My Sheepskin Hardsole Slippers. If they look “lived in” it’s because I rarely take them off in the winter.
For the last year and a half, I have been pretty deeply obsessed with Minnetonka Moccasins. My first pair were Leopard Kiltys, which I bought on clearance at my work, and I’ve been a fiend ever since.
I first heard about the brand through Sherri Dupree-Bemis’ Instagram. She is a huge fan—in fact, she has even been featured on their blog! When I discovered that my work carried them, I knew I had to try them out. I love moccasins, but the pairs I had owned in the past were poor quality and didn’t hold up. Quality is a hallmark of Minnetonka—these things have been a hit for 70 years for a reason.
In addition to their Eisley feature, Minnetonka is becoming know for its kickass collaborations. Last year, they teamed up with Elsie & Emma of A Beautiful Mess to create two whimsical styles of their signature beaded Thunderbirds. They also currently have a line with high-end retailer Opening Ceremony featuring blinged-out slippers and moccasins, as well as Minnetonka for Hello Kitty (not exactly my jam, but cute nonetheless).
Beyond quality, another hallmark of Minnetonka is their pricing. My jaw was on the floor when I saw how inexpensive these things are. An average pair of moccasins will run you from $38.95-$49.95, and that’s for genuine suede! They also have an array of other leathers that they use to craft their shoes. AND they have free shipping on all purchases over $65 (and free shipping promotions throughout the holidays!)
Minnetonkas are an awesome way to incorporate fashion-forward footwear into your life without breaking the bank or destroying your feet. The mocc motto is “comfort over everything”.
DSW & Modcloth, among other stores, sell Minnetonkas, but now I almost always go straight to the source to buy mine. Not only are the prices unbeatable, but the customer service is speedy and incredible.
**As a (basically lifelong) vegetarian/flexitarian, I struggled for a long time with the decision to include animal products (leather, suede, etc) in my wardrobe. It just didn’t seem right. I could just be whistling Dixie, but to me, buying one pair of leather moccasins that will last years as opposed to a cheap pair of textile moccs that I’ll replace annually seems to have a smaller environmental and financial impact. The jury is still out on the impact of man-made materials (pleather, PVC), and since I avoid meat primarily out of concern for the environment (with a helping of concern for animal welfare, of course) I take a more traditional route when building my wardrobe.
Della Bites 