There is something about fall that seems to bring out all the best parts of wearable fashion: rich, flattering colors; comfortable layers; fun mix and match accessories and, of course, fabulous boots. Below are a few ideas for wearing your fall footwear with Mother Nature in mind:
1. Prepare your boots for winter with non-toxic weatherizer. I recently went to buy some weatherizing spray for my boots at my favorite shoe store and was handed a product that they swore was the best one I could use. “Just make sure you use it in a well-ventilated area” the guy told me. I asked him to define “well-ventilated” and he said “Outside”. Um...yeah, that’s pretty ventilated. I decided that I had no desire to buy something for my shoes that I couldn’t even be in the same room with, so I went home to scour the internet for a better option. I highly recommend this product: http://www.vectraspray.com/. It is completely non-toxic, widely available at both Home Depot and Amazon.com and works like a charm.
2. Before you replace old boots, try bringing them to a cobbler. A central feature of living a more environmentally friendly life is to get the most out of the products you already have and reduce your need to purchase new things. (Remember, recycling is supposed to be paired with reducing and reusing!) Let me tell you, cobblers can do absolutely amazing things and I think it is always worth finding a reputable one and going in to brainstorm with them about what they might be able to do. I just had a pair of boots re-heeled and another pair darkened to cover up wear in the leather. They both look almost new now! If you live in the Boston area, I can’t say enough good things about these guys: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-cobbler-shop-newton
3. Buy your next pair of boots from an environmentally sustainable company. More and more, stores are popping up that sell shoes made of recycled and sustainable materials. Planetshoes.com is like Zappos, but with a mission to do internet shoe sales the green way. The company gives back to the environment, reduces packaging wherever possible and gives you the opportunity (for only $1 or 2 more) to select “Carbon Free Plus Shipping” that offsets the carbon emissions from shipping your shoes!
Whether you wear them with adorable argyle socks peeking out of the top, over a great pair of skinny cords or with a tweed mini, we recommend that you buy quality boots, invest in keeping them beautiful and purchase new ones in the most sustainable way possible. Most of all, though, enjoy!
Like this post on Facebook and be entered to win a $20 gift certificate to Planetshoes.com! Share this post on your Facebook page and we’ll double it to $40! Happy Fall!
