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

[ReppTiePrepster]

Quote:
great color on those. mine look greener.

Thank you. I have seen some of the older cigar shells that have the olive hue. Mine seem to be closer to the dark shade of ravello. Both shades look great.

 

[Hill]

There is actually an explanation behind that. It's not naturally occurring.

When I first got them, they were far from perfect. They came with the severe creases on the right shoe that you see, and there was some black spots on the inside toe as well. Same spots I've seen other people post pictures of, its some kind of glue dripping or something. Given the condition, I was unsure of whether or not I should keep them. I was pretty annoyed that the retailer (who shall remain nameless) sent me such a flawed pair, but since they are C widths and there were no replacements available for the foreseeable future, I was faced with a tough decision. I brought them to my [former] cobbler since I was picking up two other pairs of shoes from him to see if he thought it was acceptable. When I showed it to him, he grabbed it out of my hand and said he could fix it. He actually was able to get the black glue spots off pretty easily with a little solvent, but then there were un-dyed spots where the glue spots had been because Alden dyed over them. When I pointed that out, he took brown kiwi cream polish and polished the shoe before I could say anything to stop him. Thats why the two shoes are slightly different colors. I was furious. I guess I had to keep them after he did that to them. I haven't been back to him since, partially because I moved 500 miles away, but even if I hadn't I would never let him work on any of my shell shoes again. They have evened out over time, but you have a great eye for noticing.

Besides, as they say, they're only shoes.

I think I got some undeserved credit here. I was referring to the contrast in shade between your cigar loafers and ReppTiePrepster's cigar longwings. I can see the variation (only after you pointed it out) and it looks like it gives the pair some nice character.

I've dealt with a pushy cobbler as well. Stopped taking my shoes to him after he provided a surprise shine on a shoe I took in for a re-sole. I had requested he not touch the uppers and got the shoes back with some kind of substance that was so thick it had small clusters of fissures on the vamp. He meant well, but it took me a good hour to remove what looked like purple spray paint from my black shoes. That's a bummer about your experience but you have a great outlook on it and the shoes still look fantastic.

 

[caseylee]

Hi All,
Been a big fan of Styleforum for a while now; tons of valuable tips, reviews and opinions here. Came to love Alden shoes as a result of this forum and its members, so a big Thank You. Thought I'd share some photos of the ones I've acquired over the last couple of years. There are several models that are still on my want-list: shell penny loafer and the infamous Indy boot to name a couple. Currently debating over the lined shell penny (e.g. from Shoemart or Unionmade) vs. the unlined version from Brooks...read many debates and discussions over sockless vs. socks, dressy vs. casual, etc. Not making things any easier though Anyway, here are the photos:


The Family


Cordovan Cap Toe Boot


Cordovan #8 Longwing


Waxed Calf Longwing


Brown Calf Longwing


Black Calf Longwing


Suede Longwing


Suede Unlined Blucher


A bird's eye view

Thanks!!!

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



PSA...Context has a black shell tanker up for pre-order...November delivery...Barrie last & commando sole...$772...same as the color #8 version...

I know black shell does not get a lot of love around here but this is a style that I think looks fantastic in black shell...

 

Many styles look fantastic in black shell.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



They are my size as well but when i saw the auction I never even considered bidding. One year ago and I would have bidded these up but now that I have a closet full of Aldens (mostly shell) these don't do anything for me. I think it has run it's course for me.

Truthfully though with prices as high as they are now (over $700 for rare colors) this is not a bad deal.

I couldn't imagine buying shoes and not wearing them for two years? What gives?

The 2 year thing had me scratching my head as well. I have a color 4 PTB. Beautiful shoe, but it gets less wear than my PTBs in color 8, black, cigar, and ravello.

 

[Pastor]



The 2 year thing had me scratching my head as well. I have a color 4 PTB. Beautiful shoe, but it gets less wear than my PTBs in color 8, black, cigar, and ravello.

I remember my first shell shoes, cigar LWB. Yeah they were expensive (the most I had even spent on shoes at the time), and they were pretty, and they didn't have any creases on them, ect... But I took those things out of the box and put them on my feet. I was working in the office the morning they came in and I wore them all day around the office. Call me crazy but I think shoes are meant to be worn and not collected.

 

[tifosi]



whiskey + blue

I just bought laces this weekend in almost the exact color to wear with my whiskeys! Good choice.

 

[jkater1]



This price is insane. This is like gasoline after hurricane Katrina.

x2, it's not even a rare shell color.

gracias argentino.
thanks, be ready to pull the trigger when you find your size.

I will be.

someone is selling one of the nicest aldens EVER on ebay. I would be bidding if they were my size.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALDEN-4-EYE...9401082?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item3f2425ddfa

I would be all over these if they were my size. Really curious about the no wearing for 2 years, he's got some pretty good ball gloves up too, interesting.

 

[rydenfan]

LS #8 wingtip boot with antique edge today. One of my faves...

 

[tifosi]



LS #8 wingtip boot with antique edge today. One of my faves...

Gorgeous.
I want the #8 LWB with antique edge. Hopefully someday...

 

[jkater1]

#4 wingtip boot today.

 

[Don L]

Joining Uncle Mac with Whickey LHS and Argyle OTC

 

[TactileOne]

Don craving a pair of those loafers!

 

[boibleu22]

Another question for you Alden experts. I stopped by Haberdash last weekend during my latest trip to Chicago and I picked up an Alden Shoe brush. After i got home i put it to good use on a pair of my shell LHS, but it seems like it dulled the leather instead of giving it a good polish. I panicked and switch back to this Red Wing shoe brush i've been using and it did the trick.

Is there some type of break in period? Do i need to clean the brush?

 

[Resistant]

Quote:

Barrie last shortwings museum quality. It's good to know that the BB is Tremont last I will check my size. So what then is the Snap last or was that a different retailer than Brooks Brothers.

I am enjoy this thread and was surprised how there is so much more to it, besides being envious of people's Alden shoe's and knowledge in this collective force for good.