Fugly Shoes Make A Difference!

I'm pretty sure that TOMS were inspired by Oliver Twist's humble footwear.

They have that rough look about them. It says, "Ma sewed these for me last night with love and a crude pattern!" But environmentally and socially conscientious hipsters

have united. They're ditching the better looking, higher quality Vans for a greater cause: Buy a pair of potato sack shoes and a kid in Africa (let's say) gets a pair. Not only will this little kid's footsies be protected from cuts, infections and general savagery (just kidding about the last part, chill), but his pair of TOMS could translate into an education. My Vans can't do that. And if you're wearing Converse still--abort the bandwagon already! Converse (and probably Vans) make cute children sweat in shops.

Yeah, it's ridiculous to pay $44 dollars for a pair of awkward looking kicks. But when you know there's an amazing and tangible mission behind your purchase, $44 seems like nothing* and those TOMS start lookin' pretty damn sexy.

*unless this economy is violently loving your finances as well... then, yes, $44 still hurts, but it's a good hurt. Like, "Ouch, it hurts to be so proactive and responsible with my consumerism!"