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

[plato]

First shoe shine session of 2013 complete. Below is my small collection of shell.

These look great. I would guess it's a Marlow by C&J on the right, and an Alden cap-toe (Ravello?) on the left. But what's the medallion cap-toe in the center? Enjoy wearing.

 

[mcarthur]



Alden SF store display

nephew,
fortunately the store is closed

 

[mcarthur]



2
from Alden SF

nephew,
thank you
i like 6 over 2

 

[mcarthur]



First shoe shine session of 2013 complete. Below is my small collection of shell.

you have done very well, good shine to start 2013

 

[mcarthur]



now that my collection of shell is done, i want to get a pair of suede chukkas--does it never end?

nephew,
not until your last breath

 

[mcarthur]

#8 nst boot
argyles otc

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]

nephew,
fortunately the store is closed

... but not the online store.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



#8 nst boot
argyles otc

Looking Great.

My color 8 NST high boots on the Plaza may be my favorite boots.

 

[ecox]

If it were my $700, those Ravellos would be on the first pre-paid shipipng label back to wherever you bought them from. There's just no way such a mismatch is acceptable. The Whiskeys, though are a tougher call. I have Whiskey LWBs, too, and I had to take a clean cloth and buff off some dark polish when I bought them -- they came "clean" quite easily. Try that, and I bet you'll be happy with the outcome. Even as-is, I'd probably keep the Whiskeys, but it depends on how much of a stretch $700 is for you. If it's pocket change, then who cares, and keep 'em. If it is several months' savings, then it's a personal decision on how much you want them vs. how much it'll bug you to see that every time you wear them.

I was lucky enough to pick up a pair of ravello and whiskey LWBs recently. Unfortunately, I am not sure if I should keep either pair. With the ravellos, the vamp of the right shoe appears to be much lighter than the left shoe. It is also somewhat lighter than the rest of the right shoe. I've seen comments from members of this forum state that the color #8 shoes go through an additional finishing step at Alden. Is this true for the other colors as well, or is variation of this type typically a result of the tanning process? If it is due only to the tanning process, I guess I am just surprised that it would not be caught much sooner in the process. If it is just the finishing step, is there anything that can be done to correct the issue, or I am better off just sending them back to the retailer? With the whiskeys, there is an area on the upper of the right shoe that has dark brown or black streaks that make the area appear almost "dirty". The same area on the outside of the shoe has a similar, but less pronounced appearance. To me, it almost appears as though the shoes were polished in that area with a dark brown or black polish before leaving the factory. That area of the shoe also has a much duller appearance than the leather near the sole. Has anyone else seen this type of dark striping effect with other whiskey LWBs, or other whiskey shells? Is it just natural variation in the leather, or something that can be corrected?

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



Speaking of Color 8, today Mr. FedEx dropped off my JGilbert plaintoe boots on the Plaza. This completes my trifecta of color 8 high boots from JGilbert. This frees up my like new color 8 chukkas (plaintoe of course, Barrie last, 9D, double leather sole) for a possible swap as we start 2013. If interested, PM me. Thanks.

A personal friend just laid claim to the chukkas.

 

[mcarthur]



... but not the online store.

nephew,
good point, i did not think of that

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



If it were my $700, those Ravellos would be on the first pre-paid shipipng label back to wherever you bought them from. There's just no way such a mismatch is acceptable. The Whiskeys, though are a tougher call. I have Whiskey LWBs, too, and I had to take a clean cloth and buff off some dark polish when I bought them -- they came "clean" quite easily. Try that, and I bet you'll be happy with the outcome. Even as-is, I'd probably keep the Whiskeys, but it depends on how much of a stretch $700 is for you. If it's pocket change, then who cares, and keep 'em. If it is several months' savings, then it's a personal decision on how much you want them vs. how much it'll bug you to see that every time you wear them.

This is very decent advice. As-is I could live with the whiskey (I think they will clean up), but not the ravellos (too much variation for me). For both pairs, work with the retailer to see if they will send them to Alden to address the issues. Both models are hard to come by - simply returning them for a refund (which itself would be reasonable as well) may mean you won't see them in your closet again for months, maybe years. Good luck.

 

[mcarthur]



A personal friend just laid claim to the chukkas.

nephew,
thank you for sharing the good news

 

[mcarthur]



If it were my $700, those Ravellos would be on the first pre-paid shipipng label back to wherever you bought them from. There's just no way such a mismatch is acceptable. The Whiskeys, though are a tougher call. I have Whiskey LWBs, too, and I had to take a clean cloth and buff off some dark polish when I bought them -- they came "clean" quite easily. Try that, and I bet you'll be happy with the outcome. Even as-is, I'd probably keep the Whiskeys, but it depends on how much of a stretch $700 is for you. If it's pocket change, then who cares, and keep 'em. If it is several months' savings, then it's a personal decision on how much you want them vs. how much it'll bug you to see that every time you wear them.

my recommendation is to keep the whiskey. in the tanning process for exotic colors can cause the variation in color; however, your ravello's are over the line. you need to contact seller

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

Quote:
I'd bet they are AE brown shell strands. At Lonhorn- how do you like them? Is the size and comfort the same as the calf version of the Strand?