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

[Alden Northwest]

You can't really go from black edge to antique. You can sand down the sides and make them antique but the top of the welt will still be black. If you want an antique welt you would have to strip and redye it (never seen it done very well) or have them re-welted, which is spendy. Would be cheaper to add a commando sole later on but probably not cheaper than just buying a belt.

I would go with the antique side and forget the commando sole. Commando is fine but nothing wrong with leather sole and it looks better IMO anyway. Wear them and your free belt for 4-5 years then resole with commando if you want to.

 

[Profligate47]

Figured I'd share the progress so far on my latest fade project, my BB unlined LHS. When these were brand new, they were probably the darkest pair of #8 I'd received and I almost thought they were black when I pulled them out of the box (I've included a picture from new for comparison). Not sure exactly how light I want to go with these but I do have a little bit of work to do on getting each shoe to a more even color.

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View attachment 1399762

Great job. I was displeased with my fade--too washed out and dry. I used Alden Cordovan polish and some brushing. I do like the result...

 

[aapmm]

Here's a little update on the fade project that I started about a month ago. These have seen around 2 full weeks of sun since then.
View attachment 1399628

And here's a comparison shot with some other non-faded color 8
View attachment 1399629

First that fading looks amazing with the black welt!

Logistical question. Do you need 360 degrees of sun to fade well? As someone who lives in a high rise in manhattan I can only imagine leaving them in a window. Would rotating the shoe around each day to even it out enough?

Im pretty new to Alden; just preordered my first with gentlemen’s footwear for a color 8 plaza Indy. Not sure I’ll want to fade them, but if I do are there any recommended guides?

 

[nbernie]

Snuff suede NSTs in the mail from B+M today. I am being converted to the plaza last after years on the Barrie train!

 

[Vocans]

Great job. I was displeased with my fade--too washed out and dry. I used Alden Cordovan polish and some brushing. I do like the result...
View attachment 1399911

Yours look nice--some great brown undertones going on. Fading will definitely dry out the shell. At the end of each day, I usually run my hands over each shoe and if I detect any dry spots I'll apply a coat of Bick4 to remoisturize them. So far it's done the trick but that's one of the reasons I want to be careful not to go too far with the fade.

 

[lcdx22]

So an exciting day today Got my snuff Suede LHS.

I went down half size as typically recommended. The heel is good. Instep is snug but not painful. I does take a little bit of work to get it on my foot due to the lower vamp.

What I don't like is the toe box fit. It's not tight but I notice that on both feet the pinky bulges out and so does my big toe ( more noticeable on the right shoe if you see pic below).

These are 12.5D. I was thinking of trying going up a width to 12.5E or maybe to a 13D.

What are your thoughts??

 

[woofmang]

So an exciting day today Got my snuff Suede LHS.

I went down half size as typically recommended. The heel is good. Instep is snug but not painful. I does take a little bit of work to get it on my foot due to the lower vamp.

What I don't like is the toe box fit. It's not tight but I notice that on both feet the pinky bulges out and so does my big toe ( more noticeable on the right shoe if you see pic below).

These are 12.5D. I was thinking of trying going up a width to 12.5E or maybe to a 13D.

What are your thoughts??

View attachment 1399921

Assuming the length is good, I'd try the 12.5E first.

ETA: If a pair is available...

 

[sazon]

Hey everyone! I have had an idea for a dream makeup for awhile and Alden Madison is willing to make that happen (assuming we can get to 12 people). I know of 3 people so far for sure but figured I would throw out the details here for anyone interested.

Specs:

Model: "Henrik" U-Tip Boot (Handstitched)
Last: Grant
Leather: Reverse Tobacco Chamois
Sole: Commando
Eyelets: Brass Speedhooks
Welt: 360 Prestitch Reverse
Edges: Antique

Estimated Price: $625 ($300 down) with a ~6 month wait time.

If we get these through, they will also include a pair of my 48" Round Waxed Cord Laces and a Shell Cordovan Key Fob.

If you're interested, DM @AldenMadison on Instagram or shoot him an email at [email protected]

Below is my Photoshop attempt of what the final make-up would look like combining a few different makeups I could find online.
View attachment 1399801 \
Let me know if you have any questions!

Nice looking make up ! Good luck - hope u can get 12

 

[M2511]

Wingtip Wednesday in suede. Inaugural wearing after the resole from crepe to antique JR.

View attachment 1399827 View attachment 1399828 View attachment 1399829

Nice! Who did the resole?

I have the same question. I've been wanting to change the sole on my milkshake suede indys that have crepe. They are comfortable but I just hate the appearance of crepe on them. Was going to either go to waterloc type or neocork.

 

[chipshot]

 

[jischwar]

First that fading looks amazing with the black welt!

Logistical question. Do you need 360 degrees of sun to fade well? As someone who lives in a high rise in manhattan I can only imagine leaving them in a window. Would rotating the shoe around each day to even it out enough?

Im pretty new to Alden; just preordered my first with gentlemen’s footwear for a color 8 plaza Indy. Not sure I’ll want to fade them, but if I do are there any recommended guides?

Thanks! I think without 360 degree sun and in a window, the process probably just takes longer. I rotate mine every other week and they sit outside on my patio getting 6+ hours of 360 degree direct sunlight.

There is plenty of advice on this thread, but the best thing I got were words of caution from @BAK . The fading process can uncover defects in the underlying hide and the reason it was made to be color 8 in the first place. That's definitely been the case with mine, I have some scarring and discoloration that I've uncovered. So, I would be unlikely to do it with a new pair, but obviously they are your shoes and your choice.

Lastly, depending on your rotation they will gradually lighten up as you wear them. Mine had already turned more cherry given their age and wear so they were a good candidate for the experiment.

 

[aapmm]

Thanks! I think without 360 degree sun and in a window, the process probably just takes longer. I rotate mine every other week and they sit outside on my patio getting 6+ hours of 360 degree direct sunlight.

There is plenty of advice on this thread, but the best thing I got were words of caution from @BAK . The fading process can uncover defects in the underlying hide and the reason it was made to be color 8 in the first place. That's definitely been the case with mine, I have some scarring and discoloration that I've uncovered. So, I would be unlikely to do it with a new pair, but obviously they are your shoes and your choice.

Lastly, depending on your rotation they will gradually lighten up as you wear them. Mine had already turned more cherry given their age and wear so they were a good candidate for the experiment.

Thanks! Will definitely take that into consideration

 

[audog]

Thanks! I think without 360 degree sun and in a window, the process probably just takes longer. I rotate mine every other week and they sit outside on my patio getting 6+ hours of 360 degree direct sunlight.

There is plenty of advice on this thread, but the best thing I got were words of caution from @BAK . The fading process can uncover defects in the underlying hide and the reason it was made to be color 8 in the first place. That's definitely been the case with mine, I have some scarring and discoloration that I've uncovered. So, I would be unlikely to do it with a new pair, but obviously they are your shoes and your choice.

Lastly, depending on your rotation they will gradually lighten up as you wear them. Mine had already turned more cherry given their age and wear so they were a good candidate for the experiment.

I have been sun lightening a pair of color 8 Indy boots and, yes, some underlying defects in the leather have begun to show themselves. The thing is, I don't mind them, as it's nothing serious, just color variations.

 

[audog]

Supper is over, sitting on deck watching thunder clouds roll towards us. Waiting for rain.

 

[jischwar]

Supper is over, sitting on deck watching thunder clouds roll towards us. Waiting for rain. View attachment 1399996

Always like seeing your evening pics with the inclusion of a glass of wine!