One for One?

The espadrille has undoubtedly made a huge impression this summer for fashionable footwear, and TOMS have been at the heart and sole of this trend. This may partly be due to the charitable premise of the brand, but how much are you really helping when you purchase a pair of TOMS?

The idea is that by buying a pair of shoes you enable a pair to then be given to a “child in need”. This is not in just developing countries as the company also donates to children in the United States (which is not widely advertised…) The TOMS website states that “shoes are a fundamental resource for protecting children from rough terrain, disease and soil-based infections.” This is very true and whilst I am not denying that shoes are needed, TOMS is not a registered charity, but rather a for-profit group. Furthermore, the price for a pair of these shoes, which are little more than a very thick socks with a sole, can set you back at least £30, whereas in reality they will cost as little as £5 to make. As a result of this, one begins to wonder where the remainder of this money is actually going.

The company organises “shoe drops” where volunteers buy plane tickets and go out to help distribute the shoes. Now it may just be me, but it’s not that difficult to give out shoes, and surely the money spent on the air fare could be contributed to a much more worthy cause, possibly food or water? This is classified perfectly by goodintents.org with the phrase “Whites in Shining Armour”, where consumers are using the “charitable” aspect of the shoes to justify their purchases as a good deed.

Whatever happened to the original “give a man a fish” philosophy? Surely the best aid we can give is money and the resources to manage it effectively? Shoes are great, but I’m sure shelter is better. So unless you can’t live without slightly vinegary smelling feet along with the sense of undeserved satisfaction, think twice before you buy TOMS again and count it as charity.