New Alden Cordovan - Excessiving creasing (w/ pics)?

[AboveBeyond]

I just bought my first Alden cordovan today and wore them today to work for the first time. What I noticed is that it's already has prominent creases. Since I don't have prior experience, is this normal wear and tear? Thanks.

 

[acecow]

Seems like you just need to clean and polish them.

 

[AboveBeyond]

Originally Posted by acecow

Seems like you just need to clean and polish them.

Even after just one day of wearing them?

 

[alt.don]

That seems to be excessive creasing after just one wear. I have worn leather footwear my entire life and have not seen anything crease that bad after one wearing, no matter how high quality the leather.

 

[JamesX]

Did you use any sort of water proofing? one pair of my shoes had creases like that because my cobbler did some form of waterproofing - that seems to really dried the upper.

 

[acecow]

Originally Posted by AboveBeyond

Even after just one day of wearing them?

It's hard to tell, but maybe there was excess wax or they weren't polished well enough before. Creasing displaced the wax creating those really visible marks. Just a thought. I don't really know for sure, because I have no actual experience with cordovan leather.

 

[Slewfoot]

They'll be fine. I think a lot of that creasing is the top layer of polish flaking off as the creases form. Try taking a slightly moist rag to them and wiping them down. I imagine the intensity of the lightening should fade a bit. In case you're not aware, shell cordovan creases much more than calf.

 

[AboveBeyond]

Originally Posted by JamesX

Did you use any sort of water proofing? one pair of my shoes had creases like that because my cobbler did some form of waterproofing - that seems to really dried the upper.

I wore them straight out of the box so no, I didn't do anything to them.

 

[AboveBeyond]

Originally Posted by Slewfoot

They'll be fine. I think a lot of that creasing is the top layer of polish flaking off as the creases form. Try taking a slightly moist rag to them and wiping them down. I imagine the intensity of the lightening should fade a bit. In case you're not aware, shell cordovan creases much more than calf.

Thanks for the info. I didn't know how much Cordovan creased but if this is normal behavior, then so be it.

 

[AlanC]

Shell will crease/ripple more than calf, which is why some don't like it on dress shoes like that. You need to keep shoe trees in them, and brush them, brush them, brush them. Then brush them some more.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Shell will crease/ripple more than calf, which is why some don't like it on dress shoes like that. You need to keep shoe trees in them, and brush them, brush them, brush them. Then brush them some more.
Do what AlanC suggests. The creasing you have is not unusual for shell. I've had this happen on several pairs after the first wearing. Shoe trees along with wiping with a damp cloth followed by buffing and brushing will have them looking nice.

 

[AboveBeyond]

I appreciate the info guys!

 

[Slewfoot]

And yes on shoe trees. Make those a priority. Not just for the cordovans, but all shoes. Well worth it to grab some from Cedarville.

 

[lee_44106]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Shell will crease/ripple more than calf, which is why some don't like it on dress shoes like that. You need to keep shoe trees in them, and brush them, brush them, brush them. Then brush them some more.

+1

All shell cordovan need is a brush. Brush the hell out of them.

 

[PorterInjax]

Do NOT polish them (yet). As others have said, brushing is the best thing. There is lot's of good info about when and how to polish cordovan here on the forum and the internet. One method most often cited is the "Mac Method". Mac has a bunch o' shell shoes and posts on the Alden forum in SW&D quite often. Do a search for this method and follow it. Oh, and two answer your original question, I do think the creasing is excessive but not too far out of line.