***The official Alden thread *** - Page 2635

That would bother me, considering the price paid. I would send them back.

don't worry... they'll come undone in a few months regardless. It's alden, what do you expect?

 

 

 

 

Internet is terrible at conveying tone, and I can be terse, so for that I apologize. Adding the "IMO" was my futile attempt at showcasing my personal beliefs are far from any objective fact.

 

It's been discussed in this thread how other makers (C&J, Carmina, et al.) have equal or better quality at a lower price-point when it comes to calf. I did not mean to disparage the fact that Alden's in calf are certainly a step-up from say, a comparable Allen Edmonds, and are still a high-quality, American-made shoe. My only point was from a value-proposition sense, I personally believe the calf offerings miss the mark with prices approaching and exceeding $500, and I don't believe I am alone on this.

 

BootSpell's sentiment echoes my own; I buy shell shoes to showcase the shell/material.

 

I personally feel that adding the requisite brouging and ornamentation of a LWB detracts from the shell, and is harder to distinguish from a well-polished calf equivalent. The most obvious indicator of shell v. calf is in the rolls vs. creases, respectively, which is less pronounced in a shortened-vamp LWB.

 

Perhaps it was my thinly veiled prejudice against LWB's coming through, but I understand their role in a wardrobe and place in classic-Americana.

 

Those Ravellos are indeed pretty ReppTiePrepster !

 

That said, I appreciate the civility of this thread and posters.

 

Boots or shoes? Either way, #8 + Plaza + Commando = Alden heaven 

thanks for posting a followup, it's always interesting to see what can be done on older shoes. it appears in one of the before pics that there are some cracks on the right shoe, anything done to that? looks like they could use some conditioning that would enhance the patina.


i get that the lwb is the effortless timeless classic shoe that is the staple of every wardrobe, and i don't have anything against them, but i wish more retailers would branch out from doing different leather variations of the lwb on the barrie last. but i guess that's what'll sell based on everyone picking them in their top 3.

edit: if by ptb you mean plain toe boot, see my post here for my pair, probably my fav Alden's: http://www.styleforum.net/t/85589/the-official-alden-thread/36180#post_5819785

NICE.
Edited by dotcomzzz - 12/18/12 at 11:34pm

anyone knows which US store that ships Alden internationally? thanks.

Edited by musica22 - 12/19/12 at 1:56am

 

I'm pretty sure most of the Alden stores ship internationally. Third parties tend to be the ones that don't.

aldenshop charges $135 a pair for shipping

besides they only carry standard indy

I wasn't actually insulted. I do understand where you're coming from, but disagree. I think most enthusiasts could easily tell the difference between a well polished, calf LWB and a well brushed and cared-for shell LWB, just as easily as a PTB comparison. While some may disagree with the appeal of shell, for me it's not the pronounced rolls one finds with chukkas.  I prefer the more subtle yet distinctive shell creasing.  I've seen some posts that suggest the really pronounced "beef rolls" one might find with chukkas are a product of poor sizing.

 

Also, I maybe wrong but I thought the similar calf offerings from C&J are (significantly) more expensive than Alden's calf.  With Carmina's calf, I don't think you can find them cheaper than similar Alden models.  But in both cases, you are correct as far as quality is concerned (that's why you're paying more).  My first two Alden purchases were in calf and I wish I had gone straight to shell.  I like my Alden calf, but I'm not sure they are priced appropriately at about $475-500 a piece.   But I suppose if people buy them at that price, the market appropriately prices them.

 

Thanks for your time and happy holidays...

Shell might not be for you. Alden will drive you crazy if these items bother you.

Small scratches on cordovan shoes are common; bumps are less common, but do happen. Color 8 longwings are common enough that you can probably exchange them for another pair if you wish in the size you bought. However, on rarer cordovan makeups, it will be less likely that you will be able to find a flawless pair. As mentioned before, these issues are common enough that if they bother you significantly, you will simply enjoy Alden less.

Whiskey shell chukkas today

whiskey cap toe bals today, their debut.

Wow, with all of this talk about beef rolls and other attractions to the Alden line, I feel out of the loop here! I simply like them because they fit well and look good! The really big deal is that they last a long time, looking better with age!