• Hi, I am the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. Our main, very popular sales thread, where the latest and best sales are listed, are posted HERE

    Purchases made through some of our links earns a commission for the forum and allows us to do the work of maintaining and improving it. Finally, thanks for being a part of this community. We realize that there are many choices today on the internet, and we have all of you to thank for making Styleforum the foremost destination for discussions of menswear.
  • This site contains affiliate links for which Styleforum may be compensated.
  • We would like to welcome House of Huntington as an official Affiliate Vendor. Shop past season Drake's, Nigel Cabourn, Private White V.C. and other menswear luxury brands at exceptional prices below retail. Please visit the Houise of Huntington thread and welcome them to the forum.

  • STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.

    Bored of counting likes on social networks? At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis.

    Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today!

    Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Alden lasts and fit

TheVarmint

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 2, 2017
Messages
63
Reaction score
35
I have Alden 405s in a 7.5. Can I assume that Alden 1335 chukka boot color 8 shell cordovan will fit same?
 

Alzuura

Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2017
Messages
16
Reaction score
1
I'm a noob when it comes to Alden and am eyeing my first pair of Alden (loafers for that matter), which are the Aberdeen last (662), but what concerns me most is the fact that it's a 10.5AAA, which, after strolling through forums, I found that the As stand for narrow. I usually wear a size 44 2/3 in adidas sneakers (lol I hope this helps), so can anybody please enlighten me on whether the shoe will fit or not?
 

Wandering

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2014
Messages
109
Reaction score
52
Hi everyone,

I've got a pair of Alden 986 Cordovan loafers right here with me to fit.
They fit a bit tight on the arch and my experience with shoes would tell me to size a half size up as counting on shoes to stretch is almost always a disaster
But I don't know how cordovan leather behaves (it's my first pair). Do they also mould more to your feet (snug) or does the breaking-in process make the leather looser.

I really can't risk choosing the wrong size lol, these are expensive.
 

breakaway01

Distinguished Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2013
Messages
4,333
Reaction score
4,560
Hi everyone,

I've got a pair of Alden 986 Cordovan loafers right here with me to fit.
They fit a bit tight on the arch and my experience with shoes would tell me to size a half size up as counting on shoes to stretch is almost always a disaster
But I don't know how cordovan leather behaves (it's my first pair). Do they also mould more to your feet (snug) or does the breaking-in process make the leather looser.

I really can't risk choosing the wrong size lol, these are expensive.

If they are only "a bit tight" in width or across the top of your foot I would not size up. It is okay (and maybe even desirable) for them to feel a little tight in width or over your instep as long as they are not frankly painful with wearing them for up to an hour. Cordovan does stretch in width, and I like my loafers to feel a little tight across the instep when new so that they don't end up slipping after break in. However, don't expect them to stretch in length so if they are short, I'd suggest sizing up.
 
Last edited:

Wandering

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2014
Messages
109
Reaction score
52
If they are only "a bit tight" in width or across the top of your foot I would not size up. It is okay (and maybe even desirable) for them to feel a little tight in width as long as they are not frankly painful with wearing them for up to an hour. Cordovan does stretch in width, and I like my loafers to feel a little tight when new so that they don't end up slipping after break in. However, don't expect it to stretch in length so if it is short, I'd suggest sizing up.
Thank you. I should probably go one half size up.
 

Featured Sponsor

How important is full vs half canvas to you for heavier sport jackets?

  • Definitely full canvas only

    Votes: 55 36.2%
  • Half canvas is fine

    Votes: 59 38.8%
  • Really don't care

    Votes: 17 11.2%
  • Depends on fabric

    Votes: 26 17.1%
  • Depends on price

    Votes: 26 17.1%

Forum statistics

Threads
505,158
Messages
10,578,885
Members
223,881
Latest member
Abhidshek yadav
Top