Every morning, I do the same routine. Coffee, emails, a quick scroll through the news—and then, the most difficult decision of my day: what shoes to wear. As someone who works in a corporate environment that’s not quite business formal but definitely not casual Friday, finding the perfect balance between style and comfort has always been my daily struggle. That is, until I discovered Cariuma Ireland.
It started with a LinkedIn post, of all places. A sustainability consultant I follow had mentioned she’d been wearing these sneakers to client meetings and no one batted an eye. That was a win in my book. So I clicked through, landed on Cariuma Ireland, and found myself looking at some of the most tastefully designed sneakers I’d seen in a long time. They looked clean, minimalist, and quietly confident—exactly the energy I wanted to bring to the office (and, let’s be honest, to after-work drinks too).
I ordered the OCA Low in off-white. When they arrived, I was struck by two things: first, how beautifully made they were, and second, how surprisingly light they felt. I tried them on right away and walked around my flat just to test. No break-in needed. No weird pressure points. It honestly felt like stepping into something I already owned—only better.
The true test, however, came a week later. I had an early presentation, back-to-back meetings, and a last-minute happy hour with a client. I knew I wouldn’t have time to swap shoes or even sit down for long. So I wore my Cariumas. All. Day. Long.
By the end of the day, my feet didn’t hate me. I didn’t have those usual red marks or the urge to change into sneakers on the way home. And even better? Three people complimented my shoes. One colleague asked where I got them, my manager said, “Those are smart sneakers,” and the client casually mentioned I looked “refreshingly polished.” For someone who usually hides her flats under her desk, that was a major win.
What I love most about my Cariumas is that they fit seamlessly into every part of my week. On Mondays, they look right at home with ankle trousers and a blazer. On weekends, I pair them with cropped jeans and a hoodie for farmers’ market strolls. They’re not loud, not flashy—but they always look intentional. And yes, the fact that they’re sustainably made just makes me feel better every time I slip them on.
My personal style leans toward functional minimalism—think lots of neutral tones, structured silhouettes, and pieces that can transition between environments. Cariuma fits right in. They’re not trying to be the star of the show; they’re there to support whatever vibe I’m going for that day, quietly elevating it.
If I could offer one suggestion to the brand, it would be to expand their availability in local shops here. While I don’t mind ordering online from Cariuma Ireland, I know more people would get hooked if they could try them on in person. Because once you feel that comfort and see how well they slot into your wardrobe, there’s really no going back.
So yes, I still check the news, sip my coffee, and agonize over meetings every morning. But the shoe choice? That’s easy now. It’s always Cariuma.