A few months back, Vegan Chic (formerly known as Vegetarian Shoes and Bags) contacted me about doing a link exchange and asked if I’d like to review a product from their spring line. Whee! Free shoes! Who could resist? Not I!

The link exchange was easy enough, particularly since I’d already included the company – under the old name and URL – in the “online vendors” category of my blogroll. (I’d link to the category, but Shane hasn’t set up the permalinks yet. Drats. Just look to your right, and down.)

Unfortunately, it’s taken me much, much too long to review the shoes, for which I apologize to Jessica and Chris profusely. My mailing address is a PO Box, and as it’s a good 25-minute drive from my home, I don’t always make it down there on a weekly basis. And of course, by the time I retrieved the shoes (or rather, sent the Mr. to do so), I was out of commish for a few weeks while my immune system struggled to overcome (succumb to?) the attack of the Killer Juniper Trees. But it’s still May, and seeing as these cuties are for spring/summer wear, I’m right on time!

So. The shoes!

Allow me to introduce you to the Ines by Neuaura:

This gem of a vegan shoe hails from Neuaura, creator of the very best animal-friendly footwear. Flexible and supple, this vegan shoe is incredibly comfortably molding easily to the shape of your foot. Created from a glossy patent pleather and a faux-snakeskin material, this shoe is very chic and very exclusive.

Featuring a very comfortable padded footbed, and supple pleather lining, you’ll love how these feel on your feet. Accented with a lovely metallic buckle, and attractive stitching, you’ll be the envy of your friends with this fantastic casual shoe. Extremely desirable.

* Glossy patent pleather and faux-snakeskin upper
* Supple and soft
* Comfortable fit
* Accented stitching
* Prominent metallic buckle
* Padded footbed
* Supple pleather lining
* Fashionable and unique

It comes in red, too. (I had a hard time choosing, but naturally I went with the more practical color.)

As you can see, they’re ridiculously cute. And shiny! (In both the literal and Firefly slang sense of the word. I didn’t realize it at first, but you can see my reflection in the shoes in all but a few of the photos I snapped this afternoon. Speaking of which, I decided to take advantage of the nice weather and do a spring themed shoot outdoors. Indulge me, won’t you?)

They’re also very light and comfortable – it hardly feels like you’re wearing shoes, let alone dress shoes – with a deceptively cushy layer of padding. They’re not as heavily cushioned as, say, a pair of Crocs (no laughing!), but they’ve got enough padding that my ankles and knees don’t ache when I walk on my concrete slab floors. (Potential joint pain is a small price to pay for never having to clean Kaylee pee off of a cheap carpet, I tell you what.)

The curve is an interesting feature – as you can see from the photos on Vegan Chic’s website, the shoes curve a bit naturally, making them rather flexible. I get the impression that, with time, the padding will gradually mold itself to my feetsies, but it’s too soon to tell. Either way, super-comfy.

And did I mention that they’re shiny!?

Vegan Chic’s spring line is rather impressive (and the women’s selection runs a whopping 32 pages), so if you’re in the market for some new shoes, check ‘em out. They also have carry several styles of boots that I quite like (but alas, I already own more than one pair of vegan boots!), and some pretty fierce-looking heels (I’m too timid and clutzy to step into anything over an inch).

Or, if an occasion for gift-giving is fast approaching, and the recipient loves/needs/wants shoes, consider going veg, even if the giftee is not. Vegan gifts are a great way to show non-vegans that ethical choices don’t necessarily require a lifetime of sacrifice and living without. And, you know, you get to vote with your wallet, too.

(As an aside, I purchased some vegan baked goods from a vegan seller on Etsy for my mother this past Mother’s Day. With one purchase, I was able to support a vegan-owned business, get my mom a unique gift she enjoyed and show her and the rest of my family that vegan sweets are every bit as good as the cruelty-laden stuff – all without violating my own morals by supporting businesses and buying products to which I’m ethically opposed. Win! And also, review forthcoming, as soon as my lil’ sis sends me the photos she snapped of all the yummy sweets.)

If you do decide to purchase shoes online, be sure to confirm the sizes and fit beforehand. I guesstimated my size, and FAILED. (It’s been awhile, I suppose.) A size 7 Ines was a little tight, whereas a 7.5 fits like a glove. On the plus side, exchanging the shoes was a breeze.

One last photo (these shoes are like eye candy, I swear), and then I’ll leave you with a press release Jessica included with her initial email. It describes the reasons behind Vegan Chic’s name change and gives a brief company overview. And of course, you can learn more at www.veganchic.com.

PRESS RELEASE
February 25, 2009

927 Pine Cone Lane
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
p: 608.577.9337
f: 715.720.6885
e: jessica [at] libradesignandmedia.com

For More Information, Contact:
Jessica Burfield
jessica [at] libradesignandmedia

Vegetarian Shoes and Bags Announces Company Name Change to Vegan Chic

Tarzana, CA —Vegetarian Shoes and Bags, an online, Vegan Society Certified retail boutique featuring 100% vegan, cruelty-free shoes and accessories, announced expansion to the company’s vegan visions today with a new name, Vegan Chic, with plans of expanding the company’s line of animal-friendly products. The change was introduced to further reinforce the company’s belief that consumers can “look fierce without being cruel.”

“The name ‘Vegan Chic’ better communicates our core belief that you can be vegan and still be fashionable and glamorous,” states the Vegan Chic management team. “We strive to create a vegan shopper’s paradise, and under our new name, Vegan Chic, we have more room to make that happen.” Vegan Chic will carry the same animal-friendly line of boots, shoes and handbags from famous name brands such as Simple, Earth, Ecolution, CL Laundry, Madden Girl, Punk Rose, which consumers have grown to love. Additionally, though, the company will now offer a greater variety of apparel, such as belts, wallets and clothing. This expansion will make Vegan Chic a one-stop shop for consumers looking at maintaining their vegan lifestyle or simply wanting to find a complete and fashionable ecofriendly outfit from head to toe using guilt-free fashions.

Vegan consumers can be assured that Vegan Chic will still provide “fear-free browsing” as the company plans to further ensure that every item is 100% vegan and cruelty-free without exception. They plan to continue striving to make a genuine difference in the world by donating to animal charities and offering products that support their earth-friendly values, containing natural, organic and sustainable materials.

For more information on Vegan Chic, contact Jessica Burfield at Libra Design and Media, 608-577- 9337, or jessica [at] libradesignandmedia.com, and visit Vegan Chic at www.veganchic.com.
 
 
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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare vegan veganism vegetarian vegetarianism vegan chic shoes vegan shoes pleather Ines Neuaura spring spring collection women’s shoes black flats shopping review flickr photos fashion

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