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

[Kai]

As long as you're careful, I can't see how this could hurt.

Congrats, enjoy wearing them. I have a pair on order and am anxiously awaiting an expected Nov delivery.
Question--- I also am expecting delivery of some shell burgundy Dalton's soon. Both of these boots seem to have black sole edge dressing. Unionmade has a makeup of a #8 WT boot with antique edge dressing which I think looks stunning. So I was considering taking one of these pairs and sanding off the black dressing and applying some AE chili edge dressing. There have been some posts of how to do this.
The J Crew boots were my candidate since doing this, I think, makes the boots more casual. The Barrie last is chunkier looking than the AE Dalton silhouette so I'd keep the Dalton's as is for dressier wear. Opinions?

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

I personally like the black edge trim better even for a casual boot in color 8, but that's just me. Looks like that process of sanding and changing the edge color works well. If I remember correctly though, you may need to have someone professionally change the color of the top of the edge as sanding only gets the side. You may also have an issue of "re-sealing" the edge. Good luck and show us some pics when you're done! That should make for an interesting look with the J Crew Cap toe boot.

 

[sfactor23]

Hello fellow Aldenians! This is my first post on SF so I figure I'll share some camera phone pics of my first pair of Alden's #8 LWB 8D with the antique edging. Sorry the picture quality is not great, and they are do for a good shine as I have only wore them a couple of times (still breaking them in). I picked them up online from The Bureau at Belfast - Merchants & Missionaries. http://www.thebureaubelfast.com/shop/brand/58/alden/ for approximately $850 after shipping and currency conversion ( I know it's a little pricey but I really wanted the antique edge trim from Alden. There are still a couple of sizes left too! I'm already shopping for my 2nd pair of Aldens, I'm hooked!! Looking at #8 or cigar cap toe boots, jumpers, or tankers (if I'm lucky enough!).

wear them in good health -
by the way, the Bureau's Kudu boots are really good, imho - they are my go-to boot

 

[CTYGGG]



Really like this makeup at Frans Boone.

LS Ranger Shoe with some miles on 'em.

 

[balmoralsoccer]

Excellent results have been reported earlier in this thread with using an alcohol swab or similar to remove the edge finish--honestly seems easier than sanding to me. (Either way, you risk damaging the uppers, but only if you are careless.)

 

[stevent]

Size 12 Indy on sale:
http://needsupply.com/mens/sale/seven-hills-indy-boot.html

 

[BootSpell]



Excellent results have been reported earlier in this thread with using an alcohol swab or similar to remove the edge finish--honestly seems easier than sanding to me. (Either way, you risk damaging the uppers, but only if you are careless.)

I will definitely research the swab method because a previous post said the sanding took a lot of elbow grease. But I can imagine with the swab approach one needs to be really careful.

I personally like the black edge trim better even for a casual boot in color 8, but that's just me.  Looks like that process of sanding and changing the edge color works well.  If I remember correctly though, you may need to have someone professionally change the color of the top of the edge as sanding only gets the side.  You may also have an issue of "re-sealing" the edge.  Good luck and show us some pics when you're done!  That should make for an interesting look with the J Crew Cap toe boot.

You are right to bring up the top of the edging. I had planned to just leave the top as is and see if it bothered me before doing anything about it. Interestingly enough, the pics of the #8 LWB's a few posts back seem to have antique edging but with the top looking quite dark. But maybe that was just the picture.

Thanks to both of you for your input. I will post before and after pics.

 

[neutrino]

2nd journey of my cigar LWB from Alden SF. My first shells

I'm seeing a slight whitening of the leather in creases. I heard about that sometime ago, but can't recall what that was about. Is it something normal, or should it be treated in some way?

 

[stevent]



2nd journey of my cigar LWB from Alden SF. My first shells 
I'm seeing a slight whitening of the leather in creases. I heard about that sometime ago, but can't recall what that was about. Is it something normal, or should it be treated in some way? 

wax just brush it away

 

[violethour1951]

2nd journey of my cigar LWB from Alden SF. My first shells

I'm seeing a slight whitening of the leather in creases. I heard about that sometime ago, but can't recall what that was about. Is it something normal, or should it be treated in some way?

Those look outstanding with the denim! Almost Ravello-toned

Enjoy!

 

[mr chorizo]



Chorizo-fied J. Crew #8 cap toes in the wild. APC petit standards and camp socks.

Question--- I also am expecting delivery of some shell burgundy Dalton's soon. Both of these boots seem to have black sole edge dressing. Unionmade has a makeup of a #8 WT boot with antique edge dressing which I think looks stunning. So I was considering taking one of these pairs and sanding off the black dressing and applying some AE chili edge dressing. There have been some posts of how to do this.

The J Crew boots were my candidate since doing this, I think, makes the boots more casual. The Barrie last is chunkier looking than the AE Dalton silhouette so I'd keep the Dalton's as is for dressier wear. Opinions?



to the above wondering about changing edge trim/welt on the jcrew perf cap toe boots in #8, here are mine.

there is another pair on this forum somewhere that I think were executed even better...i thin it was a reverse welt and topy'd commando sole

 

[BootSpell]

I was waiting at a gate at DFW, wearing my natty CXL Indy boots (modified last from Moulded Shoe) when a stranger comes up to me and asks where I got my boots. I thought he was one of us addicted ones but I don't think he even what Alden was. I have to say that of all my boots, these get the most looks. It might be just the contrast of the lighter colored boots against the dark denim. I'm hoping it's not because I somehow look funny!!

 

[BootSpell]



to the above wondering about changing edge trim/welt on the jcrew perf cap toe boots in #8, here are mine.
there is another pair on this forum somewhere that I think were executed even better...i thin it was a reverse welt and topy'd commando sole

Thanks for sharing your Chorizo-ized boots. Yes ideally, I'd send the boots as soon as I got them to B Nelson and have them replace the welting with antiqued edging, top included. I'd have to think whether I'd want split reverse welting.

However, I think I'm going to try to do what I can myself at the beginning. Did you do that work yourself? Even the top of the edging? Because it looks quite light.

 

[Alcibiades]

Funny - I'm thinking about making the edge trim on a pair of ravello chukkas darker...

 

[ElDave]



I was waiting at a gate at DFW, wearing my natty CXL Indy boots (modified last from Moulded Shoe) when a stranger comes up to me and asks where I got my boots. I thought he was one of us addicted ones but I don't think he even what Alden was. I have to say that of all my boots, these get the most looks. It might be just the contrast of the lighter colored boots against the dark denim. I'm hoping it's not because I somehow look funny!!

I've gotten numerous strangers asking me about my lighter colored boots (405s and natural CXL cap toes). I think the quality is apparen and the lighter color looks more noticeable. Think - most lighter color boots are tan Timberland work boots or similar.