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

[mcarthur]



Cigar day

nephew, nice shine on your cigar

 

[mcarthur]



#4 boots (I would call them cap toe, but don't mean to start any trouble)

nephew, I like your cap toe boots you must be a hard work guy because you off to work before the sun is out

 

[Pastor]

I just visited the Alden store in New York last sat and I was a little disappointed. Although I own 7 pair of Aldens with most of them being shell I have never actually been to a store that sells Adens. I guess I was hoping to see more of a selection. They had nothing in my size in any rare color (whiskey, cigar, or ravello) and the staples they had offered very little that was different than what I can get at TSM. The prics were also higher than TSM. Visiting was more of a novelty for me than anything else but I left without any desire to come back or purchase from them over the phone.

 

[mcarthur]

cigar nst
argyles otc

 

[Subutai]

I just visited the Alden store in New York last sat and I was a little disappointed. Although I own 7 pair of Aldens with most of them being shell I have never actually been to a store that sells Adens. I guess I was hoping to see more of a selection. They had nothing in my size in any rare color (whiskey, cigar, or ravello) and the staples they had offered very little that was different than what I can get at TSM. The prics were also higher than TSM. Visiting was more of a novelty for me than anything else but I left without any desire to come back or purchase from them over the phone.

I can relate. I visited the Madison Ave store last week. I found the selection to be limited and the SA's to be rather unfriendly/helpful.

With regards to the exotic shell colors, I was told they would be restocked about six months to a year from now. Not that store's fault of course.

 

[coolarrow]

Convince me in keeping these Shoemart irregulars?

Picked these calf Aldens recently. What I like: chocolate color, barrie last/fit great, could be waterlock sole (?), super soft leather, would be a good rainy day shoe (I’m afraid to wear shell when there’s a threat of rain).

Negs: metal eyelets more of a casual shoe (not for suits?), have 2 other brown/blucher captoes (1 is a 2160 shell), Barrie last may look a little clunky.
What do all you think?

Maiden flight today:

 

[mcarthur]



Maiden flight today:

nephew,
wear in good health, did you use the break in method

 

[MrDV]



nephew,
I like your cap toe boots
you must be a hard work guy because you off to work before the sun is out

Thanks uncle,
I leave the house by 7:15, it was overcast this morning in sd.

cigar nst
argyles otc

Beautiful cigars uncle. I passed on a pair this year. I didn't want to charge $800....
In my defense, they were new at the store and did not look as good as uncle mac's look in this picture.

 

[mcarthur]



Thanks uncle,
I leave the house by 7:15, it was overcast this morning in sd.
Beautiful cigars uncle. I passed on a pair this year. I didn't want to charge $800....
In my defense, they were new at the store and did not look as good as uncle mac's look in this picture.

nephew,
thank you

 

[aldenwear]

I just visited the Alden store in New York last sat and I was a little disappointed. Although I own 7 pair of Aldens with most of them being shell I have never actually been to a store that sells Adens. I guess I was hoping to see more of a selection. They had nothing in my size in any rare color (whiskey, cigar, or ravello) and the staples they had offered very little that was different than what I can get at TSM. The prics were also higher than TSM. Visiting was more of a novelty for me than anything else but I left without any desire to come back or purchase from them over the phone.

I am sorry you were disappointed, but I am not sure why. Did you think that absence of shell shoes in the exotic colors was made up? Or that the Alden stores have a secret stash available only to those who physically visit the store? I know someone -- I think See ya Steve -- said he recently got some exotic-colored shell there, but that person is of ginormous-sized feet and was able to take advantage of a relatively small population with which to compete. If you too are of ginormous feet, then See ya Steve got there first. If you are of relatively normal sized feet, there has been a scarcity everywhere for some time.

As to the staples of the line, TSM seems to carry the full line and has a special relationship with Alden. Why would the Alden store have more staples than any well-stocked Alden dealer? My experience with Alden of NYC is that the store carries far more unique make-ups, particularly in cordovan and suede, than any other store. For example, Alden NYC carries in cordovan the balmoral PTB that is only done in calfskin in Alden's regular line. I have never seen this make-up anywhere else except, on rare occasion, at leathersoul. Alden NYC also offers NST and longwing loafers in cordovan, including some exotic colors, that no other Alden dealer carries. It also currently offers a snuff suede Indy on a red brick sole that is nowhwere else, and navy and snuff suede longwings that are offered only one or two other places, if that. There are other unique make-ups that they stock, but that is what pops to mind without research.

As for prices being higher than TSM, that has not been my experience, but I have not researched extensively, so will not question your experience. I know definitively that it is not more expensive across the board.

I hope you had a chance to visit leffot, citishoes and moulded shoe, three other Alden dealers in NYC.

 

[McPryon]

I finally put my J. Crew cadet bluchers on today to wear them on carpet for a few hours. I really like their look.






I'm thinking of wearing them to a job interview tomorrow with a suit

despite them not being balmorals. Which brings me to a question for the hard core shell owners...do you only own and/or wear shell? I've been obsessed with the idea of just having shell or suede boots/shoes. It's just one of those ideas that gets in my head and I can't get it out until I try it. Calf just doesn't appeal to me like shell and suede do.

 

[FrankCowperwood]



I finally put my J. Crew cadet bluchers on today to wear them on carpet for a few hours. I really like their look.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

I'm thinking of wearing them to a job interview tomorrow with a suit despite them not being balmorals. Which brings me to a question for the hard core shell owners...do you only own and/or wear shell? I've been obsessed with the idea of just having shell or suede boots/shoes. It's just one of those ideas that gets in my head and I can't get it out until I try it. Calf just doesn't appeal to me like shell and suede do.

I do own some standard calf, but I feel much the same way. My strong preference is for shell and suede, though I'd add grain calf to my list.

 

[tampatravel]

I honestly believe if none of us were here on SF talking about it ... there'd be a lot more shell available to buy!

 

[Mr. Six]

Yes, they have walls of seconds and more in the back of the store. Good hunting!

Thinking of going there today to get my first pair of Alden's! Sounds like they have plenty of choices for 2nds to try on? I'm an 8.5D in C&J

How are their prices for firsts? Thanks

Their prices for firsts are list. Just like pretty much everywhere else for pretty much every Alden.


Enjoy the visit. I've never had the pleasure of visiting TSM in person.

 The store is actually very surprising, at least to me. It's located in the middle of nowhere Norwalk, CT and not close to the "downtown," if the one block of shops/restaurants qualifies as such. The store has always been relatively empty when I've gone, but I have gone at odd hours. I do believe a majority of their business must be online sales. 
Half the store is dedicated random sneakers and flip flops. The other half, however, is exactly what you'd expect. Two full walls of Alden, with one dedicated to Shell Cordovan. They also have AE's and Carmina (which were on sale last time I visited.) As mentioned, Alden Irregulars line the back walls by size.
Best of all the SA's are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. No pressure sales here. 

Enjoy the visit Deburn!

What Subutai said. I'd only add two things. They have additional sizes for seconds in the back. If you see something you like but not your size, ask someone to check. Also, if you don't know your Carmina sizes, use the opportunity to try a few lasts, just in case you get interested in in them in the future.

 

[Don L]

I do own some standard calf, but I feel much the same way. My strong preference is for shell and suede, though I'd add grain calf to my list.

I'd agree with that. Given the choice, shell first but nothing wrong with Alden's calf either. I'm eyeing up the Epaulet pebble calf Salzburg shortwing in fact