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

[Ritchee]



ups is the worst mail service of the big 3. hands down.

I agree. UPS is the worst!

 

[100 yrs]

quick collection shot, as i had them out for a brushing on a lazy saturday. no exotic makeups, no exotic shells. just a couple of pair that go with pretty much anything.

back row, L to R:
#8 plain toe boots, plaza last on commando sole from J Gilbert
black shell captoe boot, barrie last on double leather sole from Alden SF
natural chromexcel NST, barrie last on double waterloc sole from the ShoeMart (listed on B&S as of this afternoon, still undecided)

front row:
#8 plain toe unlined blucher, barrie last on single oiled sole from Alden SF
snuff suede flex welt chukka, leydon last on single oiled sole from Alden SF

i feel like i just want one more brown calf shoe for casual office wear, and was hoping the NST would be it, but i'm thinking about letting them go due to fit issues. otherwise i'm pretty satisfied.

hope everyone has a great weekend.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



i had to exchange a sweater at j. press. i used USPS priority and it took 2 days to go from Seattle to NY. meanwhile the return package from j press to Seattle is taking 7 days using ups.
why am i sticking up for the usps, i have no idea.

I use USPS Priority quite alot, and usually have no problem getting delivery in the 2-3 day window USPS says is standard (but doesn't guarantee). During the holidays, however, they are all over the place (anywhere from 2-5 days). If they arrive Monday it will be 5 days.

In terms of FedEx v. UPS, I would take FedEx everytime.

 

[FrankCowperwood]



Here is my modified last Plain toe boot snuff suede supper comfortable

These look fantastic.

 

[chipshot]

I am still hoping he can clarify further. The whole break-in technique and the logic behind it is not a mystery to me. As I said, I follow the same techniques. The fact remains that the toes of leather soled shoes, almost without fail, show the upward curvature wear pattern (to different degrees amongst different people depending upon walking styles). The reason I posed the original question to McArthur is because he has pointed out the some of the shoes in these photos of his are decades old. They may well have been resoled recently enough (which he can easily clarify if that is the case), otherwise, it remains a mystery to me how the sole edges are essentially square (to use a carpenter's term). When I posed my original question, he simply replied that they are never worn on concrete. While possible, it would be unusual for decades old shoes to avoid concrete. People have lives, they have commutes, they run errands, they go out to eat during lunch hours, etc. I suspect Bucksfan is correct that McArthur's shoe collection is large enough to allow pairs of shoes to only be worn on rare occasions at best, which more than likely accounts for the almost new appearance.

I appreciate Uncle's posts and use his methodology exclusively. It is not our place to question McArthur, it's in poor taste, there.. done. Now post something contributive .. more gentlemanly, less bark and more wag son.

 

[Roguls]



Here is my modified last Plain toe boot snuff suede supper comfortable

These do not look like the modified.

 

[mcarthur]



on one hand i want to try some tassel loafers. on the other hand i feel like i'm about 20 years too young to pull them off.

try tassels you might like them

 

[mcarthur]



Finally!!, got my whiskey PTB's

nephew,
wear your whiskey in good health

 

[kolecho]



These do not look like the modified.

Agreed. On closer inspection, the waist on those shoes are much wider than Modified waist.

 

[Dr. D]

Looks like Alden SF has restocked ravello LWB and every size in D width appears to be available.

 

[mcarthur]

cigar indy
argyles otc

 

[Mr. Six]



I now have a whole new appreciation for cap toe boots -- those are beautiful.  Is the pull tab standard or was that a special make-up?  Thanks!

This was a special makeup by The Shoe Mart. The pulltabs were part of the design. I prefer the boots without but it's not a strong preference. Glad to have aided in someone's appreciation of captoe boots!

 

[rikod]



nephew,
wear your whiskey in good health

Thank you uncle!, you know I've been after these for a long time

 

[Roguls]



Agreed. On closer inspection, the waist on those shoes are much wider than Modified waist.

These are Modified.

 

[mcarthur]



Thank you uncle!, you know I've been after these for a long time

nephew,
do not forget that good things happen to good people