It's The Shoes, Stupid!

The answer to what makes an outfit.
We women have the pleasure of buying a pair of shoes that revitalize our entire wardrobe. Shoes connect our stems to the earth, give us our sexy stride, and express our certain je ne sais quoi. I have been guilty of buying loads of these at discounted prices from the nearest shoe barn. But after my fifth pair of cheapy shoes, I began to wonder where they came from, who made them, and why the plastic smells weird. I decided to seek out the green in the shoe world and begin to change my ways, (no I didn't throw away my old cheapy shoes, I'm not goin' cold turkey ladies).

Ye olden shoes....
Did you know that way way way back in the day people used to get their shoes repaired!! In fact just the other day I passed by something called a 'shoe repair store'. Ladies I do not lie. Once upon a time, shoes were well-made by hand, and people would re-sole them periodically. It's hard for me to imagine that kind of quality, but what could be greener than investing in consciously made shoes and giving them nine lives? Go to shoes.about.com for local shoe repair shops.

Green shoe-sites
I know you think that all eco-shoes are over sized hemp tennies (and some are), but allow me to blow your mind with some websites that keep fashion and fun a priority while consciously constructing a green pair of kicks.
charmoneshoes.com
for the champagne of eco-shoes
mooshoes.com
vegan shoe company from New York
simpleshoes.com
closer to the hempy look, but they have cute tennies!
mohop.com
a cute do-it-yourself eco-idea that keeps shoes designs fresh
tomsshoes.com
comfy shoes that kind of look like vans. For every pair you buy, they donate a pair to a child in need. That's gotta feel good!
friedson bros
For your down-home country fix, try these boots that are made entirely in the U.S.A. Local is a great way to be green.