In July it's hard not to buy shoes. I just see more of them everywhere I go—peering longingly at me from behind the glass like puppies, or tantalizing me like jellybeans in a jar. Of course my obsession hits in the dead of summer, when it's so god-awful hot in New York City that shedding clothes rather than buying them seems like the sane thing to do. But at this point, any color will do, wood, cork, wedge, heel or flat it really doesn't matter—it's summer and everything goes with a tan. That's how I came upon my Terra Plana flats one steamy afternoon in July.

Terra Plana designs supremely eco-friendly footwear made from innovative materials, like recycled vegetable tanned leather, and coffee bags. I knew about these guys before I stumbled into the shop on Elizabeth Street. I didn't know they were having a sale.

I ended up purchasing a perfectly designed pair of black flats (I know what I said about colors before, but my mom was with me, and convinced me I'd wear black more than the pistachio). I put them on immediately. Now, people have particular approaches to breaking in shoes. My mom, for instance, never wears a new pair of shoes for more than three hours at a time. I, on the other hand, power through the pain and wear them as long and for as many days as I possibly can. Part of this is due to my extreme stubbornness (and I'll never admit to the pain), but part is due to my excitement; I only have eyes for the new ones!

The good news: the Terra Planas held their own, and made my Walk Out through Soho much more stylish. I love the details of the design, the way the piece around my heel is separate from the other half of the shoe. Even in the hot hot sun the black E-leather—a rewoven blend of recycled leather and textile fibers—didn't bother me. I will admit there was some rubbing on the back right heel, and come to think of it, on the right toes too. But my right foot is bigger I think, and I couldn't possibly hold that against my go-anywhere, go-with-everything new shoes.

Annie

New York, NY