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

[blue collar]



Question: Do I need Ravello, and if so, what shoe?
I have Whiskey LWBs, Cigar chukkas, PTB #8s, and black shell captoe bals. As Whiskey ages, it darkens. Would it be too close to Ravello? When would I wear Ravello that I wouldn't wear either Whiskey or Cigar?
I know I'm missing a LHS, but I can't wear the Van Last, so that's an impossibility.
Thoughts?

I'd go with the Ravello NST blucher at shoemart currently. It's on the aberdeen last though. If you can weat that last in a D width you're golden. If they had that shoe in an E width i'd be all over that ish!

And no, ravello is it's own thing. More red than wiskey. Pull the trigger!

 

[furo]



Hey guys GQ had this article on J.Crew's new shop. However the bottom of the article there is a small Q&A with Floyd Gilmore of Alden. He says in the article that if you wish to be a new Alden retailer that the lead time to get the STANDARD line of shoes will not be until 2014...if youre lucky!?!
Demand is nuts...
http://www.gq.com/style/blogs/the-gq-eye/2012/03/jcrews-quest-to-dress-men.html

That whole bit about being over-sold boggles my mind in this day and age. I realize that its a labor and time-intensive process, but c'mon...

Yep it's a classic marketing scheme that usually ends up being effective if you truly care about brand invidualization and quality.

Alden could clearly keep up and surpass demand if they so desired. It's similar to the Zara model of business in the fashion industry. Alden relies on limited production runs to generate hype about their brand and keep the margins high on their products... thus allowing them to regulate production at their whim.

Can't fault them for sure, especially given the cost of US labor vs imports.

 

[sfactor23]

Forgive me for not knowing, but does the contest prohibit shell cordovan? Not sure why you would design your dream Alden shoe/boot with calf. I'm new so pardon me if I am off.

for what it's worth, I love Alden boots and, while cordovan boots/shoes are beautiful (no doubt), I refuse to wear them -
I say this without wanting to get into any debates/conversations/arguments on the matter - to each his own -

 

[tropics]



Uh oh..
Brannock 8.3-ish C. I wear 7.5 in many boots/sneakers like f+b 745 / chucks/MLII
Ordered 7.5 indy.
F*** it ill just put a bunch of insoles

it's worth the hassle of exchange to get the right fit, once you get it locked even for one last you can extrapolate to others.
if you're 7.5 in chucks you would likely be around 7 in barrie(r) / trubalance.

 

[furo]



for what it's worth, I love Alden boots and, while cordovan boots/shoes are beautiful (no doubt), I refuse to wear them -
I say this without wanting to get into any debates/conversations/arguments on the matter - to each his own - 

 

My guess is price.

 

[applky]

Barrier, lol.

 

[sfactor23]

Sweet! Not sure that I want to spend the money on a novelty item (not sure I would wear them much). I have my eyes set on ravello LWB; coming in April-May.

+1
They are beautiful and I would purchase them in a heartbeat if I thought I'd wear them fairly regularly

 

[sfactor23]

for what it's worth, I love Alden boots and, while cordovan boots/shoes are beautiful (no doubt), I refuse to wear them -
I say this without wanting to get into any debates/conversations/arguments on the matter - to each his own -

My guess is price.

you would guess wrong - money has nothing to do with it -

 

[WAPNERIAN]

Alden might as well limit their production. Most consumers wouldn't want the bother of caring for a pair of shoes that'll last a lifetime and would rather have an excuse to run out and buy a new pair of cheap, glued together shoes every year.

 

[JPFNY5]

It was on the previous page…

I am aware that these are Steven's. I was asking about the shortwing posted. Thank you.

 

[furo]



for what it's worth, I love Alden boots and, while cordovan boots/shoes are beautiful (no doubt), I refuse to wear them - I say this without wanting to get into any debates/conversations/arguments on the matter - to each his own -

my guess is price

 you would guess wrong - money has nothing to do with it -

please elaborate.

 

[CTYGGG]



Question: Do I need Ravello, and if so, what shoe?
I have Whiskey LWBs, Cigar chukkas, PTB #8s, and black shell captoe bals. As Whiskey ages, it darkens. Would it be too close to Ravello? When would I wear Ravello that I wouldn't wear either Whiskey or Cigar?
I know I'm missing a LHS, but I can't wear the Van Last, so that's an impossibility.
Thoughts?

Nice looking collection. Ravello is a must, I'd go ravello LWB or PTB. Here's a few pics of ravello & whiskey.

 

[Beatlegeuse]



Thanks! I bought them several years back on clearance from Plain Clothes in Birmingham. They had done a special run of them. I know other stores have also ordered the same or similar makeups at different times. Surely someone, probably a Southern shop somewhere, will have them this spring. I think there is a shop in Charleston that has carried them in the past (not Ben Silver).

Grady Ervin? I just moved to Charleston and they're the only other shop besides Ben Silver that I'm aware of that sells Alden.

 

[furo]



I find these to be rather exceptional, and I agree, the suede touch is a bit classier for this style of shoe.

By the way, I can't tell you how refreshing it is to see a pair of shoes here that not many, if any, of us have to display.

Wear with pride!

 

[sfactor23]

for what it's worth, I love Alden boots and, while cordovan boots/shoes are beautiful (no doubt), I refuse to wear them -
I say this without wanting to get into any debates/conversations/arguments on the matter - to each his own -

Quote:

My guess is price.

you would guess wrong - money has nothing to do with it -

please elaborate.

no - as stated earlier: "I say this without wanting to get into any debates/conversations/arguments on the matter - to each his own - "