Vegan business casual shoes NOT imitating leather: Canvas or other options?

[turantelle]

I'm vegan and looking for a pair of shoes to go with a business casual look. White shirt, navy pinstripe, matching dark jeans, socks and a pair of shoes.

I have the white converse jack purcell, but then there's too much white and I find them a bit too preppy for this outfit.

Perhaps an eggshell pair of converse could work, or a totally dark one?

 

[maxalex]

Going vegan with clothing is a tall order. You mention your shoes, but what about your jacket? (I assume that’s what you mean by “navy pinstripe” although that sounds more like a suit than an odd jacket, and at any rate I can’t picture the “matching” jeans.) Most business jackets are wool, and I’m assuming you don’t cotton to enslaving sheep, pardon the pun. Linen or cotton jackets are of limited seasonal use unless you live in Miami. Then there are buttons, which are often made of animal horns or shells.

Meanwhile, your concern for animal welfare doesn’t get you off the hook when it comes to the environmental issues raised by pesticides sprayed on cotton fields, and of course the plastic in all those sneakers and non-horn buttons, and the exploited workers in South Asia who crank them out. It seems all our clothing comes with compromises, and it can make your head spin.

My own chosen path is to patronize small companies and individual craftspeople who produce classic clothing with passion and skill that will last me the rest of my life. (I’m no longer young so that’s a genuine possibility.) Good luck on your own path; I hope it is getting easier to find what you’re looking for.

 

[turantelle]

To clarify, vegan isn't 100% correct, I'm 90% vegan and 10% vegetarian, the reason I stated "vegan" was to avoid any leather suggestions, I'm much more OK with wool production for instance.

 

[maxalex]

To clarify, vegan isn't 100% correct, I'm 90% vegan and 10% vegetarian, the reason I stated "vegan" was to avoid any leather suggestions, I'm much more OK with wool production for instance.

Well that makes it easier. There are versions of spectator shoes where the vamp is canvas or linen; someone might make summery dress shoes of that material entirely (eliminating the leather toe box and heel), but I don’t know.

 

[turantelle]

Made to order ones for 130 euro https://www.etsy.com/listing/207226154/vegan-custom-made-oxford-style-shoe-made

 

[maxalex]

Made to order ones for 130 euro https://www.etsy.com/listing/207226154/vegan-custom-made-oxford-style-shoe-made

Perfect.

 

[tricky]

I've been vegan for last 1.5 years and recently started thinking about my leather shoes and belts. I've been collecting Alden and Carmina for years and have a bit of collection now. I don't think I'll sell what I've bought but I've been considering future purchases. Wills seems to have some decent Blake stitched options and belts https://vegan-shoes-usa.com/men-s-vegan-shoes.html/?SID=lh9pp4kg23hfcnlonq2v19tob0

This page also has a list of a few other brands...
http://gentlemanbuddha.com/en/vegan-shoes-brands/

 

[Thordo]

NAE Vegan Shoes has a unique cork-based business casual men's shoe. They're also made with fair labour in Portugal and Spain:

Are NAE Vegan Shoes Actually Vegan? l Get it Vegan

We'll show you how vegan, eco-friendly and ethically made NAE’s shoes, boots and sandals are, and where can you buy them.

www.getitvegan.com

 

[whipcord]

I've been a vegetarian for 10 years. I do not eat meat, poultry or fish. I ate vegan for a short period of time but it's just not for me. As a carpenter I was never able to find a quality work boot that didn't use leather. This doesn't even get into the fact that pretty much all shoes use animal based glues and adhesives. I wear leather shoes, boots and belts and am ok with it. There is simply nothing else out there that works for me.

 

[Bythenumbers]

I've been a vegetarian for 10 years. I do not eat meat, poultry or fish. I ate vegan for a short period of time but it's just not for me. As a carpenter I was never able to find a quality work boot that didn't use leather. This doesn't even get into the fact that pretty much all shoes use animal based glues and adhesives. I wear leather shoes, boots and belts and am ok with it. There is simply nothing else out there that works for me.

KEEN makes work shoes and boots that, in some models, use no leather, are tough, steel-toed, comfortable, highly regarded and made in the USA. I haven’t researched their glues and adhesives.