shoes

Summer Rayne Oakes in front of the Zoe and Zac line for Payless

I have to admit I was (pleasantly) surprised when I got an invite a couple weeks ago to check out Payless Shoes' new green line, but when it comes to mainstream brands greenifying, I target="_new">put my skeptic's hat on. But I have to say I was pretty impressed. Considering how many shoes they sell (Collective Brands, which is made up of Stride-Rite and Payless combined, sells a whopping 200 million pairs a year), if these guys can do it right, it will make a huge difference.

Lucky for us, Payless is going to make these shoes as inexpensive as their other lines -- none of the Zoe and Zac (green) line will be more than $30 a pair.

None other than Eco Chick Summer Rayne Oakes was at the Payless event to answer my questions -- she's the brand's sustainability strategist for the new line, which will debut in April of 2009. "They have organic cotton bodies, the dyes are heavy-metal free, and all the metal details are nickel-free," she said of the printed ballet flats, sneakers, flip-flops and espadrilles in the collection. Even the elastic band on one style is made from recycled PET. We also discussed adhesives, the material that makes up the foot beds and the soles, and without getting into all the chemistry specifics, I'll just say that Summer and Payless covered a lot of the sustainability bases for the very first collection in their green line.

"We want to do a better job, as corporate citizens," said Mardi Larson, a spokesperson for Payless I met at the event. And when I told her about my concerns about the 'ghettoization of green' -- that companies would make a green line to cater to the people that cared, leaving the rest of the public with the same old (Earth-disresepecting) stuff, she explained that what the company learns from the green shoe line will eventually be incorporated into all of their Payless products. "We want to democratize green," said Mardi.

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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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Chances are, you've heard about the environmental ills of the world since your first Earth Day in kindergarten. Since you already recycle your plastic bottles and turn off the bathroom faucet while you brush your teeth, you might be wondering what other easy, fun things you can do to show your love for your mother -- Earth that is.

One easy way is to follow the three R's -- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (just like the Jack Johnson song!). When you need something new, keep them in mind. Look for stuff made from recycled materials like rubber or PET plastic bottles, reused components like reworked leather or vintage fabrics, and reduce by choosing products with less packaging or ones that are made closer to your home. Here are some easy-to-find things to get you started:

H&M

Some of our favorite stores are going green this Spring. H&M has put together a collection of organic cotton dresses, tops and pants that come in the season's hottest colors. When cotton is grown it uses a lot of pesticides and other chemicals. In fact, cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the world! Pesticides and herbicides can pollute local water and soil, so looking for organic cotton, which is grown without all the nasties, is a smart way to go.

Levi's

There's a lot of organic denim (jeans material is mostly cotton) out there too. Check out Levi's trendy light gray (such a cool alternative to white) low-rise jeans or cropped denim trucker jacket, which is mixed with a bit of spandex for comfort.

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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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