The Official Alden Thread for 2024 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[JTMD]

Unlike the kids, my shoes can't really cry about favoritism. Happy Wing Wednesday all..

 

[tuna roll]

Any recommendations or favorites for unlined shell Aldens? I'm thinking lace-ups, not loafers (like dovers).

Brick & Mortar seems to carry a decent selection. Any other leads?

@Shawnc 's NST sent me down a very specific rabbit hole... but I don't believe this model is made anymore (?)

 

[ProfilaBinding]

These navy cxl boots definitely look different depending on the light. Navy, black or even green sometimes.

 

[Shawnc]

Plan B today as I got the dreaded ‘Delivery Exception’ text from UPS regarding the planned delivery of my green box (which will hopefully be waiting for me when I get home). But it was pretty cool to have a young guy approach me at the bus stop and ask me about /compliment my shoes.

Chukka’s on commando w/antique edges from our good friends at AoM…….



And of course, view from the best seat in the house…….



Happy Friday-eve Gang. Have a great one!

 

[JTMD]

Deleted

 

[JTMD]

Today's grab...full strap tassel loafers in black shell...black has always been the least interesting shell to me..but I've seen some boots recently that have got me re-thinking that theory. 😅

 

[tuna roll]

Today's grab...full strap tassel loafers in black shell...black has always been the least interesting shell to me..but I've seen some boots recently that have got me re-thinking that theory. 😅

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Very nice make up! Black may be the least interesting shell color, but only because the competition is fierce. I mean, look at that sheen!

 

[JTMD]

Very nice make up! Black may be the least interesting shell color, but only because the competition is fierce. I mean, look at that sheen!

Absolutely. My local place mostly stocks 8 so I haven't had much opportunity to handle black shell. If I have to go through the hassle/expense of getting shoes out of the US, it's usually for the rarer colours versus 8 or black. The 2 pairs of black shell I have don't see the most use admittedly...but this summer in California and my trip to Shanghai a couple weeks back, I hit a few shops and some of the black shell boots were impressive. And then of course looking up models on-line followed. I just bought a pair of Ravello plain toe boots that haven't even been delivered yet..so black will have to wait..but it is on my radar 😁

 

[Shawnc]

Feels strange to say this but I simply don’t have enough 8 in boots. Maybe a better way to say it is that I have far too much in ‘rates’. Nice balance in shoes, not so much in boots. Grabbed these to help balance things out………..




And a family shot with their distant cousin, freshly wiped after today’s wear………

 

[JTMD]

Feels strange to say this but I simply don’t have enough 8 in boots. Maybe a better way to say it is that I have far too much in ‘rates’. Nice balance in shoes, not so much in boots. Grabbed these to help balance things out………..
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And a family shot with their distant cousin, freshly wiped after today’s wear………
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We might have a bit of fun with the "rarer" colours but hard to beat the beauty and versatility of #8...and your new acquisitions certainly drive that point home. I've been wanting a pair of those since I first got into shell cordovan. The place near me stopped carrying them and that was that. 😅

 

[tuna roll]

We might have a bit of fun with the "rarer" colours but hard to beat the beauty and versatility of #8...

True! #8 is just so versatile... black as well in my opinion, but I like black shoes in general so I'm biased

 

[Alcibiades]

Random question - do you think Alden or any retailer would give or sell me green boxes? I think my housekeeper threw away a bunch of mine - selling some models and would love to include some boxes

 

[Vincent George]

Random question - do you think Alden or any retailer would give or sell me green boxes? I think my housekeeper threw away a bunch of mine - selling some models and would love to include some boxes

What a bizarre question… And boy do I have a bizarre answer, buddy.

I reached out to Alden a couple of years ago with the same problem. Brenda at customer service gave me two replacement boxes. And, the best part, I actually picked them up at the factory (granted, she met me at the door, and I was not allowed in lol).

I probably wouldn’t mention that you’re going to be selling them. But for a collector who likes boxes? They were very nice to me.

[email protected]

Here’s my photo of the sign:

 

[Shawnc]

We might have a bit of fun with the "rarer" colours but hard to beat the beauty and versatility of #8...and your new acquisitions certainly drive that point home. I've been wanting a pair of those since I first got into shell cordovan. The place near me stopped carrying them and that was that. 😅

This is so true. I spent so much time chasing ‘rates’ that I think I did it instinctively. They were really ‘rare’ when I got into the game and very hard to acquire. I think chasing them was like the dog and finally catching the car. Bottom line is that I reach for 8 far more than my ‘rares’.

True! #8 is just so versatile... black as well in my opinion, but I like black shoes in general so I'm biased

Black was the only color I did not like when I first got into the game. Still not my favorite but definitely a part of the rotation.

Random question - do you think Alden or any retailer would give or sell me green boxes? I think my housekeeper threw away a bunch of mine - selling some models and would love to include some boxes

No value to add to your question but I will piggy-back off of @Vincent George and say that Brenda is probably the best CS person I have ever dealt with. Always accommodating and helpful. I’d definitely recommend starting with her.

 

[Markintosh]

Feels strange to say this but I simply don’t have enough 8 in boots. Maybe a better way to say it is that I have far too much in ‘rates’. Nice balance in shoes, not so much in boots. Grabbed these to help balance things out………..
View attachment 2277897

View attachment 2277899 View attachment 2277901

And a family shot with their distant cousin, freshly wiped after today’s wear………
View attachment 2277903

I absolutely love the look of the commando sole. I have a pair coming from AOSF - I’m really looking forward to having them - i’m curious, Shawn - if you’ve had another pair with the same sole, how do they wear in terms of durability - was it your choice to have this or was this something you had to take?