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

[scurvyfreedman]

Wore my new Plaza U-tip Indys outside for the first time today. The first batch was mocha - we heard they would be mocha, then cigar, then mocha, then they split the order, so the first half was mocha and I now declare mine to be officially cigar.

They are almost identical in color to my Chester Mox wallet in Italian Brown Shell (pictured below).

When I first visited the shop I asked if they were ever going to run a Cigar Indy. I also ordered my Color #8 Indy on commando that day. Turns out they had this interesting run in process (in Mocha) and happened to have my size still open on the order. I put my name down. That was October 2019, supposedly ready in March. Then COVID happened. They told me the order switched to cigar. The first half was delivered in mocha. My order was pushed to August, then November. And, it finally arrived. I know most people would probably prefer the darker tones of mocha, especially because it's much more rare, but I really like cigar and I asked for cigar and got cigar.

I know I won't always feel like this, but as of right now, I believe my quest for the perfect boot is complete. I have four pairs of Alden boots, two from Alfred Sargent, and one from Crockett and Jones. But, this one is my favorite. It's the perfect color. It's a casual design, but a dressy last and welt. Just incredible. The brass eyelets and hooks really make it pop. And, the color of the shell is just awesome - rich and deep, but varied.

 

[AHS]

What do you mean? Fitting Alden is easy. 1) Get measured...
2) Spend $10,000 on shoes in the wrong sizes.
3) Eventually win!

I’ll add one more issue... a few years ago I had to start wearing shoes that were approx 1/2 size larger / wider than what I had up to that point.

Apparently walking around this planet for 50 years can suddenly / gradually flatten and expand your feet. One of the former staff here at Alden San Francisco said he experienced that with customers on a regular basis.

AHS

 

[JSO1]

Thanks to @BAK for realizing this but we’ve been wrong about Alden production date codes the whole time.

The number represents the last digit of the fiscal year, not the calendar year, and the month codes begin with A in November (the first month or Alden’s FY).

So 0A would be November 2019, 0B would be December 2019, and 0C would be January 2020, etc.

A = Nov
B = Dec
C = Jan
D = Feb
E = Mar
F = Apr
G = May
H = Jun
J = Jul
K = Aug
L = Sep
M = Oct

 

[Shawnc]

Wore my new Plaza U-tip Indys outside for the first time today. The first batch was mocha - we heard they would be mocha, then cigar, then mocha, then they split the order, so the first half was mocha and I now declare mine to be officially cigar.

They are almost identical in color to my Chester Mox wallet in Italian Brown Shell (pictured below).

View attachment 1510639 View attachment 1510640 View attachment 1510641

When I first visited the shop I asked if they were ever going to run a Cigar Indy. I also ordered my Color #8 Indy on commando that day. Turns out they had this interesting run in process (in Mocha) and happened to have my size still open on the order. I put my name down. That was October 2019, supposedly ready in March. Then COVID happened. They told me the order switched to cigar. The first half was delivered in mocha. My order was pushed to August, then November. And, it finally arrived. I know most people would probably prefer the darker tones of mocha, especially because it's much more rare, but I really like cigar and I asked for cigar and got cigar.

I know I won't always feel like this, but as of right now, I believe my quest for the perfect boot is complete. I have four pairs of Alden boots, two from Alfred Sargent, and one from Crockett and Jones. But, this one is my favorite. It's the perfect color. It's a casual design, but a dressy last and welt. Just incredible. The brass eyelets and hooks really make it pop. And, the color of the shell is just awesome - rich and deep, but varied.

Can't go wrong either way but me preference is definitely cigar. I like that it starts out a little lighter and absolutely love the way it ages. Regardless of the official designation, those are some sweet boots. It will be really cool to see more shots as they age. Congrats.

 

[slows2k]

I would have to agree. I have two pairs and I had to get on a make up list for both. Here are my LWBs in the same leather. I love how casual they are.

View attachment 1510582

WOAH. I don't think I've seen an Alden LWB in scotch grain before; just the alpine grain. If someone makes these with leather soles instead of commando, I'm in for sure.

 

[barutanseijin]

I’ll add one more issue... a few years ago I had to start wearing shoes that were approx 1/2 size larger / wider than what I had up to that point.

Apparently walking around this planet for 50 years can suddenly / gradually flatten and expand your feet. One of the former staff here at Alden San Francisco said he experienced that with customers on a regular basis.

AHS

Yup. It happened to me. All of a sudden my shoes were too tight, especially in the width department. The result was the purchase of thousands of dollars of new Aldens.

 

[Vincent George]

I’ll add one more issue... a few years ago I had to start wearing shoes that were approx 1/2 size larger / wider than what I had up to that point.

Apparently walking around this planet for 50 years can suddenly / gradually flatten and expand your feet. One of the former staff here at Alden San Francisco said he experienced that with customers on a regular basis.

AHS

I’m in my late 30s, and I’ve experienced a shift already. (Also didn’t help that I was probably wearing the wrong size shoes for a long time and just “dealt with it”). Alden and AE have really saved me in the last few years.

I read something about hikers, too. Foot spread on a large scale...

 

[jpm1]

Thanks to @BAK for realizing this but we’ve been wrong about Alden production date codes the whole time.

The number represents the last digit of the fiscal year, not the calendar year, and the month codes begin with A in November (the first month or Alden’s FY).

So 0A would be November 2019, 0B would be December 2019, and 0C would be January 2020, etc.

A = Nov
B = Dec
C = Jan
D = Feb
E = Mar
F = Apr
G = May
H = Jun
J = Jul
K = Aug
L = Sep
M = Oct

This changes everything

 

[JSO1]

This changes everything

 

[Hisheirness23]

Been waiting to get my hands on a pair of these Debonair Snuff Suede Wingtip Boots from B&M for over a year and finally pulled the trigger! Thank you to Yenni for answering all of my questions and for a quality makeup!

Will be throwing on AE Round Boot laces to achieve my desired look. I just can't get used to the flat waxed laces.

 

[feathers73]

I’ll add one more issue... a few years ago I had to start wearing shoes that were approx 1/2 size larger / wider than what I had up to that point.

Apparently walking around this planet for 50 years can suddenly / gradually flatten and expand your feet. One of the former staff here at Alden San Francisco said he experienced that with customers on a regular basis.

AHS

I've had that happen twice in my life. If my Aldens are a little roomy I don't sweat it. They could become too small as you get older.

 

[vnguyen_md]

Dr. G boots for an evening out later

 

[audog]

Saturday afternoon B&M wings

 

[aero25]

I’ll add one more issue... a few years ago I had to start wearing shoes that were approx 1/2 size larger / wider than what I had up to that point.

Apparently walking around this planet for 50 years can suddenly / gradually flatten and expand your feet. One of the former staff here at Alden San Francisco said he experienced that with customers on a regular basis.

AHS

41 and happening here, too. Though, curiously it affected my length (+.5 size) and not really width. At least, so far.

 

[EndlessMike]

Wore my new Plaza U-tip Indys outside for the first time today. The first batch was mocha - we heard they would be mocha, then cigar, then mocha, then they split the order, so the first half was mocha and I now declare mine to be officially cigar.

They are almost identical in color to my Chester Mox wallet in Italian Brown Shell (pictured below).

View attachment 1510639 View attachment 1510640 View attachment 1510641

When I first visited the shop I asked if they were ever going to run a Cigar Indy. I also ordered my Color #8 Indy on commando that day. Turns out they had this interesting run in process (in Mocha) and happened to have my size still open on the order. I put my name down. That was October 2019, supposedly ready in March. Then COVID happened. They told me the order switched to cigar. The first half was delivered in mocha. My order was pushed to August, then November. And, it finally arrived. I know most people would probably prefer the darker tones of mocha, especially because it's much more rare, but I really like cigar and I asked for cigar and got cigar.

I know I won't always feel like this, but as of right now, I believe my quest for the perfect boot is complete. I have four pairs of Alden boots, two from Alfred Sargent, and one from Crockett and Jones. But, this one is my favorite. It's the perfect color. It's a casual design, but a dressy last and welt. Just incredible. The brass eyelets and hooks really make it pop. And, the color of the shell is just awesome - rich and deep, but varied.

I wore mine for the first time today, too! They're really lovely! They'll definitely be getting a lot of wear.