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

[H. E. Pennypacker]

@mdubs Thanks for another great monthly topic of discussion.

When I think about the one that got away, it's oddly not a rare shell model.

Starting in 2011, Leffot ran a great wingtip boot in reverse tobacco chamois. It was their Greenwich Boot. It was detailed with all eyelets, 360 reverse welt, and commando soles. Those were the days when Leffot's Alden collabs sold out very quickly. They ran the boot a few times but I could get never get a slot. B+M and AoM ran similar versions, but to this day I've always coveted the Leffot version.

I recently contacted Steven at Leffot and asked if he would consider running it again, given that RTC is having a moment right now. He said he'd run the boot again. Let's hope that happens! If you're a fan, I'd definitely reach out to Steven at Leffot to see if he's going to run it soon !

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I have a similar experience as you do. Leffot did a run of the Greenwich boot in hunting green reverse chamois, they sold out and I found a pair in my size on eBay. I thought about it too long and they were sold.

 

[TommyB]

Cigar loafers on the Leydon last just arrived at my mother-in-law’s, who sent me this picture. Will not be able to try them on in a while since I won’t be back in the US until Christmas because of the pandemic. So patience really is a virtue, I guess.
I’m like a size 9.25D or so on the Brannock and went with size 9D. Will be interesting to see if they fit once I get the opportunity to try them on.

 

[H. E. Pennypacker]

Cigar loafers on the Leydon last just arrived at my mother-in-law’s, who sent me this picture. Will not be able to try them on until Christmas because of the pandemic. So patience really is a virtue, I guess.
I’m like a size 9.25D or so on the Brannock and went with size 9D. Will be interesting to see if they fit once I get the opportunity to try them on.

View attachment 1567766

Were they the pair that was just listed on the bst? Lol if not, what a coincidence.

 

[barutanseijin]

Were they the pair that was just listed on the bst? Lol if not, what a coincidence.

The b/s/t loafers were 9E and TommyB is saying 9D.

 

[H. E. Pennypacker]

The b/s/t loafers were 9E and TommyB is saying 9D.

Ohhh dang, I overlooked that.

 

[TommyB]

Were they the pair that was just listed on the bst? Lol if not, what a coincidence.

Hi,
As @barutanseijin noted mine are 9D. They are straight from the vendor.

 

[H. E. Pennypacker]

Hi,
As @barutanseijin noted mine are 9D. They are straight from the vendor.

Nice pair, enjoy them.

 

[TommyB]

Nice pair, enjoy them.

Thanks!

Considering I gambled a bit with the sizing I’d be very interested in hearing from others who bought this makeup how they fit compared to other lasts (or the Leydon suede chukkas).

 

[savvysartorial]

what is the process? I’ve never even seen any whiskey/ravello/cigar shell make ups on anything other than these threads...

They don't post them online, which is what they used to do a number of years back (before I got into nice shoes and shell).

Gorgeous! Wear in good health!

Thank you! These are really something. You can almost see on the shaft (what I think used to be) hair follicles from the previous owner of this leather.

Despite what anyone may tell you, lighter shells are not perfect. There won't be big splotches or stains, but they each have their own character which is really, really cool.

Yup, similar here, other than just playing the waiting game. I'm sure there are those instances where you can call around and get lucky by a store having an unaccounted pair in your size stock, otherwise I guess just be patient and enjoy the shell Appreciation on this thread and IG pages.

@classicalthunde

Not the case for some others here who get calls seemingly all the time, but I have played the waiting game. A number of the ones I've gotten have just been on lists for some extended period of time. I have a few more coming from just that...

That said, I think once you get one or two pairs it becomes easier to get more; relationships are established, etc. Kind of like stock trading; once you have some more money to work with, you're able to place bets here and there and the money kind of snowballs.

 

[savvysartorial]

Cigar loafers on the Leydon last just arrived at my mother-in-law’s, who sent me this picture. Will not be able to try them on in a while since I won’t be back in the US until Christmas because of the pandemic. So patience really is a virtue, I guess.
I’m like a size 9.25D or so on the Brannock and went with size 9D. Will be interesting to see if they fit once I get the opportunity to try them on.

View attachment 1567766

Gorgeous! That's a really nice makeup.

Have another makeup in that exact last/style and Leydon is pretty true to size. Unlike some of Alden's other lasts where I have to tweak something (Barrie, Hampton, etc.) Leydon fits spot on.

I Brannock 11D and Leydon is 11D. It has a very good heel pocket and the forefoot and ball of the foot is pretty generous compared to its sister last, Aberdeen. Unless you have some one off features like super flat feet (can be cured with tongue pads) or really high arches (you might be in trouble there), I think your 9.25 will feet in these 9s just fine.


Please report back on fit, but I know we'll be waiting until Christmas(and this time it's not a joke about waiting until Christmas)!

 

[audog]

Thank you for this! I'll definitely be reaching out to Leffot! These remind me of the make-up by The Stronghold with their Hummus Suede Wingtip Boot.
View attachment 1567748

I pre-ordered a pair of Loden Suede Plain Toe Boots from Ealdwine and will need to go back in this thread and and see all the pics & comparison feedback people posted on which color will give the greatest contrast since I don't wanna buy multiple colors of boots (besides Snuff since that's flexible).

I'll just put these here so you don't have to go back too far

 

[TommyB]

Gorgeous! That's a really nice makeup.

Have another makeup in that exact last/style and Leydon is pretty true to size. Unlike some of Alden's other lasts where I have to tweak something (Barrie, Hampton, etc.) Leydon fits spot on.

I Brannock 11D and Leydon is 11D. It has a very good heel pocket and the forefoot and ball of the foot is pretty generous compared to its sister last, Aberdeen. Unless you have some one off features like super flat feet (can be cured with tongue pads) or really high arches (you might be in trouble there), I think your 9.25 will feet in these 9s just fine.


Please report back on fit, but I know we'll be waiting until Christmas(and this time it's not a joke about waiting until Christmas)!

Thanks for this. No high arches, if anything the opposite. I’ll only wear thin no-show socks or even go sockless, so hopefully it’ll work. I’ll report back, eventually.

 

[smfdoc]

Happy Friday forum pals. Hunting green suede LWBs for some work from home today. I'm surprised that the color is no longer available and has actually fallen in to the "one that got away" category.

 

[NYCTechNerd]

Another day, another (or two) Alden special makeup(s) that caught my eye...

Alden x Ealdwine D0603C "The Sanford" Handsewn U Tip Shoe Loden Suede
Alden x Brogue Brown Scotch Grain V-Tip Blucher

 

[slows2k]

Alden x Brogue Brown Scotch Grain V-Tip Blucher

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While the V-tip isn't really for me, Aldens scotch grain is criminally underused as a leather. B&M has a wingtip boot in it on closeout, unfortunately my size is gone. They look stunning.