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

[drjackal]

soles look quite OK, and at 130$ it’s hard to resist, roll over the place or not

 

[probablycantaffordit]

 

[smoothie1]

Can those Alden loafers be restored? Absolutely. Will they be as good as new? No. They look like did not have correct shoe trees or care for a long time. I think that you will spend as much or more on professional repair as you will pay on the purchase price. I would wait for a pair that has an upper in better condition. Caveat emptor. Also, those are not LHS.

 

[JSO1]

Those look horrible. Those rolls from being squished are not going to come out and they are going to fit weirdly as a result. Pass.

 

[drjackal]

Thanks, guys, think I’ll pass. Such a waste of fine shoes, tho.

 

[savvysartorial]

Happy Friday!

 

[madhat]

Thanks, guys, think I’ll pass. Such a waste of fine shoes, tho.

If you were going to go down that hole, I would suggest a UV light shoe disinfector and rubbing alcohol for any used shoe. As far as reshaping, you might achieve decent results with water:

Reshaping Shell Cordovan With Water | vcleat

vcleat.com

Not a guarantee that they won't go wonky after the first wear though, as shell really holds on to those initial creases.
I would also strongly recommend you verify sizing with a fresh pair before bargain hunting for used...there's a huge difference in fit between Aberdeen and Van lasted loafers, for instance.

 

[Shawnc]

Thanks, guys, think I’ll pass. Such a waste of fine shoes, tho.

You've got some really good input from some really knowledgeable forum members but if it we're me, at a buck-thirty, I would grab those in a heartbeat. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the crease, especially those on the side, are exacerbated by those crazy shoe trees. As @madhat (one of the more knowledgeable sources for shell maintenance) points out, these will never look like new. I would purchase, fumigate, load up the interiors with some Kiwi Shoe Stretch Spray and place some proper shoe trees in them. Hit them with a dear bone, brush, brush, brush, and wear them with jeans with pride. The price is great, the effort not excessive, and these have the added benefit of being a somewhat rare make (at least I don't recall seeing them).

If they we're a 9D they would already be on their way to my home.

 

[scurvyfreedman]

Thanks, guys, think I’ll pass. Such a waste of fine shoes, tho.

Agree with this decision. You'd have to have them relasted to get them properly fixed. That's no simple task and I don't think the factory would do that for you.

 

[audog]

Final entry in cap toe boot week

 

[smfdoc]

The ending of a damp day calls for boots.

 

[Thrift Couture]

Ealdwine has me so excited! Lbvs!

 

[probablycantaffordit]

Thanks, guys, think I’ll pass. Such a waste of fine shoes, tho.

Wise decision. As they say, "buy once, cry once." I've wasted too much money on reclamation projects.

 

[Vincent George]

Winter day here in Mass! Hope you’re all having a good one!

 

[vnguyen_md]

The ending of a damp day calls for boots.

View attachment 1487241

I like these alot