ALONAI

Alonai Footwear's New Weekly Shoe Giveaway

2012-02-19T23:36:00.000-08:00

Alonai Footwear is now holding a weekly contest so you have even more chances to win free shoes. All you have to do is follow the instructions in the handy dandy Rafflecopter tool below for multiple opportunities to win. There is one mandatory option in order to qualify for the giveaway, but you have 4 other bonus entries and opportunities. You can also use the Rafflecopter tool to tweet the giveaway daily for extra entries.

The Rules

The first weekly winner will be chosen Friday, February 24 and then each Friday thereafter. The winner has 24 hours after the announcement to contact us.

The winner is able to choose a free pair of shoes valued up to $50 from Alonai Footwear plus free shipping within the U.S. If the winner chooses a pair of shoes that are more than $50, they may choose to pay the remainder of the balance themselves. Additionally, there is no cash value for the giveaway; you cannot exchange your win for cash.

If you have any questions, please let us know. Otherwise, good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prettiest Pink Shoes for Valentines Day

2012-02-09T21:10:00.000-08:00

If you've been anywhere the past two weeks, you've probably had your fill of pink and red heart shaped boxes and trinkets. Many people, I'm sure, also have big plans that involve special Valentine's Day outfits and accessories. Luckily, if you're in the mood for shoes, you'll find plenty of pink and red shoes over at Alonai.com.

Here are a few of our prettiest pink shoes:

Andres Machado Pink Satin Rosette

Pink Satin Rosette Pumps
Size 5, 10.5, 11.5 and 12

Pink Patent Leather Pumps

Pink Patent Leather Pumps
Size 2-5

Even Pink Boots

Pink Suede Bootie
Size 10.5 and 12

Make sure you check out the huge Valentine's Day sale of up to 70% off site wide. Happy Valentine's Day!

Best Ankle Boots for Petite and Large Sizes

2012-01-29T22:20:00.000-08:00

One of the hottest trends in winter boots is the ankle boot. One reason being the versatility of an ankle boot that can be worn with leggings or skinny jeans or even skirts, the other is that they are just pretty darned cute. In order to get through any type of winter, you will need to have boots that keep your feet warm, but you also need boots that make you feel great when you're wearing them.

If you wear a petite sized shoe or a large sized 10-14, you may have run into problems finding stylish and trendy shoes in the past. Luckily, Alonai carries a number of styles and hard to find sizes in a number of boots, including the ankle boot, which is also referred to as a bootie.

Navy Blue Eyelets Booties
Large Sizes 10-13

For a dressier version of ankle boot, these are patent leather with 3.5 inch heels.

Andres Machado Beige Patent Leather Ankle Boots
Petite Sizes 2-5

Black Buckle Boots with a slightly smaller heel for casual or dress.

Andres Machado Black Buckle Boots
Sizes 2-5 and 10.5, 11.5, 12 and 13

Most of the winter styles at Alonai are marked down up to 60%, so make sure you go check it out for all hard to find sizes whether you wear a small petite sized 2 through 5 or a large sized shoe of 10-14.

DIY Shoe Repair: How to Fix Your Favorite Shoes

2012-01-26T21:14:00.000-08:00

Although we all love new shoes, everyone has that pair of shoes that we hope we can hang on to forever. Unless you're in the habit of buying two shoes at one time, you will likely have to come up with a way to keep your favorite shoes in wearable condition longer. Here are a few simple DIY suggestions for fixing and repairing shoes.

Easily Fix Scuff Marks

Scuff marks are no reason to ditch shoes you absolutely adore, especially when they're so easy to fix by yourself. I have been known to fill in small marks with a sharpie marker, but if you are a bit more sophisticated than I am, you may want to at least try shoe polish which is even available in clear. Scuff marks on light colored shoes can be removed by using a cloth and buffing the shoes with toothpaste or metal polish.

Andres Machado Camel Buckle Boots

Repair Broken Heels

Broken heels can also be easily repaired with either glue or Shoe Goo. The key to repairing a broken heel is a) follow the directions for the product carefully and b) make sure you have something to hold the heel and the shoe together while the adhesive dries. Usually, rubber bands work quite well for this. Shoe Goo can be purchased in various places online including Amazon.

Remedies for Smelly Shoes

Shoes that smell badly often end up in the trash as well, but if you happen to like those smelly shoes and would like to keep them, you can clean them up and get rid of the odor. First, clean them thoroughly inside with a wet towel and then with rubbing alcohol. Let the shoes air dry and then stuff them with baking soda for a few days. The best method for deodorizing shoes is to fill a pantyhose end with the baking soda, tie it off and leave it in the shoes. There are also deodorized inserts available, but the most important step is making sure the shoes are cleaned thoroughly on the inside.

Unless the shoe is completely ripped and chewed up, there is a probably a fairly easy DIY repair that can be performed at home to save them. If the shoes are totally ripped and chewed up, you may have to just throw them in the trash and buy new ones, which isn't such a bad deal anyway.

5 Benefits of Shopping for Shoes Online

2012-01-20T18:47:00.000-08:00

It seems that many people still aren't completely sold on shopping for shoes online. As with any other piece of merchandise however, once you start buying shoes on the web, you could possibly be hooked for life. Here are just a few of the benefits of shopping for shoes online.

1. Hard to Find Shoes

Not only does the internet allow for a wider selection to select from when shopping, it also gives shoppers that wear hard to find sizes like 2 through 5 or 10-14 and receive them in a just a few days (if you remember catalog shopping, you know what I mean).

2. Wider Selection of Shoes

Think about it, your favorite retailer only has so much room to keep shoes. If you wear a hard to find sized shoes, good luck finding anything in your size. Most retailers can only keep the most popular sizes and styles on hand. You will find a lot more styles, colors and brands online than offline.

3. Cheaper Shoes Online

Many times shoes are cheaper online because you are able to purchase straight from the manufacturer as opposed to buying them from a storefront. It costs money to maintain a retail store, which means a certain amount of money needs to be added on to the cost of the merchandise in order to make a profit. If you purchase online from the manufacturer, you can sometimes avoid extra charges.

4. Find the Best Shoe Deal Online

You can't very well compare shoes and shoe deals any other way than online unless you plan on driving to multiple stores or walking around the mall a few times. It is much easier to find the shoe you want at the cheapest price available online and from the comfort of your home.

5. Save Time Shopping for Shoes

Once you've narrowed down your favorite web sites, all you need to do when you purchase your shoes is sort by style and size, put them in the cart and purchase. Buying shoes online (if you already know what you're looking for) can be 5 minute process. There's no way you can purchase shoes that quickly offline.

Make sure to note the retailer's return policy in case you aren't happy with the shoes you've purchased online. Otherwise, for the most part, you'll find many benefits of shopping online.

Women's Beige Elastic High Boots
large size 10.5 and 11.5 only $39.90

*Don't forget to check out the tons of winter boots and marked down shoes at Alonai.

Five Celebrities That Wear Size 5 Shoes

2012-01-14T23:28:00.000-08:00

On 11/11/11 we wrote a blog post on celebrities that wore a size 11 shoe. Since Alonai provides shoes for women that wear large sized shoes as well as petite sizes, we thought it would be interesting to note famous people that wear small sized shoes also. In this case, the attention is on 5 celebrities that wear a size 5 shoe.

Five Petite Celebrities With Size 5 Feet

Rachel Bilson - Actress on How I Met Your Mother and The O.C. as well as many others. Wears a size 5 shoe.
Hayden Panettiere - Actress Scream 4 and wears a size 5 shoe.
Christina Ricci - Actress Pan Am and War Flowers wears a size 5 shoe
Tila Tequila - Musician and actress wears a shoe size 5 to 5.5
Kylie Minogue - Actress and singer wears a size 5.

Andres Machado Pink Soft Pumps Size 5

It does seem that actresses and celebrities with small shoe sizes are fewer than larger shoe sized celebrities. This may be because of the demand for taller women in the industry which usually have larger feet.

I also want to remind you that Alonai carries a ton of fashionable shoes in size 5. If you happen to wear the same size shoe as our 5 celebrities, make sure you check out all of the new size fives that are available.

New Years Shoe Resolutions: When to Throw Out Shoes

2011-12-31T21:00:00.000-08:00

Petite Size Leopard Print Peep Toe

It's a new year and probably as good a time as any to go through our shoes and figure out which ones we need and which ones we should never wear again.

You know what I mean, right? Just as we have pants from high school hanging around our closets, we have shoes that not only we will never wear again , but probably shouldn't if we care at all for our feet.

Besides the fact that no one should still be hanging on to the L.A. Gears from the 90s, there are a couple of other indications that you should toss out certain shoes.

They are painful: If the shoes hurt your feet, old or new and you are not able wear them longer than a few hours, you may want to get rid of them. Shoes are supposed to be worn to protect your feet. They are not doing you any good if you have to kick them off under the desk as soon as you get to work.

You are embarrassed to wear them: If the shoes are so old and beat up you don't want to be seen in them, they are just taking up space in the closet. You probably won't even wear them around the house because you have cute house shoes for that.

No Sole: Shoes need soles and sturdy arches, without these two, the shoes should not be worn out of the house. Otherwise, you are ruining your feet. Wearing shoes with no arches is the equivalent of wearing those house shoes mentioned previously 24/7.

Too Old to Sell: If the shoes are so old you can't sell them and no one on earth would buy them, you should either throw these out or send them to shoe heaven (Goodwill).

Let's resolve this new year to get rid of the shoes we should not hang onto and replace them with new shoes we will actually wear. Happy New Year and wishing you a great 2012!

The Best Flat Shoes for Petites

2011-12-27T18:56:00.000-08:00

Often times, those who wear petite sized shoes are hesitant about wearing flat shoes for fear that they would somehow appear shorter. The truth of the matter is you are whatever height you are and no shoe flat or heeled is going to change that. Petite sized women should not miss out on the hundreds of flat styles of shoes that are available simply because of they are short. You can also try pointier toed styles or open toed styles if you wish to elongate the appearance.

Here are some of the best flat shoes available for petite sizes:

The basic black patent leather flat is available at Alonai.com in petite shoe sizes 2-5.

Andres Machado Black Patent Leather Flat

And some of the best flats are those that are just fun and comfortable.

Blue Striped Flats

Pink Satin Flats

Elongating Tip

If you are still uneasy about wearing flats as a petite sized woman, you will want to try to pair them with clothing that elongates the legs or shows more of the leg. Also consider the shoe vamp. A low shoe vamp means the toe line is cut closer to the toes (and creating a longer look) and a high shoe vamp such as those in boots and gladiator style shoes are cut sometimes as far as the ankle. If you are wearing a skirt that is past the knees, you will want to pair that with shoes or flats with a lower shoe vamp. The idea is that the more leg that shows, the longer the leg will appear.

Otherwise you can just tell yourself that height doesn't matter and wear whatever you like.

Have a look around Alonai.com at the hundreds of large sized and petite sized shoes on sale for winter and don't forget to follow the blog for your chance every month to win a pair of free shoes.

50% Off Hard to Find Shoes and 10% Holiday Coupon Code

2011-12-16T22:17:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let you all know we have a huge sale going on at Alonai on winter shoes. Many of the winter styles in both petite sizes 2-5 and large sizes 10-13 are available for up to 50% off.

Also, receive 10% off your purchase when you use the coupon code XMAS77. Any shoes ordered by December 21 are guaranteed to be delivered by Christmas. If you or someone you know wears hard to find shoe sizes, make sure you take advantage of this holiday sale and discount.

Stylish Shoes for Women's Size 12

2011-12-05T21:19:00.000-08:00

I've heard many women mention that they wished they had tiny feet so they could wear cute, little tiny shoes but you will probably be surprised to learn that small and petite sized shoes are actually the minority. At one time, smaller sizes like 5 were the average women's size shoe but currently, the average shoe size is more along the lines of 10 and larger. You would think that this would make these larger sizes easier to find, but unfortunately it isn't and sometimes the larger sizes cost so much more that you are stuck with the same couple pairs of shoes, wishing you had smaller feet.

As I've mentioned numerous times on this blog however, hundreds of styles and designs are available with Alonai in both petite sized shoes and large sized shoes. Both sizes in stylish designs and high quality products at prices that average women can afford.

For example, here are new styles available in Women's Size 12:

Andres Machado Large Sized Leather Ballerina

Beige Lace Pumps

Burgundy Wrinkled Boots

No matter what hard to find size you might wear in shoes whether petite or large, you'll be able to find something stylish and cute. Make sure you stop over at Alonai to check out all of the new winter shoes.

I also need to announce that the November Follow Us For Free Shoes Winner is @soanyways or Karen C. Congratulations!

Make sure you are following the blog for your chance to win next month!

Where to Find the Best Size 2 Women's Shoes

2011-11-30T21:11:00.000-08:00

A customer named Tuty commented on our Facebook Fan Page the other day that she wore a size 2 women's shoe and had just purchased 6 pairs during our Thanksgiving/ Black Friday sale. Imagine how difficult it would be to find size 2 shoes that weren't children's shoes or were not so expensive that you could only afford to purchase one pair a year. I have run into similar problems when shopping for shoes and I wear a size 5. Luckily, Alonai offers petite sized women's shoes AND large sized women's shoes, giving those of us who wear very small and large sizes, the opportunity to find quality affordable shoes.

Here are just a few of my favorite size 2 styles that Alonai currently offers:

Small Sized Zebra Peep Toe

Soft Black Heeled Boot Small Sized

Petite Size Red Patent Leather Ankle Boot

Awesome, right? Let me know if you have any questions about the Alonai shoes and sizes. Make sure you like our fan page so you stay updated and check back here soon for the November Follow for Free Shoes Winner!

Shop Online: Huge Thanksgiving and Black Friday Sale on Women's Shoes

2011-11-24T09:43:00.000-08:00

If you're like me, you don't really enjoy the festivities of holiday shopping or Black Friday shopping. Not a fan of standing in the cold for long periods of time, or being pushed and trampled by huge mobs of shoppers. I would rather stay inside and shop online where I can avoid all of that.

Luckily, Alonai is helping us out with a super sized sale on petite shoes and large sized hard to find shoes with their Thanksgiving/Black Friday sale. Huge savings (without having to leave your house).

Thanksgiving Sale on Women's Shoes with Alonai

For Friday and Saturday only, Alonai shoppers receive the following discounts:

$50 off orders over $160 coupon code 34450
$20 off orders over $100 coupon code 34425
$10 off orders over $65 coupon code 34410

So thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Get ready to take advantage of huge savings on small and large sized shoes with Alonai!

Happy Belated 11-11-11 and Celebrities That Wear Size 11 Shoes

2011-11-12T21:18:00.000-08:00

In case you missed it, you were supposed to make a wish yesterday at 11:11, presumably because of the date being 11/11/11. I missed both chances yesterday because I forgot so I did not end up making a wish. It's difficult to tie in the number 11 with shoes...however we can at least look at a few celebrities that wear a lucky 11 shoe size.

Lucky Shoe Size 11-Flickr.com/Andrea Rinaldi

Celebrities That Wear a Women's Shoe Size 11:

Paris Hilton
Kate Winslet
Supermodel Jerry Hall
Uma Thurman
Kate Beckinsale
Wendy Williams

We can't forget of course that the date is also significant because of Veteran's Day. A great big thank you to all of our service members, veterans and all of the families.

Also, if you happened to be wishing for shoes yesterday, your wish may come true. The October winner of free shoes is "Mamalou". Don't forget to keep sharing the blog page with your friends for entries every month and send in your video for the chance to win $100 worth of shoes from Alonai.com.

Designer Style: The Hottest Winter Boots for Petite and Large Size Feet

2011-11-06T21:47:00.000-08:00

As we get closer to the winter season, we come across many different styles of boots. The problem if you wear a small, petite sized shoe or a large sized shoe, is that you may not always be able to find these styles in your size. Additionally, if you do find them, boots in general can cost hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars, especially designer boots. Here are a couple of the hottest styles we've come across for this winter season, as well as the version we have available at Alonai for those hard to find sizes.

Knee High Shiny or Patent Boot

Here is Sergio Rossi's Patent Knee High Boot for $881.00

Sergio Rossi Patent Knee High Boot

At Alonai, we have the Andres Machado Black Gloss Knee High in large sizes 10.5 through 13, for only $69.90.

Knee High Suede Boots

Long, suede boots are also popular. For example Ralph Lauren Suede Knee Boots are $1,150

And these boots that are similar are available in sizes 2 through 13 for $79.90 at Alonai.com.

Make sure you stop by Alonai.com and check out the entire line of fall and winter boots and shoes that are available. Especially if you wear petite sizes or large sizes that are hard to find.

Shoe Q&A: Ask the Alonai Customer #2

2011-10-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since the last Q&A so I thought I'd post another one before everyone's focus moves completely to boots for winter. If you remember, this is simply a way of giving shoppers an idea of the fit and style of Alonai shoes. We get questions occasionally regarding whether the shoes fit true to size, what size should be ordered, and how the shoes feel, which are difficult to tackle online. Hopefully these Q&A's will help out a little in choosing the shoes you want.

The last interview was from Amelia, who wore a size 7. This time we asked Amanda who wears a size anywhere from 10 to 11.

Alonai Footwear Shoe Q&A:

Name: Amanda
Shoe Size: 10, 10.5 or 11 depending on the shoe.
Item: Andres Machado Big & Tall Women Shoes BLACK Ballerinas

Andres Machado Black Ballerina Shoe

Q: What kind of challenges do you face when shopping for shoes in your size?
A: The shoe isn’t made that size – usually shoes stop at size 10.

Q: How long have you had the Black Ballerinas, and would you say the quality is worth the price? (ie, any problems with wear and tear).

A: I’ve had them since sometime in August. They get more comfortable all the time, a little wear where the sole of the shoe meets the fabric and the fabric by the heel has worn already. I wear my shoes hard – whenever I need black shoes I wear these because they are the perfect height for a busy day. They are not a true ballerina because they have a 1.5 inch heel.

Q: What is your favorite outfit to wear the black ballerinas with?

A: I wear them mostly with slacks or skirts – work wear. I have worn them with jeans and dresses as well and they are super cute with jeans.

Q: On a scale from 1 to 10, how comfortable are the shoes? 1 being you can’t wear them longer than 10 minutes; 10 being you dance in them.

A: 7.5

Q: Did the shoes fit true to size? Or would you recommend going larger or smaller?

A: I am not used to a shoe fitting so perfect to my foot & so at first I thought an 11 would have been better but I think it may have just been because it was new and different – now that I’ve gotten used to them I wouldn’t want them larger.

Q: Do you have any additional thoughts on these shoes for people that are looking for a similar size and style?

A: Like I mentioned before they are not a true ballerina – be aware that they have a heel – I wanted these, because I prefer a heel.

Q: Would you consider purchasing other shoes from Alonai in the future, based on your experience with these shoes?

A: Most definitely.

Thank you so much, Amanda for sharing your thoughts. Incidentally, the black ballerinas are on sale for $32.75.

Do not forget our monthly Follow Us for Free Shoes Giveaway and check out the Video page to win $100 in free shoes.

If you would like to be interviewed for Ask the Alonai Customer, please contact me and we may feature you next!

Halloween Sale, Shoe Sale, and Contests for Free Shoes!

2011-10-18T19:58:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to give you a heads up on events at Alonai, as we have a bunch of sales and contests and fun things going on right now, at this very moment.

Sales on Alonai Footwear

First, until October 20, 2011, these shoes will be on sale for $39.90. You don't need a coupon for this one, and petite sizes all the way to large sizes are available. There are very limited quantities so make sure you catch you size while it's available.

Women's Pumps Grey Suede Peep Toe

Did I mention that they're suede? Yeah. Steal.

We are also having a Halloween sale, which means if you use the coupon code boo!558z, you'll receive a 15% discount storewide. Pretty sure that beats a bag full of Smarties and Tootsie Pops.

Contests for Free Shoes With Alonai

Just as we do every month, we are having our Follow Us for Free Shoes Giveaway this month. All you have to do is follow the blog over there through Networked Blogs, Google Friend Connect or email. There are additional ways to enter. One winner each month is selected for a free pair of shoes. Check out the details of the Giveaway here.

The video contest is still on until December. All you have to do is shoot a short video of your review of Alonai shoes or why you should win the Alonai Video contest, and you could win $100 in free shoes from Alonai. No Spielberg production skills necessary; send us a clip from your cell phone if you want. Details on the Alonai Video contest are here.

Let me know if you have questions, otherwise do not miss out on these chances for great deals and free Alonai shoes!

Designer Style: Petite and Large Size Boots for Fall 2011

2011-10-04T21:13:00.000-07:00

Even though it's been a crazy warm start to fall where I live (I am in no way complaining), most people are putting away the flip flops and open toed shoes and bringing out boots. I know, it feels a bit like putting a rush on winter, but dress boots are worn all year round in a lot of areas of the world. Some places don't ever get cold which is why it isn't uncommon to see snapshots of celebs wearing boots in the middle of summer.

Nevertheless, it's definitely time to be checking out the hottest trends in boots for Fall 2011.

Slouchy Boots or Wrinkled Boots

Slouchy boots are everywhere and depending on the brand, you could be looking at a couple hundred dollars. If you wear a hard to find size, you will not only have a difficult time finding boots in your size, but you will likely pay quite a bit more than you would a standard size (although larger sized shoes should be considered standard, but the fashion world hasn't quite caught on to that yet).

Andres Machado Blue XL Wrinkled Boots

Referred to by Alonai as wrinkled, this pair is available in large sizes 10.5-13. They are also available in tons of colors from burgundy to white, black and gray, if blue is a little too bold for you.

Lace Up Boots

If some of the "new" lace up boots remind you of an earlier era, it's probably because boots that lace up never go out of style. Many of the current fall boots have some sort of laces involved. Plus, lace booties in general are pretty hot this season as well.

Andres Machado Navy Blue Laced Booties

I know, blue boots again. Can't help it, they're so much fun. These are also available in other colors as well as petite sizes AND larger sizes.

Ankle Boots for Fall

Ankle boots and booties are available in a number of styles and designs with buckles and laces and even slouchy. They are also pretty versatile and can be pulled on with jeans and pants or with short skirts, which make them perfect fall boots for unpredictable temperatures.

Navy Blue Suede Ankle Boots

Look blue again.

One more thing, September's winner for Follow Us for Free Shoes is Julie from Pickles & I Scream. Congratulations, Julie!

Don't forget to follow us for your chance to win a free pair of shoes (giveaway every month) and we also have a new Video Contest tab for those of you interested in sending a short video for your chance to win $100 worth of shoes from Alonai.

Rain Rain Go Away Unless You Have Large Sized Rain Boots for Women

2011-09-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

It's been raining a couple days here and as far as I know will probably rain a few more before we get our annual blizzard. This in between season where it's barely summer but not fall, yet winter is around the corner makes it difficult to figure out what to wear sometimes. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to have a pair of rain boots on hand. Cute ones too if you can swing it.

Alonai Footwear currently carries large sized women's galoshes (I say galoshes just because it's funny) in sizes that range from 10.5 to size 13 and incidentally, they are currently on sale. These rain boots make stomping through puddles...fun.

Women's Black Wellie Boot

Women's Pink Wellington Boots

Totally comfy and keeps the pumps and stilettos safe from mud puddles. Make sure you head over to the website to check out the new season of shoes that are now available and the huge sale going on for hundreds of others.

Check Out the New Season of Hard to Find Sized Shoes at Alonai!

2011-09-12T17:13:00.000-07:00

The new season of shoes are available for pre-order at Alonai and I am totally excited. If anything makes cold weather a little more bearable, it's definitely cute boots and winter shoes (well, cute winter coats help a little, too.)

Here are some of the favorites to look for:

Uggs Style Boots

If you love the Australian style Ugg boots and you wear a large size you will want to check out the Women's Navy Blue Australian boots available in size 10.5 through size 13. Not only will you have a difficult time finding this style in large sizes, but you will not find them for $49.90. Additionally, EMU shoes are around $189 and stop at size 10.

Womens Navy Blue Australian

Black Lace Booties

We all need a pair of lace booties for winter primarily because they can be worn with literally anything from skirts to dress pants. Luckily, at Alonai the lace booties are available both petite sizes and large sizes 2 through 13 and brown, navy blue and gray as well.

Andres Machado Black Lace Booties

Fur Lined Boots

Very few things comfier in the winter than fur lined boots. They not only add a little warmth but add a little fancy to what would normally appear as regular boots. The lamb wool lined booties at Alonai are available in brown, camel, and black and in all hard to find sizes 2 through 13.

Fur Lined Boots: Hard to Find Booties

Make sure you stop over at the Alonai site. Browse through the new season of shoes and get in your pre-order in.

August Follow For Free Shoes Giveaway Winner and Call for Alonai Customers

2011-09-05T21:19:00.000-07:00

The August Follow for Free Shoes Giveaway Winner is Sudhaa Gopinath, whom I will be emailing shortly. You will need to register at the website www.alonai.com and email info@alonai.com with the shoes you'd like to receive as well as the size you need.

Remember, each month a winner is selected from the blog and facebook page, so even if you haven't won yet, you still could in the future. Make sure you tell your friends and family to follow the blog and leave a comment for their entries as well.

I am also still looking for more Alonai customers for the occasional interview blog post. The purpose of this is to give you all an idea of how the specific styles of shoes actually feel and look on real customers. If you are interested in snapping a few photos of yourself in any shoes you have purchased from Alonai and answering a handful of super easy questions, leave me a comment with your email. You can totally submit anonymously if you choose and do not have to include any photos of yourself other than your feet, unless you choose to otherwise.

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day Weekend and congratulations to Sudhaa, our August Giveaway winner!

Alonai 20% Off End of Season Sale

2011-08-29T17:03:00.000-07:00

For three days (until Wednesday) use the coupon code BLOWOUT20 when you check out and receive an additional 20% off your shoe purchase with Alonai Footwear.

These shoes are already marked down 70% so hurry...the additional 20% discount is only available for 3 days.

Fashion Trends for Fall 2011 and Alonai Fall Announcement

2011-08-24T22:11:00.000-07:00

I'm not really a very fashionable person, but I do check out the trends each season. Most of the time I look at the stuff on the runways and ask myself "No one wears that stuff, do they?" The truth is that we all do inevitably, they just appear to us non fashion models in regular people styles.

Here are a few wearable trends I've picked out that I can definitely see myself wearing in fall fashion:

1. Mustard, Jade Green and Rust Colors

These make sense to me because they're all pretty autumnal hues. I can't say I own anything rust or mustard colored, but I'd certainly give it a whirl if I found the right piece. Like this cap, which is also available in mustard.

Nordstrom Cotton Newsboy Cap

2. Lace

Lace always wins with me. There's just something girly about it. However, the trick with lace is probably to keep it in small amounts so you don't end up looking like a big doily. You can also avoid the tablecloth look by choosing lace in colors other than white (which may also make you feel more comfortable about lace in the fall.)

Macys Long Sleeved Lace Cropped Top

3. Polka Dot and Plaid Prints

Not really a fan of polka dots except on a pair of shoes, but both plaids and dots are on the list of fashion trends for fall 2011, which are pretty easy to incorporate into everyday clothing.

The trends I will probably not take part in include camo (which I do own and wear occasionally, but not the girly camo "they're" talking about), or bright pants--and by bright I mean red and hot pink. Just can't imagine myself wearing them.

So, what's all this talk about fall and it's only August? Trust me, it isn't because I wish to chase off what's left of summer. The new season inventory at Alonai is coming in--we're talking about hundreds of new boots, flats, and pumps just for Fall and I'm pretty excited. The only things I like about winter are cute boots and coats. That's it. The new line of shoes should be available by mid-September, so make sure you check the website. (Fingers crossed for a sneak peak.)

**Don't forget to check out the Giveaways page. A free pair of shoes goes to a blog follower every month.

How to Fix Shoes and What to Do With Shoes You Hate

2011-08-17T19:56:00.000-07:00

Let's say someone gives you a pair of shoes or you have shoes that you don't really like but you would wear if they were a little bit different. Since it's pretty much illegal to throw away shoes and hard to find sized shoes are not easily passed on to sisters and friends, you're kind of stuck with said shoes taking up valuable space. It's hard enough figuring out where to store winter and summer shoes on the off-season, let alone shoes you don't want to wear but are stuck with. So, here are my suggestions:

Shoes You Will Absolutely Never Wear

This could include those special boots made of goat fur that your Aunt Glenda bought in the Alps or the hooker heels that are so high you fall down even when you're sitting. Shoes that you know someone will like but that someone is not you. These shoes you sell. You'd be amazed how many people are probably looking for those boots or those heels and would actually pay you for them. Many people go the way of eBay, but you can also check out local stores that buy used shoes and clothing and resell them. Then, you can buy yourself a pair of shoes you'll actually wear.

Shoes That Are Comfy But Don't Look the Greatest

There are a number of embellishments you can buy to kind of perk up boring shoes. One of course is the shoe clip, which looks like this (these are pretty much awesome, by the way):

Absolutely Audrey Nadia Pink Flower Shoe Clips-Overstock.com

I personally, am not above sticking, gluing, taping or stapling anything I think is cute to any part of my clothing and shoes are no exception. Sometimes big hair barrettes work. Sometimes clip on earrings make great shoe clips. Just depends on what you're looking for. Not only do they fix shoes you don't like, shoe clips also give the pretty little black pump a bit of versatility.

Shoes That Are Damaged

We all have shoes we adore but the heel is run down or they have been damaged in some way that keeps us from being able to wear them. Check with shoe repair shops in your area. I have had heels repaired for less than $10, which is totally worth it if you plan on wearing the shoes often. Don't forget also that shoe polish is a shoe chick's best friend. I have shoes that I have to run the polish over every year, but it's a cheap remedy and takes less than ten minutes for shoes that I plan on keeping for a while. Just make sure you put down some newspaper. Also don't squeeze the bottle too tight when it doesn't come out because just like ketchup, it will squirt all over the place when you're not expecting it to. Don't ask how I know that.

If you absolutely can't sell them, embellish them or fix them, it's time to donate them. If they are still wearable and don't have holes in the soles, maybe a homeless person will be able to wear their first pair of goat fur boots. Either way, a good rule of thumb is: wear the shoes or get them out of the closet to make room for others.

Feel free to share some of your own tips. I am also still looking for others to interview about their experiences with Alonai Footwear for the blog. If you have purchased shoes in either petite sizes or large sizes, please contact me.

Also, don't forget about the monthly giveaway. Spread the word and make sure your friends are entered also.

Shoe Q&A: Ask the Alonai Customer

2011-08-11T21:17:00.000-07:00

So, let's say you wear a petite sized shoe (2-6) or a large sized shoes (10-14) and after spending years stuffing and slipping and wearing shoes that don't fit properly or aren't the style you're the happiest with, you finally find a site that carries your size. Not only that, they carry styles that grownup women actually want to wear. How do you know they will fit your foot properly?

Being a small size 5 shoe fashionista myself, I know what it's like to look forward to what appears to be the perfect shoes, only to unwrap the box and find out their size 5 is not my size 5. Which brings us to a new series of blog posts which will covering interviews from customers that wear as wide range of hard to find shoe sizes.

Alonai Footwear Shoe Q&A:

Name: Amelia
Shoe Size: 6
Item: Womens Footwear Rose Makeup Peep Toe Platforms

Q: What is your biggest challenge (if any) in finding shoes?
A: Comfort. Usually too tight or too big and rarely a perfect fit. Heel size is also a challenge. The standard heel size is currently 4" which can be too high.

Q: Were the 4" heels too high on the Rose Makeup Peep Toe Platforms?
A: No. Wedges are an easier wear.

Q: On a scale from 0-10 with 0 being "I'm giving these shoes to the Goodwill" and 10 being "I wear these often" how would you rate your satisfaction with these particular shoes?
A: Probably a 7/8. I do wear them a lot.

Q: What outfits do you typically wear with these shoes?
A: Black skirt and pink top or all black (as shown in the photo).

Q: Did the shoes fit true to size? Or would you recommend going larger or smaller?
A: True to size.

Q: What are your thoughts on the quality of the shoes? Are they worth the price?
A. Good quality. They get dirty quickly because of the pink and the velvet material. They are cleaned easily though with a shoe brush and are good as new. I'd buy two pairs for that price.

Q: Any negative thoughts on this particular pair of shoes?
A: Not at all.

Incidentally, the Womens Footwear Rose Makeup Peep Toe Platforms are currently only available in sizes 7 and 7.5. There are a number of similar style peep toe platforms available in both petite sizes and large sizes. If you are interested in this particular shoe I would suggest the following (based on similar style and measurements).

Womens Pink Sandal Platforms

Black Peep Toe Platforms

Don't forget to follow the blog to win a pair of free shoes from Alonai Footwear. If you'd like to share your thoughts on any of the shoes you've purchased, or if you have questions, please feel free to email.

Types of Shoes for Women: Mules, Clogs, Slingbacks and Espadrilles

2011-08-01T22:27:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I talk shoes with my friends and we're all like "Girl, I found the cutest hot pink platforms..." and other times I mention a mule or a stiletto and the person I'm talking to gets all funny eyed. Kind of like how I look when someone is talking about cars to me. In the vehicle world, I know colors. As in, red, black, silver, etc., which I think is probably similar to how others think of shoes.

So, I thought it would be a good idea to run through a few of the different types of shoes that I sometimes find myself ~~rambling~~ chattering about.

Mules

Mule shoes are simpler than you think. They can be high or low heeled and are closed toed. The feature that makes a mule a mule is that the back is open and they pretty much slide on like flip flops.

Clogs

Clogs vary in style but generally have a thick platform like heel that was at one time usually wooden. Nowadays however, clogs have a number of styles of heels that are made of various materials.

This clog, in large sizes 10.5 to 13, could also be considered a mule because it has the open ankle, but is moreso a clog because of the thick sole.

Tall Women Shoes Red Pull In Clogs

Slingbacks

The slingback style shoe is pretty much what it sounds like. Slingbacks are particularly popular summer shoes, because they have an open ankle with a strap that goes behind the heel. The heel sizes vary and may be open or closed toe.

These are also platforms because of the chunky heel. Platform shoes often have thick high heels that are made of rubber or cork.

Andres Machado Patches Platform Sandals

Espadrilles

This type of shoe can be tricky because it isn't so much about what the shoe looks like but what it is made of. Espadrilles generally have some kind of sole or heel that looks like it's made of rope or canvas. Most of the time they are flat shoes, but sometimes you run across the rope heel on platform shoes.

Petite and Big Women's White Ballerina Platforms

We'll go over some of the different types of men's shoes in the future.This is just a handful of the many types of women's shoes that are out there. Hopefully this helps you in your quest for the perfect shoes.

By the way, Carina Castro is the winner of the July Follow Us for Free Shoes Giveaway! Congrats to Carina. Make sure you all share and follow the blog for your chance to win next month!

More Trendy Fashion: Get Comfy With Pajama Jeans, Daily Pajamas and Jumpsuits

2011-07-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

Good news for fashionistas, the current trends focus a great deal on comfort. And I don't mean making sure your jeans aren't attacking your crotch comfort, I mean you can sleep in the clothes you wear to work-comfort. If you are like me, you were probably disgusted by the concept of pajama jeans but after actually seeing them I started to wonder how nice it would be to wear jeans that may feel like pajamas.

Lucky for us, someone else felt the same way and designed daily pajamas (or pajamas you wear as regular clothing) and jumpsuits, which to me are still jammies. This way we are fashionable and comfortable but aren't really wearing our jammies in public. It just looks like it. I firmly believe that the jumpsuit was invented just for hoity toities like myself that wouldn't be caught dead wearing pajamas in public. Sort of a trick if you will by the fashion industry. Whatever the case, I'm totally liking some of the new styles.

The conundrum we are faced with then is what kind of shoes would a person wear with fake pajamas? We haven't quite progressed to the point where it is acceptable to wear fuzzy slippers or Tweety Bird house shoes to work, so here are a couple ideas for shoes to wear with your new comfy-not pajamas.

Jumpsuit Forever 21

The good thing about casual/pajama clothing is that you can almost get by with any kind of shoes you choose from flip flops to heels. Jumpsuits are pretty easy to dress up with a jacket and heels for work.

On the other hand however, the all day pajama style may be a bit more difficult in pulling off for work.

3.1 Phillip Lim Daily Pajamas

But it is of course do-able.

Alonai.com White Bootie Sandals With Laces

What do you think? Are you anti-pajamas in public? Or have you tried pajama jeans or daily pajamas?

Designer Style for Petite and Large Feet

2011-07-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

So, here's the thing about designer shoes. They're pretty much amazing. Here's another thing about designer shoes. Even if you're lucky enough to be able to afford Manolo Blahnik or Jimmy Choo, if you wear a petite size or have large feet, you may still be left behind in the children's section.

Luckily, you can not only find these styles in your size, but at a significantly lower price. I know, it's pretty much shoe heaven over here.


Stuart Weitzman Hojas Pump-Nordstrom $355.00

Womens Black Satin Rosette Open Toe Pump-Alonai $29.90

Or what about gladiators? You must have gladiator sandals!


Jimmy Choo Leather Gladiator- Nordstrom $995.00

Black Sandals with Heel and Lacing Detail -Alonai (Sale) $42.50

So, next time you're peeking at those designer shoes, don't forget to check out similar styles that are inexpensive and available in hard to find sizes.

Foot Accessories and Bling for Your Toes

2011-07-11T20:43:00.000-07:00

Great shoes aren't the only accessory for prettifying your feet. No matter what size, whether you have petite feet or large feet, there are a number of foot accessories that are fun and a must-have for showing off summertime toes.

Foot Jewelry

You'll think foot jewelry is silly only until you try on your first toe ring. Besides toe rings, there are anklets and foot jewelry that is a combination of both, such as the A Bidda Bling Barefoot Sandals.

Or this Sterling Silver Filigree Toe Ring at Overstock.com

Other foot accessories you should definitely check out are temporary or henna tattoos and Piggy Paint, which is an eco-friendly, non toxic, hypoallergenic polish that is safe for all piggies (even very young ones). Start your look off with a great pedi, whether you do your own at home or stop at the salon, and finish it off with a little bling (and of course great shoes).

And don't forget to check out the sale at Alonai. Many sizes and styles in summer shoes are on sale for up to 70% off right now at ridiculously low prices.

Best Shoes for the Beach and June Winner of Follow Us for Free Shoes

2011-07-06T21:22:00.000-07:00

Seems everyone is headed for the beach and you can either wear the regular flip flops or if you are a swimsuit model, try walking in the sand in stilettos. I pick something in between, because sometimes you want something a little more stylish than flip flops, and stilettos...well who does that?

Try some of these styles instead:

Greek Black Roman Sandal

In case you haven't noticed, the Greek Roman sandal is pretty hot. Even hotter for walking on the beach. What's hotter than that? They're currently on sale for $9.90. That's pretty hot.

Still want your flip flops? Then you may as well go big and blingy. You can also get these in all hard to find sizes from 2 to 13 and in black, brown and white as well.

Red High Flip Flops

Last but not least, a reader and shopper of great shoes posted a pic on our Facebook page of her new purple swimsuit and flats which were stunning together. You can definitely wear fancy flats to the pool (you're going to take them off anyway, aren't you?


Large Size Ballerinas

What are your favorite shoes for the beach?

Oh, and I almost forgot...congratulations to Frugal in WV for being the winner of the June Follow Us for Free Shoes contest! Check out the Giveaways page and make sure you follow the blog for your chance to win every month!

We have also posted Best Bathing Suits for Petite Women over at Petite Fashionista if you're looking for swimsuit ideas for your beach shoes.

Choosing Summer Footwear for Women With Big Feet

2011-06-27T21:28:00.000-07:00

In many places, it is finally time to put the boots away and bring out the sandals. Whether you have big feet or small feet, you should probably be flaunting a new hot pedicure instead of those thick wool socks you've been smothering your toes in for 3 months (or more if you live in Minnesota).

Here's what I have for Alonai's lineup of the best summer footwear and sandals for women with big feet, following a few of these guidelines from The Best Large Size Shoes for Women. (Try it, your feet probably don't look as large as you think.)

Women with big feet may want to skip extremely skimpy, strappy sandals that expose a lot of the foot. Instead, try out slightly strappy with embellishments such as these black sandals with lacing details AND a small heel.

Black Sandal with Lacing

These can be worn with either skirts or pants, wide leg or straight and will not expose much of your foot (if, by chance you won't want to).

Women with large sized feet may also want to check out a number of flat sandal styles such as the stylish silver flats below, which expose more of your foot, but in areas that won't make the foot look larger. (Plus, they're in a super snappy silver color.)


Stylish Silver Flats

Remember these quick tips when shopping for shoes for women with big feet:

1. Appropriate embellishments (such as bows and buckles).
2. Dark colors.
3. Openings that are close to toes, and farther from the leg.
4. Heels generally make your feet appear smaller. If you're worried about adding height, choose small heels and wedge heels.

These tips and styles are just ideas. In the end, it matters more that you love the shoes on your feet. Make sure you check out Alonai's big sale, and don't forget to follow the blog to enter the giveaway for free shoes.

Hemming Tape: Petite Sized Fix For Long Pants

2011-06-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

Petite sized women may often run into the dilemma of finding perfect fitting pants or slacks, only to realize when you hold them up that they are the length of your entire body. You can either A) pass the pants up and wait until you find the greatest pants ever in your size, B) send them to the tailor to be altered or C) buy some hemming tape and fix them yourself.

Sometimes, these pants happen to be on the sale rack and if they fit everywhere else practically perfectly, I would say that passing them up is pretty much a crime, thus ruling out option "A". You can also have your pants tailored or sew them yourself, but if you’re like me, you’re entirely too lazy to do either. Plus, with the invention of skinny jeans and leggings, you run the risk of having your pants altered too much for heels or not enough for flats.So that leaves “C”. And trust me, using hemming tape to hem your pants is not only quick (10 minutes tops), it's also easier than you think.

Here's how to use hemming tape to shorten long pants:

1. Hemming tape, aka known as hem tape, aka Heat and Bond, is a roll of tape found in the fabric section of Wal-mart or any other store that sells sewing items. You will find a variety of tapes available for heavy and light fabrics and even in huge rolls for curtains and quilting. The size you need for your pants is less than $2.00 and will work for a number of pairs of pants. You will also need an iron and a pair of scissors to hem your pants.

2. Measure your pants. I turn my pants inside out and place them next to a pair that is already the length I want. Then fold the bottom up and iron a crease where you want your hem.

3. Next, cut a strip of tape the length of the material you want to hem. Remove the backing from the tape (if using the type with backing, some do not have it) and insert the tape inside the material of the pants where you want the hem.

4. Place the hemming tape inside the fold with the rough edge facing downward. Then hold the iron (at a temperature recommended for the fabric) on the material for about 3 seconds. Keep ironing until the material is bonded.

The adhesion from the hemming tape will last even through multiple washes in the laundry. If you know that you will not want your pants altered again at a later date, you can also cut any of the excess material from the inside after it is hemmed , otherwise it works fine just leaving it, in case you want your pants long again one day (or if you grow a few inches in the future).

Don't forget, this will also work on jeans, just make sure you get the heavy duty tape for heavier fabrics. Same procedure, and just as quick and easy for fixing those pants that are too long.

Shoes and Feet: How to Buy Shoes Online

2011-06-13T19:45:00.000-07:00

Shoes and feet. Feet and shoes. Whether you wear large size shoes or petite size shoes, somewhere in your lifetime you have probably squeezed your feet into shoes that did not fit properly. If you wore any size except for the average shoe size of 7 or 8, pre-internet, you either fought other women in the shoe store for one of two pairs available in your non-average size, or you wore children's shoes or men's shoes. Maybe you lived in flip flops. For some reason flip flops are always available in all sizes.

Nowadays however, you can buy shoes online for women which pretty much eliminates any excuse for wearing shoes that don't fit properly. Not only can you find any type of shoe with a simple google search, but you can order online and buy shoes without even leaving your house (who wants to fight with other shoppers anyway?). Plus, you can find those hard to find shoes, quite easily.

If you have reservations about buying shoes online, here are a few tips to help:

Know your size. Don't guess or select whatever is available. Measure your foot if you are unsure.

Check the reviews. Sometimes other consumers will leave a note that the shoe runs big or small. If not, then you may be safe assuming the sizes are pretty true to size. (As a sidenote, the shoes at Alonai Footwear are true to size, in my experience and those of others that I know.) Also, return the favor. Leave a review or comment on the shoes you've purchased to help other shoppers out as well.

Be aware of the return policy. If you have a limited time to exchange your shoes for a better fit or different size, make sure you keep track of the time period.

Try styles you are familiar with. Have you had a lot of luck with comfortable fitting pumps, wedges or heels? You may want to start out with a pair in one of those styles instead of just taking a chance on your first pair in a style you've never worn.

These are just a few simple tips for buying shoes online. If you have any questions at all about purchasing shoes, check with the company. Most will be happy to help you out. What are your tips for buying shoes online?

The Best Petite and Large Size Shoes for Weddings

2011-06-06T19:39:00.000-07:00

Did you know that over 2.3 million couples are married every year? Additionally, most of those weddings take place in the months of June, August, September and October (in that order). This means that a lot people reading this are either getting married or planning on attending a wedding very soon.

If you have a hard to find shoe size, this can make preparing for the wedding or finding great formal shoes to wear to the wedding much more stressful. Here are a few ideas from our selection of special order shoes that would be great for petite size and large size wedding shoes.

These white soft pumps are available in sizes 2-5 and 10.5-13. These are special order shoes with Alonai Footwear and would be suitable for the bride.

All Size Womens White Soft Pumps

Wedding parties, Maids of Honor, Bridesmaids and guests may want to check out these other special order shoes that are available in hard to find sizes.

Not only a great green for spring and summer but often a popular color in weddings. Available in all sizes from 2 up to 13.

All Size Womens Green Soft Pumps

Pretty sure you can't ever go wrong with khaki lizard pumps. Available in small sizes 2-5.

Small Size Khaki Lizard Pumps

And of course your basic black suede shoe for all things formal. Available in all sizes 2-13.

All Sizes Black Suede Pumps

Make sure to visit alonai.com often for available colors in these styles plus hundreds of others!

Fashion Trends for Tall Women With Big Feet

2011-05-31T20:05:00.000-07:00

Tall women are not the only women that wear large size shoes. As we all know, women come in various sizes and shapes. Some women are petite with big feet and some tall with petite feet. In order to provide some kind of helpful tip for all sizes, we're going to look at tall women with big feet for a second.

While petite women may look for ways to appear taller, tall women rarely need to appear shorter, but have the dilemma of finding proper fitting clothes for their tall frames. No matter the size, there are a number of myths regarding what we should and should not wear. Myth #1: Petite women should not wear maxi dresses. Myth #2: Tall women should not wear heels.

Well why not? It isn't as if people will suddenly realize you're tall if you wear heels. You're tall and that isn't going to change. If you aren't comfortable with adding a 4 or 5 inches to your height, at least try a pair of low heeled pumps (which look great on any height) such as these:

Large Size Dark Gray Pumps Up to size 13

Incidentally, these pumps have a 2.5 inch heel. If you are having trouble finding inexpensive pants for tall frames, you may want to check out Old Navy which carries tall sizes for less than $20.00

Women's Lightweight Wide Legged Khakis Old Navy

And if you do feel more comfortable in flats, at least try something different. (For women with big feet, shoes with baubles and buttons actually make them look smaller).

Blue Navy Lizard Classic Ballerina Alonai.com

What about you? Heard any good fashion myths lately?

The Best Large Size Shoes for Women

2011-05-26T22:37:00.000-07:00

Women that wear large size shoes may run into the same problems as women that wear small size shoes. No variety, no style, not age appropriate, not fashionable. If you have smaller feet and wear sizes 2 through 5 or wear large shoes size 10 through 14, Alonai.com has hundreds of shoes that are comfortable and inexpensive.

Shoe shoppers on the look-out for large size shoes have a handful of options. Rest assured though that you need not resort to foot binding or toe amputation in order to find stylish footwear. Tips for making big feet appear smaller include the following:

Shoes with chunky heels or wedges and round toes make the foot look shorter.

Gray Suede Wedge Pumps Sizes 10.5 - 12

Shoes with accents like bows and buckles and dark colors also make the shoe appear smaller.

Big and Tall Ballerinas up to shoe size 13

And closed toed shoes such as these red ballerina wedges.

Large Size Red Ballerina Wedge

Whatever hard to find shoe dilemma you face, we can help. Make sure you stop by the website to check out all of the new spring and summer styles!

Work Clothes for Petite Women

2011-05-22T19:33:00.000-07:00

Petite sized women shopping for career suits or work clothes will find it's a little easier if you shop for clothing in petite sizes that are designed specifically for shorter legs and shorter torsos. This is why it is important to skip the Juniors section and go right to the petite racks if you're looking for work clothes. Petite sized dress pants can save you a few dollars and a bit of time in tailoring costs and hemming.

Here is an example of a petite sized business suit by Rafaella at Macy's.com.

Rafaella Petite Ergo Slimming Straight Leg Pants

Straight leg pants with heels or pumps help elongate short frames. You will probably want to avoid cuffed pants and stick to one color when wearing jackets and dress pants. This includes the color of your shoes as well. Although bright pink heels with a black dress can be lots of fun, with pant suits, it's a good rule to stick with dark heels preferably the same color as your pants. The monochromatic look helps to add a little visual height to petite frames.

Small Shoes Black Round Toe Pumps

These pumps as well as a number of other career-suitable designs in small size women's shoes are available in petite sizes 2 through 5 at Alonai.com.

Petite Size Fashion: How to Wear a Maxi Dress

2011-05-15T16:08:00.000-07:00

Many people see the word "petite" and automatically think this means size 0. In the fashion world, however, petite refers more to height than to weight. Generally, if you are under 5'4 you are considered a petite sized person and will probably have more luck when dress shopping if you look for petite labeled sizes. Some clothing manufacturers consider petite to be under 5'3, so keep an eye on that as well.

Take for instance, the maxi dress. How many of us petite sized women have avoided even trying a maxi dress because we just know a foot of material will be dragging on the ground. If you check out the maxi dresses in the petite section of clothing, you may be surprised.

This maxi dress at Kohl's is available in Small Petite, Medium Petite, Large Petite and Extra Large Petite. Notice that the length stays the same at 49 inches from shoulder to hem. This means that if you are an Extra Large Petite, the length does not get longer (and thus no need to worry about your dress sliding on the ground.) The same dress is available in regular sizes, with a length of 53 inches. That's quite a difference in length for a petite person.

www.kohls.com

Petite size shoes are also important when considering a maxi dress. You don't want to worry about an extra long maxi dress dragging on the ground, nor do you want to worry about shoes that will slip off your feet. Sandals and open toed shoes that do not fit properly, can result in quite a precarious situation. Here are our petite size shoe picks to wear with the maxi dress.

www.alonai.com

These comfortable Wedge Platform Clogs are available in a number of colors including pink and white and petite sizes 2 through 5. If you would prefer a dressier look, you could also try the Andres Machado Women's Petite Size Purple Satin Rosette Open Toe Pumps. These are also available in brown, black and red.

www.alonai.com

Are you a petite sized woman? Have you tried maxi dresses? Let us know what you think!

Spring is Here With Hundreds of New Petite & Big Shoes!

2011-04-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

Whether you have tiny feet and don't want to resort to the Hannah Montana sandals in the children's department, or you have large sized feet and have decided to avoid hiding them in men's boots, you'll be able to find fashionable shoes at Alonai.com.

We know it is difficult to find petite shoes in sizes 2 through 5 and almost impossible to buy big shoes in sizes up to 14, so we are here to help with hundreds of new hard to find shoes with petite prices and big quality. Below is a preview of our newest styles but you can check out the entire inventory at our website.

XXL Shoes Blue Pull-in Pumps Open Ankle
Large sizes 10.5 to 13

Womens Purple Nubuck Mary Jane
Small sizes 2-5 and large sizes 10.5 to 12