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

[bespoken pa]



not even in black shell? what does "none available" even mean? alden has a 1 year cigar shortage, vass has a 1 year cognac
shell shortage, horween factory appears
to be short on even the most uninspired shell color, black. All this while Carmina continues to roll out shell shoes like it was going out of style:
Cognac Boot, Cognac Wingtip, Dark Cognac Boot, Dark Cognac Wingtip, Cognac PTB, Dark Cognac PTB, Saddle shell Boot,
Saddle shell ptb, wingtip, burgundy shell, ruby shell, navy shell, black shell, green shell. loafer, punchcap, monkstrap, jodhpur, all in shell, all in
a 2 month turnaround

why the hell is Alden always short on shell?

I was advised that Carmina has an exceptional backstock of shell. I also tend to think that not as many people looked Carmina's way until Alden's shell started to dry up.

 

[NAMOR]



I was advised that Carmina has an exceptional backstock of shell. I also tend to think that not as many people looked Carmina's way until Alden's shell started to dry up.

you have a point

 

[El Argentino]



not even in black shell? what does "none available" even mean? alden has a 1 year cigar shortage, vass has a 1 year cognac shell shortage, horween factory appears to be short on even the most uninspired shell color, black. All this while Carmina continues to roll out shell shoes like it was going out of style:

Cognac Boot, Cognac Wingtip, Dark Cognac Boot, Dark Cognac Wingtip, Cognac PTB, Dark Cognac PTB, Saddle shell Boot, Saddle shell ptb, wingtip, burgundy shell, ruby shell, navy shell, black shell, green shell. loafer, punchcap, monkstrap, jodhpur, all in shell, all in a 2 month turnaround

why the hell is Alden always short on shell?

Amen. Not that I'm complaining about Carmina having relatively better product.

 

[takashi78]

Newbie question here, my first time receiving TSM seconds list.

It only says the last and leather type. But the "code" doesnt tell me what model or how the shoe looks like.

I tried inputting the code in TSM website but nothing.

Example: FD-2160, Color 8, Aberdeen Last

I get the last type and color 8 part. But i have no idea how the shoe looks like.

Anyone can help?

 

[totalair1]

Get rid of FD and use only 2160

See Ya,
Steve

 

[mediahound]

Newbie question here, my first time receiving TSM seconds list.

It only says the last and leather type. But the "code" doesnt tell me what model or how the shoe looks like.

I tried inputting the code in TSM website but nothing.

Example: FD-2160, Color 8, Aberdeen Last

I get the last type and color 8 part. But i have no idea how the shoe looks like.

Anyone can help?

The emails most of us get from them come with embedded pictures of the shoes.

 

[Roguls]



Amen. Not that I'm complaining about Carmina having relatively better product.

I have not found this to be the case at all.

 

[bespoken pa]



The emails most of us get from them come with embedded pictures of the shoes. 

the pictures are real too bad the shoes aren't.

 

[totalair1]



I was advised that Carmina has an exceptional backstock of shell. I also tend to think that not as many people looked Carmina's way until Alden's shell started to dry up.

I agree with this statement. In my opinion Carmina "currently" makes far fewer pairs of Shell shoes than Alden. Give it a while and they will be short too. If Carmina has what you want...get it while the getting is good.

I think Horween is in a pickle, they can't get shell right now, and I don't see this getting fixed anytime soon, if ever. The demand exceeds supply for shell, the USA limits horse slaughter. Outside the USA, far fewer regulations on horse slaughter, but I don't know how many horses are available?

To take this a step further...Alden, and likely Allen Edmonds shortly if not already are in deep poop. You got retailers screaming about shell orders not filled for 2 years, demand far exceeds what Alden can produce...even in regular styles of leather! Alden retailers are screwed, can't make money if you can't get product. Allen Edmonds is now 3 months out on shell, that's for black and burgundy shell. If they have not stopped brown, they will soon. I'm waiting on a brown shell belt and shoes for 10 weeks so far.

Carmina has very few retailers in the USA and those that do, few if any stock shell. I see Carmina having a great window to capture short term market share, but they will run out of shell too.

I don't see Horween breaking ties with their main 2 buyers, Alden and AE. It's a storm we have to ride out. However I doubt we will see anything but black and #8 in any large amounts. I think Cigar, Ravello, and Whiskey will be ultra rare, if available at all. What little is available will be pre-sold and pre-paid and the average guy will be out of luck.

My advice...buy it now if its out there, and there are a few pairs not advertised to be had, but you will have to dig,call, pester, and ask the right questions.

Sorry for the long post.

See Ya,
Steve

 

[rydenfan]

I really do not believe the picture is as bleak as some are painting it and there is a bit of hype going on. Everyone screams from the rafters THERE IS NO SHELL, yet every month we are seeing orders both hit the market and get confirmed. There is always going to be a bit of an ebb and flow to this. One could take it a step further and say that there is no better way for company's to increase profits than to constrain the supply chain and then strategically release product as needed at a premium price. I would just every to exercise patience as makes and models do become available. Yes, you need to be plugged in and act quickly but they are there to be had. Hell, the guy with the long rant I think owned no shell like 90 days ago and now probably has close to 20 pairs...

 

[kwhitelaw]

other than Alden, has anyone been successful in finding a belt supplier that closely matches #8 in shell? I got one in from AE but returned it as it was a bit too light.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



other than Alden, has anyone been successful in finding a belt supplier that closely matches #8 in shell? I got one in from AE but returned it as it was a bit too light. 

The one piece belt in 8 from Horween is a great match.

 

[totalair1]



I really do not believe the picture is as bleak as some are painting it and there is a bit of hype going on. Everyone screams from the rafters THERE IS NO SHELL, yet every month we are seeing orders both hit the market and get confirmed. There is always going to be a bit of an ebb and flow to this. One could take it a step further and say that there is no better way for company's to increase profits than to constrain the supply chain and then strategically release product as needed at a premium price. I would just every to exercise patience as makes and models do become available. Yes, you need to be plugged in and act quickly but they are there to be had. Hell, the guy with the long rant I think owned no shell like 90 days ago and now probably has close to 20 pairs...

You are right...all my pairs are in the last 90 days for the most part. Every pair I bought had been in store inventory for 2-3 years, none was recent stock. None were listed on the store website, all had taken them off the website. I have to call, email, dig, dig, dig. Then call back and those last pairs were great, I bet you missed some and they found more. It was time consuming, and it took a lot patience but it was worth it. I still stand by my "rant" on the shortage. I hope I'm wrong but nothing appears to show otherwise.

See Ya,
Steve

 

[sazon]



These look great is the top picture "the before" and the bottoms "the after" or are they all after?

I'd love a darker whiskey. The picture of the LWB in Whiskey at The Bureau looks perfect.

The one pic on my feet is the before pic.

 

[kwhitelaw]

The one piece belt in 8 from Horween is a great match.

haha, I don't have the pockets deep enough for a $400 belt sadly.