Sunday, October 21, 2012

Fair Trade Giveaway Hop Sponsor :: Fair Trade Footwear From soleRebels! {Review}

As I try to incorporate a greener, healthier attitude into my shopping habits, it's about time that I look at my shoes and where they come from. Especially the ones I wear most often like ballet flats. Really, I have a thing for flats. Once I find "the ones" I tend to live in them during colder weather and I usually buy an extra pair just-in-case the unthinkable happens to the first pair. Or I'm just paranoid that I won't find them ever again and I'll have to start my search for the perfect pair of flats all over again (totally happens to me far too often). Naturally, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to check out soleRebels, the ONLY WFTO fair trade certified footwear company in the world! Offering truly unique footwear styles for men and women, soleRebels is helping make the world a better place, one pair of shoes at a time.

Founded in 2004 by entrepreneur Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, soleRebels has grown immensely and are now enjoyed by people in over 30 countries. The idea of bringing jobs to her community in Ethiopia has erupted into this amazing footwear company that ethically supports local artisans, sources and creates most of their materials locally, and uses recycled and sustainable ingredients for their beautiful handmade shoes. Their strict fair trade policy is making a big impact on the local economy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Now a multi-million dollar company, soleRebels has even been featured in The New York Times, and in Oprah's O Magazine.
How awesome is it that these are HANDMADE and shipped right from Ethiopia? No way. That is too cool! It makes the little tiny differences and distinctions between each shoe that much cooler and brings in the reality that they were made them just for me. On the left is the tooTOOs Mix, and on the left we have the tooTOOs xxYYY elite. Although I'm a bit partial to stripes and dainty feel of the Mix style, I absolutely adore the grass green color of the xxYYY elites I received! Each pair is made from sustainable organic cotton uppers and recycled tires soles that grip the ground quite well. These flats are not made with just any cotton. It's hand spun Abyssininian heritage organic cotton that showcases traditions and culture that are still thriving through soleRebels!

As a self proclaimed flats junkie, I could also tell right from the get-go that these were well-made, and thoughtfully designed. Plenty of toe room for my wide feet, curved construction in all the right places, and a comfortable foot bed are just a few features that I love from soleRebels. The designs are awfully unique, colorful and fashion-forward that really make soleRebels stand out. The heel and side construction is sturdy and thick, allowing you to easy slide your feet in without holding up the back of the heel. Despite the solid body of the shoes, they are still relatively lightweight, and the comfy foot bed makes you forget you're even wearing any shoes.

When you order your soleRebels, you can print out the size chart available to ensure that you order the correct size. I would recommend going just a 1/2 size smaller than your normal size. These arrived in the size recommended by the size chart (a 7.5 although I'm normally a 9), but ended up being about a whole size too small and an 8.5 would be the correct size. However, Bethelehem at soleRebels is amazing and will be sending me the larger sizes soon! I still had no problem squeezing in them for a few photos to show you just how darn cute they look on!
Creativity drives the talented artisans of soleRebels to create these unique designs that not only make a statement, but make you feel like a million bucks. Both pairs of shoes are incredibly comfortable and quite possibly the best-fitting ballet flats I've ever owned! With a 100% satisfaction guarantee, free shipping worldwide, and your support going to such a well-meaning fair trade footwear company, you can't go wrong with soleRebels.

Price: tooTOOs Mix - $60, tooTOOs xxYYY elite - $60
 
Want a chance to win your own? Come back to my blog from October 22-31 during the Fair Trade Giveaway Hop for your chance to win one of two pairs of soleRebels tooTOOs in my giveaway!

 
Disclosure: Thank you soleRebels for providing the mentioned products to facilitate this review for free. No other compensation was received. This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

35 comments:

Brittney Minor said...

These are so cute! I want a pair! They are now on my Christmas list! (And how perfect that they are made ethically...I love learning about new companies like this!)

Jubilee Reviews said...

These are fantastic! I am going to visit their website and see what all they have. I love shoes like this.

Unknown said...

I love the green ones! tooTOOs xxYYY elite. I think its great that not only are they making a difference in the world, but they are doing it FASHIONABLY! :)

jeanette sheets said...

these look so comfortable and stylish i really want a pair thanks for the review

kirbijo said...

Oh my goodness I love all these shoes! It is hard to decide but I think I would pick the Orange DREAMIN shoes. Thank you for the giveaway!

Unknown said...

I'm usually not the type of girl who wears flats all the time because they fill my feet with callouses and wounds but this one looks so comfy and I think, when I finally have my hands on my own pair of those shoes, I can go wherever I want without occasionally fixing them. I'll stick with the classic. :))

apple blossom said...

cute shoes I have a teen daughter that would love those

Gale said...

Thanks so much for speading the word about fair trade! Love hearing about companies like this.

Gale said...

If I won a pair I'd get these: http://www.solerebelsfootwear.co/collections/tootoos/products/tootoos-xxyyy-purelove-turqqed

kiddomerriweather said...

I would pick this pair:

http://www.solerebelsfootwear.co/collections/tootoos/products/tootoos-xxyyy-sweet-black-orange

kiddomsg at gmail dot com

Ruby said...

I like the tooTOOs mix | Orange DREAMIN http://www.solerebelsfootwear.co/products/tootoos-mix-orange-dreamin

jill24295 said...

These are just beautiful! Would love to have the tooTOOs xxYYY elite | Steel Blue shoes.
jillcollins68@yahoo.com

Bee W Bedard said...

Cute shoes - if I win I would love to get the tooTOOs xxYYY elite | Chocolate

Unknown said...

I love the green ones! So cute, and they look so comfortable!

kymom13 said...

Absolutely amazing shoes! So rare to find a good, high quality shoe that has a 100% guarantee!! AND free shipping?! Wish I could wear flats but I need more support for my back and feet. I will recommend them to others, though! Thank you for a thoughtful, honest review!

Georgette said...

The green shoes are so cute!!!! I'm not used to totally flat shoes, but they're cute.. :) Something to try or buy for someone in the near future!

latanya t said...

I like the tooTOOs xxYYY homegrown | Forest Green

Ariana said...

I like the xxYYY elites but I can't decide on a color! Forest Green? Sweet Pea? Steel Blue? Sky? Arg!

Unknown said...

I can't decide on a color - purple is my favorite color but forest green is also really cool. Those shoes look so comfortable and stylish, and easy to walk anywhere in :-)

Mary Gallardo said...

I love the striped ones in your picture! That is totally me!

Phoenix said...

I love the colour of the green shoes, & they look very sturdy & comfortable.

Marysa said...

Love the Homegrown Purple tooToos :)
Marysa {at} marysa {dot} com

Olivia R said...

I love the groovy green and the meditiation , 100% guaruntee let's u know they are made well.

Cryscringle said...

These shoes are so cute. It's surprising that they are handmade!

Cryscringle said...

I would love to own the ROAM sandals in Dark Brown. :)

Szappanbubi said...

I LOVE the navy striped one- it's so stylish and cheerful :)

(adore their COZees ,too :))

charychild said...

I've never particularly been a flats person (I'm already short enough!), but those look really comfortable.

Revalation of Kilmer said...

You're review put me over the edge deciding to buy. I was a little worried about the sizing, but you assuaged my fears.

cman said...

The elite silvaahh.

jennifer NL said...

tooTOOs mix | Over the Rainbow are amazingly cute!

Sherry Compton said...


tooTOOs xxYYY SWEET | Gray

savewish@yahoo.com

judi said...

I really like the TooTOOs mix | Purple HAAYZZZ shoes.

Ľubaša said...

I love all of them but I would choose tooTOOs moc UP Accent Fringe | Gray. Thanks
Lubka K.
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

Kimberly @ Turning the Pages said...

I ove tooTOOs Mix! Its awesome that these are ethically made!

Nicole said...

tooTOO x TAHHH see pureLOVE | Green/Green

They are so cute, they remind me of fairies.