Slow Fashion Looks Good On You Freda Salvador・Eda Sneaker Review
Frēda Salvador is a female-founded brand started by friends Christina and Megan, with a vision for beautifully crafted and stylish footwear. Frēda works with family run factories in Italy, El Salvador and Spain producing handcrafted and small-batch releases. Frēda Salvador is a great example of slow, and intentional fashion done right and they’re one of the few brands I’m proud to represent with each wear and share with my friends!
“Respect for product, people and the planet is at the heart of everything we do.” - The Frēda team.
Eda d’Orday sneakers linked here.
Why Freda?
I first heard of Frēda Salvador in 2019 when one of my favorite stylists Karla Reed bought her first pair. I was immediately surprised by the price because how could non-designer shoes cost so much? But even so, the unique and stylish d’Orsay style sneakers had my heart from the start and I never forgot about them! Instead, I added them to my wishlist to pine over for four years haha.
Back in 2019 I still was learning about ethical fashion and just beginning to care about where my clothes and shoes came from and who made them, I was learning to shop my values, and I was still spending a lot on cheaper clothes compared to my current approach to shop less but better.
Then, I saw $295 for a pair of sneakers and couldn’t justify the price, but now I see the entire chain of designers, factory families and Spanish artisans being paid fairly with that price. I see the money spent on clean and safe working environments and I see high quality leather material that’s ethically sourced and traceable. And to be fair, I still see it as a major splurge but now in 2023 when I see ethical brands like Frēda charging more, I don’t see greed, I see purpose.
Features of the Eda
The shoes upper is 100% Italian leather and the lining is 100% Spanish leather, and being water proof, moisture beads up on the surface making it really easy to clean. I intend to wear these sneakers barefoot most of the time and because leather is moisture wicking, it doesn’t retain sweat or smells.
The footbed is padded and although it doesn’t have arch support, I can already tell these shoes will be comfortable enough for long hours of walking.
The laces are pretty customizable, and I’ve seen them worn many ways. Out of the box the laces are tied in a bow like a traditional pair of sneakers but I’ve seen the Eda styled with the laces hidden under the removable foot sole turning the shoes into a pair of slip-ons - so far that’s my preference!
Meet the artisans and see the factory where the Edas are made here.
Fit
I took the recommendation from several long-term Freda customers I trust, who said to size down a half-size and I would also recommend the same to you! The Eda sneakers do arrive snug and must be broken in a bit, I did this by wearing them on quick grocery runs and with socks around the house. When I tried them out of the box, I thought I might have made a mistake on sizing but now, after several wears, the leather has loosened to be the ideal fit, even for my lopsided feet (my right foot is slightly bigger than my left!).
Styling
I could style these sneakers all day, but here are 5 looks that quickly came together when I wanted to display their versatility.
The Eda d’Orsay sneakers win gold in the all round 🏆 I love their ability to dress down a look with its casual elements while still remaining elegant and elevated! This definitely won’t be my last Frēda Salvador purchase, and it’s just the beginning of all the new ways I’ll style the Edas for years to come.