The Official Alden Thread for 2016 - Share reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

[Fawkes007]

Whiskey Wednesday. Maiden voyage.

Great trousers, too.

 

[JSO1]

Looking good. That's a nice looking Blucher. I had and sold a pair due to fit, plus it's pretty close to the LWB.

Thanks, Mike - I'm sorry you had to sell your pair! Hopefully you can get your size made on the next Harrison Ltd run, whenever that might be.

I have a Whiskey LWB coming in hopefully a few months, which will round out the PTB, SWB, and LWB trifecta for me. I'd like an NST shoe or boot for the superfecta, though...

Great trousers, too.

Thanks!

 

[mdubs]



Thanks, Mike - I'm sorry you had to sell your pair! Hopefully you can get your size made on the next Harrison Ltd run, whenever that might be.

I have a Whiskey LWB coming in hopefully a few months, which will round out the PTB, SWB, and LWB trifecta for me. I'd like an NST shoe or boot for the superfecta, though...

Thanks!

It's okay, I don't really notice a pair here or there gone. I also have the Wingtip Balmoral from DC. So three pairs of Whiskey Wingtip shoes was a little much.

My conversation with Alex and Wilson at Harrison lead me to believe that they are not going to be remaking that style again.

-Mike

 

[jlchau]

I received a pair of the 975 LWB in #8 from The Shoe Mart seconds yesterday. They came heavily creased and also the left shoe's reverse welt is extremely misaligned on the inner side (which warrants why it's an irregular obviously). However, the last time I sized for Barrie I wasn't wearing orthotics. My orthotics make the fit pretty tight across my instep (almost uncomfortable). I also have to force my orthotic in to try to get the heel flush. Would an E width correct these issues, or would I have to size up?

 

[larryr]



How do I get in the seconds list? I unsubscribed myself from TSM's advertisements and that must have included the seconds email

Just send them an email saying you want to be on the seconds list and for which size.

 

[totalair1]

Slumming it on my Whiskey Wednesday!

Steve

 

[sazon]



I received a pair of the 975 LWB in #8 from The Shoe Mart seconds yesterday.  They came heavily creased and also the left shoe's reverse welt is extremely misaligned on the inner side (which warrants why it's an irregular obviously).  However, the last time I sized for Barrie I wasn't wearing orthotics.  My orthotics make the fit pretty tight across my instep (almost uncomfortable).  I also have to force my orthotic in to try to get the heel flush.  Would an E width correct these issues, or would I have to size up?

I had a hard time sizing the barrie last with my orthotics. My orthotics were specially made for dress shoes so they are thin, but I still had my heel slip out of the back often. Every pair of shoes was different – some I slipped out and some were fine. I took the heel pad out of a few pairs and that helped a bit.

Shell doesn’t really stretch, but the settling in of the footbed did help after a while. You *may* find this to be the case.

I also tried going up a width but my heel slipped out even more and the extra space in the vamp was too much.

Sizing and fit is tricky with shoes and orthotics. This is why my wardrobe is 80% boots and 20% shoes. If you like the look of the 975, why not try a color 8 shell WT boot?

Your pain in the instep area may or may not be alleviated by boots, but I do think they are more forgiving (except for the J Crew #8 PCT boot, that is, which many people will tell you fits a bit tighter than the standard Barrie offerings).

Give the E width a shot if you’re close to a retailer where you can try them on. If the D’s are indeed uncomfortable, don’t keep them. You’ll rarely reach for them and it will be money ill spent, even if they were seconds.

 

[swils8610]

These today! Fresh form the FedEx guy!

 

[swils8610]

You guys are making me drool with the whiskey Alden's!

 

[Clay J]

Is it normal for Aldens from Brooks brothers to have lots of verdigris and extra dye around the eyelets?

Here is what i'm talking about:

How old are these shoes? How long have they been sitting in a warehouse do develop that kind of tarnish? Would you keep these or exchange?

 

[patrick_b]

PCTs today. They made it through another winter unscathed.

 

[1wb]



Is it normal for Aldens from Brooks brothers to have lots of verdigris and extra dye around the eyelets?

How old are these shoes? How long have they been sitting in a warehouse do develop that kind of tarnish? Would you keep these or exchange?

That is simply overdye from Alden. It is perfectly normal, and has nothing to do with how long ago the shoes were made.

* EDIT - I can see the eyelet tarnish. From the first number inside the shoe, they appear to have been made in either 2014 or perhaps 2004. Unlikely that they are older than that.

 

[gsgleason]

@patrick_b, your J Crew PCTs are the best on here. It's always good to see new photos of them.

@Handcuffed You got a great deal on those. I called as soon as I got the email, but alas was too late. I'm glad it went to you instead of one of those ebay flippers. If they fit smaller than the size 12 Leffot NST I sent you then I'd be happy to take them off your hands.

I also got my shipment from TSM. I got a color 8 LWB with antique edge in 11.5D to replace my 975 in 11.5C which I finally admit is too tight in the toes. There is just a very minor stitching oops which is hardly noticeable, so it looks like many of us got some great pickups.

This seconds list had a lot of good stuff on it, especially compared to the last few.

I want to know who got those Cigar chukkas I attempted as well.

 

[Fawkes007]

Thanks for the welcome! Do most of you guys wear shell or calf leather?

Here's my little tale of woe (not that you asked).

I have the good fortune of having a 9.5 / 10 B width foot, depending on the last. This makes buying shoes difficult. I was an AE fan for years but noticed their quality had degraded. I tried Ferragamo but alas I'm just not in to their shoes (and the price point is pretty darn high). So I decided to try Alden. Luckily, their SF store is around the corner from my office. I found some lasts that worked well for my long HB, short HT narrow feet and proceeded to buy 10 pair.

I had never owned a pair of shell cordovan shoes, so I decided, "What the heck? One pair of PTBs in #8 couldn't hurt." Big mistake. Landed up ordering a pair of black cordo LWBs.

The difference between calf and cordovan is remarkable. While I love my calf shoes, the fit and feel, not to mention to look of shell, just kicks it up a notch. BAM! (Please forgive the Legassi reference).

I strongly encourage you to try a pair in shell. But don't curse me out afterward when you realize you're hooked.

 

[swils8610]

How and where do I get on lists for whiskey, cigar or ravello Alden's!