It’s been a long time since I wrote about ethical and sustainable fashion. That’s mainly because I, like most people, have been living in PJs and loungewear. (I have found some lush organic cotton ethical loungewear here at Noctu if you’re interested!) But I do have some ethical, sustainable, carbon neutral vegan boots to share with you today.
Maybe, like me, you’re wondering if vegan boots with better ethical and eco credentials than leather can actually look nice? Or maybe you’re a Vegan, looking for new shoes that fit into your ethics? Read on to see how I found buying vegan boots for the first time.
Why I Decided to Try Vegan Boots
For many years now, I’ve been trying to live a more sustainable, eco friendly life and buy from ethical companies. I’m not a Vegan, but I am conflicted about wearing leather. I have come to the conclusion that it’s better to buy second hand for things like handbags and shoes or products that are made of offcuts that would go to landfill. So I’m trying not to buy any new leather products.
I do have concerns about re-branding plastic leather as vegan leather. Have you noticed that happening as fast fashion outlets jump on the Vegan bandwagon? Although leather alternatives may not be directly impacting animals, the use of plastic will indirectly cause harm, through pollution, the degredation of the environment and microplastic in the water system.
But small ethical companies like Will’s Vegan Store are trying to find more sustainable vegan leather alternatives. So I want to support that in my small way. Their shoes do contain plastic, but they are really well made and long-lasting, in classic yet stylish styles, so I hope they will stand the test of time as much as my old leather boots.
I have to admit I pleasantly surprised when I discovered Will’s Vegan Shoes. I think I have an unconscious bias thinking vegan fashion is a bit ‘hippy’ and old fashioned. I’m happy to be proven wrong by Will’s Vegan Store: they have loads of gorgeous designs, I actually wanted lots of them.
Why I Needed New Boots
I’ve worn my old faithful leather biker boots most days over winter for three, or maybe even four years.
Back when the schools were sill open, I got caught in a massive downpour on the school run. That’s when I discovered my boots are so old they leak. They have also started rubbing my heel for some reason!
So it was time for some new boots. I asked Ryan to buy me some new ethical, sustainable carbon neutral boots from Will’s Vegan Store for Christmas.
My Ethical Vegan Boots
I chose the Low Ankle Booties because they are understated and will go with so many of my outfits. These vegan boots have a classic almond-toe shape and are slightly padded inside making them comfortable from the first wear.
They have a small block heel, a faux silver tone zip on the outside and a functional inside zip and they are nice and snug around my ankles.
I’m wearing them with my bamboo skinny jeans here, but they look great with leggings or tights too. I’ll also wear them with skirts and dresses when it starts to get warmer.
They are true to size: I ordered my usual size 6 and they fit perfectly.
These boots are £80 which I think is a reasonable price for the quality, assuming they last well.
Will’s Vegan Store’s Ethical and Eco Credentials
Are their vegan shoes plastic-free?
Will’s Vegan Store use vegan leather created with “bio oil sourced from organic cereal crops grown in Northern Europe.” They also say their vegan leather is “made with plants” and is “hard wearing, soft, breathable and is water resistant.
I messaged Will’s Vegan Store on Instagram to ask if that means it’s plastic-free – sadly not.
They told me that the latest material they have developed contains 70% bio oil and has a eucalyptus viscose backing. They say “This material does still have 30% polyurethane in its composition however, so there is still some plastic. Because of the nature of the material, it is not biodegradable.” I do find it disappointing that this information isn’t readily available on their website, I get the impression they are carefully phrasing their language to seem more eco-friendly than they actually are.
Their Instagram person said: “We are working on updating our website presentation, linking it with our production database so all the component and sourcing information is much more clear for all our products.”
Most of their outsoles are made from rubber and their insoles are made with recycled rubber, in Spain.
How about their workers?
Will’s Vegan Store products are made in Italy and Portugal under European Union employment, discrimination and health and safety law. They say, “We are part of the ethical clothing movement. Our vegan products are ethically made. Our workers are protected.”
And their carbon footprint?
And when it comes to deliveries, it’s all plastic-free, and carbon neutral, with recyclable paper and cardboard packaging from sustainable sources. They also use paper parcel tape and biodegradable document packs.
They monitor their carbon footprint and invest in renewable energy so they can offset their emissions to zero.
Aside from the ambiguity over the materials of my vegan boots, I am really happy with my purchase.
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