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

[SuitedDx]



What's the consensus on extra holes and choppy welts?  Par for the course?

I really can't tell what you mean by extra holes (which might be a good thing)? The welt should not be an issue as long as it's sewn intactly to the uppers.

From the natural edge I assume those are either #8 (Leffot's?) or cigar and not the standard 975. If so, it might take a while to get a replacement. If they are the former, in 6.5D, and you decide to let them go, let me know.

 

[Owlbass]

It's really a lot better for me. Before my Indy boots felt clunky, now that I sized down they feel just right and frankly a lot more comfy and fun to wear. The difference is a minor one, but for my feet, it became very clear that my Trubalance size is 8D even though my Barrie size is 8.5D.

I think this can work well in part because Trublance is such a wide last.

Just out of curiosity what size to you wear in athletic shoes? I tried on a pair of 403 Indys at Unionmade and I was surprised that I fit into an 8d. I'm usually a 9.5. I should have tried more on because now I'm back in FL and I have the Alden bug real bad.

 

[Olifter]

What do you guys think of these?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alden-Whisk...4745487?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item460d88468f

I am wondering if they are seconds. If they are recrafted, they look very good, they appear to be new. There is an "R" stamped on the sole.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[meso]



What do you guys think of these?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alden-Whisk...4745487?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item460d88468f

I am wondering if they are seconds. If they are recrafted, they look very good, they appear to be new. There is an "R" stamped on the sole.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

It says right in the listing: "these are seconds."

 

[FrankCowperwood]

I believe the R does indicate that they are seconds. If they are and if they came from the Shoemart, then the price is a good markup. Of course, supply and demand etc. If the defect is minor, then it is a chance to acquire a rare pair of gunboats. Good luck!

Edit: Meso brief and to the point, as usual.

 

[mediahound]

I believe the R does indicate that they are seconds. If they are and if they came from the Shoemart, then the price is a good markup. Of course, supply and demand etc. If the defect is minor, then it is a chance to acquire a rare pair of gunboats. Good luck!

Yeah, they would have been $499. from Shoemart.

Looks like the left and right shoe may have slightly different colorways.

Also, be cognizant of what he's not showing in his pictures. Notice he is not showing the back heels for example.

 

[Todd V]



Is there anyone who has this build and can comment on it?

http://www.unionmadegoods.com/Alden_Wing_Tip_Blucher_in_Burnished_Tan_966_1860.html

I have the 966 and I love it. It look a while to break in and get the heel to mold to my foot. But, once it did, I was very happy. It feels like a much stronger shoe than my Allen Edmonds Strands, etc. and the leather feels thicker and more sturdy. I also like the fact that the leather is an even tone and not burnished like an old door knob.

I just wish these were available in dark brown.

 

[zippyh]

Dunno to be honest they send emails

That photo is from whyyoumad Instagram I think, shoes are from pitti by blak fleece guy in NYC forget his name so it's C&J and black fleece from earlier seasons
I don't have an issue with that who is gonna look close enough to see?
A lwb is nice and I wore it to interviews in later rounds if I knew the interviewer or if it was a non profit

If you are just starting out I'd get two pairs of Allen Edmonds, black captoe and a brown punch captoe or something similar. It's a lot cheaper and you can have money to spend on trees, saphir Reno, shoe brushes, beer, pizza etc. also easier if you scrape shoes or do something stupid in your new pair of nicer shoes.

They have seconds sales like 2 for 200-250 check the Allen Edmonds thread. Stevesmith here also gets a lot of brooks brothers seconds for sale cheap

Once you get a better feel you can sell the AEs (or keep black captoe I sold mine and kinda regret as I have no black captoe now) or use them as beaters. Ae fit wasn't good for mIf you really are set on wingtip, then Ralph Lauren private sale starts in end of April. If you can wait, Marlow wingtip will be about $547 depending on your tax. Most versatile shoe I think as you can dress it up down easily and it's a clean dark brown.n dark brown.

I'm 22 now and started maybe year and a half ago, maybe it's best to just go to dsw and get some flobby clunky shoes in all honesty!
Yeah want to sell my Indys all and get 10Es instead of 10.5d but then I remember my Indys were 220 and 330 new or something and it'd be too much for new ones

How can I get in on the RL private sale for those Marlows?

Go search the RRL thread for user dastig (aka Robert Shoettker). He's an SA at Chicago Ralph Lauren. He'll hook you up.

 

[zippyh]



What do you guys think of these?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alden-Whisk...4745487?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item460d88468f

I am wondering if they are seconds. If they are recrafted, they look very good, they appear to be new. There is an "R" stamped on the sole.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

I think the seller is on sf.
User makewayhomer.

 

[sazon]

And every once in a while, the Black Shell gets to come out and play among its more exotic and rare cousins.

 

[interlockingny]



Yeah, they would have been $399 from Shoemart.

Looks like the left and right shoe may have slightly different colorways.

Also, be cognizant of what he's not showing in his pictures. Notice he is not showing the back heels for example.

FIFY

Nice pair, though.

 

[mediahound]

FIFY

Nice pair, though.

Right, $399. Shoemart shell cordovan seconds. That auction is way high.

 

[Winterbourne]

I really do appreciate all the responses, guys. I feel compelled to get a cordovan shell since the price is only a tad bit higher than the calfskin. That said, I love the #8 color. I always liked burgundy more than black and found it more versatile as well.

So for the suggestion to consider Allen Edmonds for starting out, if I'm set on cordovan, I notice the price margin is relatively small between AE and Alden in this aspect so I may as well go with the latter, right?

I understand the cap toe or PTB is most appropriate for a wedding and interview but I'm having a hard time resisting this LWB in #8... http://www.shermanbrothers.com/product.php?ItemId=1116&ProductId=208

I'm thinking these could be used a little less formally, getting more wear out of them, while still being worn at a wedding so long as the rest of my attire isn't off, i.e., wearing a pin stripe suit with them. My internships and interviews are at least six months away which'll give me more time to acquire a nice cap toe by AE.

Also I wore a 10.5 on a trubalance in a plain toe boot.. safe to assume I'll also wear the same on a barrie? Sherman Brothers is only a two hour drive from where I live so a quick return wouldn't be difficult if need be.

Thoughts?

 

[Al in Philly]

#8 captoe boots. Nice sunny morning.

 

[Bakes11771]

I really do appreciate all the responses, guys. I feel compelled to get a cordovan shell since the price is only a tad bit higher than the calfskin. That said, I love the #8 color. I always liked burgundy more than black and found it more versatile as well.

So for the suggestion to consider Allen Edmonds for starting out, if I'm set on cordovan, I notice the price margin is relatively small between AE and Alden in this aspect so I may as well go with the latter, right?

I understand the cap toe or PTB is most appropriate for a wedding and interview but I'm having a hard time resisting this LWB in #8... http://www.shermanbrothers.com/product.php?ItemId=1116&ProductId=208

I'm thinking these could be used a little less formally, getting more wear out of them, while still being worn at a wedding so long as the rest of my attire isn't off, i.e., wearing a pin stripe suit with them. My internships and interviews are at least six months away which'll give me more time to acquire a nice cap toe by AE.

Also I wore a 10.5 on a trubalance in a plain toe boot.. safe to assume I'll also wear the same on a barrie? Sherman Brothers is only a two hour drive from where I live so a quick return wouldn't be difficult if need be.

Thoughts?

You and Stevent make a good point. Spend the money on something you like and will wear often, Like a #8 LWB, and then just get a pair of Johnston and Murphy Black Strait Tip Balmorals for interviews and weddings.

We must warn you though, if you buy Aldens, especially in Shell Cordovan, you are very likely to buy several more pairs subsequently. They really are addicting, and you will come up with reasons in your head to spend another $700 on shoes you don't really need and won't wear often.

Good Luck!