With the arrival of summer comes the need for versatile footwear; however, dressing for the season shouldn't cost any living being its life. That is why I have put together a list of stylish, fun, and functional footwear made in an environmentally friendly way.

The more classic and timeless silhouettes.

Brand: NAE Vegan

Nae is a 100% vegan PETA certified footwear and accessories brand founded in Portugal, where it is designed and crafted in small local workshops. Being a plant based and environmentally friendly brand, its products are made from materials such as apple skin, cork for water-resistant designs, corn, organic cotton seeded without the use of pesticides, which means it's not harmful to the planet or the people who grow it. Pineapple tex, and lots of innovative options…

The “PALAU” sandals by NAE Vegan.

The PALAU sandal is a modern but timeless design made for warm days and comfy movement; with wide straps and an adjustable back strap, it offers a secure fit and a minimal silhouette. A really good item for the warm everyday; designed with conscious materials such as Vegan Premium Eco On-Nobuk from Moron on the upper, Vegan Premium Eco On-Steam Lining from Moron, antimicrobial and anti-odor on the lining and lightweight rubber on the sole. Also it fits true to the size so you can rely on picking your usual!

Brand: Pulaski

Pulaski shoes is a Mexican brand based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, that produces 100% vegan and sustainable footwear. Behind the brand name there is a passionate team focused on balancing fashion with the well-being of the planet not only by being vegan but also by being conscious of how also non animal substitutes can still harm the planet with their production, that's why they only work with suppliers that do not use lead and have processes that are as gentle as possible towards the environment. Just like for every pair of shoes purchased, a tree is planted in Mexico.

The “Mila Pearl” by Pulaski.

The Mila Pearl stands out as a key piece in a timeless wardrobe thanks to its versatility and contemporary appeal, fusing Italian Venetian slippers with Spanish espadrilles through a fully artisanal process using 100% animal-free materials such as cotton canvas uppers and an all-jute sole.

Brand: Aera

AERA is a luxury, 100% vegan footwear brand (B Corp certified) that blends sophistication, comfort, and respect for the planet with classic design and modern touches. It was founded in 2020 by Tina Bhojwani, who sought to prove that "luxury style, design, and quality can go hand-in-hand with sustainability" after working at various international fashion houses. Each pair of shoes thus becomes a small step toward change.

The Maya sandal by AERA

The Maya is a reinterpretation of the classic Mary Jane ballet flat, featuring a more versatile, barefoot design that is fresh for summer while maintaining AERA’s signature comfort—including a patented, quilted insole for lasting support. This pair features an upper made of 31% viscose and 69% polyurethane, with an Eco Thunit rubber sole.

For the summer friday night

Brand: Bloom.

Bloom is a Parisian PETA approved 100% vegan shoe brand owned and founded by Sylvie Blum, a lawyer who was passionate about animal rights and decided to turn her to create elegant and ethical footwear taking up traditional leather goods techniques into a luxurious and ethical version, where the designer pays particular attention to the look and comfort of her shoes while remaining chic. Among its main materials we can find vegan friendly velvet, which comes from Europe and is distinguished by its elegance and the brightness of its colors, as well as the soles are made from recycled components, the buckle of the sandals is nickel-free and the glue is guaranteed to be animal-free, and the shoe boxes are made of recycled paper and the bag of bamboo fiber.

The ”Alice Slingbacks” by Bloom.

The Alice Slingback is a modern and fun silhouette perfect for colorful summer looks, with an : Uppeal made of formerly Apple Skin, from apple skin residues from the Tuscany in Italy, and an inner lining made out of a bio-based material made from non-GMO cereals not intended for human or animal consumption and synthetic fibers.

Brand: Bikkou

Born in Genova, an historical old town, Bikkou is an emerging brand founded by Nathalie Mossaz, who first worked as a lawyer and then as a legal counsel for nearly ten years. “Little by little, the need to create differently became undeniable: to give life to a project aligned with her values and vision.” redefining responsible fashion by creating a 100% vegan shoe brand, designed with a fun and versatile vision, combining timeless elegance, comfort and boldness.

The “1 AM too pretty to leave” heel sandals by BIKKOU.

Too pretty to leave is a fun piece designed for those who like to combine elegance and trend. Its wedge heel provides stability and comfort while its butter yellow provides freshness. The Outer Material its made of Bio-materials incorporating mushroom fibers, (mycelium): biodegradable, GRS certified and up to 30% less CO₂ emissions, the lining and insole its made out of vegan material made from 38% viscose, and the outsole is made of Water-varnished and made from 70% recycled rubber, 100% recyclable, abrasion-resistant and waterproof.

Barefoot options for the summer

Brand: AHINSA Shoes

Ahinsa Shoes is a vegan barefoot footwear brand designed by physiotherapists to support natural foot movement and posture. Their aim is to create natural shoes for natural movement, by using materials like Mabel, an imitation of leather made out of recycled apples from the Tuscany.

The Barefoot Knit Ballet flats by AHINSA

The knitted ballet flats by ahinsa are the perfect 100% vegan fit for those who are looking for the aesthetic of flats but are not comfortable with the usual pair. These respect the natural shape of the foot, with a gentle wrap of elastic fibers without restricting the foot and a thin sole that follows the natural movement.

Brand: Chala Sandals

Chala is a German based barefoot brand that creates minimalist and handcrafted designs inspired by the Mexican huarache-style sandals. They were motivated by the Tarahumara native tribe; thrilled by how the Tarahumara’s could run up to 170km wearing ‘’huaraches’’ a pair of sandals made by themselves using a thin sole and a lace. Encouraged by the Tarahumara’s, Chala was born with a minimalistic sandal to which they added a protective layer of natural rubber. and a naturally coloured leather sole tied only with a lace to the foot. Chala is also a vegan brand that uses materials like cactus leather and Piñatex. They also give back a part of what the Tarahumara’s creativity gift them, With the purchase of a pair of Chala sandals they donate 3,00% of the price directly to the Little Light Feet e.V Foundation, a NGO that supports the Tarahumara by giving them the opportunity to get a school education among other benefits.

The classic Chala’s in fire red.

The classic sandaI is a timeless, barefoot and comfortable design for the warmer days, inspired by the Tarahumara’s native tribe ‘’huarache’’ Chala offers a 100% vegan option, one that's friendly not just for the feet but with nature too. It is timeless because of the minimalism on the silhouette but adds a pop of color to the wardrobe with their variety of fun colors like this fire red!

Conscious summer is a mix of a little heel, barefoot, flat and sandal footwear for the warm weather! They work for a beach trip, for the warmer days, or simply if you’re trying to build a functional and versatile wardrobe. However these are not just shoes that join you in your day to day or special occasions, these are the key decisions that stay in your wardrobe: one pair of vegan shoes can be the start of small steps that turn into big changes, the future of a more conscious fashion industry.

Conscious Summer: The Ultimate Vegan Guide for Warm Weather Shoes