Smartly Vegan

The word “vegan” is used to spark the mental image of a skirt-flowing, long-haired hippie running barefoot through a field, wearing a lovely flower crown. The term undoubtedly wasn’t associated with shoe choices. And if you did happen to hear someone mention “vegan shoes,” it probably evoked the image of someone wearing fig leaves wrapped around their feet. However, these days “vegan shoes” are simply cute or stylish shoes that are cruelty-free and ethically sourced! Thank gosh, because grass makes my feet itch. This is a list of the best ten vegan women’s shoes. It’s a pretty inclusive list. You’ll find sneakers, boots, heels, and flats that accommodate various price points and seasons. Best of all, women will adore these vegan shoes because they are so cute and stylish! Dr. Martens Vegan 1460 Smooth Black Combat Boot These Doc Marten’s make my former grungy teenage soul so happy! I love that the grunge look reemerges every few years because these boots are incredibly comfortable. They have that iconic air-cushioned sole and are made of 100% synthetic materials. If you are new to vegan leather, this is a good pair of shoes to start with because they will “break-in” similar to animal leather and have a good bit of flexibility right out of the box. TOMS Vegan Women’s Correa Sandal Neon Trim Burlap 10001386 If you like flats but are on the girlier side, these sandals are a great choice. They are adorable! The burlap material is a very neutral color, but the neon trim gives them a little pop of excitement. In addition to getting these super cute shoes when you purchase them, TOMS will also give a pair to a child in need so that you can feel great about that too! And, like most TOMS, you can walk around comfortably in these all day. Emma’s Shoes Vegan Leather Tennis Shoes for Women Low-Top Cap Toe Flats These are another pair of shoes with a bit of a retro feel, which is very “in”. Plus, the all-white look is so stylish. These vegan leather tennis shoes are perfect for everyday casual wear. They have a fully cushioned sole that makes them very comfortable and a durable non-slip rubber outsole and toe cap. Enjoy these playful, standout fashion statement shoes in casual and dressy looks. Emma Shoes is a well-established fashion shoe brand that carries stylish and affordable women's footwear. Ollio Women's Ballet Comfort Light Faux Suede Flat If you are not the kind of lady that would wear the tennis shoes above with a dressy outfit, check out these bad boys. They are a simple flat but are available in TEN different colors, so you’ll be able to match them to any outfit. They run true to size too, so picking the right pair will be a breeze. I love the pointed toe. It’s slightly rounded, creating a softer feel, but it is still fashionable and classic. They are made of a synthetic material that looks suede but won’t break the bank. What more can you ask for!?! Matt & Nat Women's Hazel Vegan Lace-Up Sneaker If you are looking for a vegan brand recommendation, Matt & Nat is an excellent choice. These basic black low-top sneakers would be a versatile addition to every wardrobe. However, the best part here is that they are Matt & Nat. Matt & Nat believes in living beautifully and mindfully, crafting the perfect everyday vegan shoes with synthetic leathers, 100% recycled plastic bottles, and cork. With that in mind, if this particular pair isn’t for you, check out their website or Amazon for other stylish shoes! Matt & Nat Women's Tokio Vegan Chelsea Boot Nude For a classic look, get yourself into a pair of these TOKIO nude vegan Chelsea boots from Matt & Nat, featuring a faux suede upper with a woven label with the logo. The Tokyo nude vegan Chelsea boot is designed with a lightly cushioned footbed for added comfort. If you love Matt & Nat shoes as much as I do, you’ll die for these. They are straightforward and neutral, so you’ll be able to wear them with like everything you own. MIOKE Women's Pointed Toe Chunky Wedge Heel Ankle Boots Vegan Suede These are neutral boots, but they’re a bit fancier than the Matt & Nat’s. These trendy, classic chunky wedge ankle boots combine perfectly with any outfit. Make even the simplest outfit look instantly stylish with these comfortable fashion boots. They’d be perfect with dresses, skinny jeans, business outfits - either way, you’re going to look AMAZING. Best of all, you can get them velvet-lined or faux fur lined, so you’ll even be able to sport them in winter! Beyond Skin Women's Mani Spot Pony Vegan Boot This is another pair of Beyond Skin shoes. They are the dressiest pair on the list and not for the faint of heart due to the 4.5” stiletto heel. However, my gosh are they gorgeous. These are a FIERCE ankle boot with a bit of a vintage feel. They also have the world’s cutest tie that goes around to the back and forms a bow. They’d look amazing with skinny jeans, a simple black dress, and tights! DailyShoes Women's Casual Moccasins Vegan Fur Flat Classic Loafer After wearing those super high stiletto heels above, you’ll be dying for a comfy pair of slippers by the end of the day. Or maybe you love a comfortable pair of slippers. Either way, you need a comfy pair of slippers, so ta da! Here you go! They have ears, plush faux fur, and TWELVE different color options. They are inexpensive, so you could go crazy and get them in all your favorite colors! If you don’t like the ears, they also offer these slippers as the classic moccasin design in various colors. Buyer’s Considerations/How to Choose The Right Pair of Vegan Women’s Shoes: Before we get into what to look for when it comes to vegan shoes, let’s start by discussing how to choose the right pair of shoes for you. Consider the style: If you are not someone that has a lot of experience wearing high heels, you shouldn’t choose the Beyond Skin stilettos on this list. As cute as they are, you will probably end up wearing them twice a year because stilettos aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay. A more suitable choice would be a wedge heel. With wedges, you’ll get the height boost stilettos to offer, but in most cases, they're much easier and more comfortable walking in. Wedges can be just as fancy/dressy but are excellent for women who aren’t as experienced with heels. Consider the event: If you have an outdoor summer wedding to go to, you don’t want to wear the Dr. Marten’s on this list. We love them, but a full combat boot will probably make your feet sweat. In the long run, this creates smelly shoes, so it’s best avoided. There are sandals, low-top tennis shoes, and ankle boots up and down this list which would be excellent choices. Just as easy and comfy to walk in but much more lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about that sweaty feet issue. Consider the price range: Beyond Skin is a fully vegan brand. However, a downside for some is going to be the price range. They’re a more “luxury” brand. Conversely, Matt & Nat is another fully vegan brand, but they have shoes for every price point. Plus, some brands aren’t fully vegan but have vegan options that suit a variety of price points. Those brands are something to consider. TOMS is an example of this. Now, let’s discuss how to pick out vegan shoes. This can be a bit challenging sometimes because, for whatever reason, brands don’t always explicitly list shoes as a vegan. However, you can look for certain phrasing that would lead you to know the shoe is animal-free. Look for phrases like “made from PU leather,” “made from synthetic material,” or “man-made.” Of course, it is easier when a brand specifically states a shoe is vegan. Indications of this would be phrases like “cruelty-free” or “PETA certified.” If you look at a shoe that looks like leather or suede or has fur, you’ll want to check for some indication that it is not of the animal variety. Leather, suede, and fur are popular materials for shoes but have faux alternatives. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if a shoe contains animal products. For instance, the upper sole might be canvas, but it was secured to the sole using glue that contains animal byproducts. This is probably the biggest concern when attempting to buy vegan shoes. Even the PETA website recommends some vegan shoe brands but advertises that they can’t be sure that the glue used was 100% vegan. If this makes you uncomfortable, the most significant recommendation that can be made is to do your research on whatever product or brand you are interested in. Final Thoughts: Thankfully, there are more options than ever when it comes to being stylish AND ethical. Vegan shoes are more than just fig leaves secured to the feet of a wandering flower child. They can be cute, durable, and just as affordable as any other shoe on the market. Plus, vegan shoes are easier than ever to procure. You can buy online from 100% vegan brands like Matt & Nat or Beyond Skin. However, you can type “vegan shoes” into the Amazon search box, find a TON of options, and utilize that convenient, free 2-day Prime shipping. With this in mind, every shoe on the list above is available on Amazon. We’ve found shoes in a variety of styles that can suit a variety of budgets and a variety of seasons. So the question is, which pairs are you going to get!?!

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