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

[Papa Doble]



Traditional rules of fashion would make the case for the following, in terms of formality (all balmorals):
1 plaintoe
2 captoe (straight tip)
3 captoe (perf tip)
4 captoe (madallion toe)
For the first 3, the differences are negligible. All 4, IMO, can easily be worn with suits. Number 1 is the least versatile (I used to own the black shell plaintoe bal on the Aberdeen; they felt out of place unless with a Suit) . Number 4 is, obviously, the least plain.

I can understand this, in which case, perhaps a plain toe blucher is more formal than a cap toe blucher.

 

[ElDave]



I can understand this, in which case, perhaps a plain toe blucher is more formal than a cap toe blucher.

Depends on the PTB. For example, I would say a shoe like the AE Kenilworth is more formal than a cap toe blucher. But I view an Alden PTB as a strictly casual shoe, and basically more casual than anything else in the leather shoe world.

 

[cielo]



quick question: for my birthday/Christrmas shoe, i'm thinking a non-brogued natural CXL boot on the barrie last. something casual, jeans and chinos only. i know there's a lot of choices on the trubalance last, but i'm afraid of going non-barrie given all the problems i seem to have with sizing.
for what i'm looking for, is leathersoul (NST tanker boot; plain toe crepe sole boot) the only game in town?

Circle 7 has a Barrie cap toe on crepe, though not in your size. Worth an email if you're interested. The Natural/Crepe combo looks nice.

An old eBay auction has more pics.

 

[Papa Doble]



Depends on the PTB. For example, I would say a shoe like the AE Kenilworth is more formal than a cap toe blucher. But I view an Alden PTB as a strictly casual shoe, and basically more casual than anything else in the leather shoe world.

Agreed. I think my statement holds with all else being equal (leather, color, last, sole, etc.).

 

[chimaki]

Does anyone know J Crew's policy on the perf cap toe #8 boot that is expected to ship in the future? Do they charge the card in full upon ordering or shipment?

 

[mediahound]

Does anyone know J Crew's policy on the perf cap toe #8 boot that is expected to ship in the future? Do they charge the card in full upon ordering or shipment?

Always best to ask the source, them.

However, last time I asked them, I was told they authorize the card right away and then charge it when the item ships. They didn't actually authorize and charge it though for me until it shipped out.

 

[chimaki]

Always best to ask the source, them.

However, last time I asked them, I was told they authorize the card right away and then charge it when the item ships. They didn't actually authorize and charge it though for me until it shipped out.

thank you!

 

[NAMOR]



Always best to ask the source, them.

This is brilliant to me

 

[thebeebs]



beautiful. i'm really starting to think that boot is the single best and most versatile alden makeup anywhere.

which exact boot are you referring to, mexicutioner, as the best and most versatile?

 

[mexicutioner]



which exact boot are you referring to, mexicutioner, as the best and most versatile?

this one:



i'm hard-pressed to think of a situation or outfit where you'd want to wear alden shoes (other than at the 10% at either extreme, aka super conservative/dress environment; super casual beach environment) and this boot wouldn't work. for the 80% in the middle, this is perfection.

edit: the fact that it's somewhat plain means that the #8 shell's color can really stand out, moreso than if they were wingtip'd.

edit 2: i'm hereby nominating the j crew perf captoe #8 boot to be "the navy blazer of aldens."

 

[neutrino]

So those of you guys who have had experience buying seconds at TSM, how has it been going for you? Has it been worth it for you in general?

 

[ElDave]



So those of you guys who have had experience buying seconds at TSM, how has it been going for you? Has it been worth it for you in general?

I bought a pair of ravello chukkas off the seconds list. The flaw was so minimal that I'm not 100% sure I would have complained if it were sold as a first.

That's my only experience with the seconds list though.

 

[ElDave]



this one:

i'm hard-pressed to think of a situation or outfit where you'd want to wear alden shoes (other than at the 10% at either extreme, aka super conservative/dress environment; super casual beach environment) and this boot wouldn't work. for the 80% in the middle, this is perfection.
edit: the fact that it's somewhat plain means that the #8 shell's color can really stand out, moreso than if they were wingtip'd.
edit 2: i'm hereby nominating the j crew perf captoe #8 boot to be "the navy blazer of aldens."

I have this boot and I agree 100%. The color really shines with the boot's simplicity.

 

[mediahound]

this one:

i'm hard-pressed to think of a situation or outfit where you'd want to wear alden shoes (other than at the 10% at either extreme, aka super conservative/dress environment; super casual beach environment) and this boot wouldn't work. for the 80% in the middle, this is perfection.
edit: the fact that it's somewhat plain means that the #8 shell's color can really stand out, moreso than if they were wingtip'd.
edit 2: i'm hereby nominating the j crew perf captoe #8 boot to be "the navy blazer of aldens."

I have this boot and I agree 100%. The color really shines with the boot's simplicity.

I'm extremely happy with them. I wavered for over a year on them. Then, I finally received a $30. off gift card in the mail and decided to buy. It has definitely become one of my favorite pairs of Aldens next to the 975s.

 

[P. Bateman]

Who snagged the 9.5d snuff suede chukkas off the bay today?