This post is in partnership with Nisolo. All writing, content and photography are my thoughts and ideas.
A few weeks ago I stepped out in my favorite Nisolos to show you some of the places I love in my city. This included the perfect pour over and award-worthy scones. Today I’m lacing up my oxfords (also by Nisolo) and taking you for another spin around town.
Before I dive into the locations, a little shoe talk. Yes, this post is in collaboration with Nisolo, and I was compensated for my time and work on it, but let me completely level with you. Outside of clogs Nisolo makes my favorite shoes. That is the honest truth. And quite simply the reason is this: the fit and craftsmanship is unmatched. They are designed and made to fit a walking foot, not a sitting foot, not a perched foot, but an active, moving foot. They are designed for real life. For walking, living, wearing, and being in. And they look good while doing it. That’s why I reach for my Nisolos all the time.
As a lifelong shoe lover, I have tried many different brands, several of which are at a similar price point to Nisolo. But my Nisolos rise to the top because they are well designed and they actually feel good on my feet. Other shoes I’ve owned have looked good, but often left my feet eager to escape at the earliest chance possible. This is not the case with my Nisolos. There has never been any painful break-in periods, the leather has never pinched, squeezed or rubbed my foot the wrong way. In fact, the Nisolos I wear are lined with leather on the inside, which makes them soft, comfortable, stretchable and breathable. They are crafted to evolve with you and your foot, and I love that.
A couple of years ago we bought my husband a pair of Chukkas for Christmas. My husband spends part of his commute to work each day walking. His boots are gently worn, but are just as show-stoppingly beautiful as the day he got them. Bottom line: quality craftsmanship + quality materials = long lasting products.
Before I end my love song about Nisolo, I must point you toward, arguably, their most important and attractive feature – the way they value their makers, the planet, and you and me. In their own words, their vision:
“To push the fashion industry in a more sustainable direction–where success is based on more than just offering the cheapest price–a direction that not only values exceptional design, but the producer and the planet just as much as the end consumer.”
You’re important. I’m important. The person who made my shoes is important. The planet is important. Let’s stop avoiding this issue and start taking better care of each other and the place we live. Beautiful brands like Nisolo make steps in that direction easy.
Okay, end love song.
But the singing ain’t over. Let me warm up my vocal chords to share yet another love story with you.
Oh Portland, you do so many things well. You feed me, entertain me, and wrap your rainy arms around me. In you, I find many places I love.
A few weeks ago I shared on Instagram that I don’t really like to shop for clothes in person anymore. (I’ve found I’d much rather pre-plan and look online. I’m not usually ready to commit to spending $$$ on the spot without days/weeks of deliberation.) But I love browsing for the home. And Portland has the BEST shops to do that in. Vintage marketplaces and boutiques galore. Whether it’s furniture, rugs, housewares, even homes themselves, that is when and where I like to let my inner retail enthusiast take flight.
There’s a little quadrant of shops in the same part of town that are fun to pop into – including this one, North of West – which feature many Portland-based makers.
But perhaps my favorite place to browse in all of Portland is Powell’s Books.
Do you remember what books smell like? For me, it’s the smell of my childhood and endless possibilities cocooned together. Going to the bookstore was my favorite thing to do and, from an early age I loved to travel to wherever my next novel took me.
As an adult, I don’t read nearly as much as I used to. So when I pick up a book, I want to make sure it’s a good one. I love going to Powell’s because they feature employee picks and hand-written recommendations all over the store. I can search and wander until I find the right book(s). They sell new and used copies (all mixed together!) and amazingly, Powell’s is still owned by the family that started the store in 1979.
I love walking up and down the aisles until something catches my eye. I revel in the browsing, something that’s hard to do online. It’s one of my favorite places to take the kids too. The selection in the youth/kids area is hard to beat. Kid-friendly furniture welcomes browsing, reading and spending time with your nose in a book.
Needless to say I love Powells. It’s one of Portland’s top destinations. If you plan to visit, try to stop by on a weekday to avoid the Saturday crowds, and wear comfortable shoes. You’ll probably park a few blocks away, and you’ll want to make sure you’re totally comfortable while perusing the shelves.
My Nisolos don’t let me down when I’m on my feet, whether I’m here or there, traipsing around my city. I’m particularly tickled by these James Oxfords. They’re really comfortable (as mentioned) and I love their nod to menswear. I also wear the Mariella Mules and the Isa Boots. In the summer I favor my Huaraches (with a new, improved fit this year, no need to size down anymore!) and my Sarita Wedge Sandals. If you have any questions about the fit or wear of these, let me know! Nisolo’s summer sandal lineup is looking really good right now with the release of their new Lucia Block Heel sandal, I can’t decide which is cuter, the black or the sand.
Where will your Nisolos take you? To school? To work? To Europe? To Portland? However you do it, go in comfort and style!
This post is in partnership with Nisolo – all words, thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I was compensated for my time spent writing and photographing this piece. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase, I will make a commission. I choose partners for Seasons + Salt with the utmost care, and am thrilled to work with Nisolo. Thank you for supporting responsible makers like Nisolo who are making a real difference in the apparel world.
All photography by Kiara Rose Photo.
I bought my first pair of Nisolos (smoking shoe) over the winter, but it’s been too slushy in Canada to wear them yet. I’m having to make myself wait until I’ve walked around in them for a while before I buy more, because they’re so beautiful!
Where are your earrings from?
Hi Abbey! I’m so glad you got your hands on a pair. The smoking shoes are so good looking! My earrings are the Ilahn by Seaworthy. https://www.seaworthypdx.com/collections/earrings/products/ilhan-earrings-three-or-four-tier
They really are the comfiest shoes! I can wear mine for a long day of grocery shopping and errands and my feet are happier than they’d be even in sneakers.
Also love Powell’s, though I almost find it a little anxiety-inducing and overwhelming because there are just SO MANY books. 😆
Haha, so true! It’s huge!! That’s why I find all the hand-written notes and recommendations so helpful!
Ah! The In My City Blogs are really making me wish I never left Portland (recently moved to Milwaukee, WI for a new job). By far my favorite city and I cannot wait to come back for a visit.
Also, thank you so much for this blog. While I have a ways to go with my purchasing decisions, it’s helpful to have you lead the way.
Thank you so much Megan for this kind comment. I hope Milwaukee is good to you!
Hi there! How do the Nisolos do in the rain? Do your feet get wet? Do you dry them a particular way? I love the mules, but have never been able to figure out how to go sockless in our temperate climate. (I’m in Seattle.) Any thoughts? Love reading your blog!
Hi Jen, great question! With a leather sole, putting a protector on the bottom (at a cobbler) is your best shot at making them work in the rain. I have put sole savers/toppy soles on the bottoms of my Nisolos that I wear in the rain – the Isa boot and the James oxfords. If it was super heavy rain, I might switch to rainboots. I tend to avoid wearing my Mariella mules in the rain because I don’t want the leather to get too dirty on top, and I don’t have sole savers on those. You don’t want the sole to soak through, and you definitely want them to dry completely before wearing them again so they don’t accidentally stretch. I have never had mine soak completely though in the rain. My husband has polished his chukkas with some wax based sealant, which helps the water bead up and roll off the top of his shoes. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the rain-proofing tips Andrea! I was about to ask the very same question. I live in Seattle and rain is always a concern. I found S+S through Matter Prints and spent the last few hours sipping coffee and soaking in your site. As someone trying to be a more socially conscious consumer but constantly battling from being always too cold and wet, I’ve found S+S to be a wonderful resource & inspiration already. Especially LOVE all the photos around town, loving seeing pieces look out and about.
Thanks so much! Super helpful. :)
I have never found comfy oxford, so I will have to check these out! I also have to ask – is your top the Jamie and the Jones T Top? That is on my wishlist along with Nisolos. If it is, what size did you end up with? It looks like a great fit!
Hi Suzy, yes, my top is by Jamie and the Jones! It is a size medium. :) I have tried a few oxfords, these and the ones by Everlane, and I found these a lot more comfortable. The Everlane ones were too narrow and the leather was pretty stiff.
Thank you, Andrea! I’ve been eyeing the Everlane oxfords you have, but they looked like they might be stiff. I’ll give Nisolos a try! I love your style and your blog :)
Did you size up at all? I’m waiting for Nisolo to restock the James in Almond, but not sure what size to go with as the recommendations in the reviews are a little all over the place.
Hi Zoe, my James Oxfords are size 10, which is my normal size. My Isa’s and mules are also 10’s.
I am going to purchase the Nisolo Elayna Sneaker, do you have a recommendation for sizing. The reviews are glowing but make no mention of how the shoe style runs in term of sizing.
I am usually a 6 in sandals, and a 6.5-7 in other shoes. This may be TMI but I am coming out… I have different size feet.
Oh dear, no TMI here! Ugh, my feet are slightly different too. Makes things so tricky. I have not tried the Elayna Sneaker, but you can blog stalk my friend Ellie who has them and wears them all the time: http://www.selflesslystyled.com/
https://www.instagram.com/selflessly_styled/
Hi Andrea, cute shoes! Plus, I’m amazed i have not run into you yet – from your posts it’s clear we’re very close neighbors (although not sure how you resisted Petunia’s on this recent jaunt. I love your blog, and are styles are very similar. take care!
Hi Debbie, that’s too funny! If you ever see me do say hi! Petunia’s is yummy 😋
Hi!! Ok this might not be a fair comparison, but I am thinking of a pair of mule style shoes, either the Mariellas or a clog variety, and can only afford one pair, any thoughts on which pair might be more versatile and practical….and still cute. I know, too many factors to consider, right!?! I have a 3 and a 6 year old, so I definitely need them to work for running after kids. Thanks so much for your thoughts!!! :)
Oh gosh, that’s a tough one!! I’d say black Mariellas (because you don’t have to worry about them getting dirty) or a high quality clog in a mid heel. Good luck!
You must have very tough feet! I have the Sofia Slip-On Mule, and they were murderous to break in (but SO worth it!). I found that wearing the shoes in two hour shifts, then four hour, then all day worked best for breaking them in, though I still had plenty of blisters! I also had the Austin heel that I eventually had to resell because I could never make them work for an 8 hour work day. Clearly I need to check out the styles you mentioned in your post — I do LOVE the brand’s mission, and that they are based out of my hometown (Nashville)!
Hi Lexie! I have actually tried both those styles as well. The Austin didn’t work for me either (I don’t really do heels) and I liked the Sofia, it was just a tad short for my foot. I can’t believe they gave you so much trouble! Are your Sofias working better now?
These posts make me really want to visit Portland! I think this is something that we need to save for and make happen. My husband would love that bookstore!
Speaking of the husband, I want to buy him a pair of Nisolo Chukkas. He buys his shoes from the discount shoe store and goes through them every few years. I’ve tried to convince him that it would be more economical and sustainable to just invest in a high quality pair! He tried on a pair of Frye’s but didn’t like the stiffness. Maybe Nisolo would be more comfortable right out of the box?
Yes, I would think so! The leather is a lot softer than some of the leather used on Frye’s. But it is still really nice leather. My husband loves his Chukkas! Maybe you can catch a pair for your hubby when Nisolo has their next sale…
I just purchased the d’orsay loafers!…I’ve been coveting them for months and have a serious black shoe hole in the wardrobe that needs filling!
The Nisolos look wonderful, but I am disappointed at their lack of options for women with small feet…sometimes even size 6 is too big, especially for summer shoes!
And women with larger feet – size 10 is the largest size!