The Official Alden Thread for 2019 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[jpm1]

Gentlemen,

Thought that it would be fun to do something fun and special. With Thanksgiving coming up, thought that it would be nice to share the 5 pairs that you are most Thankful to have (a.k.a. Your Favorite Five). The shoes have to be in your personal collection.

View attachment 1281580

I thought that I would kick this off with my personal favorites. I will say that it was really hard to pick 5 personally, because each pair has a special story associated with them.

5. Alden Cigar Shell Cordovan NST Bluchers.

View attachment 1281583

This is actually my second pair of these guys. My first pair was a 10D and I begrudgingly shoved my feet into them. Finally, I got the call from Leffot that they were going to remake them and I was able to get an 11B. I love these in particular because of their shade. Their color is just phenomenal and looks like chocolate that I want to bite into. The handwork is nothing short of impressive and it’s always nice to see the Cigar and Antique combination.

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4. Alden Color #8 Shell Cordovan Tassel Loafers.

View attachment 1281587

You know, there is always something special about the first pair. These are mine. All of my other Alden’s can thank these guys for getting me going. Alden says that their Tassel is often replicated, but never duplicated and they are right. These are just a phenomenal model with a great balance. After nearly 8 years of good wear, these guys have faded tremendously and have an amazing patina coming in.

View attachment 1281588

3. Alden x Brooks Brothers Unlined Whiskey Shell Cordovan LHS.

View attachment 1281590

I could probably end this explanation with just Unlined Whiskey and that would be good enough justification. But I love loafers and these are about as good as they get. Super soft and supple that just hugs my toes and an amazing color that just continues to take on more character each time I take them out. I also got these guys used on eBay for a ridiculously cheap price, but that was because they were really beat up. I have sincerely enjoyed bringing them back to life, spending time brushing and polishing them and nurturing them back to the beauties they are today.

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2. Alden Color #4 Wingtip Boots.

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Seriously, because they are stinking Color #4! This color doesn’t quit. It is just the most beautiful shade of Shell Cordovan that I have seen. The perfect blend of Browns and Reds make this untouchable. Combined with Alden’s perfectly balanced Wingtip Boot pattern and the always comfortable Barrie Last and you have the ultimate untouchable.

View attachment 1281586

1. Alden x JCrew Brassvello LWBs.

View attachment 1281581

Yes, it is possible to top Color #4, and these guys do it. The Longwing or Gunboat pattern has always been my favorite. It maximizes the “hole punches” as my wife likes to call them. These stellar Gunboats are paired with what I consider to be the nicest shade of Ravello that I have ever seen, the perfect Caramel with Red undertones combating the Brown base shade. That shade paired with Alden’s amazing and coveted Antique Edges is topped with the perfect icing, the Exposed Brass Eyelets. The Brass pops perfectly against the Ravello and Antique and provides a perfect balance with all of the broguing.

View attachment 1281582

Here is the lineup of shoes that I am the most thankful to have the ability to curate.

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Would love to see what pairs everyone else here is most thankful to have this week!

-Mike

Very nice, Mike!

My 5:

#1 - Color 8 Tanker from Alden Madison. My very first pair of Alden. Bought these about 4 years ago while I was still working at Allen Edmonds. @JSO1 played a big role in me purchasing these when stopping by my AE shop to show me his Alden collection.

View attachment 1281634

#2 - Color 8 Barrie PCT from Jcrew.

#3 - Lady Calf Barrie Wingtip Boots from Leather Soul

#4 - Tan Calf Wingtip Boots on Barrie from B&M.

#5 - Straight Tip CXL Boots from B&M

 

[Vocans]

AoC 100s for some errands. Fantastic idea on the top 5 post, Mike. I'll have to work on mine.

 

[woofmang]

Gentlemen,

Thought that it would be fun to do something fun and special. With Thanksgiving coming up, thought that it would be nice to share the 5 pairs that you are most Thankful to have (a.k.a. Your Favorite Five). The shoes have to be in your personal collection.

View attachment 1281580

I thought that I would kick this off with my personal favorites. I will say that it was really hard to pick 5 personally, because each pair has a special story associated with them.

5. Alden Cigar Shell Cordovan NST Bluchers.

View attachment 1281583

This is actually my second pair of these guys. My first pair was a 10D and I begrudgingly shoved my feet into them. Finally, I got the call from Leffot that they were going to remake them and I was able to get an 11B. I love these in particular because of their shade. Their color is just phenomenal and looks like chocolate that I want to bite into. The handwork is nothing short of impressive and it’s always nice to see the Cigar and Antique combination.

View attachment 1281584

4. Alden Color #8 Shell Cordovan Tassel Loafers.

View attachment 1281587

You know, there is always something special about the first pair. These are mine. All of my other Alden’s can thank these guys for getting me going. Alden says that their Tassel is often replicated, but never duplicated and they are right. These are just a phenomenal model with a great balance. After nearly 8 years of good wear, these guys have faded tremendously and have an amazing patina coming in.

View attachment 1281588

3. Alden x Brooks Brothers Unlined Whiskey Shell Cordovan LHS.

View attachment 1281590

I could probably end this explanation with just Unlined Whiskey and that would be good enough justification. But I love loafers and these are about as good as they get. Super soft and supple that just hugs my toes and an amazing color that just continues to take on more character each time I take them out. I also got these guys used on eBay for a ridiculously cheap price, but that was because they were really beat up. I have sincerely enjoyed bringing them back to life, spending time brushing and polishing them and nurturing them back to the beauties they are today.

View attachment 1281592

2. Alden Color #4 Wingtip Boots.

View attachment 1281585

Seriously, because they are stinking Color #4! This color doesn’t quit. It is just the most beautiful shade of Shell Cordovan that I have seen. The perfect blend of Browns and Reds make this untouchable. Combined with Alden’s perfectly balanced Wingtip Boot pattern and the always comfortable Barrie Last and you have the ultimate untouchable.

View attachment 1281586

1. Alden x JCrew Brassvello LWBs.

View attachment 1281581

Yes, it is possible to top Color #4, and these guys do it. The Longwing or Gunboat pattern has always been my favorite. It maximizes the “hole punches” as my wife likes to call them. These stellar Gunboats are paired with what I consider to be the nicest shade of Ravello that I have ever seen, the perfect Caramel with Red undertones combating the Brown base shade. That shade paired with Alden’s amazing and coveted Antique Edges is topped with the perfect icing, the Exposed Brass Eyelets. The Brass pops perfectly against the Ravello and Antique and provides a perfect balance with all of the broguing.

View attachment 1281582

Here is the lineup of shoes that I am the most thankful to have the ability to curate.

View attachment 1281617

View attachment 1281618

View attachment 1281619

Would love to see what pairs everyone else here is most thankful to have this week!

-Mike

My Alden collection is still so small that I can just barely get in on this, and as it is, I have to cheat on the Mayor's rules a bit, as you'll see in a moment. And really, these aren't in order of least to most favorite (except for #1)...

5) This pair is actually not in my collection any more, because I just sold them to fellow enthusiast @SonnyUte. As I said to him just a couple of days ago, if these had fit me as well as they fit him, I never would have sold them. But it seems the Hampton last (or at least this iteration of it) is a bit too roomy in the toebox to really work for me TTS. Still, I loved these boots: the original Alden x Leffot Dearborn (and no, this is not a shot from the Leffot website; these are the actual boots. I've been practicing a little "product photography on a seamless white background" lately):

4) Another favorite makeup from Leffot; their Blue Suede NST. I got in on this pre-order this spring, and it turned out to be the shortest pre-order I've ever heard of: I put down my deposit on June 29th, and got the notification they were ready on July 19th.

3) Another favorite is my bone-stock Burnished Tan Calf LHSs, bought back in April of this year from TSM; these are my second pair of Aldens (acquired a long time after my first pair):

2) Number 2 on the list are these gorgeous Unlined Color 8 Dovers from Yenni that I scored off of eBay (from someone who had only ever tried them on) for a ridicuously low price at the end of July:

1) My first pair of Aldens, bought 15 years ago, and unquestionably my favorites; my Traditional Saddles in Color 8:

BTW: I've got two more pair on pre-order right now, and am planning to pick up another stock model soon, so I'll actually have to pick my top 5 next time we play this...

 

[sazon]

@mdubs your 5 are all unbeatable !

 

[chipshot]

Sunday .. yep, black shell for the market trip.

 

[scurvyfreedman]

Gentlemen,

Thought that it would be fun to do something fun and special. With Thanksgiving coming up, thought that it would be nice to share the 5 pairs that you are most Thankful to have (a.k.a. Your Favorite Five). The shoes have to be in your personal collection.

View attachment 1281580

I thought that I would kick this off with my personal favorites. I will say that it was really hard to pick 5 personally, because each pair has a special story associated with them.


Would love to see what pairs everyone else here is most thankful to have this week!

-Mike

I only have 5 pairs of Aldens, so this isn't so hard for me.

Grant last, medallion tip boots in Color 8, with 4 speed hooks on double leather.

Tan Indy on red micro sole, all eyelets.

Cigar on Tremont. (I think I'm right on the last).

Hunter green suede. Aberdeen.

Simple puch cap on Hampton.

 

[sazon]

For my Thankful 5 I didn’t over-think. Just listing the first 5 great ones that came to mind.

1. Mahogany NST on Plaza - very limited production by AoC. Superb color on these.

2. TSM Whiskey Jumpers - I’m really not a whiskey fan (sold all of my whiskey a few yeas ago) but I love the details on this boot - PCT, all eyelets, and waterloc soles.

3. Ravello Jumpers - Ravello is my favorite exotic. Very happy to be able to get on this very limited run by AoM. I’d never seen a Ravello Jumper before this one.

4. LS Choco Tanker - I had this boot on my list for at least 7 years. I was never able to get in on the order for this boot. Finally this year I got lucky. So I’m very thankful to finally get this one.

5. Color 8 Shell Indy on Cork soles and Thomas Heels. This boot checks all the boxes for me -Indy, king shell, comfy neo-cork soles, and the ultra supportive thomas heels for my flat feet. This is a true winner all around. It was difficult to get in the US until I begged a retailer to please make it for the US Market. I’m very thankful that they obliged.

Honorable Mention - Reverse Green Chamois Indy. - I’m a huge fan of Indys of course, but these are really ones to be thankful for because Reverse Green Chamois is pretty much extinct now.

 

[mdubs]

Very nice, Mike!

My 5:

#1 - Color 8 Tanker from Alden Madison. My very first pair of Alden. Bought these about 4 years ago while I was still working at Allen Edmonds. @JSO1 played a big role in me purchasing these when stopping by my AE shop to show me his Alden collection.

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#2 - Color 8 Barrie PCT from Jcrew.
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#3 - Lady Calf Barrie Wingtip Boots from Leather Soul
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#4 - Tan Calf Wingtip Boots on Barrie from B&M.
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#5 - Straight Tip CXL Boots from B&M
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Thanks Jim! All 5 look just superb and would be loved by anyone. Love your story of JSO evangelizing you while you were working at AE!

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

AoC 100s for some errands. Fantastic idea on the top 5 post, Mike. I'll have to work on mine.

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Looking forward! No problem a good friend I think actually had the idea, I just helped push it.

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

Sunday .. yep, black shell for the market trip.View attachment 1281783View attachment 1281784

Killer Chippy! Very awesome BB Tassels.

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

I only have 5 pairs of Aldens, so this isn't so hard for me.

Grant last, medallion tip boots in Color 8, with 4 speed hooks on double leather.

View attachment 1281804

Tan Indy on red micro sole, all eyelets.

View attachment 1281798

Cigar on Tremont. (I think I'm right on the last).

View attachment 1281799

Hunter green suede. Aberdeen.

View attachment 1281800

Simple puch cap on Hampton.

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Very awesome. All of them look just superb on you and would be nice to have in any closet.

-Mike

 

[James1051]

For my Thankful 5 I didn’t over-think. Just listing the first 5 great ones that came to mind.

1. Mahogany NST on Plaza - very limited production by AoC. Superb color on these.
View attachment 1281786

2. TSM Whiskey Jumpers - I’m really not a whiskey fan (sold all of my whiskey a few yeas ago) but I love the details on this boot - PCT, all eyelets, and waterloc soles.

View attachment 1281793

3. Ravello Jumpers - Ravello is my favorite exotic. Very happy to be able to get on this very limited run by AoM. I’d never seen a Ravello Jumper before this one.
View attachment 1281794

4 LS Choco Tanker - I had this boot on my list for at least 7 years. I was never able to get in on the order for this boot. Finally this year I got lucky. So I’m very thankful to finally get this one.

View attachment 1281797

5. Color 8 Shell Indy on Cork soles and Thomas Heels. This boot checks all the boxes for me -Indy, king shell, comfy neo-cork soles, and the ultra supportive thomas heels for my flat feet. This is a true winner all around. It was difficult to get in the US until I begged a retailer to please make it for the US Market. I’m very thankful that they obliged.

View attachment 1281805

Honorable Menti Reverse Green Chamois Indy. - I’m a huge fan of Indys of course, but these are really ones to be thankful for because Reverse Green Chamois is pretty much extinct now.

oh my .... those mahogany splits

 

[mdubs]

For my Thankful 5 I didn’t over-think. Just listing the first 5 great ones that came to mind.

1. Mahogany NST on Plaza - very limited production by AoC. Superb color on these.
View attachment 1281786

2. TSM Whiskey Jumpers - I’m really not a whiskey fan (sold all of my whiskey a few yeas ago) but I love the details on this boot - PCT, all eyelets, and waterloc soles.

View attachment 1281793

3. Ravello Jumpers - Ravello is my favorite exotic. Very happy to be able to get on this very limited run by AoM. I’d never seen a Ravello Jumper before this one.
View attachment 1281794

4 LS Choco Tanker - I had this boot on my list for at least 7 years. I was never able to get in on the order for this boot. Finally this year I got lucky. So I’m very thankful to finally get this one.

View attachment 1281797

5. Color 8 Shell Indy on Cork soles and Thomas Heels. This boot checks all the boxes for me -Indy, king shell, comfy neo-cork soles, and the ultra supportive thomas heels for my flat feet. This is a true winner all around. It was difficult to get in the US until I begged a retailer to please make it for the US Market. I’m very thankful that they obliged.

View attachment 1281805

Honorable Menti Reverse Green Chamois Indy. - I’m a huge fan of Indys of course, but these are really ones to be thankful for because Reverse Green Chamois is pretty much extinct now.

Joe, an all star line up that I would be proud to rock. I knew your Mahogany NSTs were going to be there and I am super stoked to see that Whiskey made it!!! Super cool that the unattainable Choco Tanker finally landed into happy hands. My Choco Tanker was one of my super close runner ups, because I concur that is a must have boot.

Love the narrative on your Thomas Heeled Neocork Indy because in the end, fit and comfort is king for footwear. Superb contribution and thanks for joining me in this!!!

-Mike

 

[madhat]

My Top 5. Well, honestly, as I was inserting pics I realized my mistake and have corrected below.

Runner Up: Ravello WT Boots
These were my first rare shell, and most expensive at the time. I wasn't going to jump on these being not quite my ideal Barrie size, but they were still there after most others were gone. I jumped and am glad I did. I love ravello so much, and these would have totally been on the top of the list if they were LHS or machine stitch Indy. As is, the fact that I have to use my pen trick to keep them fitting well and that they're less than my favorite pattern keeps them out of the top 5.

#5: Cigar PCT Boots
dat olive tone. These are an amazing shade of cigar with tons of olive poking through! Very proud to have been offered these. Plaza, leather soles. The storm welt feels a bit of a juxtaposition with the more sleek uppers, but the color just kills. Makes it very hard to say my favorite rare color isn't cigar!

#4: #8 Atom Blutchers
Bunch of firsts here. First shell. First Alden. First purchase from @smfdoc. @JSO1 knew what he was doing! Sleek, best medallion, leather soles, Plaza last, plus the Atom's unique pattern. So many interesting lines; I end up staring at these too many times during the day.

#3: #8 Cassill Wholecut Loafers
The nearly forgotten new love. These would sit higher if they were easier to pair daily (just feel a bit too dressy for my linens). Half down from my usual Plaza size is a dream, and oh the clean-ness of it all!

#2: Hunting Green LHS
Really any of the suede LHSs, but I chose these over snuff because green. Van and AE's 606 are excellent loafer lasts for me and my lower vamp needs. Gotta catch em all!

#1: #8 Medallion Toe Boots
Single leather. Plaza. Flat 270 welt. All eyelets. My favorite medallion. How could these not be #1? Honestly, I don't think I'd want them in any other color even.

 

[woofmang]

Burnished Tan Calfskin LHS on Leisure Sunday:

(And boy, does that deck need sanded and painted!)