***The official Alden thread *** Share enthusiasm, reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

[enigma77]

^ Agree, with two caveats.

First, should be noted that any suede shoes should be treated with a suede protector to prevent stains and dirt, which is common for suede. I prefer Meltonian suede protector spray. It will darken your suede very slightly.

Second, many shells can go without wax polish, and can be shined just with Renovateur/Venetian cream and vigorous brushing. This leads to a more natural patina and darkening.

 

[borderline]

Unlined snuff suede PTB from Leather Soul.

 

[randomkoreandude]

anyone selling or making mahogany shells? been a long time since ive heard of that shade

 

[banis]



anyone selling or making mahogany shells? been a long time since ive heard of that shade

Vass does at an additional surcharge.

 

[Morgan]

I just sold these whiskey LHS over in B&S. Nice shoes, but the Van last never did work for me.

Full sun:

In shade:

 

[NAMOR]

those look great Morgan. Why didnt they work out? I have never tried out the Van last. Did you size down a half size?

 

[Morgan]

NAMOR, yes I did go down half a size. They did fit, more or less, but the instep was a bit tight across the penny strap and never loosened up. For a long time they were my only pair of loafers, but I picked up the brown cordovan loafers by Crockett & Jones for Polo earlier this summer and haven't worn my Alden LHS since. They're both great loafers but the C&Js just work better on my feet, plus the darker shade of brown is a little more versatile.

The C&J for Polo:

 

[jhcam8]



Right on about the socks. The pants are Epaulet canvas chino's.

Thanks - I've been eyeing some.

 

[Mr.K]

My new 966 on their first day out. The Aberdeen last works very well for me. If the toe was a little more rounded like the Barrie it would be perfect for me.

 

[rennavate]

Would it be possible to order a shell longwing on a different last from the usual Barrie? I assume I could do this MTO through Alden, but it would probably cost an arm and a leg, amirite?

 

[Joenobody0]



Would it be possible to order a shell longwing on a different last from the usual Barrie? I assume I could do this MTO through Alden, but it would probably cost an arm and a leg, amirite?

Huge cost, and massive wait. I've heard people report the MTO fee is $200 and the wait is over a year. That would put the cost of a Shell LWB at $800+. At that price I'm not sure I would accept Alden quality.

I wonder if we could get a group order for the LWB on some other last. If we get enough people, maybe we could have the fee waved. If we can agree on a last I like, I would probably be in for a pair in #8.

 

[burningbright]

So my Leather Soul x Style Forum shortwings came a day earlier than expected. Will try and put some fit pics up tomorrow but the shadow of doubt has already been cast. While my captoe boots are on the Barrie last and my 403's the Trubalance, they're both boots and so never really noticed any heel slippage. For this reason I thought I'd be OK with my first pair of bluchers being on that last. Wrong.

I tried them on and walked around on the carpet for a bit and noticed the slippage instantly. I know I could probably slide them off my foot while they were still tied if I wanted to. So, while they look (and smell) absolutely gorgeous, I just don't know now. Does anybody with this problem just suck it up and deal with it, or is there a makeshift solution? I didn't understand why everybody complained about the Barrie last (other than the aesthetic of it, that seems legit) until now. Would sizing down a whole size help (I just sized down the typical half size) or should I just flip them?

I'm starting to wonder if the MTO route is the way to go with bluchers where your only option is blobby Barrie.

EDIT: just saw the post above me. Did SF request to put these Leather Soul shortwings on the Barrie last or was that out of SF's hands? I would definitely be all for a longwing shell order that solves the heel slippage problem caused by the Barrie last. How does the Grant last measure up in the heel?

 

[Joenobody0]



So my Leather Soul x Style Forum shortwings came a day earlier than expected. Will try and put some fit pics up tomorrow but the shadow of doubt has already been cast. While my captoe boots are on the Barrie last and my 403's the Trubalance, they're both boots and so never really noticed any heel slippage. For this reason I thought I'd be OK with my first pair of bluchers being on that last. Wrong.

I tried them on and walked around on the carpet for a bit and noticed the slippage instantly. I know I could probably slide them off my foot while they were still tied if I wanted to. So, while they look (and smell) absolutely gorgeous, I just don't know now. Does anybody with this problem just suck it up and deal with it, or is there a makeshift solution? I didn't understand why everybody complained about the Barrie last (other than the aesthetic of it, that seems legit) until now. Would sizing down a whole size help (I just sized down the typical half size) or should I just flip them?

I'm starting to wonder if the MTO route is the way to go with bluchers where your only option is blobby Barrie.

EDIT: just saw the post above me. Did SF request to put these Leather Soul shortwings on the Barrie last or was that out of SF's hands? I would definitely be all for a longwing shell order that solves the heel slippage problem caused by the Barrie last. How does the Grant last measure up in the heel?

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I've spent so much money trying to find a size of Barrie that works for me. None does. It's either stupidly big in the heel, or stupidly tight in the toe box. There is no fitting my foot in that damn last. My closet is full of Barrie lasted Shell shoes, standing as testament to my ****** buying habits and desire to put style over fit.

My one moment of strength was sending back my pair of Ravelo shortwings before I wore them. From now on I don't even look at Barrie lasted shoes - I just think, "too bad they stuck it on that."

 

[NAMOR]

bb, did you size down 1/2 from your regular size? if you did, it sounds like the double leather sole needs a bit of a break inb, did you size down 1/2 from your regular size? if you did, it sounds like the double leather sole needs a bit of a break in

 

[NAMOR]



I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I've spent so much money trying to find a size of Barrie that works for me. None does. It's either stupidly big in the heel, or stupidly tight in the toe box. There is no fitting my foot in that damn last. My closet is full of Barrie lasted Shell shoes, standing as testament to my ****** buying habits and desire to put style over fit.

My one moment of strength was sending back my pair of Ravelo shortwings before I wore them. From now on I don't even look at Barrie lasted shoes - I just think, "too bad they stuck it on that."

my best fitting Barrie shoe turned out to be a chukka in black shell. I sized down one whole size and increased the width to E. fit like a glove