Summary: After years of swooning over ALOHAS’ made-to-order sustainable garments, I finally tried a few items from their clothing collection. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the clothes (which appear to be made for taller gals) fit my petite body perfectly. They are also comfy, effortless, and exceptionally well-made. 

PROS

  • ALOHAS uses an “on-demand” system to minimize waste and ensure it produces only enough items to fulfill orders.
  • For any in-stock items, they ship within 24-48 hours (a nice perk if you want a last-minute vacation item).
  • The garments and shoes are super comfortable. I found that the sandals require no break-in time.
  • The brand has a vegan and plant-based footwear collection, which we love!

CONS

  • Prices are higher, with garments and shoes ranging from $100–$200.
  • Inventory can be limited because items are made to order. This isn’t the place to shop if you need something in a pinch or for a last-minute trip.

I splurged on a pair of ALOHAS sandals a few summers ago for my 10-year wedding anniversary. I don’t usually buy shoes over $50 unless they are running shoes or sneakers I know I’ll wear daily for a few years. But this seemed like a special occasion, and I’d been drooling over the Spanish clothing brand on my Instagram feed.

They no longer sell them (more on the brand’s production model below), but the sandals I received were dreamy and perfect for my trip. I was impressed with the minimal break-in time and how effortlessly chic they made every outfit feel. I was an instant fan and have been saving my pennies for another pair ever since.

That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to try a new pair of sandals and garments from the ALOHAS clothing collection. Here’s my honest review of the brand’s clothing and whether or not I think the triple-digit price tags are worth it.

About ALOHAS

Before we dive into the review, though, here is a quick history of ALOHAS. The Barcelona-based brand was founded in 2015 by Alejandro Porras, the current CEO. Though Spanish in style and spirit, the dream for the brand started in Hawaii, as Alejandro was inspired by seeing locals react to his Avarcas, a popular type of sandal from Menorca, Spain.

Today, ALOHAS shoes are designed in Barcelona and crafted by local artisans in Spain and Portugal. Everything is made using ethical and sustainable craftsmanship, and by keeping things local, the brand can ensure labor conditions and quality standards align with its values. They’ve since expanded to include boots, sneakers, and clothing items, too, all while remaining true to their avant-garde spirit.

“Everything is made using ethical and sustainable craftsmanship, and by keeping things local, the brand can ensure labor conditions and quality standards align with its values.”

As mentioned, ALOHAS works with an on-demand system, meaning they use a pre-order system of dreamt-up styles to project how much of a shoe or garment they need to produce (and in what sizes). By shopping on-demand, customers receive a 30% discount. The trade-off is that you have to wait for the item to be made and shipped before receiving it — the very definition of slow fashion.

Three packaging bags with "Alohas" printed on them and a black shoe box labeled "Alohas" placed on a wooden floor.
Close-up image of a beige knit sweater with a black "ALOJAS" label and a white tag attached.
ALOHAS sells primarily on-demand pieces, meaning that the products are made once they’ve been ordered.

Of course, the brand does have extra from time to time, which is where the “in stock” items come into play. You’ll see from browsing on the site that some garments and shoes are available to purchase now, though only in certain sizes or colors. These ship within 24-48 hours. Mostly, though, ALOHAS keeps things slow and launches its style “ideas” first to gauge customer interest and inventory needs before beginning production.

Trying out the ALOHAS summer 2024 collection:

NAMO ECRU TRICOT JUMPSUIT | $150
MATERIALS: RECYCLED COTTON & POLYESTER | SIZE: S

Is obsessed too strong a verb for how I feel wearing this jumpsuit? As someone who generally looks terrible in jumpsuits because of my body type (I’m petite with C cups), I had pretty much written this off as soon as I saw it in person. There is no way that is going to look good on me, I thought moments before eating my words. Except it literally fit like a glove. The back is so flattering, and the knit is super lightweight yet durable enough that I don’t feel like it will snag or unravel. At 5’3”, the pant legs barely hit the floor (the flare is so cute and airy). I have to wear this with a heel to protect the bottoms, but I’d opt for that anyway, as I think it helps make me look taller and elongated in the piece.

Person wearing a white knitted jumpsuit with black straps, standing on a wooden floor near white paneled doors.
I was worried the jumpsuit would be too long, but it hit exactly right on my 5’3″ frame!

Plainly put, I feel like I’m wearing something extremely expensive, which I technically am since it comes in at $150. But you know how sometimes sustainable fashion doesn’t feel worth the price tag? This jumpsuit feels worth the price tag.

ARIES ECRU TRICOT MIDI DRESS | $140
MATERIALS: COTTON & RECYCLED POLYESTER | SIZE: S

If I were skeptical the jumpsuit would look good on me, I was even more skeptical that this dress — while gorgeous — would fit. I thought it might look like a potato bag on my petite frame. But oh, how I love that ALOHAS is proving me wrong!

While the midi dress appears to be for taller gals in the online photos, it actually falls perfectly on my body, and I was so taken aback because I have never found a dress like this to fit me, let alone flatter my shape. While boxy in cut (the brand describes it as “a comfortable caftan silhouette” the shoulder seams hit right where they are supposed to so that it doesn’t look oversized. And the rib-trimmed plunging neckline paired with the kimono sleeves makes it feel a bit sexy, too.

ALOHAS does note that this dress is slightly see-through and meant for slipping over swimwear, though I also plan to wear it with nude undergarments (like these nude boy shorts).

A person in a beige, patterned, ankle-length dress takes a mirror selfie in a room with white cabinets and a wooden nightstand.
A person stands in front of a full-length mirror wearing a long beige dress and black sandals, holding a phone with one hand. The bedroom in the background has a bed, side table with books, and a lamp.
ALOHAS described this midi dress as having a “comfortable caftan silhouette,” which I was a little worried might mean “potato sack” on my frame but nope! The fit was flattering yet relaxed, with details that made it feel sexy enough for date night.

ZULU CREAM PANTS | $120
MATERIALS: LINEN | SIZE: S

It wouldn’t be a summer wardrobe haul without linen trousers. These ones from ALOHAS are perhaps the most flattering and best-crafted linen pants I’ve ever owned. Again, I was amazed with the sizing — the small is perfect for me, and I love the button tabs on the waistline so you can adjust the fit.

A person takes a mirror selfie wearing a beige top, white high-waisted pants, and black sandals, standing in a room with a bed and a wooden dresser in the background.
Person wearing white linen pants with a button-down front and a beige knitted top, standing on a wooden floor.
The linen trousers are gorgeous but super see-through; I’ll save them for pool days (or even take them to the tailor to get them lined because I love them so much!).

My one disappointment with these pants is that they are very transparent, as is the nature of white linen. But even with nude boyshorts or underwear, you can see everything. I’ll likely save these for vacation or pool days when I can slip them on over swimwear. Otherwise, I may take them to the tailor to see if I can add lining because they are so comfortable and gorgeous!

NICO SANDALS | $180
MATERIALS: SUSTAINABLE LEATHER | SIZE: 38 (US SIZE 7–7.5)

Finally, shoes! I couldn’t complete an ALOHAS wardrobe haul without trying out the item that started the brand. For this wardrobe, I opted for the Nico sandal in black because it’s such a timeless shoe that pairs with almost everything. Living in Los Angeles, I can also wear these sandals for three out of four seasons, which I love. These sandals are made with sustainable leather, rubber, and a ZAMAK ecological finishing for the hardware. They have a crossover slingback and a 3mm heel to add a little height and chunkiness. They are so comfortable and require no break-in. A few nights ago, I wore them for hours with a skirt and felt like I was walking on clouds. These will get a lot of use over the next few years.

A pair of black, strappy sandals with "ALOHAS" branding on the insole, featuring gold buckles on the ankle straps, placed on a light-colored surface.
A hand is holding a black sandal with a gold buckle, while another black sandal is placed on a light-colored surface in the background.
An ALOHAS review wouldn’t be complete without trying a pair of their signature sandals, and this Nico pair are absolutely perfect!

I’m going to be honest with you: there are a lot of “sustainable” brands out there charging a steep price for garments that aren’t much better in quality and craftsmanship than what you’d find at your local mall. I’ve tested expensive sweaters, dresses, and even shoes from brands that fall apart faster than items I own from Target. That is not ALOHAS. That was obvious to me as soon as I received these garments.

“I’ve tested expensive sweaters, dresses, and even shoes from brands that fall apart faster than items I own from Target. That is not ALOHAS.”

These kinds of pieces will stay in my wardrobe and someday get passed down to children or end up in a thrift store somewhere for a lucky shopper to “score on.” The materials and craftsmanship are unlike any I’ve seen before, and with proper care, I genuinely believe the pieces will last. The price tag is higher, but I’m confident that I’ll save up for ALOHAS clothing in the future and watch for the brand on secondhand sites and in thrift stores.

All this to say: ALOHAS is the real deal regarding sustainable and thoughtful fashion. This is evident in their production model and in the quality and materials they utilize. If and when you decide to splurge on something for yourself, you will be a very, very happy customer. I promise.

Kayti Christian is the Senior Content Strategist at The Good Trade. She has a Master’s in Nonfiction Writing from the University of London and is the creator of Feelings Not Aside, a newsletter for sensitive people.