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

[mcarthur]



These look great. I noticed that you often wear bals with chinos and cords, and I like these combos. Are you always wearing a jacket when you do this? I guess I'm pondering how casually one can wear a bal (excluding suede, as I think suede bals can be dressed down a bit more).

nephew,
thank you
i generally wear a blazer; however, i do wear bals with either cords or khakis without blazer or sc

 

[Alcibiades]



Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

A few recent acquisitions. All staples. #8 Tassels (From a very esteemed forum member. Thanks Again!)
[COLOR=417394] [/COLOR]

[COLOR=417394] [/COLOR]

9016 (Bought these to wear with a suit after the forum, a few weeks back, unanimously convinced me that the LHS is not appropriate with a suit under any circumstances. I got away with it in Pittsburgh, but now I'm back in NY where people are infinitely more fashion conscious. I herby formally concede to you all on this matter. Plus, it was an excuse to buy more shoes.)
[COLOR=417394]
[/COLOR]


[COLOR=417394] [/COLOR] 9015
[COLOR=417394] [/COLOR]

[COLOR=417394]
[/COLOR]



Right before their maiden voyage

[COLOR=417394]
[/COLOR]


Right after...

[COLOR=417394]
[/COLOR]
The lightening of the color in the crease will brush out, right?

I must say, the Mac break-in method really does make all the difference. Did considerable walking in the city and the toes are barely worn down at all.

Family Photo

Top: #8 Tassel, #8 Perf Cap Toe, Black Perf Cap Toe, J&M Strait Tip Bal
Second: Cigar LHS, #8 LHS, Black Unlined LHS, Brown Peal & Co. Penny Loafer (BB)
Bottom: Rancourt Espresso Shell Blake Boot, Brown Rubber Sole Gucci Horse Bit, Black Leather Sole Gucci Horse Bit, Tod's Brown Suede Driving Loafer

Formal to casual from top to bottom. Some might argue that the Gucci Loafers are more formal than the LHS, but you could also argue that the J&M's don't even belong on the rack with the rest of those shoes. The right tools for the job: [COLOR=417394] [/COLOR] Coming soon: Ravello LHS, Cigar Tassel, Cigar Punch Toe "Thor" Boot???

Where did you get the shoe rack? I need one. Outstanding collection

 

[mcarthur]



I owned the AF60 from Alden-of-Carmel, which is a captoe on the plaza in black shell, and ended up getting rid of them. With the commando sole, they were too military looking for my purposes. I thought the same of the Alden DC version on Grant when I saw them recently. All depends on the look one is going for I guess. I have the cigar version, and I am not wild about the commando sole on it, really, but I dig the Grant last.

Love the Shoemart Indy on commando. It's far more casual by nature though, so maybe that's why I don't mind the sole in that context. But I also recently sold a cigar pair on commando, and that was part of the reason I parted with them (along with the hand stitched apron).

#8 loafers on Grant today.

nephew,
good shine on your full straps

 

[mcarthur]



Whiskey LHS maiden voyage. Color looks great and supreme service from Alden DC.

wear in good health

 

[100 yrs]



Looking for feedback on the following black shell boots (from those that own or have owned one or both):

1. Indy on TruB last with commando sole (Shoemart)
2. captoe on Grant last with commando sole (Alden DC)

I am considering one or the other. Thanks guys.

for what it's worth, and as someone else said - the black captoe with commando sole was too militaristic for my liking. i was comparing the black captoe on barrie with double leather from Alden SF with the black captoe on grant with commando from Alden DC.. went with the double leather version. i do like the commando sole on my #8 plazas from j gilbert however.


also,from a few pages back, i can barely justify having the same style shoe in different leather/color, i have no idea how you guys can make the leap to having 2 pair of lwb in the same leather/color with only very minor differences.

 

[mcarthur]



I have gotten to the point of actually preferring the commando sole on Alden high boots. Thanks for the feedback.

nephew,
why?

 

[Michael Haines]



Call Joe at Alden DC. I thought when I spoke to him the other day they had this in stock...

I just sent a email and hopefully to the right place. I would of called but I am typing this from a conference

 

[mcarthur]



How is it that you ended up buying two pairs of ravello longwings?

I'm debating keeping both the ravello longwings and the brown scotchgrain longwings. These are different, but are they different enough? What do you guys think.

nephew,
i would keep both. if you want to sell one of your lwb, i wouldm keep the ravello

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



nephew,
why?

Short answer: Much easier to wear in inclement weather.

Longer Answer: Where I live it snows regularly and is wet much of the winter. Leather soles, of course, can be protected with overshoes. And I wear overshoes to and from work and during the workday as needed. I have no problem with that. However, if, for example, I am heading out for an evening with my wife, or a school sporting event for a child, or a trip to the shopping mall, etc., I don't like to wear overshoes. Commando soles (or waterloc) work great for such events. And while the commando does dress down a boot somewhat, that is fine with me as my boots are mostly worn for casual to business casual settings.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



nephew,
i would keep both. if you want to sell one of your lwb, i wouldm keep the ravello

for sure

 

[mcarthur]



Can anyone recommend a pair of overshoes to cover Alden boots? I am gettign a bit tired of wearing my LL Bean duck boots and then changing shoes when I get to work. Thanks!!

tingley overshoes, the best 20 investment you will ever make

 

[mcarthur]



Swims seem to be popular, I believe leffot carries them.

swims do not provide protection from rain

 

[mcarthur]



Lousy cell-phone shots:

nephew, good shine on your ptb

 

[mcarthur]



I've had a pair of Indy boots for a few years, but only now with LS's bigfoot sale have I managed to buy the pair I've been longing after. Color 8 chukkas, maiden voyage outside the house:

wear in good health

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



Lousy cell-phone shots:

Alden for BB PTB in color 8: splendid.