Going to a wedding, gotta find some vegan shoes!

Most women have experienced the arduous task of finding a dress when they have a special event approaching. This time, I checked out at least nine different shops for something to wear to my cousin's wedding before finally choosing one to which the family and friends I showed gave rave reviews.

Being vegan can make the process even more complicated if you are checking labels and descriptions for cruelty-free materials. And we all know formal footwear is that much harder because omitting leather on the top, in the lining and on the soles, sadly, doesn't leave many suitable options.

This became the second part of my search for my evening ensemble but, rather than just scouring for any old vegan-friendly shoes, I was hoping to find a pair I also really liked that didn't have skyscraper heels. Do some people lack nerve-endings in their feet or something? Because mine can't handle shoe-stilts for more than like, 10 minutes. Alas, my search of the internet and malls ensued.

In the end, I found that the prettiest options ranged from a higher-end brand that Hudson's Bay carries called Jacques Vert (upwards of $200 regular price) to the middle mark at Nine West (between $100 and $140) and Le Château (around $70 to $100). Payless is a good option for lower-end (around $50), but it seemed there wasn't much variety there for formal wear.

Furthermore, while I know there are some vegan styles at Call It Spring, Globo, Aldo, Steve Madden, and The Shoe Company, it was challenging to find ones now that fit all of my requirements. It always seems that the best time to hunt for something specific is when you don't actually need it.

Two years ago, I bought new shoes for a different dress that were gold satin peep-toes from Nine West with some small sparkly detail on the top. This time, I decided on silver satin peep-toes from Le Château with some small sparkly detail on the top. So, maybe after all that, I have a type.

Payless

Le Château

Nine West

Jacques Vert

Note: Unless a particular shoe brand or store is completely vegan, it is still necessary to check the inside of the shoe for a description of the materials, or the bottom for symbols that indicate what they are made of. This visual will help if you have been previously unaware of their meaning. ("Other materials" usually means man-made, but "Textile" may encompass calf hair or something similar. Ask an associate in the store or an online customer representative if you're not sure.)

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