Vintage Poster, And Some Jellies

My trip to Florida was a huge success -- relaxing, rejuvenating, full of walks on the beach, good food at interesting restaurants, and a bit of shopping, of course.

While walking on the pier, I made a new friend -- a cute, potentially older pelican, who I decided was male. The webbing of one of his feet was injured -- a few holes, one entire section missing. I felt so bad for him. He must have known; he came waddling up to me and stood somewhat near me for a bit. I saw him again the next day and let me stand by him again. I took pictures; this one has the best up-close view of his injured foot:

Prior to meeting my pelican friend, I ate at a very interesting restaurant called The Bubble Room. The restaurant has over 2,000 antiques -- quite a collection -- everything from Christmas-themed Mickey Mouses to this rather alarming vintage Coke ad:

Yes, I was quite alarmed: give me of Coke and of course I will have sex with you. So alarmed that I had to go shopping. While shopping I fell in love with these Chanel jellies:

Unfortunately, their price tag of about $300 also is alarming. As they are Chanel, they are unavailable for sale online as far my searches reveal. But they are fun to look at -- and vegan!

Vegan on the Weekend: Jellies

When I first inventoried my shoes after committing to maintaining a vegan lifestyle, I thought that my Stuart Weitzman clear jelly shoes with little crystals on their fronts were vegan . . . but, alas, they are not. The jelly shoes are decorated with a silver bow -- that I'm almost positive is made from leather -- and the footbed is definitely leather. Eeek. Regardless, I have had them for almost three years (essentially pre-pre-vegan) and they are super comfortable and great to wear during weddings when my feet hurt after dancing . . . so, I am keeping them until they fall apart. The closest items Stuart Weitzman currently has for sale are its jelly thong sandals, which still incorporate leather, and look nothing like my shoes. If you're intrigued, you can check them out here. And, even better, you can find a version of mine on Zappos . . . here (pictured).

But, because of the jelly trend, there are a number of cute jelly shoes that don't incorporate leather (and, of course, like the Stuart Weitzman's, some that do). My favorite is Burberry's jelly thongs. They come in 4 colors: white, citrine (lightish green), plum, and black (pictured -- I really do pick black 95% of the time if the option is present). 100% rubber! They are $125 -- and are available online at Burberry and Nordstrom.

Very similar to Burberry's t-strap jelly thongs are Jimmy Choo's jelly thong sandals. Made from rubber upper, lining, and sole. They come in the pictured "caramel leopard" and "black zebra" (both via Nordstrom). They are $175 -- which, to me, seems a bit over the top for jelly thongs.

There also is Tod's version of the Burberry and Jimmy Choo . . . which is available online through Neiman Marcus and through its website. The t-strap jellies come in white, clear, red, and black, and seem to be made entirely of rubber. However, they boast a little tassel tie-thing at the top of the t-strap that I fear may be made from leather. They are also $175.

More in the traditional style of jelly shoe, rather than thong or flip-flop, is Tory Burch's jelly version of the "Reva" logo ballet flat. The jelly version comes in purple (pictured), parrot pink, medium navy, equestrian orange, and bright yellow. They are made entirely from rubber. I've seen the jellies in person, but did not try them on. They look very cute; and the three holes as vents near the inside arch are especially endearing. I assume they are either are very comfortable or skin-cutting and squeaky. At $95, they are the least expensive designer option.

Finally, Givenchy's "Lace-Up Jelly" qualifies as a jelly . . . and it is quite an intriguing twist on the jelly. I think the picture says it all. There is a hidden 1" wedge heel. Though they are made from rubber, I fear that the laces could be leather . . . something to check in-store. They come in the pictured off-white and black. $170; available via Saks 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).

White House Black Market Shoes May Be Vegan

White House Black Market is offering two pairs of shoes that are made from synthetic upper (100% polyester satin) and sole. I emailed White House Black Market's customer support and asked whether any part of either shoe incorporates animal products, including the glue used to bind the shoes.

Customer support's answer was: "We do not have access to the information you are requesting. Please contact our corporate office to see if someone can better assist you. The corporate number is 239-277-6200. The office is located in Fort Myers, FL and open from 8:30 to 5:00 Monday-Friday."

The two shoes are: 1) "Twister Pleated Satin Heel" (pictured left, $98): the pumps have a 3" inch heel. If your office allows open-toed shoes, I think these would look great with a black skirt or pant suit or with a dress, especially during the holiday season. They also would be great for office holiday parties and for other parties.

2) "Ornamental Ballet Flat" (pictured right, $78): the flats have faux seed pearls and misty cabochons dangle tiny grey beads. I like their flexible sole and 1/4" heel. They may be a bit too flat for my office, but, again, they would be great for holiday parties, especially those that are a little less formal and/or require lots of standing and mingling.

If you like either and want to be sure that no animal products were used in production, you may call the above number. Maybe if enough people call or email, White House Black Market will start including such information on its website, or, at least, inform its customer service representatives enough to answer what seems like a question that they should be able to answer easily.