Lace up and buckle down with our round-up of ethical and sustainable footwear brands that will keep you cosy over the colder months.
As the golden glow of September starts to fade and temperatures fall, it’s time to swap your sandals for more solid soles. Good, hardy footwear is an autumn essential, especially in the UK – think crunchy leaves and frosty morning strolls – and fortunately, there’s a fast growing selection of great ethical and sustainable brands to choose from.
While vintage or charity shops can be a great place to stumble on that perfect pair of winter boots or second hand pair of Converse, finding what you’re looking for, in your size, isn’t always easy. So if you’re after something with high ethical credentials that will also stand the test (and wear!) of time, browse our Autumn Footwear Edit or read on to discover our favourite footwear brands.
Good News London’s classic sneakers come in a variety of colours and tactile fabrics, from classic neutrals to bolder prints. Each season see’s a mix of high and low top unisex styles. Good News make their sneakers with organic and recycled materials - recycled rubber soles, organic cotton and weave uppers and a recycled eco-lite footbed - in a bid to ensure materials are environmentally and socially progressive. Their supply chain is monitored to promote a fair trade, whilst deadstock and faulty shoes are donated to homeless and refugees in need.
Innovation sits at the heart of Allbirds, who set out with a mission to create the world’s most comfortable shoes, made naturally and designed practically. A certified B Corp, Allbirds is a carbon neutral business, and is working to entirely eliminate their products carbon footprint. Their range of sneakers are all simple in design and made from responsibly sourced merino wool, meaning they are warm, cosy and durable. A bit like wearing your slippers outside!
Ottowin produce long-lasting, luxury leather footwear at their studio in Bristol. An example of true craftsmanship, every pair is handmade to order by founders Lucy Lloyd and Oliver Cross, so expect a 4 week lead time before you receive your boots. Their designs are inspired by traditional, wearable, everyday styles and the use of natural, earth tones pair well with casual work wear. made in small batches to reduce waste.
Ottowin also offer a 5 day Fitted Boot course (Boot Camp) where you can build your own pair of boots.
Finisterre have teamed up with Palladium and designed a practical, hardwearing fully waterproof boot out of recycled plastic and sustainable materials. Created with adventure in mind, they are light and designed to handle tough terrain. Finisterre design clothing to connect people with the ocean and coastline, and this collaboration with Palladium brings together two brands who believe in sustainability with substance, turning plastic waste into boots built for adventure.
Reducing waste through design, simplicity and versatility, Alice + Whittles make sustainable footwear that takes you outside. In a range of colours and styles, their popular Rain Boots are a lightweight, waterproof rainy-day essential –made from fairly traded natural rubber.
Nomasei make beautiful, classic shoes, which include beautiful leather loafers and boots. Founders Paule and Marine, have worked at some of the world’s biggest fashion houses (including Dior, Chloé and Givenchy), but in Nomasei they sought to create a luxury brand that was both ethically engaged and transparent in its process. Whilst the shoes are made entirely in Tuscany, Nomasei also ensure the entire production chain is accountable when it comes to environmental standards and fair working conditions.
VEJA's stylish and easy to wear sneakers are a hugely popular option. Their huge selection of retro-inspired sneakers come in a range of beautiful colourways and slot easily into any wardrobe. Their autumn/winter collection this year reflects a cool, neutral colour palette with a hint of autumnal vibrancy. VEJA is also the first sneaker brand to use fabric entirely made from recycled plastic bottles: B-mesh - a fabric made entirely out of recycled polyester is light, breathable and waterproof.
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