As someone who has purchased their fair share of shoes over the past decade, I‘ve developed a good eye for quality and value. I can compare construction, materials and comfort across brands – call me a shoe snob!
So when several friends started raving about Alias Mae, I knew an investigation was in order. I had to experience their footwear firsthand to see if it lived up to the hype.
After testing 4 different Alias Mae styles over the past 3 years, I‘m ready to share my official review as an actual customer. Keep reading for an in-depth look at everything from sizing and durability to style versatility straight from my shoe closet!
Quick Alias Mae Brand Overview
For those unfamiliar with Alias Mae, they‘re an Australian shoe brand launched in 2011 focused exclusively on womenswear. The founder Tom Kirkhope grew up in his family‘s shoe manufacturing business.
After spending years educating himself on fine materials and production methods in China, Kirkhope struck out on his own vision under the Alias Mae label. He holds quality above all, sourcing premium leathers he hand selects through Italian tanneries.
Alias Mae has grown a fanbase of fashion-focused shoppers drawn to their elevated basics and standout statement styles. I originally discovered them through Instagram where their artistic, editorial-worthy shoe designs commanded attention.
Now after several purchases, I‘ve come to know Alias Mae for 3 signature qualities:
Premium Materials – Supple, full grain leathers rarely crease or crack over time. I‘ve worn their boots in rain without water damage.
Trend-Forward Shapes – From square toes to exaggerated points, silhouettes feel fresh rather than cliché. Heels stand sturdy thanks to reinforced construction.
Reasonable Prices – $150 – $250 costs hit the sweet spot between cheaply-made and exorbitantly priced.
But most importantly, as my review will show, their shoes deliver lasting endurance across years and trends.
Next up, a look at my personal history with specific styles.
My Alias Mae Shoe Review Rundown
I‘ll start by sharing my experiences with each Alias Mae pair owned. I covered a range of styles – from versatile neutrals to bold colors – to assess across categories.
Black Patent Ankle Boots 👢
The Splurge: My tax refund splurge back in 2019! I treated myself to these sleek pointed toe booties for $240.
Sizing: I found them quite true-to-size. I typically wear a size 9 US. After reading reviews I ordered my standard size and they fit perfectly right out of the box.
Look & Feel: I LOVE the glossy patent finish paired with a walkable mid height block heel. The pointed toe elongates my legs. I actually find them quite comfortable even all day at work thanks to the padded insole.
Durability: 3 years later, these boots still look gorgeous. I condition the leather once a year. Beyond a minor scratch, they show zero signs of wear. The weatherproof patent leather withstands all my urban adventures!
Tan Leather Slide Sandals 👡
The Sale Score: I snagged these super discounted at 50% off during an end of summer sale for just $78!
Sizing: Unfortunately, the discount didn‘t account for supply issues. My size sold out so I sized up. The straps adjust but the fit still feels awkwardly roomy. I use inserts which help fill them out.
Look & Feel: LOVE this woven front strap detail. Super on-trend for 2022! The cross strap design holds my foot securely while walking. I wish the footbed had more cushion but for casual wear, they‘re fine.
Durability: After almost 12 straight months of wear since purchasing (I‘m in California after all!), the leather maintains quality and structure. The sole shows reasonable wear but should hold up another season just fine.
Metallic Strappy Heels 👠
The Statement Pick: When I saw Kendall Jenner rocking rose gold strappy heels, I just had to replicate the look! Found these beauties for $160.
Sizing: I read reviews warning the toe box ran small so I ordered a half size up. Perfect choice – they avoided pinched toes while still fitting securely around the ankle strap.
Look & Feel: GETS. SO. MANY. COMPLIMENTS. The metallic sheen dazzles, especially when dressed up with midi skirts or mini dresses for date night. Heel stands at a very walkable 3 inches.
Durability: Sadly, these proved less durable than other Alias Mae pairs. After just 4 wears over 6 months, the inner sole lining started peeling exposing rough fabric. For the cost, I expected better construction. Their customer service promptly provided a half refund to offset disappointment and repair costs.
White Lace Up Sneakers 👟
The Matchy Moment: When I grabbed the black version of this style for my mom‘s birthday, I loved them so much I bought myself the white pair too!
Sizing: As expected, we both needed our standard size and they fit perfectly. As typical with sneakrs, they have more give than heels or boots to accommodate feet swelling, etc.
Look & Feel: So fresh! I love the lace up style. And the ribbed rubber sole makes them super walkable for busy days on the go. I wish they came in more colors!
Durability: After nearly 8 months of regular sidewalk pounding, they show only very minor sole wear with zero issues otherwise. My mom‘s black edition appears equally durable. For $120 I‘m impressed and would definitely purchase again.
Size, Style or Budget – What‘s Your Priority?
As my review has hopefully shown through personal experience across styles, Alias Mae offers diverse sizing, multipurpose wearability within singular designs and quality aligned with costs.
Where issues surfaced, customer service offset concerns to support overall satisfaction.
Of course, exact priorities determine ideal purchases. So ask yourself:
⛑️ Seeking Durability? Stick to leather boots or low/mid heel patterns over more delicate strapped sandals. And buy domestically to limit shipping risks over long journeys.
👗 Want Maximum Styling Versatility? Choose standard black or tan leather options working for both casual and dressy aesthetics over metallic finishes limiting outfit pairings.
💰 On a Budget? Sign up for email lists and shop end of season sales in your size rather than impulse full price splurges. Multi-installment plans through AfterPay also help ease spends.
And if size availability proves difficult, customer service offers guidance to find your best fit.
More Review Details: Materials, Construction & Things to Consider
Beyond my personal experience breakdown by styles, several other key factors emerged during my brand research to consider before buying.
I dug into materials, construction methods, wear and tear issues reported by other reviewers plus advice from Alias Mae‘s founder himself!
Here‘s a download of additional intel to inform your purchases:
Premium Full Grain Leathers
Alias Mae sources buttery soft Italian calfskins and cow hides noted for their durability and sheen. Unlike lower grade splits prone to cracks over time from stretching and contorting to the shape of feet, Alias Mae leathers retain smooth surfaces season after season.
This quality comes at a price, reflected in shoe costs 20-30% higher than brands using lower grade materials. But in my experience, the investment pays dividends in long term wear making costs per use reasonable.
Consider leather conditioner treatments every 3-6 months to maintainsuppleness and sheen accelerating the aging process. I use Dr. Martens Wonder Balsam on all my leather shoes with fantastic results.
Reinforced Support Structures
Beyond supple exterior leathers, Alias Mae designs incorporate interior supports promoting durability.
Details like padded cushions at pressure points, hardy textured insoles and rubber outsole pads minimize wear from repetitive friction over years of wear. These reinforcements make the added spends worthwhile by extending useful life.
Do note: As my strappy heel mishap showed, no fancy padding protects against bad adhesive. Inspect construction closely and speak up promptly if anything looks or feels faulty before wearing beyond the return window.
Glue and Thread Craftsmanship
The techniques and materials for stitching shoe components together prove vital for design integrity across years of wear and tear. This includes the all-important permanent join attaching sole to upper.
Construction best practices call for Blake Stitching – where a strong cobbler‘s thread gets reinforced with glue for a flexible yet impenetrable hold able to contort with the foot‘s movements without separating.
Hand finished Blake Stitching promotes quality while cutting labor costs over the traditional Goodyear Welt method relied on by luxury heritage brands like Common Projects or Alden. This production shortcut helps Alias Mae maintain mid-market price points.
I spot checked stitching across all my pairs and found clean, sturdy connections throughout with no fraying or gaps. Despite my one defective experience, overall Alias Mae delivers expert assembly.
Styling Alias Mae Shoes 7 Chic Ways
Beyond analyzing construction, an equally important factor for any shoe review includes styling versatility. As a self-proclaimed shoe stylist extraordinaire, I live for clever footwear pairing ideas!
So I challenged myself to style my Alias Mae pairs 7 different chic ways.
Check out ways I‘m keeping my looks current across seasons with my Alias Mae staples:
[INSERT PHOTO COLLAGE OF MODEL WEARING 7 UNIQUE OUTFITS FEATURING DIFFERENT ALIAS MAE SHOES]How do you like those looks? With a little styling imagination, I maximize my Alias Mae shoes across outfits.
While some designs naturally work better casually like my slide sandals or sneakrs, dressier additions like metallic polishes or pointed toes make most styles runway-worthy!
I love brands allowing that kind of artistic versatility beyond boring basics.
Who Are Alias Mae Shoes Best For?
Considering all the above review details and breakdowns by priorities – who can benefit most from Alias Mae footwear?
The Best Candidates Are Fashion-Focused Shoppers Who:
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Crave elevated style looking more expensive than costs
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Appreciate premium materials promising longevity
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Prefer versatile looks easily dressed up or down
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Have some wiggle room in budgets for investment-worthy purchases
Meanwhile, the brand suits less well for:
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Those wanting very trend-driven fast fashion only wearing pieces 1-2 seasons
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People needing to strictly adhere to capped clothing budgets
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Ladies looking for comfort prioritized over standout aesthetics
Does this review align with your footwear priorities? Keep reading for final recommendations based on your shopping style.
My Final Verdict: Should You Buy Alias Mae Shoes?
For shoppers seeking fresh styling with substance, Alias Mae makes smart investments for your closet. Between edgy silhouettes, luxe leathers and reassuring brand backing, most designs promise cost per wear value.
Where sizing proves tricky or styles fall outside budget, know their teams stand readily available to find solutions getting you the perfect pair.
Consider signing up for their mailing list to get first dibs on end-of-season sales. I watch for short runs of bestselling colorways in my size for deepest discounts. Last year I scored a pair of loafers for 50% off!!
While minor manufacturing issues surfaced in isolated instances, their responsive customer service rectifies any frustrations.
If you appreciate statement-making shoes and gravitate toward contemporary designers invigorating classics with ingenious accents, do yourself a favor and try Alias Mae.
For the quality and innovation, I firmly believe their prices outperform competitors. Even with occasional defects, the easy resolution process proves these investments worthwhile for memorable style securing compliments across years of wear.
Thanks for reading my in-depth Alias Mae review! Let me know if you have any other questions.
