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

[Johnniegold]

So many beautiful shoes and boots on this thread...I'm thinking of saying F*ck it and quitting, I can't seem to wear a pair of anything nice with out scuffs, scrapes, damage rendering them less than photogenic, and certainly no where near as beautiful as others on this thread....Am I alone in things like getting a scratch that goes deep on a new pair of color 8 boots? Or wearing beautiful saddle shoes and getting them scraped by the screen door while trying to carry a kid in the house? I try, God knows I try, to keep my footwear nice and keep up with others on this thread, but just can't, never have been able to keep footwear pristine. I may just check out, as it's getting frustrating to me........but I SOOOOOO love to see the shoes/boots of those who CAN keep them looking like first wear, even after years...
Photo of side of color 8 boots, screen door, carrying 5 month old granddaughter and dodging a dog, door wins View attachment 1607272

The times I’ve had scrapes, scratches and scuffs (and water marks) on a pair of Aldens are too numerous to count.

I’m too far down this road to worry about it. Upon seeing any sort of my blemish on my shoes, my brain doesn’t allow me the time to worry about it anymore.

Instead, my brain immediately (and happily) defaults into repair mode.

Usually goes something like this...

Upon seeing a scratch... ??

? Ok. When I get home, I’ll immediately get the deer bone (or sleeking bone) and work it over and then apply some polish and continue to work the deer bone and then brush. Repeat if necessary.

Upon seeing water marks...??

?Ok. When I get home I will brush the area off. Apply some Renovateur. Brush. Apply some polish. Brush. Finish off with chamois.

My wife, upon seeing me notice a blemish on my shoes...??

Oh ****.

???

Shoe care/maintenance is half the fun. ?

 

[sterlingindigo]

When I put a deep scuff into a nice pair of shoes, it’s maddening. I have both the embarrassing event, tripping over a curb, as well as the permanent mark to remember it by. So what I do, is simply rewrite the story line, that it happened during lovemaking. Kind of like how people with leg casts turn into downhill skiers. Voila, it’s now a badge of honor. And an interesting conversation piece.

 

[Tseg]

Bummer, after about 6 months and a couple dozen wears the stitching on my 4515H is starting to give way. I sent an email into Alden... we'll see how they respond.

 

[Tseg]

Bummer, after about 6 months and a couple dozen wears the stitching on my 4515H is starting to give way. I sent an email into Alden... we'll see how they respond.

... and just like that... Brenda emails me back asking me to mail in my boots. Nice.

 

[James1051]

When I put a deep scuff into a nice pair of shoes, it’s maddening. I have both the embarrassing event, tripping over a curb, as well as the permanent mark to remember it by. So what I do, is simply rewrite the story line, that it happened during lovemaking. Kind of like how people with leg casts turn into downhill skiers. Voila, it’s now a badge of honor. And an interesting conversation piece.

you wear your Aldens in the sack? Talk about brand loyalty! ?

 

[savvysartorial]

Two classics for an afternoon stroll.

View attachment 1606339 View attachment 1606340

Looking great! That Datejust is killer. The roulette wheel and train tracks around the dial are as classic as they come!

 

[sterlingindigo]

you wear your Aldens in the sack? Talk about brand loyalty! ?

Or nature hiking. All terrain soles.

 

[Norwester]

So many beautiful shoes and boots on this thread...I'm thinking of saying F*ck it and quitting, I can't seem to wear a pair of anything nice with out scuffs, scrapes, damage rendering them less than photogenic, and certainly no where near as beautiful as others on this thread....Am I alone in things like getting a scratch that goes deep on a new pair of color 8 boots? Or wearing beautiful saddle shoes and getting them scraped by the screen door while trying to carry a kid in the house? I try, God knows I try, to keep my footwear nice and keep up with others on this thread, but just can't, never have been able to keep footwear pristine. I may just check out, as it's getting frustrating to me........but I SOOOOOO love to see the shoes/boots of those who CAN keep them looking like first wear, even after years...
Photo of side of color 8 boots, screen door, carrying 5 month old granddaughter and dodging a dog, door wins View attachment 1607272

After seeing ironclad's post #3771 my goal in life has been to wear the crap out of my color 8 cap-toes, weather and dirt be damned. In fact I'm currently eyeing buying a 5 year old pair with a nice fade already going. There is beauty in well-worn shell once you get a certain amount of it; I don't know exactly when the transition from "marred new shoes" to "gorgeous patina" occurs, but I do like it when I see it.

 

[slows2k]

After seeing ironclad's post #3771 my goal in life has been to wear the crap out of my color 8 cap-toes, weather and dirt be damned.

Those may be the best looking boots I’ve ever seen; they inspired me to seek out a pair of plain toed shell and do the same. So I started with a pair from ealdwine. It’s slow going, though.

 

[NYCTechNerd]

Looking great! That Datejust is killer. The roulette wheel and train tracks around the dial are as classic as they come!

Thank you.

You have one of the other true classics with the super jubilee bracelet, white gold fluted bezel, and silver dial.

My father and uncle both have similar 36mm steel/yellow-gold DateJusts, jubilee bracelet, flutted bezel, and champagne dials. I wanted something different and modern so I opted for a smooth bezel, white dial, and oyster bracelet. I have had it just over 10 years and it recently came back from its first service which is why it looks so new and shiny.

 

[chipshot]

Cigar LHSes today before I pack up the lined collection until Fall.

 

[audog]

Another brand most of the day, switch to V-tip boots for afternoon

 

[jischwar]

Another brand most of the day, switch to V-tip boots for afternoon View attachment 1607776

Pretty, what last are those on?

 

[smfdoc]

The snuff suede LWBs finally needed a full shampoo cleanup. Gave them some brighter laces and now go back in the bag. Awaiting arrival of some nano spray protector for later.

 

[audog]

Pretty, what last are those on?

Hampton, Ealdwine "James" boot