***The official Alden thread *** - Page 2478

You have to earn color 8 - it isn't so special when it's new. I have some 1980's-era color 8 shells that have mellowed into the most magnificent shades of brown - similar to today's cigar but mottled chocolate with tinges of burgundy. I think aged color 8 looks better than my newer pairs of cigar shell. You just have to wait for 20 years or so to fully appreciate it

Well said Dr. I appreciate my color 8 options more evryday. Wearing my Wolverine 721 boots today...classic!

That sounds so cool.

 

However since this also means I'll be 20 years older as well, I think I'll just take my time and enjoy life and watch both myself and my shoes slowly patina together.

I definitely prefer the dark #8 that looks more brown than my recent #8 purchases that look more reddish purplish like an eggplant.  It's been my experience though that the #8 LWB tends to be darker than other models with #8.

FWIW, #8 is the classic color for cordovan leather -- that is, if you mention cordovan leather to someone who knows what it is, chances are they will be thinking about the #8 color. Some even refer to the #8 color as "cordovan" color.

I hate when people do that.

^ True story.  When buying my first pair of Aldens, I walked into their store and asked for a "leather wingtip in cordovan color."  13 pairs of Aldens later, I know better...

that's because historically it does refer to the color. shell cordovan specifically refers to the leather.

It's not just individuals. Look at Aero Leathers. They offer their Front Quarter Horse Hide jackets in the color "cordovan".

Chromexcel Chukkas

I have had a different experience ......

I prefer the color 8 that has more purple overtones ( for some reason, the various color 8 models I have from BB are all wonderful in this regard). But I like all shades of 8.

In my experience, however, it is the lighter shades of color 8 that have more of a tendency to appear/turn brownish. And AE's burgundy shell - which almost always has brown overtones - is nearly always (perhaps always) lighter that Alden's color 8. All of my AE burgundy shells are lighter.

Also, I have owned/ordered two Alden color 8 LWBs and they were both considerably lighter than my other color 8 models. The last color 8 LWB I ordered was returned - one of the reasons being that the shade of color 8 was too light for my liking.

8 is a versatile color because it is has deeper red/blue tones than a typical dark brown. It stands out but not in a flashy way and complements everything that brown does. You can dress it up or down... wear LWBs with jeans and it really stands out but doesn't look pretentious (no offense but most Aldens in this thread are too "old man shoes" for me).

I'm trying to snag a ravello PT boot from Anatomica but Alden won't confirm the order.  Otherwise, I'm pretty open. Color #8 or Cigar shell is preferred.

 

What last is the ravello PT boot on? That would be one of my holy grails (depending on the last).

When I think about cordovan, the first thing I think about is how it creases. lol.