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

[Don L]

Ravello NST's, Pants by EP

 

[BeSpiffington]



Ravello NST's, Pants by EP

Your Ravello NST's look awesome with the cuffed EP's.

 

[bespoken pa]

The theme of this thread has inspired me to share a funny story. Two weekends ago I was in uptown new orleans (trendy area) and while walking out of a coffee shop I noticed a gentleman wearing shell 8's. I said that guy is wearing nice shoes to my girlfriend while walking away my girlfriend utters, yeah they look like shell. I almost fell out laughing, it appears my exuberance and frequent orders from Alden NYC having gone unnoticed.

 

[bespoken pa]

Haven't gone unnoticed, I apologize for the iPhone post.

 

[Calikid]

What the hell does "dress" even mean? Alden is dressier than 95% of the shoes that your coworkers and friends wear to work. You can wear them with a suit and they'll look better than most. You can wear them with jeans and get compliments from ladies.

This debate is pointless and needs to be framed in a different light. The shoes you listed are bluchers, which traditionally are considered to be casual. Balmorals are dressy in the same way a three piece suit is considered dressy.

+ 1
I've seen top banking executive wear Bruno Magli square toe loafers with 'dress' suits and they think they look good.

 

[Dbear]

In the US, just about anything above sneakers or crocs is considered a dress shoe.

Have to wear a black dress shoe for a wedding that I'm in. I have nothing black. My color 8 longwings were veto'd. It's a shame my LWBs are unacceptable while squared toe'd abominations from Ecco are passes.

 

[BeSpiffington]



In the US, just about anything above sneakers or crocs is considered a dress shoe.

Have to wear a black dress shoe for a wedding that I'm in.  I have nothing black.  My color 8 longwings were veto'd.  It's a shame my LWBs are unacceptable while squared toe'd abominations from Ecco are passes.

As Bill Clinton would say, "I feel your pain". With weddings it never fails that there'll be some hum yuk with black Nikes on. Last year I bought a some of the aforementioned Ecco's for winter. Took them back in two days.

 

[rydenfan]



The theme of this thread has inspired me to share a funny story. Two weekends ago I was in uptown new orleans (trendy area) and while walking out of a coffee shop I noticed a gentleman wearing shell 8's. I said that guy is wearing nice shoes to my girlfriend while walking away my girlfriend utters, yeah they look like shell. I almost fell out laughing, it appears my exuberance and frequent orders from Alden NYC having gone unnoticed.

PJ's? Sucre? Rue? CC's? Or somewhere else?

 

[Alcibiades]



In the US, just about anything above sneakers or crocs is considered a dress shoe.

Have to wear a black dress shoe for a wedding that I'm in.  I have nothing black.  My color 8 longwings were veto'd.  It's a shame my LWBs are unacceptable while squared toe'd abominations from Ecco are passes.

Even though they are boring, you may as well invest in a black shoe now. The thing is they come in handy in situations like this and can be worn with black tie. The last wedding I was in I actually wore my black shell Rider bal captoe boots, worked out pretty well (even though it was probably a bad purchase overall)

 

[Dbear]

My alternative as of right now is to borrow a pair of black shoes or wear a couple of black shoe boxes on my feet--think both would work and would be cheaper.

 

[bespoken pa]



PJ's? Sucre? Rue? CC's? Or somewhere else?

Starbucks she loves the foo foo drinks so I indulge as she is quite permissive of my habits.

 

[Papa Doble]



Even though they are boring, you may as well invest in a black shoe now. The thing is they come in handy in situations like this and can be worn with black tie. The last wedding I was in I actually wore my black shell Rider bal captoe boots, worked out pretty well (even though it was probably a bad purchase overall)

I agree that if I were Dbear, I'd just take this opportunity to get my one formal black shoe.

 

[Bakes11771]

Also, interesting to note that the bit of leather attached to the toe of my pair with crepe sole has not worn down like the rest of my double leather soles. Not sure if Alden uses a different/tougher leather on those.

Maybe it's due to the overall stiffness of the entire sole. I don't have anything on the crepe, but if it's more flexible than leather, maybe that results in less friction as you push off with you toe while walking.

Just a possible theory.

 

[closerlook]

Whoever the lucky gent is that got the new color8 tanker boot from leffot in 9D on preorder, if for some reason they don't work out for you, let me know. I have LUCKILY secured a pair with the normal welt, but it would be great to have a second pair with that sweet antique edge.
(this follows the generous offer of another sf guy who got the 8.5 from leffot, but sadly i need the 9D)


keep rocking guys

DonL's posts have been amazing lately.

 

[harveyrabbit]



I agree that if I were Dbear, I'd just take this opportunity to get my one formal black shoe.

Formality, like beauty, is often in the eye of the beholder, but if I didn't already own the creamery boot for most of my black shoe needs I would find the Leffot Naval Boot a great choice for that one pair of black shell.