THE OFFICIAL ALDEN THREAD FOR 2020 - SHARE REVIEWS, SIZING, ADVICE, AND PHOTOS.

[chipperoo]

Finally took some time to take pictures of the collection.

Color 8

Alpine Grain, Snuff Suede, and Reverse Tobacco Chamois

Ravello, Cigar, and Whiskey

 

[AEShoeMan]

Alden x Jcrew longwings today. Happy Monday fellas!

 

[Shawnc]

Finally took some time to take pictures of the collection.

Color 8
View attachment 1321398
Alpine Grain, Snuff Suede, and Reverse Tobacco Chamois
View attachment 1321400
Ravello, Cigar, and Whiskey
View attachment 1321401

Just an extraordinary collection witg great diversity. I'm a shell guy but really love the AoM snuff W/T monks. Well done my-man.

 

[sazon]

@chipperoo Great collection !

 

[Vocans]

Classic tanker Tuesday today

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Hey all

I am hoping to get some sizing advice on the Trubalance last.

I wear a 9.5 EEE in Allen Edmonds 65 last (Park Avenue and Fifth Avenue). The fit is fine length wise but they are pretty narrow.

I recently got a pair of Grant Stone Diesel boots in the same size and the length is a hair long but the width is doable.

Hope you guys can steer me in the right direction. I'm planning on ordering my first pair of Indy's (403) and want to nail down my sizing.

you should go a half size down in length for sure, but I would also suggest seriously considering going down a half size down in width as well. I am a EEE on the AE 65 last too, and at least one pair of my chromexcel Indies are just too wide as I’m getting too much heel slip. Chromexcel stretches quite a bit as it breaks in.
the trubalance last is EXCEPTIONALLY roomy, especially in the heel.

 

[sazon]

Natty x San Fran

 

[Don L]

 

[Alden Northwest]

Burgundy calf cap toe today. Unseasonably warm so out come the nice shoes.

 

[adrs1157]

Colour 8 Wingtip Boots

 

[adrs1157]

About to pull the trigger on a black tassel loafer. Is there any good reason to go with shell over calf? I have a couple color 8 shoes and I love them, but I have a hard time understanding the value proposition of black shell over black calf.

Black shell ages better than black calf imo. The deep black shade will eventually fade and change with exposure to the elements, especially in flex points.

However, calf is easier to keep uniformly black.

 

[savvysartorial]

Strutting the stuff today. First day at the new office, in training, so I had to wear the black shell Parks. A bit overwhelmed, but you have to just lower your head and plow through!

Spoiler: AE shell

 

[savvysartorial]

Black shell ages better than black calf imo. The deep black shade will eventually fade and change with exposure to the elements, especially in flex points.

However, calf is easier to keep uniformly black.

@Spaghettimatt black shell blows away calf, especially in that model. Black shell in general has so much luster versus calf. It's difficult to quantify in a photo; you have to see in person. See my photo above for black shell.

Black shell is like staring into a black jelly bean. Buy once, cry once. The mark up over calf isn't that bad; don't make a decision you'll regret after!

 

[Spaghettimatt]

Black shell ages better than black calf imo. The deep black shade will eventually fade and change with exposure to the elements, especially in flex points.

However, calf is easier to keep uniformly black.

@Spaghettimatt black shell blows away calf, especially in that model. Black shell in general has so much luster versus calf. It's difficult to quantify in a photo; you have to see in person. See my photo above for black shell.

Black shell is like staring into a black jelly bean. Buy once, cry once. The mark up over calf isn't that bad; don't make a decision you'll regret after!

Thanks both. Good input. Isn’t the black calf a little easier to wear casually due to lack luster? This is part of the reason I was thinking I’d go calf in the first place. Black shell can sometimes look like patent leather to me...

separately, is the calf 660 and shell 664 sized the same? I had heard some people go TTS on the calf but size down a half size on shell (like Van last)?

 

[madhat]

Thanks both. Good input. Isn’t the black calf a little easier to wear casually due to lack luster? This is part of the reason I was thinking I’d go calf in the first place. Black shell can sometimes look like patent leather to me...

separately, is the calf 660 and shell 664 sized the same? I had heard some people go TTS on the calf but size down a half size on shell (like Van last)?

Generally you keep same size - the calf will feel tighter out of the box, but it will stretch more and end out about the same as the shell.

Calf is generally considered more formal than shell, and I think I agree when it comes to black. Black calf is a more pure black, while as savvy said the black shell looks more like a jelly bean (less jet black, but more depth).