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I’m guessing 20 years old with a Alden refurb (1st) within the last two years.
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Cold out today, good thing only have to let dog out today...... View attachment 1740482
Finally decided to try and get my Van sizing down for the LHS at Madison today. Half size down seemed to be the ticket outside of trying a couple widths. Hand stitch models, even stock ones, seem to not be readily in stock in popular sizes, but at least it could be ordered and the wait wasn’t too bad. These were calf, but I ordered in them in black shell. Can’t wait to get them as I move back to San Diego from Nyc.
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Wonderful story! Those Walnut Daltons are some of the best shoes AE ever made... The unlined version? SUPER rare as well; I am sad I had to part with my pair.
I really like that quote, almost brings me to tears reading it.
The wings are really one of my favorite designs as well... I 100% agree it's probably up there with Alden's best makeups of late.
One shoe that Jim and I REALLY wanted to get made (but had to "settle" on the Harvard/Savvy wing LOL) was the "Campus Bal". We pushed and pushed and pushed and Alden kiboshed it as the pattern is either obsolete or too difficult to cut. We both were devastated that Alden wouldn't move on it. I really wanted a color 8 or black shell pair as they only made them in calf.
I wish @Misterg12 could get Alden to make them in memory of my/our friend. Would be a really sweet tribute to a really good man.
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They are from Ground-Gripper aka Moulded Shoe in NYC. If you call, tell Ronnie the guy who bought the Loden boots from STL says hello!
They're Modified last (their specialty) and I love them to death.
Thanks, Mike! These boots are made for walkin'!
These just arrived today from ShoeMart, Alden Cap Toe Shell boots in Color 8 with Antique edging on the sole.
Good and the bad:
Good: The fit is amazing, right out of the box. Didn't even need to use the shoehorn they included in the package.
Bad: Quality control rears its ugly head. Right boot, outer side, looks like some sort of chemical was dripped on the shell leather, doesn't look like dye issues but very noticeable. I've reached out to ShoeMart and sent them pics today and I'm waiting for a response. Another thing I noticed is how thin the shell leather that is used for the tongue is thinner than the tongue on my calf Indy's.
So mixed reaction to boots I was really looking forward to adding to my collection.
This is how I want all of my 8's to look. In my humble opinion, there is nothing, nothing, better than aged Alden 8 that has been well-cared for. Well done my-man!
Good grief Doc. Out of curiosity, can I get deets on the last? They look a little sleeker that Barrie but hard to tell from the angle.
Fair warning that it gets long from here but this post from @barutanseijin (agree with @mdubs BTW, those 990's are amazing) and a recent Hampton acquisition got me thinking about how I size Plaza and the genesis is that there was just something about my Plaza wings that I couldn't make work for me. For some reason, I always considered Plaza to be a dressy last and my boots never quite looked that way. I think the issue is that I brought into the conventional thinking as above, go up 1/2 size from Barrie. I took a flyer on my recent Hampton purchase though they are the same as my Barrie size because I really wanted the boots and the deal was very fair. Turns out that they fit perfectly, which got me thinking that I may have sized wrong on Plaza. I am now certain of that and thats why they didn't quite look right. Just too bulbous for the way I was trying to wear them. So today I decided to try something different. Rather than biz casual, I threw some thick socks on and rocked them with denim. It is the first time I've worn them that I absolutely love the look. Here's a few shots in different lights.......
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Man, these things look great and with thick socks, the fit is spot-on. Which leads me to a question. I have become truly enamored with the cork sole and rubber heel that comes mainly on the Indy 405 (I think). It was on my Black Shell Indy's that I sent back for repair because the hooks are coming off (unfortunately the news is not good on that front but that's a story for another day). My questions for the group are these, does anyone own 8's with cork soles and if so, can you share an image? Also, because I'm far from an expert on Alden soles, can anyone think of a reason (other than aesthetics) on why that sole would not work on these boots?
As always, appreciate the insight.
EDIT: Sorry for being lazy guys. Quick search gave me quite a few images of cork on 8. No wings so far, but I think I'm good.
Maiden voyage… View attachment 1741110
Just a pumpkin 405 kind of day View attachment 1741137
That color is awesome, audog. Johnniegold, your color is awesome too. I wish I could find a plain toe boot in that color.
I wore my best boots today.
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Brown CXL boots for the afternoon View attachment 1741290
Navy Suede Perf Tips this Friday. Very pleased with these and feel like I made the right choice when deciding on which Navy suede boot to get from Mack at Brogue. Think the straight tip would've been nice, but I smile whenever I wear these.
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Here are Madison 8 Indys on cork
Also—you should just pitch wingtip color 8 boots on cork somewhere.
edit (might be an @mdubs question):
Does Alden only do cork on TB? And they don’t do wings on TB, right? Probably hard to get cork wingtip boots, then…
edit 2 (jeez I should just Google things first): Madison has some some Barrie boots on cork.
Who’s up for some cork wings?
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Happy Friday gentlemen. 2022 is off to a faster start than I anticipated. Latest arrival and put to immediate use (after waterproofing treatment of course). Snuff suede plaza slip-on chukkas on commando. These run a touch larger than my other plaza lasted boots, shoes, and lace up chukkas. I could have probably gotten away with 1/2 size down though they are still very comfortable and super easy on/off.
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Friday eve and now Friday with wool layers and an overcoat. Bring on the weekend!
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Shawn, those are looking truly remarkable my friend! Great design right there. I really do not think that Alden will do a Wingtip Boot on the Neocork if I know anything about Alden. All new designs get reviewed by Artie, the owner of Alden, and he really is trying to keep the brand to a certain aesthetic. I think that a formal design like the WT pattern and the absolute casualness of the Neocork wouldn't get through him. I say this partially based upon designs that I know that he has turned down in the past.
As you found, they will do it with other lasts, but I think you will be hard pressed to find it or get it done on a more formal design. Artie is very protective of the Alden brand and corresponding aesthetic.
-Mike
I think better phrasing would be "the boot that started the hype". Lol! I would definitely agree the 405 would be that boot. The “Indy” is a great boot, I’m not particularly a fan of the TB last. The 405 was my gateway drug to Alden, but that’s just because it’s all I knew. This forum will drop you down the rabbit hole to all the the amazing offerings and make ups you could possibly want. I think my next “Indy” will probably be the “405 Pisgah” from Ealdwine. I do dig the 405 leather, and the Barrie last is almost perfect for me. My 2¢.
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"The Pisgah 405" Mocc Toe Boot Original Brown Workboot Leather *Pre-Order Now $200 Deposit* — Ealdwine Raleigh
Order Inquiry Form Alden Handsewn Mocc Toe Boot in Original Brown Workboot Leather Barrie Last Brass Eyelets & Hooks 270 Antique Storm Welt Commando Soles Made in Massachusetts All Alden Shoes and Boots are crafted with a tempered steel shank under the arch of the footwww.ealdwineraleigh.com
Speaking of Indy boots, and TB last View attachment 1741722
“Indy Bandwagon”, Stealth Snuff Suede courtesy of Ealdwine.
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Modified last for a cold day.
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Going through closet while waiting for grandkids to arrive. A seldom worn, by me, pair of Plaza Indy's, DocG's. View attachment 1741803
Dug these out after 18 months (work moved to remote and finally went back to office some weeks ago).
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Most worn boots this winter so far
1) Color 8 plain toe boots, commando, Barrie from
b+m (same as every year)
2) These:
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Spent some time today applying some TLC to a pair of 975s. These are approx. 20 years-old and had their first refurb ever in Feb. 2021 by Alden.
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And if you wanna see the final results of spending a few hours brushing,
cleaning, deer-boning, polishing, more brushing and finally oiling the soles of a pair a Alden shell cordovan shoes… then click below.
Cleaning day for me too.........
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Scuffed the EG's really bad. After working the leather toe I moved to the edge and to my surprise, I had scuffed them so badly that the rubber on the ridgeway sole was actually separating from the leather. Oh well, boots........
NST on Trubalance. My best fitting last. View attachment 1741996
Cornstarch on FRESH oil/stains on suede. However if suede comes with a mark from the factory, one has two choices, refuse the boots, or negotiate a favorable settlement and live with it. I live with it View attachment 1742037
My favorite workbook. View attachment 1742048
I was doing a some work today in the garage. Jcrew indys got the call.
Some boots for today's snow View attachment 1742059
The spots almost make me NOT want to wear them, almost...... View attachment 1742171
Thanks Mayor. I agree with your assessment. It's a tough call but I have had these boots available for a while without a reasonable offer. I really love the boot as one of my favorite (and underused combinations) is the blind eyes and hooks combination. Once I saw them on feet with a more casual make, I was convinced that I found a home for them. Shut down the auction and placed the order for neocork. Not completely confident in how it will look for the same reason you assign to Artie. Wings/Plaza/Neocork????? That will be interesting.
But I love the shade of 8 as well as the hammer perforation used on Plaza enough that I am willing to take a flyer. Going to let Aram do his thing and see how they look.
Thank you Mike! The flat welt and leather sole give it a much sleeker, dressier profile. It is definitely my favourite TB lasted boot.TC, hah! Looks like you found the right bus to hop on there! Those are a great model and an interesting combo with the Indy design and flat welt. Hope that you enjoyed 'em yesterday!
Didn't get around to trying these on -- beautiful makeup from Style by Blain.
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