The classic, ubiquitous style was the first sneaker my very picky mom really loved.
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For as long as I can remember, my sister and I have been sharing clothes and shoes. She was four years older than me, so when I was in middle school and she was in high school, she had all that I couldn’t wait to borrow from her (mistake… steal) and show off the “cool” works of my friends. Shhh, don’t tell her. But now that I’m working in the fashion industry and being the one of all the “cool” clothes, the roles have been turned upside down. “Are those my Cariuma sneakers?” I asked recently. “Yes,” she admitted.
For years, my mom, sister and my shoe size were the same. In fact, it’s a real blessing because it means we all have more shoe options. While our preferences varied – my mom liked comfort, my sister liked good heels, and I preferred easy-going boots and sneakers – we had a hard time agreeing that Cariuma’s sustainable kicks were the best we’d ever worn. And we’re not the only ones who think that way, because they’re always on thousands of waitlists and sell out in the blink of an eye.
I’ve been wearing Cariuma sneakers for several years, and they succeeded in a few pairs of shoes I carried home last March. I don’t know how long I’ll be away, but I do know that I can wear comfortable, stylish shoes in the ever-changing seasons is an absolute must anyway. Cariuma’s sneakers are like that.
Buy Now: $98; cariuma.com
After a few weeks of staying home, my mom complained of some slight pain in her feet. She stands for 9 hours a day, so she must wear supportive shoes. I told her to try my Cariumas. Although she was hesitant at first (she rarely strayed from her true and time-tested style, and was a tougher shoe critic than I was), she agreed. A few hours later, I got a call from her saying not only how comfortable the sneakers were, but all her colleagues were asking her. A few weeks later, she got a pair of her own, and now, she’s ready to add another pair to her collection.
Eventually, my sister came to live with her family, and like me, she packed up the most basic things. That’s because she knew she could borrow something from me, and the first of them happened to be my Cariuma sneakers. We were running fast towards the target and she didn’t want to put on a pair of chunky boots, so I pointed to my Cariumas and said, “Wear those.” She wore them, she loved them, and now she has her own pair, which is good news for me because she doesn’t have to borrow mine anymore.
Buy Now: $98; cariuma.com
The fact that my mom, sister and I – three shoe fans with slightly different shoe preferences – all love Cariuma’s sneakers speaks volumes about sustainable footwear. They’re obviously comfortable because every style, from the carbon-neutral Ibi to the supermodel-approved OCA to the newly launched Catiba Pro High-Top, has a cushioned cork insole that provides perfect support and bounce at every step. It was necessary for my mom who worked in a retail store — and lace made from recycled plastic.
Cariuma’s sneakers also feature a clean design that blends seamlessly into my wardrobe, my sister’s closet and my 61-year-old mom’s wardrobe. When it comes to these truly timeless sneakers, it’s an understatement to call them versatile and durable.
The price point is also worth mentioning. Most styles, including the popular, celebrity-approved OCA and carbon-neutral Ibi, sell under $100, which is a bargain for a sustainable sneaker that fits fits and is stylish. You often have to pay a price to avoid foot pain, but all of Cariuma’s sneakers are among the rare footwear varieties that won’t leave you ruined for maximum comfort.
If these sneakers can win the heart of my very picky mom, they will definitely win your favor as well. Shop the best-selling styles below.
Buy Now: $98; cariuma.com
Buy Now: $98; cariuma.com
Buy Now: $119; cariuma.com
