***The official Alden thread *** Share enthusiasm, reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

[keithp3521]

I think I've got a candidate for the worst Alden idea of all time. Beautiful shoes on what appears to be some sort of handicap soles. Weirdly, it's a make-up for a retailer I like very much.



http://www.thebureaubelfast.com/sho...he-bureau-brown-chromexcel-long-wing-blucher/

 

[Beatlegeuse]

Maiden voyage of some snuff suede unlined chukkas. This is my first time wearing the Leydon last and I must say I really enjoy it so far - I actually had to go up a half size AND one width from my Barrie size to get a proper fit, but it feels perfect on my feet now. Paired with some Epaulet French Blue chinos:

 

[NAMOR]



I think I've got a candidate for the worst Alden idea of all time. Beautiful shoes on what appears to be some sort of handicap soles. Weirdly, it's a make-up for a retailer I like very much.

http://www.thebureaubelfast.com/sho...he-bureau-brown-chromexcel-long-wing-blucher/

these are gonna sell like hotcakes

 

[jpc9]



I think I've got a candidate for the worst Alden idea of all time. Beautiful shoes on what appears to be some sort of handicap soles. Weirdly, it's a make-up for a retailer I like very much.

http://www.thebureaubelfast.com/sho...he-bureau-brown-chromexcel-long-wing-blucher/

Oh Christ, this looks like the unholy spawn of a Trickers/McNairy/Alden three-way. But yeah, it will probably sell out.

 

[imatlas]

I understand that blutchers are less formal than balmorals, but where is this idea coming from? I feel like I'm in the middle, age wise of those on this forum and for as long as I've been in the work force, LWB's and PTB's have been a staple of business attire. More importantly, fifty years ago, do you think the dozens of American shoe makers making shell and calf LWB's and PTB's were selling them to 20 and 30 somethings wearing selvage denim?

I think much of it is tradition. The same way a suit is more formal than a sports jacket/trousers. The majority of people won't know the difference between a blucher or bal. It also depends on the "work force" that you are in. Some are more formal than others.

It's perfectly permissible to pair bluchers with a suit, but the suit should reflect the fact that bluchers are less "city", so the suit in turn should be less formal. A tweed or donegal suit, for example, would pair well with a big ol' gunboat. A casual cotton suit in khaki would go very well with a ravello captoe blucher. I often wear a dark brown captoe blucher with my navy and charcoal suits, because I only have one pair of balmorals - that's not a style that tends to work with my orthotics.

On the other hand, it's currently somewhat in style to wear LWBs with slim-fitting city suits (the Thom Browne look), but this is really an exception rather than the rule.

I'm not sure what suit would pair well with the monstrosities shown above.

 

[WhoKnewI]

that sole...my eyes!!!

 

[mcarthur]



Cigar PTBs from Italy.

i like your cigars and argyles

 

[Alcibiades]



It's perfectly permissible to pair bluchers with a suit, but the suit should reflect the fact that bluchers are less "city", so the suit in turn should be less formal. A tweed or donegal suit, for example, would pair well with a big ol' gunboat. A casual cotton suit in khaki would go very well with a ravello captoe blucher. I often wear a dark brown captoe blucher with my navy and charcoal suits, because I only have one pair of balmorals - that's not a style that tends to work with my orthotics.
On the other hand, it's currently somewhat in style to wear LWBs with slim-fitting city suits (the Thom Browne look), but this is really an exception rather than the rule.
I'm not sure what suit would pair well with the monstrosities shown above.

Meh. Bluchers are fine with regular "city" suits as well. Longwings, shortwings, etc. I will never hesitate to wear my cigar longwings with a navy or light grey suit. The LS Shortwings and the RL Darltons are awesome suit shoes.

 

[mcarthur]



If you start buying Alden shell, you will double up. I guarantee it.
As for the LWB, just get the shell rainbow and call it good.

the problem is that shells are addictive

 

[blue collar]



I think I've got a candidate for the worst Alden idea of all time. Beautiful shoes on what appears to be some sort of handicap soles. Weirdly, it's a make-up for a retailer I like very much.

http://www.thebureaubelfast.com/sho...he-bureau-brown-chromexcel-long-wing-blucher/

Ya, no thanks.

 

[mcarthur]



Maiden voyage of some snuff suede unlined chukkas. This is my first time wearing the Leydon last and I must say I really enjoy it so far - I actually had to go up a half size AND one width from my Barrie size to get a proper fit, but it feels perfect on my feet now. Paired with some Epaulet French Blue chinos:

enjoy wearing in good health

 

[MarioImpemba]

Beautiful shoes on what appears to be some sort of handicap soles.

I laughed heartily at my desk.

 

[mcarthur]

ravello nst chukkas
argyles otc

 

[REguy]

I couldn't resist posting about the NRO sale. I've had terrible experiences with them in the past, but this turned out well regardless of the utter stupidity (and I'll keep buying Aldens from them as long as they keep discounting them).

Anyway, I go to the main store here in Boston over the weekend and ask if they have a pair of chukkas in my size. The SA walks out, goes around the corner to their stockroom (which happens to be the same place they fulfill Internet orders), and comes back with the last pair they had. The box was beat up, but who cares. When I asked if I could apply the discount code, I was met with a resounding "NO!" They said the online department is completely separate, different inventory, etc. I said, "OK, what if I order them over my phone right now and you just let me take these?" Save the hassle and cost of shipping them just over the Charles, and everyone's happy. Again, "NO." I walk out sans shoes, but go home and order them.

I just received the same beat up box and shoes I handled in the mail today . To their credit, they didn't fumble the order, but I can't stand stuff like this. Although, once in a while, I do enjoy walking into places of sartorial sadism, like NRO or the Andover Shop, where the general vibe is, "The customer's always wrong." Sort of keeps me on my toes.

 

[Papa Doble]



ravello nst chukkas
argyles otc

Whoa, those look incredible. I noticed they have 6 eyelets as opposed to the ones at The Shoe Mart, with 5 eyelets.

Edit: I didn't realize these were chukkas, which explains 6 eyelets versus 5.