You might have noticed that we’re always hawking our own special coupon code at Shoes (“YOURNEXTSHOES” gets you a 15% discount!) but forget about that for a moment because here’s something that’s temporarily better:

Shoes is taking an extra 25% off on ALL sale shoes!

This offer is for a limited time only; from now through July 18th, at 11:59 PM CST to be exact.

Some exclusions do apply (no bags, wallets, apparel and regular-priced footwear) but as long as you stick to the ...Read more]]> SALE ALERT!

You might have noticed that we’re always hawking our own special coupon code at Shoes (“YOURNEXTSHOES” gets you a 15% discount!) but forget about that for a moment because here’s something that’s temporarily better:

Shoes is taking an extra 25% off on ALL sale shoes!

This offer is for a limited time only; from now through July 18th, at 11:59 PM CST to be exact.

Some exclusions do apply (no bags, wallets, apparel and regular-priced footwear) but as long as you stick to the sale page, you’re good.

Just don’t forget to enter the coupon code “25SALE” at checkout. Oh and you get free shipping too of course!

Plenty of spring/summer shoe styles are up for grabs but they’ve got some fall/winter boots from brands like Frye, UGG and Keen as well (for women, men AND kids!).

Load up on warm-weather footwear and start gearing up for the colder months at Shoes’ extra 25% off on sale shoes sale! (Prices here do not reflect the extra 25% discount yet) :

Spring/summer styles on sale

1. Not Rated Jazz Corner ankle strap thong sandal, $42.75 (was $45.00)
2. Jessica Simpson Bravo slingback peep toe pump, $67.15 (was $79.00)
3. Franco Sarto Gulf d’orsay slingback wedge, $63.20 (was $79.00)
4. Unlisted Pop Art braided strap toe ring sandal, $37.05 (was $39.00)
5. Badgley Mischka Randall rose-embellished satin pump, $189.05 (was $199.00)

Fall/winter styles on sale

Christchurch, New Zealand in ruins after the earthquake that took place last February

I don’t mean to ruin your happy day with these pictures, but these shots capture so clearly the enormity of the quake that rocked one of New Zealand’s biggest cities, Christchurch, a few weeks ago. Suffice to say, the lives of those affected by the tragedy will never be the same again.

So for today, we’re inviting you to do a bit of good deed. If you’re willing to ...Read more]]>

Christchurch, New Zealand in ruins after the earthquake that took place last February

I don’t mean to ruin your happy day with these pictures, but these shots capture so clearly the enormity of the quake that rocked one of New Zealand’s biggest cities, Christchurch, a few weeks ago. Suffice to say, the lives of those affected by the tragedy will never be the same again.

So for today, we’re inviting you to do a bit of good deed. If you’re willing to help, buy your next pair of shoes at Superlamb.com. This website, which is actually one of UGG’s official retailers, is donating all profits earned between March 4 through March 11 to the New Zealand Red Cross as an effort to give assistance to the victims affected by the quake. To reward you for your purchase, you’ll get a 15% discount at checkout.

Since it is clearly not the time for buying boots, we’re recommending these sandals and slippers as alternative options. Note that although these are already on promtion, the prices do not yet reflect the additional 15%  discount:

Ugg Leanne Wedge, US$110.49 from US$129.99

Ugg Alvina Wedge, US$101.99 from US$119.99

Ugg Zamora Thong Wedge, US$101.99 from US$119.99

Ugg Florence Slippers, US$101.99 from US$119.99

Ugg Antoinette Slipper, US$101.99 from US$119.99

Of course, if you don’t find these sandals even the least bit attractive, you can always purchase a pair of short Ugg boots, something you can use anytime your feet start to feel extra cold. Do note that this 15% discount offer is only good until March 11 so be sure to make your purchase on or before that date. And by the way, Superlamb offers FREE Shipping so you won’t need to pay extra.

Ugg Classic Short Boots, US$118.99 from US$139.99

Ashley Greene catching a departing flight at LAX,  January 2

I believe we covered those boots here before. Those are the studded Ugg for Jimmy Choo Mandah Boots. It’s a product of the Jimmy Choo and Ugg collaboration, otherwise can also be amusingly called as ...Read more]]> Check out a covered-up and simple looking Ashley Greene. The Twilight hottie was spotted catching a flight at LAX the other day. Everything  about her actually looks normal until you look down and see her boots.

Ashley Greene catching a departing flight at LAX,  January 2

I believe we covered those boots here before. Those are the studded Ugg for Jimmy Choo Mandah Boots. It’s a product of the Jimmy Choo and Ugg collaboration, otherwise can also be amusingly called as CHUGGS.

Ugg for Jimmy Choo Mandah Boots

Interestingly, although our review of that collection was not exactly a favorable one, those Mandah boots actually don’t look THAT bad on Ashley. Hmmm…must be because of the plain dark outfit; it created some sort of balance to the very flashy “CHUGGS”.

If you like the studded Ugg for Jimmy Choo Mandah Boots, you can buy yourself a pair at Saks. It retails for US$795. Buy it now and make the most of it while the weather is cold.

I mean, studs, fringes, stars and animal ...Read more]]> I like to be positive and to see the good side of everything as much as possible, but I really can’t kid myself with this new UGG and Jimmy Choo collection. As much as I try to make myself believe that talented designers from multi-million-dollar businesses are behind these limited edition boots, they really look like nothing more than bedazzled DIY home projects that are “something fun for you and your kids to do”.

I mean, studs, fringes, stars and animal print all over the basic UGG boot shape? It’s like they didn’t even give these a day of thought. And apart from looking like they were made with no effort at all, what’s even more irritating is that they decided to slap on outrageous $495 to $795 price tags on these bedazzled boots. Is anyone still falling for the “sub-par product + designer label = insanely high price” marketing ploy?

Here are the 5 limited edition CHUGGS. UGG + Jimmy Choo could’ve at least been a funny Fashematics equation, but those prices say that these boots are meant to be taken seriously:

UGG and Jimmy Choo Siobhan Boots, $495.00

UGG and Jimmy Choo Kaia Boots in Leopard, $595.00

Jimmy Choo UGG Kaia Boots in Zebra, $595.00

UGG and Jimmy Choo Starlit Boots, $595.00

UGG and Jimmy Choo Sora Boots, $695.00

Jimmy Choo UGG Mandah Boots, $795.00

After Jimmy Choo’s successful joint venture with Hunter boots, this one with UGG Australia was one of the most much-awaited collaborations of the year. It ended up being the biggest disappointment of the year.

If other designers and labels can make sheepskin boot-inspired shearling boots and booties that look like these:

1. Thakoon Giuseppe Zanotti for Thakoon Shearling Boots, $1,025.00
2. Lauren by Ralph Lauren Damienne, $179.00
3. Diane von Furstenberg Famke Shearling Platform Booties, $440.00
4. L.A.M.B. Pier Suede Booties with Shearling Cuff, $395.00
5. Maison Martin Margiela Open Toe Shearling Booties, $865.00

Then why not UGG, the premiere maker of sheepskin boots, or Jimmy Choo, the proclaimed stiletto king?

Maybe some things are better left uncombined.

I mean, these I can understand why UGG added them to their merchandise mix. They’re slippers, moccasins, slip-ons and even flip flops, but they’re warm and cozy (the patented UGG feeling) and are all lined with fur or have sheepskin insoles:

From top: UGG Fluffie, ...Read more]]> UGG Australia has actually been making these shoes for a while now, but I guess I was in denial and refused to acknowledge that there really are UGG shoes that are not sheepskin boots.

I mean, these I can understand why UGG added them to their merchandise mix. They’re slippers, moccasins, slip-ons and even flip flops, but they’re warm and cozy (the patented UGG feeling) and are all lined with fur or have sheepskin insoles:

UGG shoes for women

From top: UGG Fluffie, $30.00. UGG Vacay, $120.00. UGG Nightengale, $80.00. UGG Dakota, $100.00.

UGG shoes for men

From top: UGG Byron, $124.00. UGG Euclid, $130.00. UGG Scuff, $65.00. UGG Scuff Romeo II, $90.00.

But these leather sandals, thongs, sneakers, wedges and *gasp* rubber flip flops? These types of shoes are really not the first things to come to mind when the brand UGG is mentioned:

Women’s UGG shoes for the summer

Clockwise from top: UGG Hazel in leopard patent, $140.00. UGG Maia, $100.00. UGG Khloe, $120.00. UGG Hazel in jungle green suede, $140.00. UGG Flare, $30.00.

Men’s UGG shoes for the summer

Clockwise from top: UGG Corbin, $130.00. UGG Torello, $100.00. UGG Griffith, $130.00. UGG Keppel, $35.00. UGG Doheny, $110.00.

I don’t understand why some of these shoes cost nearly as much as UGG’s sheepskin boots, but these are kinda nice.

The jungle green (more like turquoise actually) wedges are really cute, the customer reviews for the flip flops say they’re top quality, and is that leopard print I see, UGG? I’m still trying to get used to your summer shoes here, so please slow down on trying to become trendy.

I guess it’s about time that UGG made summer shoes anyway. If UGG boots really were made by a surfer, then these UGG flip flops, sneakers and sandals were just ’round the corner.

If your mother ...Read more]]> Even online shoe stores know that their wares are one of the most sought after gifts for mother’s day! Zappos.com has made it easier for us who have absolutely no clue what to get our mothers on May 9 by categorizing everything according to what kind of woman your mother is. We all know mothers are superwomen, but even superheroes have their own superpowers and need the right tools to get their work done and save the day.

If your mother is the type who loves to bustle about in the kitchen and around the house, consider trading in her old house slippers for a pair of Sanita Ingrid Oil clogs. Not only are these shoes accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association, but they’ll also protect your mom’s feet from spills, dropped objects, and accidents. The open back design makes these shoes easy to slip on and off and hey, clogs are in this season!

Sanita Ingrid Oil, $110.00

If your mom follows trends, then you can help her update her wardrobe for spring and summer. Purchase her a pair of cork wedge sandals that’ll keep her cool and stylish. These Gabriella Rocha Stef Wedge Sandals are a great looking pair and at $59.00, you can afford to purchase more colors that your mom can mix and match her clothes with.

Gabriella Rocha Stef Wedge Sandal, $59.00

For the pampered mom, she’ll most definitely appreciate a pair of luxurious lounge slippers. The Dakota slipper is the most popular moccasin slipper on Zappos.com, thanks mostly in part to their thick genuine sheepskin lining and their UGG Australia brand name.

UGG Dakota, $100.00

Of course, there are always moms who constantly remind you to turn the lights off, take shorter showers, eat less meat and more vegetables, or go for a walk instead of taking the car. Show her that you’ve been listening to her advice all this time by gifting her with a pair eco-friendly, vegan shoes. Something like the Jambu Oscar sandals, which are made from synthetic leather and recycled materials, will let your mom do her part for the environment without sacrificing style and comfort.

Jambu Oscar – Vegan, $123.00

Sporty moms are probably the easiest to find shoes for because there are so many great sneaker styles to choose from. To make it more personalized, consider the sport that your mom loves to do the most and find a shoe that’ll match her abilities. If your mom just loves to wear sneakers period, the Asics GT-2150® W’s is a nice all-around athletic shoe at a reasonable price.

Asics GT-2150® W’s, $100.00

Lastly, for expectant mothers, a nice pair of flats will be much appreciated on mother’s day. Find a pair that she can wear from day to night like the cushioned insoles AK Anne Klein Buttons ballet flats with stud accents.

AK Anne Klein Buttons, $68.95

In this blog post, we’re going to delve into the proper way of taking care of your ugg boots.

One of the good things about ugg boots is although its fashion is always questioned, it never really goes out of style. The shapeless almost unflattering silhouette is what ...Read more]]> Here’s what we’ve covered so far in this Caring for Your Ugg Boots series:

• How to Remove Stains from Your Uggs
• The Best Way to Clean Bearpaw and Other Sheepskin Boots
• How to Dry Your Wet Uggs

In this blog post, we’re going to delve into the proper way of taking care of your ugg boots.

One of the good things about ugg boots is although its fashion is always questioned, it never really goes out of style. The shapeless almost unflattering silhouette is what keeps the ugg boot always on top of trends, its “stylelessness” rallying against the fads that come with every season.

So far, the ugg boot has proven that it’s more than just a passing phase. It has become something of a wardrobe staple for many people. So if you’re one of those people, then it’s a good idea to keep your ugg boots in tiptop shape if you’re to wear them in the years to come. The following are 10 tips on how to take care of your uggs so you get the most wear out of them:

1. From the moment you take your ugg boots out of the store, treat them with a water and stain repellent immediately. Doing this even before wearing your uggs will prevent any initial staining and will keep dirt from seeping into the boot’s material.
2. Never let your uggs soak in water. Doing so could wrench your boots out of shape and weaken the boots’ adhesives.
3. Never place your ugg boots under a direct heat source. A radiator, an electric heater, and especially the sun will fade the color and could make the suede/leather/sheepskin materials dry and brittle.
4. When cleaning your ugg boots, put the cleaning solution onto a sponge or a cloth first. Never put the cleaner directly onto the boot.
5. Use a soft-bristled suede brush when brushing your ugg boots. A coarse or a wire brush will get of the dirt but will also leave scratches on the boots.
6. When drying wet ugg boots, let the boots dry fully before storing. If you hasten the drying process and put them away in a closet immediately, molds could form on the boots and cause damage.
7. As tempting as it is, ugg boots aren’t really meant to be worn in the rain, in the snow, or on a hiking trip. Avoid wearing your ugg boots to places that could scratch, scuff, or dirty them unnecessarily.
8. Wearing socks with your ugg boots is a good way to keep odors from developing. If socks with uggs isn’t your thing, then make it a habit to religiously treat them with odor absorbers. A powder mix of baking soda, corn flour, and a few drops of essential oil will work effectively.
9. Stuff your boots with plain paper or a towel when not in use. This will help the boots retain their shape.
10. When in doubt about how to remove a certain stain or how to clean your ugg boots, bring your boots to a professional cleaner. The added stress from failed home remedy attempts is never worth it.

Here are 4 products that you can use in taking proper care of your ugg boots, whether they’re from UGG Australia, EMU, Bearpaw, Minnetonka or any other brand:

UGG Sheepskin Water and Stain Repellent, $7.95

UGG Sheepskin Cleaner & Conditioner, $7.95

Already comes with a freshener, a spot eraser, and a sheepskin brush: UGG Sheepskin Care Kit, $18.00

Keep your boots from creasing and deforming: Booty Shapers JY2011 Small (3 Pairs), $33.45

A variety of people in a variety of ugg boots

While the arrival of the new brands meant very stiff competition for UGG Australia, it was good news for ...Read more]]> When UGG Australia achieved worldwide success with their furry boots in the early 00s, numerous shoemakers immediately wanted a piece of that huge pie. Brands such as Bearpaw, Fitzwell, EMU, Old Friend, and Minnetonka scrambled to make their own version of the ugg boot, most of them uncannily similar to UGG Australia’s classic design.

A variety of people in a variety of ugg boots

While the arrival of the new brands meant very stiff competition for UGG Australia, it was good news for us consumers. We were given more alternatives to the 150-dollars-per-pair UGG boots and many of them were a lot cheaper – to boot (check out this list of cheaper sheepskin boot alternatives).

Now the bad news: UGG Australia boots may be expensive, but the company does provide excellent after sales customer support. They have their own Water and Stain Repellent Spray, their own Sheepskin Cleaner and Conditioner, and they even have their own Sheepskin Care Kit that customers can buy to protect their UGG footwear. Bearpaw and other brands of sheepskin boots may be cheaper, but when it comes to cleaning and protecting them, we’re left to our own defenses.

But we’re not totally defenseless, of course. Bearpaw, for example, provides us with a guide on how to care for our ugg boots. Here’s a step-by-step guide on the best way to clean Bearpaw boots and other sheepskin boots:

Step 1 – Wetting the Boots: Dampen the entire boot with water. Be careful not to soak. Make sure that the boot is evenly wet so as not to create water rings or water marks later on.

Step 2 – Cleaning the Suede Upper: Put a small amount of suede cleaner and water on a soft, damp cloth. Create a lather on the cloth by rubbing it together. Work this lather onto the surface of the boot and gently clean the entire outer portion of the boot. Rinse the boot thoroughly after cleaning.

You may also use a sponge or a soft brush in cleaning, but do not to use a wire brush or a coarse brush because these could scratch the suede.

Never put suede cleaner directly onto the boot. Also, be careful not to transfer any of the suede cleaner on to the sheepskin while cleaning and rinsing the boot.

Step 3 – Cleaning the Sheepskin Lining and Trim: Cleaning sheepskin is the same as cleaning suede, except a special sheepskin shampoo is needed. Use this product to gently clean the sheepskin lining and sheepskim trim on Bearpaw and other sheepskin boots. Rinse the boot again after cleaning.

As in step 2, do not use a wire brush for sheepskin, never put the product directly onto the sheepskin, and be careful not to get any of the product on the suede portion of the boots.

Step 4 – Drying the Boots: Place the boots in a well-ventilated area and let them dry naturally. Stuff them with unprinted paper, paper towels, or a rolled up towel so that they don’t lose their shape while drying. You may also hang them upside down on a boot stand.

Never place your boots under the sun or a direct heat source. These could damage and discolor your sheepskin boots.

Step 5 – Protecting Your Boots: After your boots are all nice and dry, protect them with a stain and water repellent spray. Doing so will protect the surface of your boots from stains, dirt, and mud and will also make the cleaning process easier the next time.

For this step, UGG Australia’s Water and Stain Repellent Spray will work well.

To clean your Bearpaw boots or other brands of sheepskin boots, you can use the Nikwax Nubuck/Suede Proof & Cleaning Gel:

The cleaning gel can be used not just on suede, but also on nubuck, smooth leather, and fabric shoes. It’s water based and solvent free, and it’s gel form makes it eco-friendly compared to sprays.

The nubuck and suede proof protects your boots and maintains their color and texture. It can be applied even when your ugg boots aren’t fully dried yet.

You can purchase the Nikwax Nubuck/Suede Proof & Cleaning Gel for $22.00 at Zappos.com.

Wool, suede, fur, and sheepskin — these are the materials and fabrics that ugg boots are made out of. They’re comfy, they’re warm and they’re super cozy but unfortunately, how to dry these materials once they get wet largely remains a mystery to many people.

So what is the proper way? Follow these steps on how to dry your wet uggs so ...Read more]]> Now that we’ve covered how to remove stains from your uggs, let’s talk about how to dry your wet uggs.

Wool, suede, fur, and sheepskin — these are the materials and fabrics that ugg boots are made out of. They’re comfy, they’re warm and they’re super cozy but unfortunately, how to dry these materials once they get wet largely remains a mystery to many people.

So what is the proper way? Follow these steps on how to dry your wet uggs so you’d enjoy their toasty fuzzy goodness for a longer time.

How to Dry Wet Ugg Boots

Step 1: If clean water got into your boots, then you can do the drying procedure immediately. However, this is apparently an ideal situation because more often than not, dirty water would’ve gotten into your uggs. The dirt and debris in that water could permanently stain your uggs once you dry them so better rinse them off properly before drying. Follow the steps in our guide on How to Remove Stains from Your Uggs.

Step 2: Shake off as much excess water as you can out of the boots. This is very important especially if the boots have been soaked. Gently wring the water out of the boots until they are not thoroughly wet anymore. UGG Australia says that you can also pop your ugg boots in the washing machine and put it on a gentle spin dry cycle to get water out of your boots.

Step 3: Now it’s time to dry your ugg boots. The first thing to remember is NEVER place your ugg boots in front of direct heat sources! These include heaters, a sunny window and most especially under the damaging rays of the sun. The best place to dry wet ugg boots is in an airy, shaded area at room temperature. Find a place as close to this description to air-dry your ugg boots in.

Step 4: Stuff your ugg boots with unprinted paper, paper towels or a rolled up towel. Doing so will help the boots get back to their original shape while they’re drying. Hanging them upside down will also help; just find a proper boot stand to hang your ugg boots on.

Step 5: The final step is a waiting game. Wet ugg boots can take days up to weeks to dry especially if they got really soaking wet. If you followed the correct drying procedure, don’t worry — your waiting will pay off. Patience is a virtue when it comes to drying wet wool and sheepskin boots.

*****************

To shorten the drying and waiting time (step #5), you can invest in a boot dryer like the PEET Dryer M97-FSB original 2-shoe electric dryer. This dryer is meant for people who can’t help but use their footwear in the rain and snow but at under $50.00, it might be worth getting just to dry that one pair of ugg boots:

PEET Dryer M97-FSB original 2-shoe electric dryer, $44.95

This thingamajig dries footwear by gently blowing heated or non-heated air through your shoes which you hang over the pole stands. The company claims that it can silently and effectively dry dress shoes, casual shoes, hiking boots, skates and ski boots overnight. You can plug it in before you go to sleep at night and then wake up to warm and dry shoes.

The PEET Dryer also has 4-shoe “express dryer” version:

PEET Dryer Advantage M07F 4-shoe electric express dryer, $89.95

Shop for both of these boot dryers at Amazon!

Credit: PT Diva

Don’t worry about it though – here at YourNextShoes, we’ve listed down ...Read more]]> Don’t you sometimes feel sooo comfortable in your ugg boots that you kind of forget that you’re actually wearing them? This is the reason why so many people still wear uggs despite their ugg-ly looks, however, this also means that it’s very, very easy to get too comfortable in them. No matter how careful you are while wearing your ugg boots, you’re bound to get them scuffed, marked, and dirtied.

Don’t worry about it though – here at YourNextShoes, we’ve listed down how to remove different kinds of stains from your uggs. So go ahead and wear your uggs with abandon and as much as you like – these stain removal procedures were gathered from ugg boot owners who have tried, tested and generously shared these tips with everyone else.

Here are ways on how to remove stains from your uggs, arranged according to difficulty:

#1 Water Marks – If some clean water from rain or wet snow got into your boots, it’s best to wash the entire boots instead of waiting for them to dry. Wet (not soak!) the boots in cold water until the boots are evenly wet. Hang them on a boot stand or stuff them with a rolled towel, place away from direct heat, and wait until they are fully dry before storing or wearing.

#2 Scuff Marks – Rub the scuffed area with a clean towel or an old toothbrush to remove any loose dirt. Use a spot eraser to “lift” the dry stains out of the nap. Use a suede brush to brush the entire boot to get a clean, even finish.

#3 Dirt and Mud Stains – If the stains have dried, brush out as much as you can with a clean towel or an old toothbrush. Afterwards, wet them in cold water and shampoo them with a detergent made for leather. Shake off any excess water and dry following the directions indicated in #1.

#4 Oil Stains – If you can wait, put a layer of baby powder on the oil stain and let it sit for a few days. Repeat the process until stain is unnoticeable. For really in there oil stains, you’ll need a spot eraser and some elbow grease to get most of the oil stain out, then use the baby powder trick to get the rest of it.

#5 Salt Stains – Salt stains are the most difficult to remove. Home remedies like water and vinegar will work, but they will also damage and discolor the suede on your ugg boots. It’s best to bring your uggs to a professional cleaner if they’ve been stained with salt marks.

Here are recommended ugg boot care products from UGG Australia:

UGG Sheepskin Water and Stain Repellent

UGG Sheepskin Care Kit