TOMS: good eye candy, but looks can be deceiving.
Freshman Ryley Baker shows off her TOMS shoes in the hub on March 22. Baker likes TOMS shoes because “they’re comfortable, they look like little slippers, and I like slippers, too.” -- SHAWNE RAWLS | SNN
By SARA EDWARDS
SNN Staff Writer
They’re comfortable, they come in a variety of styles, and they’re for a good cause. They’re TOMS shoes, based in Santa Monica, Calif.
In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a for-profit company. The company designs and sells lightweight shoes based on the Argentine alpargata design. One of the styles includes Classics, which are slip-on shoes that come in a range of styles, colors, textures and patterns. With every product sold, TOMS will donate a pair to a child in need. One for one.
TOMS is nice eye candy, especially if you buy a vibrant pair. These canvas or cotton fabric shoes are now manufactured in many styles including a Wrap Boot, Wedges, Stitchouts, Cordones and Botas. The sole is constructed of rubber. TOMS also offers several vegan styles, which are footwear made without leather or any animal ingredients. TOMS also offers elegant wedding styles.
The company name is derived from the word “tomorrow” and evolved from the original concept, “Shoes for Tomorrow Project.”
I support TOMS but prefer not to buy their shoes because they are expensive and have little quality. Unfortunately, they don’t last very long. Since I like the style and comfort, I buy look-alikes. The TOMS Classics original price is $44, but they may be higher in stores. At Rue21, the look-alikes are $16.99, but the store always marks down items weekly, so I got a pair marked down to $5, and another for $10. The look-alikes have the same shoe comfort, and are also made of canvas, but have better quality. I’ve had them for about five months and they are still as good as new.
The other TOMS merchandise, including apparel, accessories and eyewear (the newest product), is very nice. If you consider purchasing eyewear, take my word. They’re expensive, but are excellent quality, so if you buy them, take good care!
In 2006, company founder Mycoskie returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff and 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers. Just four years later, in September 2010, TOMS gave away the millionth pair of shoes in Argentina.
