footwear

The good news is that I really don't need much in the way of new shoes this Autumn. But I have been feeling decidedly dowdy of late and I realized I don't really wear very sexy shoes (cool shoes, interesting shoes, comfortable shoes, arty shoes, fabulous shoes, yes, I have all of those, but sexy shoes? Not a ONE!). I thought I would share the results of my quest with you.

The Peacock, shown above, is available at Embodies.

These yellow pumps from Form and Fauna are very Mad Men, and like the buxom redhead on the show, totally droolworthy. All F&F shoes are vegan and have major eco-cred: "Upper is a biodegradable synthetic, heel is made from scrap alder wood, insole liner is open cell rubber." NICE!

Sexy and classy all tied up together. These are available at Ped.

Everyone who knows me knows I'm a little obsessed with Cydwoq shoes. Their women's boots and sandals are absolute knockouts (I've had a pair of sandals for about three years from this company, and they are wearing beautifully and they are my MOST comfortable sandals ever). All styles are made from vegetable-tanned and naturally dyed leather, handmade in Burbank, California, and these above are so hot! The men's shoes and boots are really fantastic too, and worth checking out.

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You take care never to step in a puddle, avoid unpaved roads and never step on cracks, but STILL it seems your shoes wear out faster than Britney Spears' hair changes. Unlike some clothes and many accessories, shoes take a beating, and even when waterproofed and waxed within an inch of their lives, they need to be replaced on a semi-regular basis.

And shoes are notoriously eco-unfriendly, with sneaker companies accused of promoting sweatshop labor, leather tanneries spewing effluent into local unprotected water resources (especially in third-world countries where much of leather is processed and dyed), and glues and other components poisoning landfills when shoes are tossed.

So if you choose to go Earth-friendly with just one item in your wardrobe, consider making it your shoes. And then when you choose to walk instead of drive, you'll be green squared.

Timberland

If you're looking for a great winter boot, look no further than the new-for-fall Timberland Earthkeepers line. Guaranteed to be waterproof on the outside, and inside, the 70% recycled lining will wick the moisture right away from your feet, keeping them warm and dry. The outsole is made from natural rubber (a renewable resource), 30% of which is recycled. They come in black, brown and even organic canvas and leather, if you're partial to the urban safari look that's so hot right now. They're even designed to be airport-friendly with minimum metal parts for the globetrotting eco-warrior (-worrier?).

Simple

Simple shoes Eco Sneaks come in fun patterns (like this one with photos by Joe Curren of Santa Barbara printed on them) and more laid-back solids. They come in hi-tops, low-tops and the surfer/slacker fave, the slip-on. The upper fabric is made of a combination of organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles (PET), making it tougher than regular cotton canvas. The lining is also organic cotton, ensuring your feet won't be cradled in pesticide-laced booties. Even the laces are made from recycled PET plastic. To top it off (or bottom it out?), the outsole is made from repurposed car tire treads, and the whole thing is held together with non-toxic, water-based cements.

El Naturalista

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Depending on your outlook, this is either a great or frustrating year for shoes. On one hand, you have myriad options; whether you're into flats, chunky or spike heels, ankle boots, or thigh highs, they're all out there. On the other hand, it can be hard to know which shoes to wear, and you don't want to waste resources (or money) buying a pair of shoes that's going to go out of style by Spring.

Shoe manufacture is notoriously hard on Mother Nature: leather tanning and dyeing effluent pollute water resources, and shipping the uppers, lowers and finished shoes halfway around the world and back (to be put together by underpaid overseas workers) wastes energy. And all those trendy (and often toxic) clogs, sneakers, platforms and espadrilles eventually end up in landfills.

So make your shoe decisions wisely, both for your wardrobe, your wallet and the Earth.

Ankle Boots

Terra Plana

Ankle boots are really hot this season, and the Maple by Terra Plana is a cool little grandma-chic number, complete with recycled quilt panel. Terra Plana uses veggie-tanned leather company-wide. The Bronte is a sleek black leather bootie that looks like it dropped in from the future and will take you zooming into 2008 and beyond.

Rodarte

Rodarte's above-the-ankle boot is handmade in California from vegetable-tanned leather atop an earthy-looking, 3-inch wooden heel.

Heels

Charmone

Charmone's shoes are environmentally friendly (made from microfiber that doesn't contain air-polluting PVC) and animal-free. Warning! The cinnamon shoe will cause an extreme case of shoe lust among your friends.

Mink

Mink's shoes are for the high-fashionista in all of us. These sparkly numbers, playfully named the Bull, would be ideal for partying the holiday season away. All of Mink's shoes are vegan and are made from eco-friendly materials.

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