The Official Alden Thread for 2016 - Share reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

[coolarrow]

Ocho under my desk-o:

 

[smoothie1]



I think of mahogany as a true mid-brown, as opposed to ravello which is a mid brown with normally some reddish tones. of course I've seen ravello look completely brown as well. maybe mahogony is most similar to the "brown" that C&J uses

Part of the challenge when talking about rare colors, specifically Ravello, whiskey, and cigar, but also to some extent Color #8 and others, is there can be so much variation within colors.

I have returned or sold multiple pairs of Ravello and whiskey shell (as well as C&J dark brown shell) because the shade of shell was not what I wanted, or it was too close to something I already owned.

Ravello can range from medium caramel (almost whiskey) to nearly a cigar brown, all of which may, or should ideally, have varying degrees of "russet" reddish-orange shades.

Likewise, whiskey can range in its shade from pale yellow-tan to a deep tan or orange, these shades can have a yellow or green cast, depending on the batch.

Furthermore, depending on wear, care, and exposure to light and elements, the original shell color can change considerably. This is why it's possible to purchase shoes in a particular shade of #8 and get them to fade to a lighter color reminiscent of #2. Or why old whiskey shell can transform to a shade nearly indistinguishable from Ravello. Btw- for a time Alden SF did not distinguish between Ravello and Whiskey due to variations in color and because the Ravello and whiskey are often so close.

Moreover, the quality of the shell and its individual characteristics influence how it reacts to Horween's tannage, which is why we see shade variations among shell colors.

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

My latest acquisition - arrived today. Cigar NST on the Aberdeen last. This run is actually from 2009 - the shade of Cigar on these is gorgeous!

Gorgeous indeed!!

Enjoy often and in the best of health my friend!

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

Whiskey wingtip boots from TSM's 2nd's list. 379X last. Photo's taken under office lighting so doesn't capture the depth of the shell which is stunning. Boots include small scuffs (easily buffed out), lots of un-punched-out broguing and "R" stamps on the sole. Shells are clear, and the boots seem to be well matched in shade.










My only real complaint with these is the box that TSM provided. In my size (12.5D-13E) all Alden boxes are basically too small, which means my shoes (and especially the boots) usually come stuffed into a box which is bursting at the seams. This particular box provided by TSM is a complete joke - entirely destroyed on arrival by boots which are way too big for the box. I mean, I know these are 2nd's and all, but can't we have a better box for $599+ boots?

Fabulous! Great score! Enjoy them frequently my friend...

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

Plaza tankers for Tanker Tuesday

Well done DonL... You consistently pair your footwear exceptionally well my friend!

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

#4 sw boots

No spoiler for this... you da man, DV!

 

[tifosi]

No spoiler for this... you da man, DV!

Apparently you don't spoiler anyway, RTP.... hahahahaha

 

[budapest12]



Apparently you don't spoiler anyway, RTP.... hahahahaha 

Lol. I am not ganging up on RTP here (a scholar and a gentleman) but "this is too good to spoiler" has definitely become the new "I am not going to spoiler". Guilty here myself. Let's just acknowledge the truth.

 

[Darkside]

Not quite color 6 or 4. Somewhere in between.

Dare I say......5?

 

[makewayhomer]



Dare I say......5?

ha, awesome!

I personally I wouldn't put it in that spectrum, which is basically a red spectrum. here is a pic of a #4 wallet and what I think is basically #6 shoes. mahogany IMO is in the brown spectrum

 

[z8k1n]

4Tankers on 379X

 

[z8k1n]

Alden X TSM Indy Cigar VS Alden DC Captoe Ravello

Crazy shades, you scored big time

 

[Watchman1]

Alright, I can see where this is going. For the next several pages/posts we will now ponder the deep esoteric mysteries of shell cordovan and the existential crisis we all face in properly identifying the plethora of shades in the spectrum.

Carry on...

 

[bigbadbuff]



4Tankers on 379X

Damn dude... don't usually like 4 but wow.

 

[RobinM]

Part of the challenge when talking about rare colors, specifically Ravello, whiskey, and cigar, but also to some extent Color #8 and others, is there can be so much variation within colors.

I have returned or sold multiple pairs of Ravello and whiskey shell (as well as C&J dark brown shell) because the shade of shell was not what I wanted, or it was too close to something I already owned.

Ravello can range from medium caramel (almost whiskey) to nearly a cigar brown, all of which may, or should ideally, have varying degrees of "russet" reddish-orange shades.

Likewise, whiskey can range in its shade from pale yellow-tan to a deep tan or orange, these shades can have a yellow or green cast, depending on the batch.

Furthermore, depending on wear, care, and exposure to light and elements, the original shell color can change considerably. This is why it's possible to purchase shoes in a particular shade of #8 and get them to fade to a lighter color reminiscent of #2. Or why old whiskey shell can transform to a shade nearly indistinguishable from Ravello. Btw- for a time Alden SF did not distinguish between Ravello and Whiskey due to variations in color and because the Ravello and whiskey are often so close.

Moreover, the quality of the shell and its individual characteristics influence how it reacts to Horween's tannage, which is why we see shade variations among shell colors.

Very true, but many only care about rarity.
Anything that is labeled as rare, they'll jump on it, regardless of the actual shade of color. Rare shell trophy shoes, that is.