The Green Pound: Shoes
Shopping smarter… SHOES
Forget floppy, shapeless Jesus sandals – green shoes have come a long way, baby. Today’s creative
eco and ethical shoemakers make it easy to clad your feet in green cred. Alongside comfy green shoes at Hempathy (right), cruelty-free footwear at Ethical Wares and vegetarian shoes at Freerangers, there's a growing selection for the fashion-conscious with a conscience.

I am a big fan of Green Shoes (right) with its smart boots, pretty pumps and comfy sandals. Handmade in Totnes, the shoes can be resoled and repaired (for the ultimate green halo). There’s a handsome range for men and a colourful kids' selection, which can be adorned with appliqués. Green Shoes favours eco-tan leather in natural tones or gently dyed in toxin-free colours. There’s also a vegan range.

For city chic, try Terra Plana (left), winners of the Observer Ethical Fashion Products of the Year, 2007. They're made from eco-friendly materials such as chrome-free leather, vegetable tanned leather, recycled fabrics, recycled rubber soles and 'E-leather' made from leather by-products.


Shopping less… SHOES
Am I the only woman in the Western world without a shoe fetish? I keep reading about a section of women's brains devoted to shoe worship (I always suspected I was a few brain cells shy) but I never slaver over shoe porn or need a loan to cover excessive binges. For me, shoe shopping is more chore than indulgent luxury.

Why am I lacking a passion for shoe fashion? It's partly the result of my tomboy years and partly due to the Cinderella complex, or more aptly the 'Ugly Stepsister Complex'. When one’s feet are not petite, trying on shoes is no fairytale experience – though not quite so grim as in the original Brothers Grimm. Whilst trying to cram their fat feet into the glass slipper, one stepsister hacked off her heel and one sliced off her toes, all to impress Prince Charming. Sadly, today's wannabe princesses are also submitting to the knife (toe shortening and straightening, nail narrowing and bunion removal) in order to seduce Mr Right with sky-high heels and teensy-toed sandals. Plus ça change.

Back to my shoe shop shame – when I spy a lovely little slipper on the shelf and ask for a pair in my size, the assistant returns bearing a box containing the true ugly stepsisters, swollen and misshapen shoes that look as if they've eaten all the pies (not to mention Big Macs and Krispy Kremes). Cinders, your reign is assured.
I loved Sex and the City, but glazed over when the talk turned from fellatio to footwear. At one point Miranda calculated that Carrie had wasted 40 grand on her shoe obsession. Tsk tsk. Oh dear – perhaps I'm more like that Miranda than I care to admit.
Beyond Skin (below) is catnip for shoe divas, with sleek shoes made to order in the UK using no animal products. Sui Generis is its luxury label. For top trainers visit Worn Again (below) 'powered by’ Anti Apathy and made by Terra Plana. The shoes are crafted from recycled materials such as prison blankets, car seatsand reclaimed jeans. Protest against sweatshop labour with
Blackspot Sneakers by Adbusters (left,produced by Vegetarian shoes) and NoSweat trainers (below).If your old trainers are too shabby for the charity shop, Nike takes its own back with its
Reuse-A-Shoe programme, where shoes get a second life as bouncy basketball or tennis courts and running tracks.
 
Is it just bitterness that makes me scornful of the force-fed 'trends' each season? Pointy toes, square toes, rounded toes – I can't keep up with what’s hot or not and console myself with the thought that it's all just a plot to keep fashionistas in overdraught. My priorities are comfort, puddle power and keeping up with the kiddies on scooters (not the Bridget Joneses).

This autumn's fashion pages have pushed the ankle boot into the spotlight like a Jane Austen matron desperate to marry off her homely elder daughter. (I'd swear some fashion editors must own stock in an ankle boot manufacturer). I can't see the allure myself – all the pain and wobbles of a high heel without the sex appeal. And a sure-fire bet to be on the ‘Going Down’ lists before Christmas (meaning more depressingly disposable fashion).

Recently, respected green guru Lucy Siegle said it's "heresy to tell you to keep your running shoes for longer than the recommended six months – even unworn models lose some of their shock-absorbing cushion after 12 to 24 months." Errr.. Lucy overestimates my exercise regime (which consists of scooter chasing and sprinting to catch the bus). My trainers from 1999 are still going strong, though admittedly they did lack spring during my recent HydroActive Challenge run for Kids In Museums.
Luckily the course was so crowded at the back, I barely managed more than a leisurely stroll.

Still, I do think it’s time to buy a new pair (I'll take my own advice: left) especially since my feet have expanded a bit post-pregnancy – like the rest of me, if I'm honest. That's it, no more excuses – a new pair of trainers, please (and yes, super size them).