Sorry if I’m being redundant on these Converse Star Players, but hey, I like them and let’s face it we’re going to be treading over the same ground due to the nature of this blog.  Anyway, I saw these Star Player X Lite Ox over at Premier and had to give it a shout.  These pop significantly more than the waxed canvas pair.  It’s subtle, but noticeable.  In case you were wondering, the chevron logo is painted on, not stitched on leather.  UPDATE also it’s not canvas as it might appear, it is synthetic microsuede.

Going for $65 over at Premier.

It is sorta a well known fact that vegans have had to resort to going to Payless when they need to get something for your feet that looks like leather, but really isn’t. Of course, that’s changing – this blog can attest to the rise of more vegan and eco-friendly shoe makers. Still, that doesn’t stop some of us from going back. And hey, to some people, it’s not a stigma to buy from this store.

Here, we have the State Street Franklin Slip On.  It’s fake black perforated leather with a thin white sole.  It’s not quite a sneaker, not quite a dressed up shoe.  But I think you could probably pull this off in a business casual work environment.

Available at Payless for $20.  More pics after the jump!

Den ganzen Beitrag lesen…

Desert Boots are all the rage now, and some brands have obliged us non-leather wearing folk with some fake/faux/imitation leather models.  See Vegetarian Shoes, Keep, Good Guys.  Now H&M is selling a very respectable desert boot in blue, khaki, and brown (Thanks, Andy!).

Two comments.  First, H&M is no exemplar of corporate responsibility.  Notwithstanding the merits of their brand, it is undisputed that have a sucky track record of human rights abuse.  Also there was that piece of news about how an employee was caught slashing unsold clothing so no one could use them or donate them… really?  I have engaged in this discussion before, and it should come as no surprise that I bring this up.  In short, if we care about suffering of animals, we should not be immune to the plight of less fortunate people around the world.  Second, these aren’t available stateside.  Right now, this online store link is only for the UK.  Holler at me if anyone has more info.  You know where to find me.

Available at H&M UK online store for £29.99.

We’ve been holding off writing about the Nike All Court, since to be honest, they don’t really do it for us. But this one flipped the script. Who woulda thought, making it a mid and removing the swoosh could make it come out so clean? Really clean.  This All Court Mid Canvas TZ harkens back to the Huf Nike SB Blazer, but with a little more added. Both have a smooth white vulcanized sole, but the All Court sports a toe cap, and black waxed laces (versus plain white). Nike can keep remaking this same style, as far as I’m concerned.

Keep on the lookout for these at select retailers, they should be available March 1.

Source: Hypebeast

Back in the day (and by that, I mean a year ago), I rocked a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor low reds.  I received compliments about them all the time, but I now I wonder if they secretly thought they looked like I came out of the circus.  I lacked the self-awareness at the time to give it much thought.  I just took it at face value.  It’s either a flaw or asset, I’m not sure which at the moment.

But enough about me.  I doubt anyone will be clowning (heh) you about these.  The canvas Vans Chukka Boot has been elusive, but I finally found one.  Bright Red isn’t the most versatile color, but it’s still really dope.  I don’t think they can really screw this one up.  Sittin on some white gums, topped also with pearly white laces for a nice contrast.

Available at Karmaloop for a reasonable $55.

UPDATE 2/17/11: Also available at Zappos in Red and Black/Black.

Pardon me for the short post, but I wanted to fire this off real quick since I’ll be gone next weekend.  I know some of you will want to know about this one, so here goes!

Nike Dunk Hi Denim, VEGAN (all denim, no leather swoosh).

Source: Premier.

UPDATE: Available at Flight Club LA

Vans Era Reissue NS CA Blue Mirage.  Quite a mouthful.  I know it’s not the time of year for this yet, but I couldn’t help myself.  Plus, it’s not cold and crappy everywhere in the world right now (I’m looking at you, southern hemisphere).  But a pair of these will brighten anyone’s day.  Vans California keeps coming out with the best designs and colors in their staple shoes, like the Era.  Here, they did it simple – baby blue canvas, black stripe around the sole, and clean white laces.  Nothing fancy, hell, not even anything new.  But it works, and we keep coming back.  God, when will they make the Chukka Del Barco without the leather laces!  Killing me!

Available at Karmaloop for $65.

We here at Vegan Kicks love to find out about new companies and brands who sorta come out of nowhere and do big, game changey thangs.  It’s pretty exciting, especially when it’s an all-vegan company.  Or even if their not, offering up an interesting alternative works for us too..

A few days ago, we wrote about Good Guys, who are soon to be putting out some sweet vegan oxfords and boots.  Following a different aesthetic, but no less money, is Unstitched Utilities.  Instead of going the fake leather route, they are experimenting with materials I’ve never seen used in footwear before.   [Note that unlike Good Guys, Unstitched is not a "vegan" brand].

Ever heard of Tyvek?  I see it frequently, because my parents are remodeling their house.  Builders, before they put up the siding on a house, cover it with a layer of this stuff.  It pretty much acts much like a tarp.   Unstitched uses Tyvek in the uppers in some of their shoes, like this one, the Next Day Low.   This Chuck-like shoe is very plain in design, but the fabric really makes it stand out.  It has a crinkled paper appearance.  But they claim that the material is tougher than leather.  You can love it or hate it, but you can’t knock the experimentation.  As a bonus, these shoes have the eco cred, since the Tyvek is made out of recycled material.

More pics after the jump!

Den ganzen Beitrag lesen…

The Fred Perry Foxx Waxed Plimsoll sneaker is a very good low-profile, thin sole all-black canvas sneaker.  Not much in terms of features.  What you see is what you get.  Simple but stylish.  No leather on this one!!!

Available at Urban Outfitters and Endless.