fair shoes :: 5 ways

The soles of Jo's well-loved moccasins are cracked + coming away from the bottom of the shoe. She brought them to the cobbler in hopes of having them resoled. He said that Minnetonka used to offer repair services, when the shoes were still made in Minnesota... but now it would be cheaper to just replace the shoes altogether. Instead of replacing them, Jo said she would just continue to wear this pair on days without rain. (Maybe I shouldn't have asked her to walk around in the wet grass for these pictures.)  :)

This amazing pair of vintage, Esprit shoes also belong to Jo. With wear over the last year or two, the soles started to separate from the bottom of both shoes. (I've had this issue with another pair of vintage shoes, so it just seems that the glue dries out over time.) One trip to the cobbler + less than $20 later...and these shoes are better than ever (because he gives them a little polish as well)! A good cobbler is a treasure.

espadrilles kit

sandals kit

Shoe making is an art. We all know the value of a well-fitted, comfortable shoe. Maybe it is an art that we can learn! Classes + kits are available. 

Although most of the brands that made shoes in country even 10 or 20 years ago have moved production to China, there are a few places to find fairly made shoes. A few of the brands I have found are listed on the ethical brands page under the footwear heading. Please let me know if you have some favorites! I try to make sure to let companies know that I am grateful for their commitment to traceable production + fair wages when I make a purchase...so they will know that their customers notice + value this practice!

So...fair shoes :: 5 ways:
1. Wear what we have
2. Repair
3. Buy second hand
4. Make them
​5. Buy fair

Love,
​Jane