One of the challenges in modern shoe design is how to use eco-friendly products as embellishments. In some cases, a shoe can use eco-friendly materials, but the buttons or decorations on those shoes might be made from non sustainable or petroleum products like plastics.

Coconut has provided an innovative and sustainable natural decoration material to a number of shoe makers. To boot (ha ha), some shoe makers are working on how to use the fibrous parts of the coconut plan in the creation of textiles for further sustainable materials.

The coconut shell can be cured and hardened and easily turned into buttons of any shape or size. The natural look and strength and durability make them a great choice – and they can take abuse from the elements!

Coconut plants are highly sustainable and cultivated worldwide. They are used for food, oils, ropes, mats, as a hardwood substitute, musical instruments, as sources for charcoal and even in spiritual rituals. The leaves of the coconut plant are even used for roofing. This is a plant that has been creatively used by countries with fewer resources at hand for years and as a result, there is no part of this crop that is unused. The Coconut tree requires a tropical climate so most of the production comes from countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, India and Brazil.

So who among our shoe makers is using Coconut in their shoes?

Simple Shoes – We talk about Simple Shoes a lot in these articles, because this company has really taken the use of and application of sustainable materials in footwear to a different level.

Using eco-friendly fabrics and textiles as well as natural rubbers and adhesives, most of their shoes are not only vegan, but also earth friendly, and Simple Shoes often uses coconut in their embellishments as adorable button details. You’ll also note, Simple Shoes has mastered the art of carving the coconut nuts into charming and detailed buttons.

Rocket Dog - Rocket Dog Eco-Luv collection is another great fashion option using eco-friendly materials like coconut in embellishments and in construction.

You’ll see coconut buttons and fibers incorporated in these creative eco-friendly shoes.

Great looking and good to the earth, Rocket Dogs will add an edge of fashion while keeping your eco conscience clear.

Like cotton, wool is considered a sustainable material and is therefore gaining ground as a material being used in eco-friendly footwear. All wool is considered sustainable as it’s a natural material that can be renewed by sheep farming, but organic wool should be used and cultivated. There are a number of breeds of sheep used in the production of organic wool and they include Navajo-Churro, Columbia, Rambouillet and Border Leicester among others.

Organic wool is certified according to federal requirements. Feed for the livestock must be certified as organic, there can be no use of hormones on the sheep or genetic engineering, it is prohibited to use any kind of pesticide on either the livestock themselves, on the fields in which they graze or on feed. Finally, farmers must raise healthy livestock through sustainable management practices.

Non organic wool allows for sheep “dipping” in insecticides and farmers can raise a higher number of sheep per square acre, which can adversely affect the health of the livestock. Right now, organic wool is more expensive than conventionally produced wool. The organic wool industry is considerably smaller and although they receive a higher price per unit than traditionally produced wool, when wool prices are low, non-organic wool producers will increase the amount of sheep per unit of land in order to make more money, which organic producer’s can’t do.

Organic wool production is gaining ground in the United States and according to the Organic Trade Association is being produced in Colorado, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and Vermont.
Wool and organic wool make for great shoe materials for all of the reasons wool makes excellent fabric and textiles for clothing and other products. Extremely warm and insulating, wool is also breathable and helps to manage moisture on the body.

So which of our brands use wool and organic wool in their production?

Simple Shoes - Simple shoes loves using wool because they consider it to be sustainable, warm and breathable – and they’re right!

Often used in Simple Shoes slippers as well as in boots, Mary Jane’s and other shoes, Simple Shoes use wool as an innovative material for its texture, color options and eco-friendly reasons.

Patagonia Shoes – Patagonia shoes use shearling and chlorine free wool in many of their boot and shoe linings.

They rely on the natural properties of wool for warmth, cushioning and heat and moisture management in the shoe linings.

Patagonia loves using sustainable E-Fibers like organic cotton, hemp and wool in their shoe designs.

Rocket Dog Shoes – The Rocket Dog Eco-Luv line offers a blend of sustainable fibers in their shoe textiles.

Including organic wool, these edgy, fun and sustainable shoes are perfect for casual wear for the “green girl.”

Super comfortable and using cool texture, Rocket Dog sneakers and other options love sustainable wool!

Timberland Shoes – Timberland Shoes use SmartWool® lining for added coziness and temperature and moisture control.

Primarily, wool is used in their winter shoe options and Timberland uses wool and fabrics to add texture and fun to their fall and winter options.

When I first read that several of the eco-friendly brands here at Planet Shoes incorporated jute in their shoes, I thought it sounded cool, but I really didn’t know anything about this extremely important vegetable fiber.

For instance, did you know that jute is one of the cheapest natural fibers and comes in right behind cotton in production? Jute is used in an incredibly wide array of applications and its strength and low cost make it a great option in eco-friendly apparel and footwear.

Jute comes from the outer layer and stem of the jute plant and it requires a very warm and wet climate to grow. As a result, the production is focused mainly in India and Bangladesh with China far behind them in production. Jute is not only a natural fiber - its cultivation has little need for pesticides or even fertilizer – furthering its sustainable and eco-friendliness. Additionally, jute can produce massive amounts of cellulose in a short growing period. Cellulose is the inner, woody core of the jute plant, and this means that ultimately jute crops could actually provide worldwide wood needs.

The fibers of the jute plant are extracted in a process called “retting” in which the stems of the jute plants are bound together and immersing them in running water. This loosens the plant material, leaving on the fibers behind.

The fibers are then woven into cloth, some for industrial purposes like bailing cotton, and others are used for things like curtains, clothing and even in footwear! Jute cloth is biodegradable, strong, durable and even UV resistant and makes a great substitute for more expensive cotton.

So which companies among our awesome eco-friendly shoes are using jute in their shoes?

In fact, three of our favorites:

Rafters – Rafters use jute in their outsoles, mixed in with other sustainable materials like cork to reduce the amount of rubber, which is harder to harvest and produce naturally, that needs to be used in the shoe. The strength and natural properties of jute make it a great choice for creating stronger, more durable active sandals.

Rocket Dog – The Rocket Dog Eco Luv line uses Jute fiber in several applications to bring you a full range of super cute, eco friendly shoes From comfy sneakers and simple ballet flats to sexy wedges, the makers of Rocket Dog have managed to make eco-friendly into serious eco-chic.

Simple Shoes – Simple shoes are one of the best known makers of sustainable footwear. They use everything from organic cotton to cork and several pairs of their super cute shoes also incorporate durable and versatile jute!

I knew there were clothes out there made of hemp and recently we experimented with hemp seeds in our whole food cooking, but I had no idea hemp had been used in footwear applications until very recently. Of course, it makes sense.

Hemp is known to make durable and versatile textiles, so many shoe companies are taking advantage of this flexibility and using this eco friendly and sustainable material. In fact, hemp has been used for over 12,000 years as a fiber resource. Sadly, hemp cannot be grown at an industrial level in the United States because of its association with the drug marijuana, which is also from the cannabis family.

Hemp is a form of cannabis but it is the virtually THC free brother of the well known marijuana plant. Industrial hemp has been used in paper products, biodegradable plastics, health food, textiles and apparel and recently, because of the popularity of using sustainable materials, its popularity and therefore its crops are growing fast! In fact, it is one of the fastest growing crops producing tons of raw material that can be used in a wide variety of industries.

The hemp plant’s fibers are commonly called “bast” and when they are extracted that can be a variety of colors from off white to green and gray. Hemp was widely used for its fiber production throughout history because it produces 250% more fiber than cotton grown on the same land. In fact, the name “cannabis,” comes from the word Canvas, which is what so much hemp was used for historically.

Hemp grows quickly and is a hearty plant, requiring little pesticide and no herbicides to grow well. This lends further credibility of hemp being a sustainable and eco-friendly fiber. Currently, hemp is widely cultivated in Australia, Austria, Canada, the UK, Spain and Russia.

So which of the eco-friendly shoes that we carry incorporate hemp into their construction? Just a few that we know of, but we’re sure this number will continue to grow!

• Patagonia – Patagonia shoes use hemp fibers in soles, laces and uppers citing its durability under any circumstances. Hemp fibers are known to be quite strong and long in length so they fit Patagonia’s outdoor lifestyle brand perfectly.
• Simple Shoes – Simple Shoes has widely adopted hemp in several shoe uppers and in other parts of the shoe. They use hemp because of its softness and its ability to breathe in the summer, to keep your feet cool but to also be warm in the winter when you need your toes cozy.
• Rocket Dog – Rocket Dog incorporated hemp into a number of shoe features in its eco-luv collection which has everything from simple sandals to cute ballet flats.

Sometimes when we see the stars out and about, they just look casual and happy and their outfits inspire us to seek that effortless comfort. When I saw this pic of Julia Roberts, that’s exactly how I felt.

The slightly baggy pegged denim capris and the sweet, light summer jacket are perfectly complimented by a super simple pair of comfy ballet flats.

This blogger is an avid fan of the ballet flat and I would be lying if I didn’t say that I could easily wear a different pair every day of the week. They are just so comfortable, chic and awesome! I don’t know how people resist them.

So I was thinking, it’s been a while since we looked at the ballet flats that are new to the site – especially the ones arriving every day for fall and winter. So I’m inspired Julia Roberts! Let’s look at some ballet flats!

Kenneth Cole Reaction Smart Love

Smart? Check. Love? Check. These sleek and super modern ballet flats are absolutely gorgeous. Offered in pewter and black, this chic leather slip on has a rounded toe and ¾ inch leather wrapped hidden heel. The toe is embellished with a leather strap and faceted, metallic, rectangular embellishment which gives the flare you want, but a more subtle glamour.

This is a ballet flat that is perfect for completing a crisp, elegant professional work ensemble but could likewise be matched with your hottest jeans and a great structured jacket for a night out on the town. Contemporary, high quality and great for fall and winter, this Kenneth Cole ballet flat is a sure winner.

Rocket Dog Memories

Want something a little more relaxed? The Rocket Dog Memories ballet flat combines the elegance of the classic shape with the casual air that comes from the textured, fabric upper. The nature of the design makes it appear as though the fabric has been casually wrapped around the shoe and tied in a casual knot at the toe.

This little flat is elegant but fun and could easily be paired with any of your late summer or early fall dresses or jeans. Essentially, these shoes can be dressed up or dressed down depending on your fashion need. That’s versatility we love!

Sam & Libby Zees

I think we’ve showed these lovelies off before, but who can resist? These classic and sweet ballet flats are an amazing value, offering endless versatility in your wardrobe. Perfect with any summer dress, into fall and winter with your skinny jeans or cute skirts and fun tights, through to the spring with your favorite capris, there is no performance these little ballet flats can’t handle.

The man made upper makes them quite durable and the sweet bow toe embellishment gives them a lovely air of innocence. If you need a go-to ballet flat that will stay stylish and work with almost anything, this is the flat for you!

Blowfish Hoody

If you like a more deconstructed and well loved look, we highly recommend the Blowfish Hoody. The frayed edges of the fabric lend a bohemian and relaxed air, while the bow embellishment on the toe keeps them stylish and girly. It’s the texture of these ballet flats that really helps them stand out among other offerings this season.

Blowfish continues to gain prominence as a fabulous fashion brand offered at excellent value. Their shoes and boots are all comfortable and super cute as well as being offered in versatile and neutral colors to ensure they fit right into your existing wardrobe. The Hoody offers you a ballet flat with a little edge.

So there you have it! A smattering of adorable ballet flat goodness to inspire you! Enjoy and happy shopping!

Many of our favorite eco-friendly brands incorporate cork into their shoes. Primarily, cork is incorporated in the sole of the shoe, for decorative or for functional purposes. The reason is that cork is light, durable and almost impermeable to liquids. The other cool thing about cork is that it is a natural substance that is also sustainable.

Cork comes from the Cork Oak tree, a special variety of tree that grows and lasts about 200 years. Every nine years, the cork is literally stripped from the trunk of the trees and then the raw materials are turned into all kinds of products. Most Cork Oak trees are in Portugal, with Spain coming in second as a cork producer.

Cork is highly recyclable and its elasticity and density are what make it so popular as wine stoppers and in things like buoys. Likewise, these characteristics of cork make them great for shoes. They can absorb shock, maintain the low weight of the shoe, resist water and moisture from your feet or from your environment and now the look of cork is also highly desirable as a contrasting texture in shoe design.

So which of our favorite shoe companies use cork in their shoes, and how?

• Patagonia – Patagonia often uses cork wrapped footbeds incorporated into Patagonia sandals because cork is comfortable against the skin and wicks away moisture to keep your feet comfortable even on the hottest days.
• Rafters – Rafters sandals use cork in a different way – they blend it with rubbers and other recycled materials to reduce the amount of man made and harder to get materials. For instance, you’ll often find cork and EVA midsoles in Rafters sandals, taking advantage of the natural benefits of cork.
• Rocket Dog – Rocket Dog’s Eco Luv collection incorporates cork in several styles, including their higher wedges to keep shoes light and sustainable!
• Simple Shoes – Simple Shoes uses cork and natural latex to add a soft and squishy, yet moisture resistant and sustainable softness to their great looks!
• Terrasoles – Terrasoles shoes, like many brands, uses cork in many of its midsoles, often blended with eco friendly latex for maximum comfort while taking advantage of all of Cork’s natural properties!
• The North Face – The North Face is a leading maker of eco-friendly active footwear and they also love using a blend of cork and EVA as their midsole to maximize sustainability and comfort!
• Zumfoot – Zumfoot shoes are innovative and interesting and they use cork and rubber to create a flexible and more sustainable outsole.

Organic cotton is all over the place these days. You’ll see it in t-shirts, home goods, cotton balls and even in eco-friendly shoes. Organic cotton is grown according to a set of standards that has been developed to certify methods that have less of an impact on the environment. This means no dangerous pesticides, no genetic engineering and the preservation of biodiversity and the soil.

The push for organic cotton is critically important, because according to some sources, it can take 1/3 of a pound of chemicals to produce enough cotton for one t-shirt. If you consider the sheer amount of cotton clothing, not even counting all of the other things for which cotton is used, you can imagine how many chemicals are going into the soil and into the cotton and ultimately into the earth and into people.

Organic cotton has a huge variety of benefits. Firstly, organic cotton does use genetic engineering or antibiotics, which means that natural strengths in the plants are cultivated and weaker plants are culled out. Consequently, soil health is improved and species diversity is supported. By protecting the soil and the earth, we’ll have better, healthier land and crops and we’ll be preserving the health and success of future generations.

In 2007-2008, according to the Organic Trade Association, the growth of organic cotton increased by 152% and it is produced worldwide, with India now in the lead in terms of production. The only downside to organic cotton is that is costs more to produce, therefore increasing the costs of consumer goods down the line – but using organic cotton not only preserves the environment from chemicals, it also reduces or dependence on oil and petroleum.

How?

Well, other materials used to create clothing like rayon, polyester, acrylic and nylon are all made with petrochemicals. Petrochemicals are derived from petroleum and petroleum comes from oil. So when you support companies that use organic cotton, and when you wear organic cotton, you are supporting the environment in multiple ways.

We’re excited to offer shoes from a number of companies who have committed to using organic cotton in their construction!

• Simple Shoes
• Chaco Shoes
• Patagonia Shoes
• Rocket Dog Shoes

One of our favorite trends this spring is the use of patent leather and colorful textures that create edgier looks in sandals, high heels and flats. Rich textures and powerful colors make these our favorite authority shoes for the season. Of course, they aren’t all sleek – we’ve found some fun and funky options for all ages and styles.

Read on and enjoy!

Indigo by Clarks really knows how to bring style and elegance and the Indigo by Clarks Edamame is a great start to our style highlight. This strappy wedge sandal is sexy and modern but brings the classic style and chic shape to the table as well.

This patent leather sandal would look fabulous in the work place with your favorite summer power suit, or out dancing at your favorite nightclub and the best part is that Indigo by Clarks uses the comfort technology for which Clarks is so well known so you’ll feel great the whole time.

If you’re looking for a sleeker look and some fun and different colors, check out the Chinese Laundry Pinta. This sexy and minimal kitten heel sandal with peep toe is both comfortable and stunning. The sheen of the leather upper and ruched styling offers both the shiny pop and the funky texture that are so popular this season.

Highlighted with a delicate ankle strap that will set off your slim ankles and the low vamp of the shoe which elongates the leg, you know these will look fabulous with skinny jeans, floaty summer skirts and your most serious little black dress.

We love the modern look and architectural details of Poetic License, so when we saw the stunning Poetic License Ideation we had to include it in this set of patent and textured heels and options. The contrasting suede upper is set off by a patent leather trim and a dramatic diagonal patent strap that truly elevates the style and elegance of this high heel.

The three inch heel will give you great height and you’ll be hard pressed to find a more stunning or elegant evening shoe. Of course, if you have the right look, this pump will look equally fabulous as a dramatic day footwear. Poetic License always manages to turn typical fashion into something unique and elegant – and the Ideation is a fabulous and fun example.

Are you ready for something with a much funkier edge? The Rocket Dog Butterfly is an edgy and young strappy high heeled sandal that pushes the fashion envelope. The three and a half inch heel and one inch platform will give you sexy and soaring height with stability.You can use these fun sandals to spice up a simple outfit or to take your fun fashion edge to the next level.

The multi colored snake embossed synthetic leather offers a colorful and modern look. As usual, Rocket Dog takes the stylish quotient up a notch and you’ll look fabulous in these fun and funky textured heels.

If you love or just plain need a flat, enjoy all the fashion and none of the height with the Blowfish Sweet Tea. Blowfish knows how to bring the fashion and this ballet flat incorporates adorable details from heel to toe.

You’ll see an elegant little buckle at the back while the front has architectural pleating in an elegant design that simply makes the snakeskin patent leather look that much more fun. The cushioned insole and delicious deep purple contrast interior lining make this little ballet flat a luxurious and fun value.