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

[furo]

Well I get the close friends and SAs at stores making comments, and this was in my previous post... what I don't get is the total stranger actually stopping to make a comment on shoes... that seems fairly out of place for a city like NY. I could see it in a different environment, like a more laid back city, but in NY? Really?

But now that I have more context on the post in question (i.e. "tons of compliments" was actually one couple at a restaurant and one girl) I can see it happening ... I guess....

 

[theclipper]



Hey Everyone,
I'm trying to figure out what size I should go with on the natty CXL LWB Epaulet offers. I'm admittedly very new to the world of decent shoes . The only dress shoe I have for comparison is a pair of AE Park Ave in 8.5. If I force my foot all the way to the front of the shoe I can just squeeze an index finger between my heel and the back of the shoe. When I walk around I feel like my 4th & 5th toes can rub just a bit. The only other pair of common shoes I have are a pair of Clarks DBs in which I'm also an 8.5, the size 8 in those were absolutely foot crushingly too short. Any suggestion on what size I should go with on the Aldens?
Thanks

Might need half size smaller and a size wider.

Thanks for the response!

After doing more reading it sounds like the AE Park Aves run a bit narrow and a bit long. I'm wondering if getting the natty CXL Alden LWB on the Leydon last in the same size might help solve the issues I have with my current Park Aves.

How much room should there be at the back of the shoe when pushing your foot as far forward as it will go?


Thanks much

 

[Alcibiades]



Well I get the close friends and SAs at stores making comments, and this was in my previous post... what I don't get is the total stranger actually stopping to make a comment on shoes... that seems fairly out of place for a city like NY. I could see it in a different environment, like a more laid back city, but in NY? Really?
But now that I have more context on the post in question (i.e. "tons of compliments" was actually one couple at a restaurant and one girl) I can see it happening ... I guess....

I consider 4 compliments a good amount, definitely more than average

I'm not sure I understand your surprise about this or why you are belaboring this point... Numerous other people have posted about the reaction Alden shoes (especially suede and cordovan) can receive from strangers... Remember NAMOR's wonderful Starbucks story from a few weeks back. People constantly remark about Alden shoes being "turning heads." Alden shoes are impressive (as this long, successful thread can attest to) and deserve all the attention they get. When I dress, I not only simply want to look sharp for personal gratification's sake but also want to attract some positive attention. If people say otherwise, they are probably not telling you the absolute truth.

Best Alden compliment I got was on my Alden Cigar captoes, which a girl on the Subway said were "absolutely beautiful." It's nice to get those every now and then, puts a spring in your step.

 

[advan031]

I always get "wow, those are really shiny" once a week...lol

 

[Renalan]



Thanks for the response!
After doing more reading it sounds like the AE Park Aves run a bit narrow and a bit long. I'm wondering if getting the natty CXL Alden LWB on the Leydon last in the same size might help solve the issues I have with my current Park Aves.
How much room should there be at the back of the shoe when pushing your foot as far forward as it will go?
Thanks much

Laced up, I can insert my index finger behind my heel if I JAM it in, but not easily. It's really a feel thing. My best advice is to go to anAE store or Alden store to get sized.

 

[furo]



I consider 4 compliments a good amount, definitely more than average
I'm not sure I understand your surprise about this or why you are belaboring this point... Numerous other people have posted about the reaction Alden shoes (especially suede and cordovan) can receive from strangers... Remember NAMOR's wonderful Starbucks story from a few weeks back. People constantly remark about Alden shoes being "turning heads." Alden shoes are impressive (as this long, successful thread can attest to) and deserve all the attention they get. When I dress, I not only simply want to look sharp for personal gratification's sake but also want to attract some positive attention. If people say otherwise, they are probably not telling you the absolute truth.
Best Alden compliment I got was on my Alden Cigar captoes, which a girl on the Subway said were "absolutely beautiful." It's nice to get those every now and then, puts a spring in your step.

It's not surprising at all if it revolves around known friends, co-workers, or sales associates (remember, they're paid to make small talk and giving you a compliment builds rapport in their book). What is surprising is random people in a city like NY stopping to give a compliment on shoes. I just don't see that as something common at all, regardless of the shoe in question. Getting a look is one thing, but someone actually going out of their way to say something is another.

But like I said, with the context you later added, it's not in the realm of unbelievable. One is an elevator where you're constrained with the person there, and anything can pop up as friendly chit chat, and the other a restaurant, where, okay that's still a bit odd to me but I can see it happening I guess.

edit: fixed spelling as per horse dude's request

 

[Dayman]

Give up? Haha, I'm on a 1 year backorder for my ravello wingtip boots.
I agree with this as some people in Florida consider Cole Haan 'top of the line'. I wear Aldens and Crockett and I can't count the times I've heard 'are those made in Italy' or 'how much did those cost'. Haha, it's just become funny to me.

I get that all the time with my shoes! Especially when i where my G&G or DC Lewis shoes. It gets interesting when im wearing my Vass and the look on some peoples faces when I say Budapest.

 

[Renalan]

Gunboat Monday!

 

[SuitedDx]

Anyone know how much Alden charges just to have shoes re-dyed? Is this a service they provide?

 

[xr4ti]



I've been looking all over for a pair of Aldens in Ravello in 9.5. Where the hell do you find them? 

http://www.theshoemart.com/alden-me..._m_9_eyelet_wing_tip_boot_shell_cordovan.html

These are what I picked up. Love them.

 

[trig]

I've been looking all over for a pair of Aldens in Ravello in 9.5. Where the hell do you find them? 

http://www.theshoemart.com/alden-me..._m_9_eyelet_wing_tip_boot_shell_cordovan.html

These are what I picked up. Love them.

wish they were available in 7D for ravello or #4

 

[HorseHide]



It's not surprising at all if it revolves around known friends, co-workers, or sales associates (remember, they're paid to make small talk and giving you a compliment builds repoir in their book). What is surprising is random people in a city like NY stopping to give a compliment on shoes. I just don't see that as something common at all, regardless of the shoe in question. Getting a look is one thing, but someone actually going out of their way to say something is another.
But like I said, with the context you later added, it's not in the realm of unbelievable. One is an elevator where you're constrained with the person there, and anything can pop up as friendly chit chat, and the other a restaurant, where, okay that's still a bit odd to me but I can see it happening I guess.

As long as it's in the realm of believable that's all that really matters, right?

BTW, "repoir" is not a word. I believe the word you are looking for is "rapport", but I could be wrong. Being a man of letters (that's what you call a guy with 4000+ posts, or is it something else?) I figured you'd want to know.

 

[Dbc0919]

I've been looking all over for a pair of Aldens in Ravello in 9.5. Where the hell do you find them? 

http://www.theshoemart.com/alden-me..._m_9_eyelet_wing_tip_boot_shell_cordovan.html

These are what I picked up. Love them.

Alden of Carmel seems to have your size in the ravello LWB. I have been lusting after these for some time, but alas, they don't have my size.

http://www.aldenshop.com/Store/DrawProducts.aspx?CategoryID=46&ParentID=94&PageID=&Action=

 

[Dayman]

Anyone know how much Alden charges just to have shoes re-dyed? Is this a service they provide?

The only thing i have heard thats close is the re-craft service.

 

[keithp3521]

Got my first pair of color 8 LWBs today and I couldn't be more pleased. I've heard you guys say it many a time, but you ("you" meaning "I") really cannot appreciate the beauty of color 8 until you see it in person. Not a particularly good photo, but I haven't had a chance to go out into the sunlight today.