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

[fitchottie]

I need help... maybe advice.

I love Aldens and have found that my purchases have been more calf then cordovan... I would like to change that but really have no idea why. I recently purchased the Tobacco and Snuff Suede from Jcrew. I was thinking of returning these and purchasing maybe one or two pairs of Cordovan... Cigar and Whiskey or Ravello. I currently have the J gilbert Tan Wingtip boots and the advice is to wether or no a LWB in similar color is needed. I love the look of the wingtips because they are so versatile. I also thought about the cigar LWB and the Cigar Indy.. but I already have the 403,405 and Kudu... I don't think I need a fourth. My question stems from the fact that I have many airs of shoes, not just from Alden but Allen Edmonds, Yuketen, OSB , Rancourt, Quoddy, Church's , Trickers.. but it is bothersome when i do not wear them or rotate enough.. i get stuck on certain pairs mainly Aldens.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



I agree completely given the two scenarios you presented above.  I think I am trying to advocate for the middle ground though.  If average John Doe on the street looked at a pair of 20 year old shoes on my feet and said "nice new shoes!"  I would feel inclined to correct him by clarifying that they are actually quite old, but well cared for.  I think fine shoes can be related to the concept of a "distinguished gentleman."  No one looks at a guy with salt and pepper or gray hair and thinks he is young.  A guy can age well and look more distinguished with age.  Same for shoes.  Cheap or neglected old shoes will look old.  Old high quality shoes should look distinguished through years of use and care.  If you see someone you know is old and yet they have full color hair and few wrinkles, you assume they are using dye and modern medicine to "look young." If you see a pair of shoes that look like they just came out of the box, then you will likely make a couple of assumptions. Either they are new, or they haven't been worn very often. We all know that mcarthur has dozens of pairs of shoes, and from what I hear, you do too.  Therefore, you have to have shoes that only get worn a few times a year.  This is a mathematical fact.  A pair of old shoes that gets worn a few times a year will look almost new when they are 30 years old as long as they are conditioned perodically, while a pair of shoes that gets worn twice a week will look old within a few years regardless of care.  This has to be taken into consideration when looking at someone's pictures.  It isn't really fair or honest to take credit for how exemplary a pair of 30 year old shoes look if they have only been worn 10 times, nor is it a reflection of their quality.  Even cheap things look relatively new when they aren't used much.   

I appreciate the post, and have no particular objection to it. And for the record, I am not taking credit for anything, and I consider myself quite honest.

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

I appreciate the post, and have no particular objection to it. And for the record, I am not taking credit for anything, and I consider myself quite honest.

That wasn't directed at anyone in particular

. With that comment, I really just meant that I wish people were a bit more transparent when posting pictures. It would be more fun to know that a beautiful pair of shoes is 20, 30, 40 years old and yet still look that good. Mcarthur said that those wingtips may be older than me... why not just say "here is a picture of my X year old wingtips?" Then people would really ooh and aah. I like old stuff that has aged well, it goes along with my history buff side I guess.

 

[forsan]

#8 Captoe, Modified Last, All Eyelets

Looks great NYRanger. Are these from Moulded Shoe?

 

[Burton]



I need help... maybe advice.
I love Aldens and have found that my purchases have been more calf then cordovan... I would like to change that but really have no idea why. I recently purchased the Tobacco and Snuff Suede from Jcrew. I was thinking of returning these and purchasing maybe one or two pairs of Cordovan... Cigar and Whiskey or Ravello. I currently have the J gilbert Tan Wingtip boots and the advice is to wether or no a LWB in similar color is needed. I love the look of the wingtips because they are so versatile. I also thought about the cigar LWB and the Cigar Indy.. but I already have the 403,405 and Kudu... I don't think I need a fourth. My question stems from the fact that I have many airs of shoes, not just from Alden but Allen Edmonds, Yuketen, OSB , Rancourt, Quoddy, Church's , Trickers.. but it is bothersome when i do not wear them or rotate enough.. i get stuck on certain pairs mainly Aldens.

If you ask most of the people here they don't know why they purchase shell corodvan either. Sure we all come up with "reasons" - or execuses. That said, as Uncle Mac says, it is an addiction not easily understood. If you purchase one pair you will be done --think long and hard before you do there is no turning back. I sold all of my shell shoes and am now in the process of rebuilding my collection because I can't quit it.

 

[Papa Doble]



If you ask most of the people here they don't know why they purchase shell corodvan either. Sure we all come up with "reasons" - or execuses. That said, as Uncle Mac says, it is an addiction not easily understood. If you purchase one pair you will be done --think long and hard before you do there is no turning back. I sold all of my shell shoes and am now in the process of rebuilding my collection because I can't quit it.

+1

 

[bucksfan]

If you ask most of the people here they don't know why they purchase shell corodvan either. Sure we all come up with "reasons" - or execuses. That said, as Uncle Mac says, it is an addiction not easily understood. If you purchase one pair you will be done --think long and hard before you do there is no turning back. I sold all of my shell shoes and am now in the process of rebuilding my collection because I can't quit it.

+1

Truth. I buy shell cordovan shoes because I like them. You will too, once you try them.

 

[mr chorizo]

run, don't walk.

ravello kirkwood boots arrived at unionmade. they should be up on the site shortly.

 

[Winston S.]



Mcarthur said that those wingtips may be older than me... why not just say "here is a picture of my X year old wingtips?" 

Uncle Mac would have to query a database every time he wanted to post a picture then.

 

[herrmj]

run, don't walk.
ravello kirkwood boots arrived at unionmade. they should be up on the site shortly.

oh god my checking account!

 

[mexicutioner]



run, don't walk.
ravello kirkwood boots arrived at unionmade. they should be up on the site shortly.

OH. ****.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



If you ask most of the people here they don't know why they purchase shell corodvan either. Sure we all come up with "reasons" - or execuses. That said, as Uncle Mac says, it is an addiction not easily understood. If you purchase one pair you will be done --think long and hard before you do there is no turning back. I sold all of my shell shoes and am now in the process of rebuilding my collection because I can't quit it.

why?

 

[Dbear]

run, don't walk.
ravello kirkwood boots arrived at unionmade. they should be up on the site shortly.

lol you blew up the spot.

good thing i ordered mine earlier today.

 

[Burton]



why?

It was an Alden thing - Not worth a lot of epxlanation, but we all can get a little frustrated from time to time. I couldn't quit kick the habit. No rehab for me.

 

[Beatlegeuse]



run, don't walk.
ravello kirkwood boots arrived at unionmade. they should be up on the site shortly.

there seems to be a lot of new Ravello shoes showing up at a bunch of different retailers lately.....hopefully this means the almost 2 year wait for Epaulet's Ravello Brixton boot will almost be over