“I’m an ethical consumer,” said green LA girl, tapping a Prada loafer.
Prada loafers bought gently used, I might add.
I’m all for buying used — Yey for Buffalo Exchange and Crossroads! But I’ve been wondering lately about buying from consignment shops. The goods are used, but perhaps by buying them, I’m contributing to some of the worst aspects consumer culture — the fetishization of high-end brands.
That said, I’m not just a label whore — I like Prada loafers for many reasons. They’re comfy. They’re avaliable in classic styles that go with everything for many occasions. They’re well-made and last a long time.
That last point’s an important one — I think it’s much better to have fewer, quality goods that last, than a whole lotta crappy stuff that gets faded and bent out of shape after a few washes. In the long run, Target and Walmart stuff ends up not only costing the environment, but also costing you a lot more.
But maybe my choices — rationalizations? — are affected by the fact that I live running distance from Rodeo Drive…
Back in the day, I paid $500 for a pair of Jimmy Choo strappy heels — Something I wouldn’t do now.
Still, I’ve worn those heels like every weekend for the last few years –
Update, 10/18/06: I had to get these resoled — but got it done locally :)
How bout vegan shoes? My friend got a pair of Deja Shoes last year at Worldfest.
For Earth Day, at Woodley Park in Encino. Your kinda day, Siel:
http://www.worldfestevents.com/
It’s always a fun event, we don’t have a booth this year though, the San Fernando Valley Greens will be covering it for the Green Party.
Comment by Lisa — March 27, 2006 @ 9:43 pm
Another problem with this label conscious culture is that many people buy knock-offs made by under-age, very poorly treated workers.
Comment by Debbye — March 27, 2006 @ 9:44 pm
The AdBusters are selling via their “indy retail network” blackspot sneakers made from (with?) organic hemp and recycled car tyres.
http://adbusters.org/metas/corpo/blackspotshoes/
There is a list of retails on the site, maybe you find one near you.
But then even an anti-logo is a logo …
500 bucks for a pair of shoes?
I hope you loved them :-)
what was the mileage cost after all those years?
as a teenager i loved my dr martins shoes (not boots!) not 500 bucks but quite a stiff prize tag with just the allowance.
Comment by Johan — March 28, 2006 @ 5:43 am
Aw, let’s not diss the Target. I still have cool-looking shoes from there I bought 10 years ago. Low price doesn’t _always_ entail low longevity, y’know.
Comment by meg — March 28, 2006 @ 7:49 am
I tend to buy shoes and wear them for years. I expect them to last and so buying a brand that I know is quality doesn’t faze me. I often have this discussion with the husband. He would often rather shop cheap and I am much more inclined (if we are buying new) to get something well made that will last. I don’t mind parkway shopping either so it all evens out.
Comment by Rainy — March 28, 2006 @ 2:16 pm
I love the thought of you wearing a pair of shoes for years no matter what you paid for them!! I feel like I have to check my desire for new *stuff* about every 5 minutes. …make that 5 seconds!! So, I love it when I find something that I really really love and can wear and wear again. Count me in as a quality over quantity gal, too. I think you hit the jackpot!
Love the red!!
Comment by Liz — March 28, 2006 @ 7:30 pm
Do they have a fair trade logo on them?
Comment by james — March 28, 2006 @ 10:19 pm
You’d be surprised at the quality of shoes you can find secondhand, and often they don’t need more than a bit of scuff-remover.
Where I used to live, there was a lovely toothless, mulleted gentleman who sold secondhand Doc Martins. And if you were willing to sit there and discuss 80s hair bands with him, you could get a pretty nice discount. Sure, you had to walk through a dark underground corridor, past junkies and sex shops, but the shoes were cheap.
Comment by Brian — March 29, 2006 @ 12:14 pm
I’m all for vegan shoes — as long as they aren’t made of petroleum products…
The downside of the eco-friendly shoes that’re being made thus far — They’re too casual. I have my wabi for cash shoes, but dammit, most of the time, I need loafers. And the adbusters shoes just don’t fit the bill :(
Interesting about the long-lasting Target shoes — though I still contend that that’s an exception, not the rule. Why I REALLY hate Target — It gives lots of moolah to Schwartzy.
I’ll be doing a post on Earth Day soon :) Can’t believe it’s April already!
Thanks Liz, for the compliment on the shoes :)
And Brian, you’ll have to intro me to this Doc Martin gentleman when I’m out where you are :)
Comment by Siel — April 2, 2006 @ 9:15 pm
Simple Shoes has nice loafers but they’re still a bit cazh.
http://simpleshoes.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=9124&model=Loaf-+Womens
Comment by Jasmin — April 3, 2006 @ 10:31 am