The Official Alden Thread for 2021 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[NYCTechNerd]

I must have lost my mind this afternoon because I lined up all my dress/casual shoes and asked my lovely wife for her advice. I will spare you the full back and forth but here are some of the highlights (her words):

• You have too many brown shoes
• I don't like those McDonald's ones (pointing to the LWB)
• Why are those so orange (pointing to the AE Wilbert)
• Those loafers aren't bad but why didn't you get Weejuns (pointing towards Rancounrt Pinch Penny)

After the initial unprompted comments I asked what she thinks is the next shoe I should buy. After knowing each other for 30 years and married for 20, she is not one to mince words and responded with: Are you ever going back to work? I mostly avoided the question and said that no matter what I will be in a much more casual dress of chinos (and maybe jeans) for work and similar on the weekend. She then took this as another opportunity to remind me how much she hates the "McDonald's shoes" (aka the LWB). I pressed her for an answer and received this response: Well, you should have got a Dirty Buck and a Brown Suede Chukka but since you already have that brown lace up (aka brown suede PTB) I think you need a Tan Suede Chukka.

I remembered someone (maybe @BAK) posted here or on IG that AoM just announced a new Desert Chukka Boot Tan Suede Barrie Crepe that seemed interesting to me. I showed it to my wife and her response was: You showed me it the last time we were at the store [AoM] and I already told you I liked it. I responded with: That one is on a different last, it has a leather sole, and you did not want to be in the store long enough [Covid] for me to try it on. Her final response: They are both Tan Suede Chukkas and only you and those other crazy people on that forum you read would notice the difference because normal people would not.

I will be at AoM this week double checking my size and placing an order. Anyone have advice on how to size for a Barrie lasted unlined Chukka (relative to lined Barrie lasted shoes) in case I can't make it to the store?

 

[chipshot]

You gotta love her Frankness.. my gal thinks the same.. you guys and your shoe collections..
Hey.. I easily could have worse addictions.. I like fast cars and nice footwear..

 

[scurvyfreedman]

I must have lost my mind this afternoon because I lined up all my dress/casual shoes and asked my lovely wife for her advice. I will spare you the full back and forth but here are some of the highlights (her words):

• You have too many brown shoes
• I don't like those McDonald's ones (pointing to the LWB)
• Why are those so orange (pointing to the AE Wilbert)
• Those loafers aren't bad but why didn't you get Weejuns (pointing towards Rancounrt Pinch Penny)

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After the initial unprompted comments I asked what she thinks is the next shoe I should buy. After knowing each other for 30 years and married for 20, she is not one to mince words and responded with: Are you ever going back to work? I mostly avoided the question and said that no matter what I will be in a much more casual dress of chinos (and maybe jeans) for work and similar on the weekend. She then took this as another opportunity to remind me how much she hates the "McDonald's shoes" (aka the LWB). I pressed her for an answer and received this response: Well, you should have got a Dirty Buck and a Brown Suede Chukka but since you already have that brown lace up (aka brown suede PTB) I think you need a Tan Suede Chukka.

I remembered someone (maybe @BAK) posted here or on IG that AoM just announced a new Desert Chukka Boot Tan Suede Barrie Crepe that seemed interesting to me. I showed it to my wife and her response was: You showed me it the last time we were at the store [AoM]and I already told you I liked it. I responded with: That one is on a different last, it has a leather sole, and you did not want to be in the store long enough [Covid] for me to try it on. Her final response: They are both Tan Suede Chukkas and only you and those other crazy people on that forum you read would notice the difference because normal people would not.

I will be at AoM this week double checking my size and placing an order. Anyone have advice on how to size for a Barrie lasted unlined Chukka (relative to lined Barrie lasted shoes) in case I can't make it to the store?


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My wife recently looked at the shoe boxes in my closet and said, "you have a lot of Aldens, aren't they expensive?" I responded, don't worry, when I die I'll leave the contact information for Spoo, who will sell all of my suits and shoes on eBay. You won't have to do any work other than looking inside the shoe to find the model number and then matching them up with the correct box. I added, I got about half of them lightly used, so the price wasn't as expensive as you think. Good thing I only have one pair of Edward Greens.

 

[X_dSF]

I must have lost my mind this afternoon because I lined up all my dress/casual shoes and asked my lovely wife for her advice. I will spare you the full back and forth but here are some of the highlights (her words):

• You have too many brown shoes
• I don't like those McDonald's ones (pointing to the LWB)
• Why are those so orange (pointing to the AE Wilbert)
• Those loafers aren't bad but why didn't you get Weejuns (pointing towards Rancounrt Pinch Penny)

View attachment 1591435 View attachment 1591436 View attachment 1591437 View attachment 1591438

After the initial unprompted comments I asked what she thinks is the next shoe I should buy. After knowing each other for 30 years and married for 20, she is not one to mince words and responded with: Are you ever going back to work? I mostly avoided the question and said that no matter what I will be in a much more casual dress of chinos (and maybe jeans) for work and similar on the weekend. She then took this as another opportunity to remind me how much she hates the "McDonald's shoes" (aka the LWB). I pressed her for an answer and received this response: Well, you should have got a Dirty Buck and a Brown Suede Chukka but since you already have that brown lace up (aka brown suede PTB) I think you need a Tan Suede Chukka.

I remembered someone (maybe @BAK) posted here or on IG that AoM just announced a new Desert Chukka Boot Tan Suede Barrie Crepe that seemed interesting to me. I showed it to my wife and her response was: You showed me it the last time we were at the store [AoM]and I already told you I liked it. I responded with: That one is on a different last, it has a leather sole, and you did not want to be in the store long enough [Covid] for me to try it on. Her final response: They are both Tan Suede Chukkas and only you and those other crazy people on that forum you read would notice the difference because normal people would not.

I will be at AoM this week double checking my size and placing an order. Anyone have advice on how to size for a Barrie lasted unlined Chukka (relative to lined Barrie lasted shoes) in case I can't make it to the store?


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I don't think you have to change size between unlined and lined barrie chukkas. (Although unlined chukka have a better flexibility when they lasting, they are flexible on your feet too)

But I would recommend to try down a half size from your barrie bluchers if you have a lower instep due to the chukkas' naturally higher instep.

 

[audog]

My wife recently looked at the shoe boxes in my closet and said, "you have a lot of Aldens, aren't they expensive?" I responded, don't worry, when I die I'll leave the contact information for Spoo, who will sell all of my suits and shoes on eBay. You won't have to do any work other than looking inside the shoe to find the model number and then matching them up with the correct box. I added, I got about half of them lightly used, so the price wasn't as expensive as you think. Good thing I only have one pair of Edward Greens.

You know, she didn't believe you...she has looked them up online and knows the truth. I speak from personal experience here. For a long time I thought I was getting away with something, wife said she looks them up and knows what I spent. But at least she is cool with it, her comment was something along the lines of "at least you aren't spending the money in some strip club or casino, or the horse track"

 

[audog]

So rain and rather cool today. Wife says......"We, (that means you) need to defrost the freezer in the garage, and then find the title to my car because I bought a new one yesterday and pick it up on Thursday". MocToe boots on commando seemed to be the thing for the day. CXL can handle anything that comes it's way.

 

[jischwar]

You know, she didn't believe you...she has looked them up online and knows the truth. I speak from personal experience here. For a long time I thought I was getting away with something, wife said she looks them up and knows what I spent. But at least she is cool with it, her comment was something along the lines of "at least you aren't spending the money in some strip club or casino, or the horse track"

I told my wife I couldn't afford both a mistress and a shoe addiction so as long as you see new shoes coming in the door... well you can read between the lines

 

[audog]

I told my wife I couldn't afford both a mistress and a shoe addiction so as long as you see new shoes coming in the door... well you can read between the lines

Brilliant!

 

[H. E. Pennypacker]

I told my wife I couldn't afford both a mistress and a shoe addiction so as long as you see new shoes coming in the door... well you can read between the lines

lmao! I'll put this in my arsenal so when the time comes. I'm a bachelor at the moment, so my purchases are a concern to no one.

 

[scurvyfreedman]

I told my wife I couldn't afford both a mistress and a shoe addiction so as long as you see new shoes coming in the door... well you can read between the lines

If it comes up again, I'm using your line. That said, I've hardly left the house in 13 months... so as Mars Blackmon used to say, "it's gotta be the shoes." A few times during the pandemic it's been "I thought it was for me, but it's another heavy package for you from Alden DC/Leffot."

 

[Norwester]

Received shot number 1 from the Amazon SuperVax center in downtown Seattle today. Seems like I get everything else from Amazon, so it makes complete sense. Cognac short-wings on Commando got the call to duty. Stylish yet functional (and very comfortable). And yes, I know the pants need hemming .

 

[NYCTechNerd]

You gotta love her Frankness.. my gal thinks the same.. you guys and your shoe collections..
Hey.. I easily could have worse addictions.. I like fast cars and nice footwear..

Exactly. It could be fast cars and other women.

My wife recently looked at the shoe boxes in my closet and said, "you have a lot of Aldens, aren't they expensive?"

If she tried that, my response would be: They are less expensive and I have many fewer pair than your Ferragamo collection.

I told my wife I couldn't afford both a mistress and a shoe addiction so as long as you see new shoes coming in the door... well you can read between the lines

She is not worried about me ever cheating on her after so many years together. She keeps it that way by reminding me that I will probably lose my mind first so she gets to choose what type of nursing home I will be in and the level of care I will receive.

lmao! I'll put this in my arsenal so when the time comes. I'm a bachelor at the moment, so my purchases are a concern to no one.

You are in the best position to tell your future significant other: You knew about this before we got together so it should not be a surprise now.

And for her, it is not about the money, it is that I am trying to engage her in something that she does not really care about yet she always wants me to be involved with her shoes which seems unfair.

 

[BAK]

I remembered someone (maybe @BAK) posted here or on IG that AoM just announced a new Desert Chukka Boot Tan Suede Barrie Crepe that seemed interesting to me. I showed it to my wife and her response was: You showed me it the last time we were at the store [AoM]and I already told you I liked it. I responded with: That one is on a different last, it has a leather sole, and you did not want to be in the store long enough [Covid] for me to try it on. Her final response: They are both Tan Suede Chukkas and only you and those other crazy people on that forum you read would notice the difference because normal people would not.

I will be at AoM this week double checking my size and placing an order. Anyone have advice on how to size for a Barrie lasted unlined Chukka (relative to lined Barrie lasted shoes) in case I can't make it to the store?


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FYI that AoM chukka will be fully lined.

 

[zippyh]

Received shot number 1 from the Amazon SuperVax center in downtown Seattle today. Seems like I get everything else from Amazon, so it makes complete sense. Cognac short-wings on Commando got the call to duty. Stylish yet functional (and very comfortable). And yes, I know the pants need hemming .
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Bezos balls!

 

[audog]

Received shot number 1 from the Amazon SuperVax center in downtown Seattle today. Seems like I get everything else from Amazon, so it makes complete sense. Cognac short-wings on Commando got the call to duty. Stylish yet functional (and very comfortable). And yes, I know the pants need hemming .
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Moderna or Pfizer? Not that it matters, what's important is that everyone get vaccinated and then put this COVID crap to rest.