Alden Sizing

[imageWIS]

Unfortunately I don't have a local store that carries Alden, thus I am left with ordering via mail. How are Alden's sizes when compared to AE? My AE's are 6.5 D's and I require a tongue pad to fit properly in them, and no I do not own a pair of AE shoes in size 6. Whereas I fit into Ferregamo's 6.5 D perfectly, how does Alden compare to SF?

Jon.

 

[STYLESTUDENT]

How are Alden's sizes when compared to AE?

Jon,

In my own experience, the Alden Aberdeen last will be similar (but slightly narrower) than the same size in AE. An Alden Van last shoe will run a 1/2 size smaller, but about the same width, to the equivalent AE (that is, an 8 1/2 Van last will be a similar to a 9 AE).

Edit: You might try the website for Joseph Shoes in Philly as their prices are about $40 lower than other internet sources-but availability is limited. My own source is Ben at citishoes. com (free shoetrees and postage-but pricing, though OK, is not great. Also, Shoemart has irregulars at $210 and cordovan at $298-not a great deal either.

 

[skeptic]

http://www.alden-of-carmel.com/Catal...Action=fitting has information on how all the Alden lasts fit. Â If you assume the Aberdeen last fits true to size and the same as AE, you can go from there. Of course, the AE lasts are different from one another. Last 4 in AE fits me perfectly and the same size in Alden's Aberdeen fits nearly as well.

 

[Stu]

Unfortunately I don't have a local store that carries Alden, thus I am left with ordering via mail. How are Alden's sizes when compared to AE? My AE's are 6.5 D's and I require a tongue pad to fit properly in them, and no I do not own a pair of AE shoes in size 6. Whereas I fit into Ferregamo's 6.5 D perfectly, how does Alden compare to SF?

Jon.

Jon: Go down to Cavanaugh's in South Miami -- it is down by UM. They are great and carry several Alden models. They will measure your foot on several lasts. I went down there one day and came back with a list of what I wear in the Aberdeen, Van and Hampton lasts. Believe me it varies so it is well worth the visit.


5734 Sunset Dr.
South Miami
305-669-1952.

 

[imageWIS]

Stu, very cool, thanks.

Now I have to drive all the way to Coral Gables...

Jon.

 

[JohnMS]

Image,

For what it's worth, here's how the Alden vs. Allen Edmonds thing works for me:

I wear a size 8D in Allen Edmonds in the #1 and #4 lasts, with the #1 last fitting me a bit better.

In Alden I wear a 7.5 E in the Plaza and Aberdeen lasts if the shoes are a lace up. For a Van last such as their penny loafers, I wear a 7.5D.

 

[bry2000]

Here is my experience.

I am a 9D across the board with Ferragamo -- tremezza, LOs, etc.

I am probably an 8.5D in the AE Lexingtions. I say probably because I am wearing the 9D and they are too roomy.

I took an 8.5D in the Alden Shell cordovan monks (aberdeen last, I believe).

I am a 9D in the Bennies Grensons.

Hope that helps.

 

[imageWIS]

Here is my experience.

I am a 9D across the board with Ferragamo -- tremezza, LOs, etc.

I am probably an 8.5D in the AE Lexingtions. I say probably because I am wearing the 9D and they are too roomy.

I took an 8.5D in the Alden Shell cordovan monks (aberdeen last, I believe).

I am a 9D in the Bennies Grensons.

Hope that helps.

Yeah, my AE Hillcrests are too roomy as well. Thanks for the comparison though. I will have to go to the store Stu recommended and just try them on.

Jon.

 

[Pressfan]

You really should try them on.  The Alden dealer I use is actually an orthopedic shoe store (they sell both the "regular" New England line as well as the orthopedic models) and it took about 45 minutes to be fitted.  Numerous models in different lasts, sizes and widths were proffered to ascertain the correct fit.  Not only that, only the manager and assistant manager would fit the Aldens, not the regular staff.

In the end, I have ordered the Norwegians in a 10C whereas I usually would take a 10D in a typical oxford.  The only downside is that there is a 16 week wait (.) for my model in dark brown.

Given the long wait, you really should have an expert fit you, if possible, not a suit salesman who sometimes sells shoes.

 

[imageWIS]

You really should try them on. The Alden dealer I use is actually an orthopedic shoe store (they sell both the "regular" New England line as well as the orthopedic models) and it took about 45 minutes to be fitted. Numerous models in different lasts, sizes and widths were proffered to ascertain the correct fit. Not only that, only the manager and assistant manager would fit the Aldens, not the regular staff.

In the end, I have ordered the Norwegians in a 10C whereas I usually would take a 10D in a typical oxford. The only downside is that there is a 16 week wait (.) for my model in dark brown.

Given the long wait, you really should have an expert fit you, if possible, not a suit salesman who sometimes sells shoes.

I'll see how the store knowledgeable hierarchy is laid out when I go there (probably this weekend), alas Toronto has better salespeople than SoFLA; not necessarily regarding knowledge but regarding manners.

Jon.

 

[Pressfan]

The shoe store is in London, Ontario (my hometown), not Toronto.  Interesting that there are no dealers in Toronto, only London and Listowel (a small town north of London, also a specialist orthopedic shoe store).

As they are a specialist orthopedic shoe store, I really noticed the difference in attention to fit (as opposed to buying in a department store, for example).  I don't begrudge paying list price, or even slightly above given the conversion rate, for the service.  The price reflects the large selection of widths and sizes, and I would find it frustrating to try to figure out  the correct size myself, one pair at a time through mail order.

You may be right about the service; the assistant manager advised that a gentleman from Detroit was in before me for a fitting and ended up ordering 3 pairs of Aldens.  Unsure why he didn't purchase locally.

 

[imageWIS]

The shoe store is in London, Ontario (my hometown), not Toronto. Interesting that there are no dealers in Toronto, only London and Listowel (a small town north of London, also a specialist orthopedic shoe store).

As they are a specialist orthopedic shoe store, I really noticed the difference in attention to fit (as opposed to buying in a department store, for example). I don't begrudge paying list price, or even slightly above given the conversion rate, for the service. The price reflects the large selection of widths and sizes, and I would find it frustrating to try to figure out the correct size myself, one pair at a time through mail order.

You may be right about the service; the assistant manager advised that a gentleman from Detroit was in before me for a fitting and ended up ordering 3 pairs of Aldens. Unsure why he didn't purchase locally.

I used to live in TO (actually in Thornhill and North York) and compared to SoFLA, service level is light years beyond.

Jon.