Like lots of the best things in life, gulping in fresh air and long walks anywhere begin with buying new shoes.

The newSKY shoes ($129.99) from New Balance are mostly made from post consumer plastic bottles that are chopped, melted, spun and woven into material for the upper part of the shoe. To keep the recycled content as prevalent as possible, the designers ditched the usual plastic and leather bells and whistles and opted for simple style that relies on clever stitching for support.

That fresh air tastes even sweeter while wearing eco-conscious shoes. —Jaelyn Molyneux

www.newbalance.com

For goodies that are so much better than the Doritos and Snickers that usually come from these machines, put your cash into Vog Vending.

The vending machine comes from the kooky genius of Fluevog and can be found in the Flueseum on the mezzanine level of the Stephen Avenue Fluevog store. The black box is filled with crafty wares including misfit dolls for $25 by Cayla and Rayelle from Toronto or duct tape wallets for $10 by Sandi from Ohio. There are even sweet treats from Seattle’s This Charming Candy.

To get the goods insert your cash, watch the rings twist and reach in to reap the rewards of a business that celebrates the creative. —Jaelyn Molyneux

Fluevog, 207 8 Ave. S.W., Calgary, 403-265-1970, www.fluevog.com

The difference between shoe shopping for ourselves and our little ones is that we are looking for the wow factor for ourselves, but the cute factor for our kids.

Life & Soles, a new-Vancouver based online shoe store has a huge amount of the cute factor, starting with these Native Fitzsimmons baby hiking boots. They are lightweight, waterproof, odor resistant, and absolutely adorable. The site also stocks Converse, Havaianas, and Salt Water, in mini sizes.

Now we can rest assured they are wearing something comfortable and stylish while accompanying us on our marathon shoe shopping trips.
—Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Native Fitzsimmons hiking boots, $59.99 at www.lifeandsoles.myshopify.com

Don't miss our Editors' Diary for some tips on post-pregnancy dressing

Using them as a coin carrier might not make much sense these days, but owning a pair of Weejuns is worth every penny it costs to add the original penny loafer to your shoe archive.

G.H. Bass & Co. created the Weejun in 1936. By the 1950s prep school co-eds were putting dimes and then pennies in the diamond-shaped leather cutout. James Dean rocked the Weejun. JFK was known to slip on a pair of the penny loafers. And, Michael Jackson wore his with white socks. Others have tried to copy the Weejun’s classic cool style (Gucci, Prada) but the Bass brand managed to endure. Pick up a 75th anniversary pair of the loafers at the first Bass store in Canada at CrossIron Mills and receive $75 off until the end of August. That’s a mere 6,500 pennies for a pair of loafers. —Jaelyn Molyneux

Bass, CrossIron Mills, 261055 CrossIron Blvd., Rocky View, 403-730-5408, www.bassshoes.com

For a shoe that dates back to the 13th century, the espadrille has done a remarkable job at staying in vogue summer after summer.

It may have been popularized by Spanish peasants, but this shoe is undeniably the chicest summer flat. The simpler, the better: the espadrille is at its best when it remains true to its classic shape. Enter Soludos, the ultimate classic. Whether exploring the markets of Barcelona, lounging in the French Riviera, or simply strolling about Vancouver, we’ve found our summer essential. —Anya Georgijevic

From US$25.91 at Shopbop.com

It’s time for the little piggies to be free.

The adorable Salt Water Sandals, seen on stylish celeb kids including Suri Cruise and Matilda Ledger, are now available in Canada—and so cute we can hardly stand it.

Quality crafted in a rainbow of 14 colours from bright lime to shiny champagne, the four styles (Original, Sea Wee, Surfer and Sweetheart) range from infant to tween sizes and have a classic, European look that never goes out of style.

Even if she wants to wear them with a tutu and Dora tee. —MT

From $41 at ChloeinStyle.com and select retailers.

On the heels of the popular winter wedge bootie, spring’s peep-toe styles are ready for their close-up.

Channel your 1970’s hippie chick with wide-leg denim paired with the suede Harwich Middy wedge by Clarks Elements ($130). The cork sole and added cushioning is easy on the feet without sacrificing the height. At Gravity Pope, 524 17th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-209-0961, www.gravitypope.com

The flirty cut-out details make this Kate & Mel wedge ($130) a summer staple for evenings out, and garden parties in. Also available in black at Town Shoes, 751 Third St. SW, Calgary, 403-263-1997, Chinook Centre 6455 Macleod Trail, Calgary, 403-255-5270 and Market Mall, 3625 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, 403-288-1034, www.townshoes.com

Aldo’s Krone wedge plays on the colour-blocking trend while adding some serious height (over four inches to be exact). $110 at Aldo, www.aldoshoes.com

Our go-to for chic cardigans, simple dresses and well-cut blazers, Plum has just stepped it up by adding footwear for fall.

The inaugural line includes suede heels, cutout wedges and adorable flats starting from $100.  We’re pairing the Kelsi Dagger ruffle flat ($127, pictured) with skinny jeans and Plum’s military Tokyo jacket. For night, we'll switch it up to the Matiko suede heel ($169) and the Chanel-inspired Tobias blazer.

Visions of Plum shoes dance in our heads.

Plum, Westhills Towne Centre, 250 Stewart Green SW, Calgary, 403-240-1484, www.plum.ca

Beauty and brains is a winning combination. Throw in some shoes and you’ve got the jackpot.

Launched in 2006 by a collective of five small literary presses, Fictionistas is a cross-Canada reading series for female writers of literary fiction with an added fashion component.

Tonight’s inaugural Calgary event will feature footwear and bags from Luna Blue Shoes. Like a wine and cheese pairing, each of the four authors will be wearing shoes and accessories that have been selected to complement each of their books.

Go for the lit, stay for the shoes.

Fictionistas, 7 p.m. at the Auburn Saloon, free admission, 163, 116 Ninth Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-266-6628.

A girl can never have enough shoes—just ask Imelda Marcos.

And when fall comes around, that includes boots, booties and shooties (even if we still can’t bring ourselves to say the latter out loud).

With collections by Marc, Neosens and Hispanitas, the new Pumped Shoes is all about fashion meets function. We love a killer heel as much as the next girl but a little comfort and traction is much appreciated.

We're pumped for that.

Pumped Shoes, Fashion Central, 211, 805 First St. SW, Calgary, 403-266-0801, www.pumpedshoes.com