BLUEVIEW Pacific Shoe
I had the opportunity to test out the world's first biodegradable shoe from BLUEVIEW. If you're unfamiliar with BLUEVIEW, let me tell you about them.
Two surfers, one a biology professor, and the other a VP of Product meet and talk about their love of surfing and the ocean. They designed and developed the first biodegradable shoe using plant-based fabrics and sustainable materials. In order to help fight for cleaner water and a greener future, they did away with the toxic plastic material by creating a plant-based polyurethane made from plant oils, and natural materials such as hemp and eucalyptus fibers.
Not only did they focus on sustainability, but they also created an ergonomic, durable, and customizable shoe. You no longer have to worry about plastic waste and harming the ocean animals. These shoes will end up decomposing and will feed ocean microorganisms instead of harming them.
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Pro
- Vegan and Plant-based Material
- Compostable
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Customizable
Con
- Expensive
Testing the BLUEVIEW Pacific Shoe
BLUEVIEW Pacific Shoes in Vintage Black
When I first received the shoe, they didn't seem like it was something I would wear. The shoe itself was light, extremely flexible, and had a strap that went over the top of the tongue and was held in place by two knots. I chose the Vintage Black color and I could see why. It looked like those faded acid wash jeans but in a more canvas-type shoe.
I had reservations about the strap and immediately thought about how they would look on me. I also tend not to wear socks or I'll wear loafer socks and the first thing I thought of was my feet were going to sweat and start to smell because I probably wouldn't wear these with no-show socks.
The website says the shoes fit true to size and that's no lie. I went to put them on and they were a little tight. I have a wider foot and it took a little effort to wiggle my way in. In hindsight, I really should have a shoe horn since I have a couple of other pairs of shoes that are a tight fit.
The only other thing I have to say is the tongue is a flap of fabric and it folds in and under when trying to put the shoe on. Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal but the top of my foot is a little hairy and with the tightness of the shoe, it was hard to get the tongue pulled back out without pulling my foot hair. But I managed.
Once on, I thought they didn't look bad and they seemed comfortable. I laughed a bit because they looked as if I should be at the beach or on the way to a Jimmy Buffet concert but honestly, they weren't bad. The strap has to go I thought and wondered if I could just take it off without ruining the shoe. (Looking at the website, I now know they are meant to be customizable).
Since I work from home, I mostly go around barefoot so I don't really wear them around the house. When I run errands, I slip them on sans socks and end up wearing them all day. They were pretty comfortable. I have worn them all weekend while out enjoying the summer weather, hanging out poolside, going to the movies, or out to dinner. You hardly know they're on.
They are comfortable, and I noticed my feet didn't sweat. The insoles actually feel soft as if made from talcum powder. They don't come out when you take the shoes off either as some shoes do.
BLUEVIEW Pacific Sneaker and Biodegradable Materials
Sustainable Footwear
Each shoe is made with a plant-based biodegradable plastic that replaces petroleum plastics which as we know, is the cause of a lot of plastic pollution in our rivers and oceans.
This sustainable footwear is made from two primary materials:
- Soleic Foam - Soleic is the world's first high-quality, renewable, and fully biodegradable polyurethane foam.
- Plant Knit - PlantKnit is the world's first plant-based and fully biodegradable machine knitted shoe upper. It is made from hemp and eucalyptus.
Basically, it's a plant shoe that will completely break down when exposed to the compost environment. After only 6 weeks, the upper portion of the shoe is 90% composted and in about 200 days, the Soleic foam follows suit.
Is the Footwear Washable?
According to the website, you can place them in a washing machine using the delicate cycle, cold water, and mild detergent. They advise removing the insoles and washing by hand versus machine washing. To dry, you allow to air dry.
How Do You Use the BLUEVIEW Pacific Sneaker?
You can wear the biodegradable sneaker just about anywhere. As I said, I wore them to the pool, to the grocery store, walking around town, and even to dinner. I think they would be ideal for visits to the beach and even camping.
Keep in mind that this footwear isn't suitable for more rigorous activities like hiking, and mountain climbing, and although I haven't tried it, I don't see it as a running shoe either.
Is the BLUEVIEW Pacific Worth the Price?
Honestly, I think the price is a bit hefty but it is a small price to pay in comparison to all the plastic floating in the water. On the other hand, if you're like me and your wardrobe lasts several years, I can see this as being a good investment.
Should You Buy the BLUEVIEW PACIFIC Biodegradable Sneaker?
I would say yes. It's a comfortable shoe, it saves sea life and the ocean, and they look good (minus the strap). It depends on your budget and whether biodegradable plastic is important to you. It is after all, truly the first sustainable shoe in the footwear industry.
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Sporti and Tyler Wallach Artist Series Collaboration
Recognized worldwide for his bright and boldly-colored street art characters, artist Tyler Wallach is making another splash with his art, diving into the world of swimming with his latest collab - the Sporti x Tyler Wallach Collection.
The collection is the debut partnership of Sporti’s recently announced Artist Series, a collection of limited-edition collaborations aimed to spark conversation around diversity, inclusion, and mental health awareness.
The Sporti x Tyler Wallach Collection, featuring a selection of swimwear and accessories for ‘LGBTQ+ swimmers and allies alike,’ transforms Tyler’s colorful creations into material works of art, resulting in a collection fit for the entire swim community.
Sporti x Tyler Wallach Collection
Photo courtesy of Sporti
Touting his ‘individuality as his biggest asset,’ Tyler is the self-described “1988 love child of Keith Haring and Lisa Frank.” His whimsical, vibrant characters are brilliant nods to the exuberance of gay pride and evocative of one’s freedom to express themselves, in and beyond the lane.
“My art is about love, light, and positivity,” Tyler says. “It’s magical, colorful, rainbow drippy fun.
Fittingly so, the Sporti x Tyler Wallach Collection is unapologetically bold. Designed with watercolor in mind, the collection’s designs evoke that moment when the light catches the water, fragmented into a kaleidoscope that encapsulates all the colors of the rainbow.
"I'm so thrilled about this collaboration with Sporti and all that it stands for! While so many brands just throw a rainbow on something, we really took the true design into consideration to illustrate our message of inclusion & diversity, and created something loud, bright, and exciting!” said Tyler.
The Sporti x Tyler Wallach Collection
Photo courtesy of Sporti
As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Tyler’s compassion and care for at-risk queer youth and anti-bullying efforts remain a driving force of inspiration, and he hopes that this collection inspires those who see it to be their most authentic self.
“Before coming out at the age of 18, I struggled with anti-gay attitudes from friends. It sent me into a tailspin and I wanted to cover up my true identity,” said Tyler. “Today, there is no better feeling than using my art to stand up for social and civil justice in our thriving, intelligent, and colorful LGBTQ+ community.”
The Sporti x Tyler Wallach Collection is proud to support and donate a portion of proceeds to the It Gets Better Project, a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe.
“Happiness is a choice,” Tyler says. “I look at my art, and I’m reminded to take a deep breath and realize that everything is on track. We have to believe in a world where hope outshines fear.”
The Sporti x Tyler Wallach Collection ranges from $12.95 - $39.95 and is available in competitive swim sizing 22Y - 40 (accommodating approximately sizes Youth 6/7 to Adult XL), sold exclusively at www.swimoutlet.com.
About Sporti by SwimOutlet
Sporti, SwimOutlet’s top performance, private-label swimwear line, offers athlete-approved products in innovative designs, refined for an active lifestyle. Every Sporti product delivers exceptional, performance-driven collections for life’s greatest adventures. Water is Sporti’s playground - a place to embrace and champion diversity while elevating stories from every lane of the pool.
Founded in 2000 and with over 25 million suits sold to date, SwimOutlet.com is the premier online destination for all-things swim and is the largest online specialty store for swimming, active recreation, triathlon, beach, and watersport merchandise in North America.
I’ve decided to just file this with “Things White People Say” and move on. (Send your letters of complaint to Mary, P.O. Box Calm Down, Snowflake, AZ.)
Photo by Royal Anwar on Unsplash
Over the last decade, my policy has been to wear a tie to job interviews and funerals. And I haven’t been to any funerals. My hesitation to “clean up” is not because I don’t like looking sharp — a word my father used to use and I’ve come to accept as a perfectly fine descriptive word but I also have started using the word “slacks” so that may tell you something. Rather, I don’t like getting dressed up. Perhaps if Rosie from The Jetsons could drop-kick me into a suit every morning, I wouldn’t mind walking around looking like I am someone who lives to work rather than works to live.
So, bypassing the process would make a difference … temporarily. However, after two hours of being dressed up, I will undoubtedly be thinking about when I can get out of this clown suit. I mean, that’s plenty of time for enough people to see how nice I can look and maybe even capture a few pictures for posterity (or, perhaps a better word would be proof).
I’ve been lucky enough that for my entire professional career I’ve had the luxury of being able to wear whatever I want to the office. (I understand this policy can be a slippery slope. For example; I once worked at a place that had to include “No Chaps” in the dress code section of its employee handbook. Now, why do you suppose they put that in there?) I’m not one to push that envelope too far, although the flip-flop of my flip-flops as I ascended the stairs at Echo when I worked here full-time was a signal to everyone that I was approaching.
Photo by Hamza Baig on Unsplash
Let’s just say, I like to be comfortable. A lot of folks advise you should dress for the job you want, not for the job you have. That’s why I always dress like a lottery winner. And, honestly, I think all of us should.
It’s certainly not my place to tell people they shouldn’t wear a suit to work every day. But how many people stop to ask themselves why they are doing it? Does it make them more effective? Does it recharge Kevin’s brain so he can crunch those numbers better, or provide
Steve with the inspiration to draw sketches of houses?
The simplest answer is that it is “professional.” But what is dressing professionally, other than what society has deemed as such? People adhere to that notion of dressing like a Stepford employee because that’s what their father did, and his father and his father. Some of the most unprofessional people I’ve met were wearing Armani, and some of the most professional were wearing Adidas.
My work-attire choices may have cost me in the past, sure. There’s no question it is the main reason I never became a lawyer or a captain of industry.
Still, I think our country would be much more chill (a word I am using to counterbalance “sharp” and “slacks”) if we all just did business in casual attire.
I understand many of you won’t or can’t join me in this, but I’ll still be dressing like I’m always headed to a BBQ.
After months in track pants and tees, do you even know what color dress, neck tie or hair highlights would work for you?
Here's how Lexi can help.
Lexi provides premier color and style analysis services to men, women, and children of all ages to find what makes them look and feel their best selves.
Lexi educates hundreds of locals every year with their perfect colors and styles, providing confidence and insight on what to shop for in the future.
Here's how it works:
Our Journey through the House of Color Process-Meghan Tinker from House of Color youtu.be
During her style development consultation, Lexi shows you how to create an easy wardrobe specific to your body type and personality, providing confidence with what you wear everyday.
With color analysis appointments, Lexi walks through seasonal color palettes to determine which colors look best with you, and give you the natural glow with your skin, eyes, and hair. Once your colors are discovered, she shows you a 90 second makeup look and your "WOW colors", the colors that make you feel like the best version of yourself.
"At House of Colour we enhance your natural beauty by discovering your best colors using precision-dyed drapes and natural light. Each person is unique and falls into one of the four seasonal categories: Winter, Spring, Summer, or Autumn," says Lexi.
Lexi Morrison
You can even try it at home and see if Lexi's color pointers work for you:
Lexi's Tips For Brightening Up Your Winter Self
- Winter is a “cool” season, meaning your skin undertone is blue-based.
- You look best in colors that are clear, bright, vivid, or icy.
- Did you know? Winters are the only season that folks can wear black and it helps give you a natural glow! Black clothing, black eye makeup, etc.
- Winter colors are saturated and contrasting. They do well in jewel tones as well as icy, pale colors. When you dress, Winters look best with a light color, a dark color, and a bright color from their spectrum. This is to achieve that “high-contrast” look that is so flattering on them.
- For hair color, Winters also look best with contrasting colors. Black, white, gray/silver, ashy blonds, or cool browns. They do best to avoid golden, auburn, or other warm tones in their hair.
- For jewelry and accessories, Winters can wear white pearls, silver, platinum, white gold, or gunmetal.
