Storied Shelves: The Shoe 'Thing'

Love these boots. All from The Pink Alligator in Hanover, NH

 I wore these
boots from November
to May this year. Finally, a few weeks
ago, they went into the storage box, from which my 
summer sandals and other cooler shoes emerged. Time for the
seasonal assessment. If I haven't worn something for 
a year or if it doesn't work anymore,
it goes in the spring give
away pile.

cause blisters, too frumpy...

You might
think, with 26 pairs
of work boots, athletic shoes,
dress shoes and casual shoes, I'd have
enough. But I don't. My athletic shoes are worn out
and I've never really found the 'just right' pair
of casual sneakers...and with this
trip to London, it became 
clear that I needed
some upgrades.
But...

Window, The Third Estate, London

These days
I'm focused on shoes
and clothes with a story. If they
haven't been well worn by another before
me, I want to  know that the materials
used are ethically sourced, the
​stitches made with care,
and the resources
used, ​fair.

The Third Estate, Kentish Town, London

So yesterday,
there I was, in Kentish
Town, London, at The Third Estate,
on whose racks and shelves are clothes, shoes,
bags and socks made with love. Each
brand, it seems, has its own
​story to tell.

Storied Shoes at The Third Estate, London

So I had some fun.

White Fair Trainer from Ethletic

Black Fair Trainer from Ethletic

Light or dark Ethletic Fair Trade Vegan Sustainable Trainers?

These are cute.

These are cute and comfy.

Funky Kalakar 
Breathable and light
"BreLite Collection" shoes
whose soles come from recycled
tires and uppers are handspun cotton.
They truly are the lightest shoes
ever - - only 250 grams!
A perfect travel 
companion.

dark, cute and comfy from The Third Estate, London

I ended
up with dark, cute,
comfy and filled with love.
They make me feel like I'm flying.
Maybe that's why The Third
Estate has a bird on
its window.

But here's
what I'm learning
about this thing called
"Slow Fashion." It's not about
how fast something is made, it's about the
stories embedded in each fiber and ​in the transaction
itself. Angela, who helped me, wanted me to
feel good. She knew about each
shoe company and
why they
​cared. 

Another kind of 'green' window

And the
coolest thing?
Most shopping expeditions
leave me exhausted, but after I left yesterday,
I found myself in an unexpected area, ready to explore.
Who knew that by going to The Third Estate,
​I would also experience this
colorful and nuanced
​part of town?

Cool apartments on a canal

This canal
seemed so quiet and
peaceful, but then I followed
the curve of and light on this living building...
curious as I tend to be, about the
relationship between the
built environment
and nature...

Living building in Camden Town

...and I found
myself in an entirely
unexpected place, where the
buildings were alive in
a different kind
​of way.

Cool building in Camden Town, London

So I guess
shoes really are a
thing for me. Comfortable
feet matter but so does my actual
footprint. I think it's cool
when I can care
​for both.

Loving my new Ethletic Fair Trainers.

3 cheers
for slow fashion,
meandering explorations, and
the simple joy of taking
time to care.

Happy June!