***The official Alden thread *** - Page 2923

+1. I've seen AEs in the wild, but not Aldens. Note that I live in a sartorial wasteland.

Live in Vegas. One might think good shoes were easily spottable here.

They'd be wrong.

Easier to find down by the courthouse and law district, but on the strip there's nothing at all.

I check out everyones shoes.  I'm not ashamed of it.  I can't remember a time when I saw someone else wearing Aldens ITW either in NY or Pittsburgh.  (Except BB Tassels at a dinner party one of my father's friends had)

I saw an Alden for BB color 8 bal wingtip with red laces in my office elevator. I was impressed...

I've been approached in my Alden shoes twice by Alden wearers/fans who specifically asked about Alden shoes. One girl had bought her boyfriend a pair of Indys and really liked my cigar captoe boots. One dude asked me if I was wearing "J Crew Aldens" when was in my cigar chukkas. I see some cordovan looking captoes quite a bit, but a lot of those may be Allen Edmonds.

I've also been asked "Why not buy Ferragamos?" by some women when discussing Aldens, so it cuts both ways

My older sister has a lot of fancy shoes.  Like 10's of thousands of $ worth.  She thinks, (and I agree) that Italian shoes are generally not made to last, they are more about fashion/design than quality.  I own a 2 pairs of gucci loafers and a pair of Tod's Driving Moc's.  While they aren't cheaply made, they don't seem as well made as the one pair of C&J's that I have.  I'd say my Alden's too, but their QC makes me stop short.

 

Edit: But in Alden's defense, before others jump on me, they are handmade while the others are mass produced.

Yeah, I'm sure some Italian shoes are very well made, but they probably cost more than Gucci/Ferragamos.

I must admit when I was younger I wore a few Ferragamo models (Gucci bit moccasins are still very good and classic IMO for that style) and thought they were the bees knees before moving on to Alden.

I still don't think Alden has high recognition as a fashion brand outside of the blogs and forums, and it's probably best kept that way

I'd be curious to hear how you handle such questions.

digga- it sounds like you're trying to force the Alden issue. Maybe you'd be better served trying another brand that doesn't require your making comfort sacrifices.

I was spooning/deerboning my pair of #8 Captoe Boots tonight, pleasantly enough. My 3-year-old came in and sat down next to me, observing me for a few minutes before the inevitable question came;

"What are you doing, daddy?"

Without thinking much, I answered, "I'm rubbing this spoon across daddy's boots."

"Why come?" (translation: why? / how come?)

"To help daddy's boots last a long time."

There was the briefest of silences. Then an exasperated burst of air escaped my daughter's mouth. "Haha, that's silly daddy. You so funny."

She promptly stood up and ran out of the room. I paused there, mid-brush. I realized how silly this would look to a 3-year-old, how silly this would look to anyone.

Here's to you, Alden brethren.

Anyone know where I can try to get my hands on a pair of Indy Boots in Natural Chromexcel (9D).

 

Leffot : Pre-Orders are gone

Shoemart : None available in 9D

North River Outfitters : Less than favorable reviews of available stock/service

Unionmade : Swung by the shop and the person I asked said they weren't expecting any in the near future.

 

Any info on where to snag a pair would be appreciated.  Thanks!

Ye Yes, my comment on the Barrie last was essentially independent from the general discussions of the 2161. Thank you for allowing me to clarify my position.

I just say "these are much more durable" or something

Checking out a new Allen Edmonds store, I got a 'Whoa' from the sales assoc. on my cigar Indys. 'Hey guys, check out these Aldens', to his staff. A bit uncomfortable, even more so when they went back to their script trying to explain shell cordovan to me

http://mouldedshoe.com/modbootindy.html

http://www.fransboonestore.com/store/alden/alden-x-fransboone-chromexcel-workboot

I'm in Toronto, Canada and spot SA in Harry Rosen wearing Indys. I was wearing mine as well and we talk Aldens for a bit. He was very passionate about the brand.

I do see some Aldens in the wild time to time but not many.