We’d hate to see our beloved casual sustainable sandals and eco-friendly sneakers turn green with jealousy, but there is just something about vegan dress shoes that just gets us every time. It definitely requires a very special attitude to walk around in lustrous vegan dress boots like you own the place. But seriously, who can deny the appeal of donning a confidence-boosting, formal attire finished with a top-quality pair of vegan dress shoes?
Real leather is so last season. Luckily, the same cannot be said for our round-up of classic, timeless formal shoes and vegan dress boots.
Our solid mix of wear-with-anything men’s vegan dress shoes are guaranteed to seamlessly fit into any wardrobe. Whether it’s a wedding, an office party, or a formal event, the cruelty-free footwear below will fit every sartorial scenario.
What are vegan dress shoes?
Vegan dress shoes are versatile shoes with semi-formal and formal options that can easily be worn in an office setting, to a wedding, or any other type of special event.
Unlike traditional options which are made from real leather or PVC synthetic, men’s and women’s vegan dress shoes are crafted without the use of animal products. Gone are the days of cheap faux leather, with many vegan shoe brands now thriving on creating environmentally friendly, biodegradable, recyclable, and cruelty-free footwear from sustainable materials.
What materials are used in vegan dress boots?
Boots and all other types of vegan dress shoes are made of microfibre, bio-based leathers like PIÑATEX, cork and grain, cactus leather, organic cotton, natural rubber, and, in some cases, recycled plastic. This way, footwear can truly be 100% cruelty-free and non-toxic. Plus, vegan dress boots and shoes can be disposed of without damaging the environment –unlike leather and petroleum-based synthetic materials.
The different types of vegan dress shoes
Picking the best dress shoes for any semi-formal and formal occasion depends on your personal style –and comfort level preferences. There are many types of vegan dress shoes for women and men that can be worn at weddings, office environments, and events.
The most popular choices for men are the loafer, oxford, derby, brogue, and Chelsea boot.
Looking for women’s options? Check out our guide on the best vegan heels.
Best Vegan Dress Shoes
1. Nae
Best for: Affordable vegan dress boots and Bluchers for men, sandals, and mules for women
Materials: OEKO-TEX STANDARD certified microfibers, natural rubber, EVA soles
Ships to: worldwide
If you want to add an extra stylish flair to your formal and semi-formal attire, Nae is the answer to your sartorial question. We absolutely love their vegan dress shoes for women that run the gamut from sandals and closed-toe shoes to mules featuring a moisture-wicking footbed padded with EVA and a mid. The sustainable collection of men’s shoes is made entirely out of ecological, water-resistant microfiber in Portugal.
The vegan dress boots feature a paperboard agglomerate insole that can stand the test of time and the insole is crafted from 100% natural rubber. You can also find bluchers made of OEKO-TEX STANDARD-certified microfibers –in an array of silhouettes. All pairs are also entirely free of CO2 emissions.
2. Immaculate Vegan
Best for: Sustainable, recycled vegan dress shoes for men and women
Materials: Bio-based leather, recycled grain matter & more
Ships to: Worldwide
Immaculate Vegan is a conscious marketplace featuring the top vegan companies from across the world. Think Wills Vegan Store, Nae, and several other smaller brands that deserve our attention. We previously mentioned their wide range of vegan combat boots, but this time it’s all about their vegan dress shoes lineup.
They offer quite a few styles entirely cruelty-free and made with sustainable materials including apple leather, cactus leather, grape leather, Pinatex pineapple leather, and bio-based leather. Whatever style you’re looking for, be it Vegan loafers, Vegan Brogues, Oxfords, Derbys–you name it, they have it. The brand also has a women’s dress shoes range including both high heels and flats. Glitter stilettos, recycled grain sandals, pumps, slingbacks, the options are seemingly endless.
3. Wills Vegan Store
Best for: Carbon neutral, Italian vegan leather dress boots & shoes
Materials: Bio-based vegan leather
Ships to: Worldwide
Wills Vegan Store is by far one of the best vegan shoe brands to look out for in 2023 thanks to their fab selection of leather staples which are all made ethically in Portugal. The London-based, carbon-neutral company offers vegan dress shoes for men such as Derbys, Oxfords, and Brogues as well as vegan dress boots.
You can also find women’s vegan dress shoes made from Italian vegan leather made with plants using bio oil sourced from organic cereal crops grown in Northern Europe. From point toe flats and pumps to slingbacks and utterly comfy block-heel styles. The store also gives us the option to return used footwear through their recycling service when the product reaches the end of its life. Lastly, You can also choose a vegan belt to match your attire.
5. Minuit sur Terre
Best for: Bio-leather vegan dress shoes
Materials: Faux leather from Oeko-Tex certified materials made with Apple waste and recycled grain
Ships to: Worldwide
The brand touted for its chic range of vegan cowboy boots also offers a slew of vegan formal shoes for men. The materials of choice? Apple waste and recycled grain. To top it all off, all models come with recycled laces made from recycled plastic bottles found in the Mediterranean.
The PETA-Approved Derbies are available in smooth black, soft black, hazelnut, midnight blue, sand, khaki, taupe, and chocolate. If you are looking for classic vegan dress boots, they’ve got you too! The two available styles are made in Portugal with recycled and eco-responsible materials.
6. Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather
Best for: Unisex vegan dress shoes
Materials: USDA biopreferred-,OEKO-TEX-, Standard 100-, and FSC-certified vegan leather
Ships to: Worldwide
While we certainly have an affinity for Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather’s sustainable heels, their line of women’s and men’s vegan dress shoes is equally impressive for sure. The Parisian brand is entirely vegan and uses bio-based vegan leathers such as Appleskin to create its dress shoes. USDA biopreferred-, OEKO-TEX-, Standard 100-, and FSC-certified, their traditional Tyrolean shoe is an excellent wardrobe staple.
And if you are a gal, sick and tired of wearing heels, the unisex tassel loafers, which can be resoled and made to last, are the perfect options. All shoes are crafted ethically in Italy by a family-owned “Atelier” based in the Marche Region.
7. Noah Italian Vegan Shoes
Best for: Italian vegan dress shoes
Materials: Natural rubber, micronappa & mirofiber
Ships to: Worldwide
Noah crafts premium quality vegan dress shoes for men based on the principles of classic Italian shoemaking. On their virtual shelves, you can find an array of classic and traditional styles, from vegan Oxfords to vegan Derby shoes in every shade of brown and of course, black.
The shoes are made from micronappa and the sole features non-slip natural rubber. Through the use of non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and durable vegan materials (a part of which comes from recycling), NOAH vegan dress shoes contribute to the reduction of animal suffering and of environmental pollution– without forgoing comfort and style.
8. Rothy’s
Best for: Recycled plastic vegan dress shoes
Materials: Eco-yarn from plastic bottles
Ships to: Worldwide
Classy formal shoes made from recycled plastic? you bet! The brand creates flexible, breathable, and machine washable men’s vegan loafers by developing their unique eco-yarn created from plastic bottles. You can find driving loafers that double as formal and casual wear.
These versatile vegan loafers feature an eco-friendly deodorizing insole that minimizes foot odor, even in hot, humid conditions. You know, outdoor weddings and early-afternoon social gatherings.
9. Gentleberg
Best for: Classic vegan derbies
Materials: PVC-free vegan leather
Ships to: Worldwide
If you’re on the hunt for top-quality men’s vegan dress shoes that will match all your future work, a wedding, or any other formal event look, Gentleberg’s vegan dress shoes line is for you. The Derbies are made of water-resistant, PVC-free vegan leather. What’s more, the shoes are fully lined with soft and breathable microfibers to keep your feet dry and cool.
The Amsterdam-based shoe brand offers 3 different colors – brown, dark brown, and tan. Gentleberg only works with small, Portugal factories to ensure compliance with European standards when it comes to workers’ rights.
How to care for vegan dress shoes?
Most men’s and women’s vegan dress shoes require some type of special care to maintain their quality even after years of consistent wear.
You can use a dry cloth to lightly wipe any dust or dirt off your shoes after every use. If your footwear gets a bit dirty or just dull, use soapy water and a cloth to gently clean the surface. Heat is NOT your vegan shoes’ best friend so make sure to let them air dry naturally away from direct sunlight. After they’re dry, go ahead and apply your favorite polishing cream with the help of a soft cloth.
Store your dress shoes in a protective dust bag between wears to keep them in the best condition possible. Always check the care label on your shoes to make sure you’re following the correct care instructions.
Wrapping Up: Best Men’s Vegan Dress Shoes
We hope you enjoyed the article, and have found the perfect pair of vegan dress shoes for men. If you’re looking specifically for more vegan shoe alternatives, check out our roundup of the Best Vegan Running Shoes For All Terrain Types, or upgrade your comfort levels with vegan sneakers.
