The Official Alden Thread for 2025 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[Shawnc]

Alden keep things pretty close to the vest but I'd be shocked if they were making anything outside of Boston.

 

[Hisheirness23]

Welp, my humus NSTs from Brogue arrived last week. Beautiful shoes. I initially had a bit of discomfort on the left, but thought it would go away. Like an idiot, I wore them to work and by lunch the outside of my left foot felt awful. (Odd considering my hampton bals fit fine in this size, but who knows)

Can't return these now, so I'd like to offer them here before ebay. 9D, hampton last. Worn once and then back in the box. Complete with the plastic and flannel bags, etc etc.

Full info: https://www.brogueshop.com/collecti...roducts/alden-x-brogue-winchester-nst-blucher

Paid $715. Make me an offer.
I already ordered the next size up and waiting on those to arrive. Just trying to offset that a little.


Here's the one pic I have, can take more if there's interest.

View attachment 2326787

Was gonna ask if you just needed the shoes stretched, but then read you ordered another pair in the next size up. They look great in that photo!

 

[Hisheirness23]

Cigar Wingtip Boots enjoying the sun for a change. Was cloudy and raining this week in the Bay.

 

[Markintosh]

Grabbed these from one of my favorite retailers (eyes swapped by the best in the business). Did a ton of running around yesterday and the rubber on leather is just so comfortable...........
View attachment 2326537

Reposting one of my favorite shots, and this one from last Thursday. 10 minutes after posting (no exaggeration, timing is everything), I got the dreaded 'coach wants to see you, bring your playbook' call. Was planning on retiring April 30th but I guess my employer had other plans (undoubtably tired of me spending my days taking shoe pic's).........

View attachment 2326539

No crocodile tears for me though. The plan was to walk out the door empty-handed (well, with a fair, not overly generous, pension). Now I get that plus a severance. Couldn't have written a better script if I tried.

Does mean I will be listing some more pieces sooner than planned but again, not at all a bad thing.

Happy halfway day gang. Have a great one!

Plus you can draw unemployment now too!!!! Before I was a college teacher, back in the 90s I got laid off twice during large downsizings by Transamerica and ConAgra Foods - I was always so happy to get that severance!. Congrats on retirement Shawn - you must be so excited to start a new chapter. If you're a movie guy and have never seen "Up In The Air" - you should check it out, Clooney pays a guy that flies 300 days a year going from company to company and lays people off for a living - it's funny stuff....I will miss your "inside, outside, and, you know" postings...

 

[Markintosh]

Broke down and cleaned the area behind the shoe rack over the weekend. Took a longwing group shot while I had everything out.

View attachment 2326373

If you don't mind, what is right-column-middle and right-column-bottom - whiskey calf and alpine grain?

 

[Weldy]

Appears not all boxes have Made in USA on them:

The Alden Buy, Sell, Trade (B/S/T) Thread

67130 - LHS in blue chromexcel, 8E $250 includes dust bags no box or shoe trees ships worldwide (+$ depending on location) Bought at Alden Madison circa 2017. I believe this model was discontinued as I haven't seen it (new ones) anywhere since. Haven't used them a ton, considering the seven...

www.styleforum.net

The Alden Buy, Sell, Trade (B/S/T) Thread

67130 - LHS in blue chromexcel, 8E $250 includes dust bags no box or shoe trees ships worldwide (+$ depending on location) Bought at Alden Madison circa 2017. I believe this model was discontinued as I haven't seen it (new ones) anywhere since. Haven't used them a ton, considering the seven...

www.styleforum.net

Alden 21524C Brown Chromexcel Medallion Tip Blucher

Alden 21524C Medallion Tip Blucher is built on the Barrie last. The model has a Horween Brown Chromexcel leather upper with a commando outsole.

aldenmodelproject.com

Could be, but the second picture is from https://davidwoodstyleshop.com/collections/alden-x-dw-1 who are based in Portland, Maine!

Here few more videos...
Collabs with "Made expressly for..." half insole:



Not collab:


What these videos have in common is they were all uploaded within the past year, so perhaps its a recent change with their footbeds.

I wonder what the story is. Have I uncovered the Made in China range ? . Anyway this is getting a bit obsessive, I'm sure theres nothing to it.

Not made in China range ha. Still all made in Middleborough, MA.

Believe 2022 pairs and newer do not have the Made in USA on the insole. I have a few 2021 pairs that still have it. I personally believe it is due to a change with an insole imprint or changes in their stamps due to different stamping machine/supplier.

 

[peppercorn78]

Dr. Pepper, long time no read…

I trust you are doing well. So good to see you back here…

thank you, brother. I'm out of the shoe game these days. Enjoying the ones I have enough to need replacement heels!

 

[Vincent George]

@Shawnc

Congrats on your retirement. Sorry they surprised you, but I’m glad you’re satisfied with the outcome.

You should celebrate with some Aldens!

🎉 🎊 🎈 👞

 

[sazon]

@Shawnc Congrats on what I'm sure is a well-deserved retirement ! Hope the call from the coach wasn't too traumatic. (I've had that happen and NO BUENO).

 

[Shawnc]

Plus you can draw unemployment now too!!!! Before I was a college teacher, back in the 90s I got laid off twice during large downsizings by Transamerica and ConAgra Foods - I was always so happy to get that severance!. Congrats on retirement Shawn - you must be so excited to start a new chapter. If you're a movie guy and have never seen "Up In The Air" - you should check it out, Clooney pays a guy that flies 300 days a year going from company to company and lays people off for a living - it's funny stuff....I will miss your "inside, outside, and, you know" postings...

Naw, unfortunately it doesn't look like UC is an option. Severance+Pension seems to rule that out but the severance is the key piece and I will be just fine. As I said, it is not overly generous but after 26+ YOS, it is quite fair.

I'm somewhat of a Clooney fan but I've never watched the entire movie. Seen bits and pieces but I will have to watch out for it. Got a little time on my hands. Thanks for the tip.

@Shawnc

Congrats on your retirement. Sorry they surprised you, but I’m glad you’re satisfied with the outcome.

You should celebrate with some Aldens!

🎉 🎊 🎈 👞

One step ahead of you VG. They land on Friday.

If I went into the details, it would be far too many words (even for me) and yes, it was a bit surprising initially, but even during the meeting, I was having a difficult time not smiling. It helped that my VP (who broke the news along with HR) is a really good dude. I've known him for years (we were competitors in the basketball league 12 years ago) and I only got moved to him a month or so ago. You could see he felt really bad about it. Some of the news I've gotten from my team since the release is consistent with that as well.

@Shawnc Congrats on what I'm sure is a well-deserved retirement ! Hope the call from the coach wasn't too traumatic. (I've had that happen and NO BUENO).

Of course, much appreciated Saz. Yes, I've previously gotten the call as well and generally speaking, it is not fun. Fortunately for me, that wasn't the case this time.

 

[Gravitational_Waves]

I have become so protective for them.... after putting them ON twice... finally decided not to take them out

 

[Shawnc]

Break that seal @Gravitational_Waves. They are stunning and I can certainly understand the caution. But it is only after that initial creasing that true love can begin.

 

[JTMD]

I have become so protective for them.... after putting them ON twice... finally decided not to take them out
View attachment 2327159

Can only fully appreciate shell by getting it out on the pavement and in the sun. I'm guessing you bought them to wear versus putting in a glass case and displaying them in your living room? I know, you feel as if you got something special..and no doubt they cost a pretty penny...but end of the day they're footwear and cost that much because they're good footwear..for the streets and on your feet.

 

[JTMD]

Full Strap Tassel Loafers in #8 for today...seen lots of action the last 10 years (or so). Will need to send them in for resoling soon. 🙄

 

[Gravitational_Waves]

Can only fully appreciate shell by getting it out on the pavement and in the sun. I'm guessing you bought them to wear versus putting in a glass case and displaying them in your living room? I know, you feel as if you got something special..and no doubt they cost a pretty penny...but end of the day they're footwear and cost that much because they're good footwear..for the streets and on your feet.

Yes, I agree... I have other shells as well... my post was more on a lighter note