Fashion, Product review

Keepin’ cosy with Chilote Shoes

36 Comments

Along the lines of my recent posts highlighting ethical brands that I love, in this post I’m pleased to introduce Chilote Shoes, which makes outlandishly cosy (and sustainable) wool slippers.  I’m sitting in a drafty hotel lobby in Vail, Colorado typing this blog entry and wearing them right now.

My last pair of slippers fell apart over Christmas, giving me the perfect opportunity to try out Chilote Feet.  Living in LA, I don’t need a big pair of slippers in the UGG boot style.  However, when I’m studying at home all day, I do get a bit chilly and like to layer up.  These slippers are well-insulated and provide good ventilation so my feet are warm but can still “breathe.”

One of the things I like about Chilote Shoes is that each pair is made sustainably from 100% natural Patagonian sheep’s wool.  The wool for each slipper is hand spun which is then hand knit by independent artisans through an ethical production co-op system.  The creation of these slippers helps sustain a unique craft and culture and allows woman living in vulnerable situations and remote areas a means of income.

Another thing I like about these slippers, is that each pair includes a unique QR code containing the geo-location for the artisan who made the shoes.  I love when companies share information like this, kind of like a jeweler leaving their personal hallmark.  There are 50 different women that make Chilote Shoes; they live in four different locations in Patagonia: Frutillar, Calcurrupe, Osorno and Puerto Varas.  My slippers are from Osorno.

Osorno. Picture taken from Google images

As well as the slippers, I’ve been rocking, Chilote also offers a house shoe and the cutest booties (called Chilote Baby), for the little ones. The house shoe is slighting more robust with a durable salmon-leather sole.  The leather is locally sourced and upcycled from discarded fish skin by the fishing industry.

Finally, the materials are environmentally friendly and preserve the life of the product. Chilote styles come with extra wool to either personalise your shoes or mend them to preserve their life. Both of the materials used are locally and naturally sourced which means all of their shoes can be composted and this keeps their carbon footprint down.  To check out Chilote Shoes for yourself, click here.

Special thanks to Chilote Shoes for sponsoring this post.  As always, all opinions are my own.

 

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36 Comments

  8. This slippers not only look beautifully design, but they do look so cozy!! my feet is always freezing, especially when I’m home and the AC is so high. I definitely need a pair myself. Will be checking this website soon! Hope you had a lovely time in Colorado, sweetie!

    Xx, Gina | http://www.artsyrunway.com

    1. They are! Oh I know what you mean about the AC, my hubby really likes AC and when he’s not at home I often turn it off as my hands and feet get so cold with it blasting away. Colorado was so fun! I definitely recommend going if you haven’t. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to a relaxing weekend and I hope you have a good one too 🙂 xx

  10. Hehe I can see how easy it would be to become a slipper addict. I heard about a school in the UK that let their kids wear slippers in class and apparently it helps them relax and concentrate better. I think we need to encourage slipper wearing in the workplace ;p xxx

  13. Oh my god this post takes me back so much! My dear Nan used to make wool slippers that looked EXACTLY like this these! She used to make them all the time for pretty much anyone she’s ever met, haha. She’d use different colours and all, I think I had about twenty pairs! I remember just how warm and comfy they were. 🙂 Thanks for sharing! This brought back some real memories in a very unexpected way. 😀 <3 xoxo

    Kay
    http://shoesandglitter.com

    1. She did? That is so cool! Since wearing these I have been wishing more and more that I can knit. I love the sound of different coloured ones. Do you have any tucked away still? Thanks so much for checking out my post, I’m happy it brought back some memories for you 🙂 xxx

    1. Oh really? I would love to see them! I hope you have reason to post them on Instagram or your blog soon. My week hasn’t been too bad 🙂 I hope you’re having a good one xx

  17. These are the dreamiest slippers I’ve ever seen! Absolutely adorable. I always feel the cold (even when it’s supposedly warm) so these would be perfect for me haha. I love that the materials are environmentally friendly, it was so nice to learn more about the creation of them <3

    Sophie | soinspo xo