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

[Winterbourne]

Folks, I'm in a bit of a bind here and could use your advice.

I ordered a pair of size 10 aldens on a truebalance last for J. Crew because I thought I wore an 11 in Nike and an 11 in redwing Beckman chukkas (though they are a little big on me), 12 in Bed Stu, 11 and an 11 in Timberland.

Well my surmising I wore an 11 in Nikes was wrong and they are actually all 12s. Panicked that I ordered too small of a pair of Aldens I tried to cancel the order quickly to reorder a bigger size. Well the order had already been processed but customer support suggested I just order my new pair and return the other ones.

I was indecisive about whether to go with an 11 or a 10.5, but I chose the former. Now I'm wondering how strict their return policy is. Are Aldens packaged in such a way that it'd be evident if I tried one on? Is there a particular one I should try my luck with first in the scenario they only accept untouched shoes - again this is contingent on how Aldens are packaged. More and more I'm wondering if I should've just went with the 10.5.

 

[Coldsnap]

You can return Aldens from J Crew just fine. Just only wear them on carpet.

 

[gforce]



Folks, I'm in a bit of a bind here and could use your advice.
I ordered a pair of size 10 aldens on a truebalance last for J. Crew because I thought I wore an 11 in Nike and an 11 in redwing Beckman chukkas (though they are a little big on me), 12 in Bed Stu, 11 and an 11 in Timberland.
Well my surmising I wore an 11 in Nikes was wrong and they are actually all 12s. Panicked that I ordered too small of a pair of Aldens I tried to cancel the order quickly to reorder a bigger size. Well the order had already been processed but customer support suggested I just order my new pair and return the other ones.
I was indecisive about whether to go with an 11 or a 10.5, but I chose the former. Now I'm wondering how strict their return policy is. Are Aldens packaged in such a way that it'd be evident if I tried one on? Is there a particular one I should try my luck with first in the scenario they only accept untouched shoes - again this is contingent on how Aldens are packaged. More and more I'm wondering if I should've just went with the 10.5.

I wear 12 in Nike and 9.5 D or 10C in Truebalance and Barrie. 10D in Plaza........................crazy, but I size my Nikes with enough toe room for running. They are Nike air by the way. I think you might be surprised that 10 is just right................

 

[Winterbourne]

Thanks for the encouraging and prompt replies!

 

[Papa Doble]



Folks, I'm in a bit of a bind here and could use your advice.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

I ordered a pair of size 10 aldens on a truebalance last for J. Crew because I thought I wore an 11 in Nike and an 11 in redwing Beckman chukkas (though they are a little big on me), 12 in Bed Stu, 11 and an 11 in Timberland.
Well my surmising I wore an 11 in Nikes was wrong and they are actually all 12s. Panicked that I ordered too small of a pair of Aldens I tried to cancel the order quickly to reorder a bigger size. Well the order had already been processed but customer support suggested I just order my new pair and return the other ones.
I was indecisive about whether to go with an 11 or a 10.5, but I chose the former. Now I'm wondering how strict their return policy is. Are Aldens packaged in such a way that it'd be evident if I tried one on? Is there a particular one I should try my luck with first in the scenario they only accept untouched shoes - again this is contingent on how Aldens are packaged. More and more I'm wondering if I should've just went with the 10.5.

Once you know your size in a dress shoe, it's going to be much easier for people here to give you sizing advice. Also, having more shoes to try on is a good thing. Just use a shoe horn, walk on carpet when trying on, and return the pair(s) that don't fit.

 

[BootSpell]

I wear 9D in AE's 5 last and Alden's Barrie last.

Interesting... i've been told by many that have had experience with both lasts that the Barrie is at least a size off from the 5. Regardless, I'll get fitted first before hitting up the shoemart.

I also wear the same size in the 5 last and Barrie

My experience is the same as sevenfoldtieguy and Grendel --- same size in the AE 5 last and Barrie.

 

[NewYorkIslander]

LS Ultimate Jumpers

 

[El Argentino]

Appreciate the laces - where from? That forum affiliate (Can't think of the name offhand)?

 

[NewYorkIslander]



Appreciate the laces - where from? That forum affiliate (Can't think of the name offhand)?

Actually, they're my old Newton laces from my running shoes.

 

[NewYorkIslander]

double post

 

[Olifter]



Thanks for the encouraging and prompt replies!

For what it is worth, I wear an 11.5 in Adidas and a 10D Alden Hampton and a 9.5 Barrie. I used to wear a 10 Adidas, back when they actually made them in Germany.

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

Thinking of pulling the trigger on cigar shell NST barrie last. Anyone have some experience with these... barrie last and NST (decent combination??) Looking for a solid go-to pair for casual to business casual shoes.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



Once you know your size in a dress shoe, it's going to be much easier for people here to give you sizing advice. Also, having more shoes to try on is a good thing. Just use a shoe horn, walk on carpet when trying on, and return the pair(s) that don't fit.

Unless it is shell cordovan and you ordered from a "no crease" retailer.

 

[Papa Doble]



Unless it is shell cordovan and you ordered from a "no crease" retailer.

Definitely true. Since he ordered from J. Crew, I assume they are not such a retailer (but correct me if I'm wrong).

 

[Papa Doble]



Thinking of pulling the trigger on cigar shell NST barrie last.  Anyone have some experience with these... barrie last and NST (decent combination??)  Looking for a solid go-to pair for casual to business casual shoes.

I don't own NSTs yet, but I like them on the Barrie or Plaza last. You've probably seen these, but here's a recent Mac post of the Barrie last shoe version in cigar, and here's the Plaza last boot version.