Used Boots: Cheaper and Eco

Some people might find it repulsive, nasty or creepy to wear a strangers shoes instead of buying brand new slave made footwear - but ya'll need to get over it! Buying used shoes from your local thrift store, Ebay, or Etsy has pros that far exceed the cons. They've already finished out gassing their "new" smell (which translates into no toxic VOC stink), they are cheaper, someone broke them in for you and your feet won't hurt, you are not supporting the manufacturing of more junk to crowd landfills with, little children won't be forced to make them in dark unhealthy factories again, and best of all it's usually WAY cheaper!

I am a huge fans of eco made shoes (like Terra Plana) that are on the market right now but I can safely say they are light years out of my price range - therefore the best planetary support I can give while maintaining my obsession for a sweet pair of boots is buying second hand.

Here's a sample platter of what the used boot world has to serve up:

VINTAGE REPEATS: "These vintage ankle boots were made by "Two Lips". I believe they are a size 7. They have red leather uppers with a lacy cutout pattern. Silver trim accents the elaborate cutouts. The boots have 4" zippers in the backs and 3 1/2" stiletto heels...

MY FAVORITE VINTAGE: "Chocolate Brown Granny Boots Made in Italy, size 7 1/2."

DEWBERRY VINTAGE: "Grey Slouchy Boots, Soft gray suede and leather boots with spiked heel. Leather at toe and detail leather band across calf. Wonderful condition with little to no wear on soles. Size: 8 Narrow"
FIRE GYPSY VINTAGE: "Vintage 1960s 0r 1970s Super Retro Boots are Cowgirl Western styled with Boho flare. They have Feather Accents -Size 6, Length of shaft: 12, Length of sole: 9.5 inches, Calf diameter: 14.5."

PUNK VOUGE: "These are an amazing, unique pair of Doc Marten Boots. They are black, with the British flag on the toe. They have 8 holes. They are a size 10 in womens 9 in men. Boots have minor scuffs. "

XOXO

Re-Wear: Eco Friendly Shoe Shopping

Reduce, Reuse, Re-wear! When it comes to having eco friendly shoes I have a nearly 100% thrifted collection. As badly as I would love to brag that I have a snazzy pair of earth huggin' Terra Plana heals, I don't - and it is because it totally rides out of my budget radar. You can find awesome shoes at local thrift stores & the flea market usually for under $5 ... which is far more within reach. The boots pictured here were under $2 and from a charity run thrift. If you super love unique used shoes & don't like the smelly thrift atmosphere for a little higher price ($15 and up) you can search out your dream boots and heals on Etsy or Ebay. But BEWARE! Don't pay too high a price for an old shoe, because many times the soles are beginning to dry rot...or in my case the other day melt off. When I walked downtown in my white thrifted granny heals something started to flap. I looked down to see the entire sole of my left shoe flapping like a wing underfoot! I just about laughed my ass off when the sole popped off entirely and I turned around to see it was 3 feet behind me...laughing even harder when I came upon the sole from the RIGHT shoe which had apparently fell off earlier without me noticing! I trotted the rest of the way home wearing two soleless old shoes and a big silly smile.
Aren't these black pirate boots sexy ?! Yay! I hope the soles stay on ;)