Alden Shell Corodovan Color Question

[Henry Boogers]

I'm looking for some insight into the various colors of Alden shell cordovan. I have come across a great deal of variability with AE shell, but wasn't expecting the same from Alden. Maybe I should, however, since I assume they get their hides from the same source.

Alright, so I have a pair of #8 and they are dark, and I mean DARK. Now I have these (not my photo) and they are nowhere near the #8 shade. I did a quick search on colors and if there is another cordovan color offered by Alden it has somehow alluded me. These seem far too red to be cigar and far too light to be #8. What am I missing?

 

[LeatherSOUL]

Those are just old faded #8 shoes. Alden's colors are as follows:

Whiskey (light tan)
Ravello (dark tan)
Cigar (medium brown)
Mahogany (reddish brown, discontinued)
#8 (burgundy)
Black

Anything besides #8 and Black are very hard to find now days.

 

[robin]

There is also a "Ravello" color which is another shade of brown, but I think those in the picture are a faded #8. The pair that you have will get to that shade as well, but only after a very long time and if you don't let Alden reapply the #8 coloring if you ever send them in. Edit: Doh, Tom beat me

 

[lee_44106]

I actually enjoy all the shades of color from the shell cordovan offerings except the light tan, ravello, and the black.

As the tanning process takes so long (6 months), there's bound to be some variations in even the same color family. That's part of the attractions about shell cordovan, at least for me.

 

[robin]

Originally Posted by lee_44106

As the tanning process takes so long (6 months), there's bound to be some variations in even the same color family. That's part of the attractions about shell cordovan, at least for me.
That, and add to the fact that Alden applies their own extra coloring to the #8 shell when they get it from Horween.

 

[Henry Boogers]

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Those are just old faded #8 shoes. Alden's colors are as follows:

Whiskey (light tan)
Ravello (dark tan)
Cigar (medium brown)
Mahogany (reddish brown, discontinued)
#8 (burgundy)
Black

Anything besides #8 and Black are very hard to find now days.

Thanks. These were the colors I could account for and was assuming my shoes were light #8's. I actually like the color quite a bit.....

 

[AlanC]

There was a recent thread at AAAC that discussed the variations of #8 color. There was speculation by some that it has darkened in recent years.

 

[robin]

If Nate Humble ends up visiting a local Alden trunk show later this month, I think I'll ask him about this.

 

[Tarmac]

#8 can vary quite a bit, from near-black to obviously reddish burgundy.

 

[Henry Boogers]

Originally Posted by AlanC

There was a recent thread at AAAC that discussed the variations of #8 color. There was speculation by some that it has darkened in recent years.

Interesting. My pair are nearly black.

 

[Cantabrigian]

I have seen a number of Alden wingtips that have some noticeable variation in color among the different parts of the same shoe.

I've just chalked up to the nature of shell.

 

[LeatherSOUL]

Originally Posted by robin

If Nate Humble ends up visiting a local Alden trunk show later this month, I think I'll ask him about this.

Robin, Nate will be there.

 

[navysuede]

HHHHHH'' Genuine Shell Cordovan..For Alden of Middleboro Mass. or AE of Port Washington Wisc.The source for these companies and a few others would be
Horween Leather Co. of Chicago which has more than a few years experience
tanning horse skin or as they put it horse fronts..The supply currently is very
tight and usually earmarked for a few companies and bespoke makers who
know how to handle such a precious skin.Very unlikely that you would be able
to lighten them.To darken would be no problem.Just wear them in good health.
Very special shoes..

Good luck

 

[yachtie]

A couple of my older #8 Alden shells have gone 'two-tone'. Enjoy the variety.

 

[OxxfordSJLINY]

Does Alden offer a made to order shoe program like arch rival Allen Edmonds?

I sure hope so as Allen Edmonds made to order shoe program is one of the biggest reasons as to why I am a huge fan of Allen Edmonds shoes. There are many reasons as to why I am a huge fan of Allen Edmonds shoes (too many to list here, I am afraid).

FWIW, Allen Edmonds markets their made to order shoe program as custom shoe program.