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eco-tricot

What are downsizers wearing on their feet these days?

I'm going to be needing some new footwear in the not too distant future (something other than wellies, that is).

Ideally I would like something made in the UK from UK-sourced materials (recycled or renewables) and which I don't have to take out a mortgage for.

Any suggestions?
sally_in_wales

I've spent most of the last two years in a pair of handmade leather mary-janes that have been so comfy. Got them here: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Handmade-Shoe-Company , they were extremely reasonably priced too.

oh and of course handmade socks whenever possible Smile
eco-tricot

These look just the sort of thing I'm after - thanks.

I can't believe the price though!!
vegplot

Blokes never get the same options when it some to shoes.
Penny

They're lovely!!! I like the black ones with sparkly stuff on Very Happy
Maxwell Smart

Not sure about things made in the UK from UK sourced renewables but I like my Patagonia shoes made from veggie dyed leather, hemp soles and recycled rubber off-cuts.

I also have a pair of Linn's - an off-shoot from Birkenstock but more sustainable using veggie dyed leather and natural cork and rubber soles.

Have you tried the Natural Shoe Shop in Covent Garden? They do mailorder.
Chez

Purple! They come in purple! *faints with delight*.

MUCH more expensive ... but I have been lusting after some from here:

http://www.handcraftedshoes.co.uk/

And Vegplot, I think that might solve your 'blokes have so little choice' problem ...

I know someone who has worn some of their boots daily for the last five years and they are still going strong, with the occasional resoling.
cassy

These are our local makers Clog and Shoe Workshop - not tried them yet, hoping to, after a bit of saving up!

Permaculture Magazine No57 Autumn 08 had an article on "Ethical, Green Shoes". The suggested companies, offering different variation on 'green-ness' were -

www.po-zu.com
www.celtic-sheepskin.co.uk
www.greenshoes.co.uk
www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk
www.ethicalwares.com
www.noharm.co.uk
www.beyondskin.co.uk
www.terraplana.com

I haven't looked at them to see which are UK made/sourced or the price, but there seem to be renewable / recycled option.
Barefoot Andrew

Not much Laughing
A.
lottie

Just put a bid in on some purple shoes---They look incredibly comfortable--hope they are.
vegplot

Chez wrote:
Purple! They come in purple! *faints with delight*.

MUCH more expensive ... but I have been lusting after some from here:

http://www.handcraftedshoes.co.uk/

And Vegplot, I think that might solve your 'blokes have so little choice' problem ...

I know someone who has worn some of their boots daily for the last five years and they are still going strong, with the occasional resoling.


They look very nice. Thanks Smile
Fee

Barefoot Andrew wrote:
Not much Laughing
A.


ditto Laughing
vegplot

Barefoot Andrew wrote:
Not much Laughing
A.


Home made leather.
Barefoot Andrew

vegplot wrote:
Home made leather.


Excellent phrase Laughing I'm going to start using that...
A.
vegplot

Barefoot Andrew wrote:
vegplot wrote:
Home made leather.


Excellent phrase Laughing I'm going to start using that...
A.


Dam, another fortune not made.
eco-tricot

Thanks everyone - there's some really good suggestions here. I'm going to be spoiled for choice!
Rob R

vegplot wrote:
Blokes never get the same options when it some to shoes.


You want the same options? Shocked Laughing Well, nothing stopping you I guess Wink Laughing
dpack

british infantry assault boots ,good for working ,walking etc
brasher nubuck .light ,reasonably tidy ,ok but not much ankle support
merrill sandals ,dont know about ethics but they last ages and work well
mochyn

I had a pair made for me several years ago by the chap in the Parade centre in Shrewsbury. They're very basic: one strap over the instep shoes and sooooooooo comfy. When the sole wears out he'll replace it, but no sign of that yet...
vegplot

Rob R wrote:
vegplot wrote:
Blokes never get the same options when it some to shoes.


You want the same options? Shocked Laughing Well, nothing stopping you I guess Wink Laughing


I missed out 'range'. Although a pair of sling backs may we go nicely with the ...
Slim

vegplot wrote:
Rob R wrote:
vegplot wrote:
Blokes never get the same options when it some to shoes.


You want the same options? Shocked Laughing Well, nothing stopping you I guess Wink Laughing


I missed out 'range'. Although a pair of sling backs may we go nicely with the ...


I was just thinking, 'well there's nothing stopping him from ordering from that very same range... he might look lovely in a pink number..."

I'm sure you can work out the size conversion! Laughing
vegplot

cpg03 wrote:
vegplot wrote:
Rob R wrote:
vegplot wrote:
Blokes never get the same options when it some to shoes.


You want the same options? Shocked Laughing Well, nothing stopping you I guess Wink Laughing


I missed out 'range'. Although a pair of sling backs may we go nicely with the ...


I was just thinking, 'well there's nothing stopping him from ordering from that very same range... he might look lovely in a pink number..."

I'm sure you can work out the size conversion! Laughing


Voyeur.
Slim

vegplot wrote:
cpg03 wrote:
vegplot wrote:
Rob R wrote:
vegplot wrote:
Blokes never get the same options when it some to shoes.


You want the same options? Shocked Laughing Well, nothing stopping you I guess Wink Laughing


I missed out 'range'. Although a pair of sling backs may we go nicely with the ...


I was just thinking, 'well there's nothing stopping him from ordering from that very same range... he might look lovely in a pink number..."

I'm sure you can work out the size conversion! Laughing


Voyeur.


Yuppers. I've got naught better to do than hop across the pond to sneak around in your hedge and watch you dance in your kitchen. (I'd never have guessed you were into such music, and those 'jazz-hands' Shocked)
vegplot

cpg03 wrote:
Yuppers. I've got naught better to do than hop across the pond to sneak around in your hedge and watch you dance in your kitchen. (I'd never have guessed you were into such music, and those 'jazz-hands' Shocked)


If you catch someone dancing in my kitchen it's not me. Three left feet.
wellington womble

Ah, good timing. I need some new work shoes (green trainers are not easy to get!) If I had my way, I'd live in muck boots or celt boots, with the occasional charity shop sandal. Like the idea of the Mary-janes though......
lottie

Well I didn't get the purple M-J's I bid on--but having looked at the winning bidders other E bay purchases I'm strangely relieved Wink
yummersetter

drat, didn't notice it was a timed auction, I loved the black MJs with silver stars - do they return on Ebay or will it be one of those lost opportunities that I'll always regret?
sally_in_wales

yummersetter wrote:
drat, didn't notice it was a timed auction, I loved the black MJs with silver stars - do they return on Ebay or will it be one of those lost opportunities that I'll always regret?


They usually have some on auction and some on buy it now/best offer, when I got mine two years ago now I offered £5 less than the buy it now price and it was accepted straight away.
lottie

I only lost them by 50p. Sad
yummersetter

I've signed up for an ebay alert, I'll let you know when they're next available quietly so's no other downsizers outbid us
lottie

Thanks Wink Laughing
eco-tricot

lottie wrote:
Well I didn't get the purple M-J's I bid on--but having looked at the winning bidders other E bay purchases I'm strangely relieved Wink


I lost out on a black pair too. I'm just not comfortable with auctions. Give me a 'Buy It Now' price any day!

Might try again though...
sally_in_wales

they usually have loads listed, drop the guy a line and ask when the next buy it now batch is going up
eco-tricot

Good idea - will do.
Pea

At the moment I go between wellingtons and steel toe cat boots. The boots look great with jeans in the pub, when cleaned. I have had them for years and got them for nothing.
Green Rosie

I'm alternating between slippers in the mornings and evening and sandals in the day - or work boots if I am in the garden
Barefoot Andrew

Green Rosie wrote:
and sandals in the day


Is that because you're still having nice weather? Mad Mad Mad Wink
A.
wellington womble

Last Thursday my sheepskin house-boots came out, and show no sign of going back under the bed. There's definitely a chill in the air, here. That, and muck boots in the mornings. I suppose I'd better dig out some proper winter boots for going out in public in......
Green Rosie

Barefoot Andrew wrote:
Green Rosie wrote:
and sandals in the day


Is that because you're still having nice weather? Mad Mad Mad Wink
A.


Yup Very Happy
mochyn

Pea wrote:
... steel toe cat ...



Shocked Scary animals by you, Pea!
nettie

I live in little fleece sock slippers indoors, for outdoors i have a pair of clogs made from hunter wellies that had been in my shed for years. Should have taken the stanley knife to them ages ago, i virtually live in them now.
skedone

im normally waring my scarpa SL M3 or my hitec magnums my self
lottie

I got a pair of those purple mary janes from ebay a couple of days ago at the starting price Very Happy ---just awaiting delivery.
Pea

mochyn wrote:
Pea wrote:
... steel toe cat ...



Shocked Scary animals by you, Pea!


Thats because I am in the Middle, not North and not South, just in the middle.

The M-J's look lovely, quite like the green flower pattern ones.
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