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

[BootSpell]

I saved the following quote from a couple hundred or so pages ago. Should still work. I apologize that I did not record the name of who did it.
Quote:
I first sanded off the black with a 140 grade sandpaper. This took about an hour to do and caused at least one blister on my thumb. After this was finished I re-sanded again with a fine grain 220 sandpaper and this made the leather really smooth. I then took some Meletonian medium brown shoe cream and rubbed it into the exposed leather. I did this twice and then buffed with a brush. After this I took some darker brown cream and did the same thing (just the medium brown gave the edge a orange color but adding the darker brown gave it almost an antique look). I made sure the cream had dried and then I applied two coats of a satin finish polyurethane that I got from Lowes. It took about 2 hours total time.

Thanks, Stewbone. That was really helpful. I did a quick search and didn't find that quote and not sure I would have. Much appreciated.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



since no one else has posted this beauty:
http://leathersoulhawaii.com/2012/08/02/alden-shoe-cigar-tanker-boot-lsw/
there is no better alden style/makeup

Reasonable minds have been known to disagree.

But a nice boot nevertheless.

 

[P. Bateman]

Has anyone here ever modified their Alden tassel loafers to remove the tassels? I'm fond of the shoe but not the tassels. I'd prefer a simple bow like this:

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



I've ordered a pair of these (J Crew) and am thinking that I would prefer the edging not to be black or that dark.  So I'm wondering if I could carefully sand off the black on the edging and treat it with say, an antique type color dressing?

I know I'd be giving up some ability to wear the boots for dressier occasions but I don't mind that.  Has anybody attempted something like this themselves?

Remove black edging with sandpaper (very coarse). Wipe off residue and dust. Use AE chili edge/sole dressing applying only to about 5 inches of the sole at a time (be sure to wipe off excess dressing so there is no build-up and the finish is smooth), This will provide a medium brown/antiqued look, with a hint of red. You will be sweaty before you are done. I have done it numerous times, sometimes using AE brown instead of chili.

AE chili dressing is amazingly versatile, and I have used it for whiskey, ravello, and cigar shells, as well as for calf in walnut, chili, medium brown, and dark brown.

I recently had a pair of color 8 shell tassels restored at BNelson with the JR package and had Nick replace my black edging with antique edging. It makes the shoe more casual, but that's okay with me. For my money, any slip-on necessarily trends towards casual anyhow.

Good luck.

 

[marg]

Bateman - what jeans? Also, my business cards are nicer.

 

[BootSpell]

Remove black edging with sandpaper (very coarse). Wipe off residue and dust. Use AE chili edge/sole dressing applying only to about 5 inches of the sole at a time (be sure to wipe off excess dressing so there is no build-up and the finish is smooth), This will provide a medium brown/antiqued look, with a hint of red.

You will be sweaty before you are done. I have done it numerous times, sometimes using AE brown instead of chili.
AE chili dressing is amazingly versatile, and I have used it for whiskey, ravello, and cigar shells, as well as for calf in walnut, chili, medium brown, and dark brown.
I recently had a pair of color 8 shell tassels restored at BNelson with the JR package and had Nick replace my black edging with antique edging. It makes the shoe more casual, but that's okay with me. For my money, any slip-on necessarily trends towards casual anyhow.
Good luck.

Awesome. Thanks, 7-Fold. What you had BNelson do for your #8 tassels is exactly how I want the #8 PCT boots to look, with antique edging. When you get a chance, could you post a pic of your #8 tassels?

 

[P. Bateman]



Bateman - what jeans? Also, my business cards are nicer.

The Armoury I believe (not my photo).

 

[mcarthur]



Has anyone here ever modified their Alden tassel loafers to remove the tassels? I'm fond of the shoe but not the tassels. I'd prefer a simple bow like this:

i am bias, i like the tassel

 

[mcarthur]

cigar lhs

 

[AldenLuver]

cigar lhs

I like very much uncle! Are those antique edging or a dark brown?

 

[mcarthur]



I like very much uncle!  Are those antique edging or a dark brown?

thank you
it is antique edging

 

[JO3B]

one of the pairs i got this summer, done up with a red dainite sole.

 

[Abecedarian]

anyone seen the j crew x alden suede indies with red soles in any of the physical stores?

recall seeing one of the members spotting the in the NYC men's store, but haven't seen them pop up online as yet

I saw it last week in the men's store in SoHo. I'm not a fan of the Indy, but the brick soles worked well. One of the better Indy make-ups I've seen.

 

[Alcibiades]



Quote: I saw it last week in the men's store in SoHo. I'm not a fan of the Indy, but the brick soles worked well. One of the better Indy make-ups I've seen.

I will check tomorrow

 

[stanford88]

Went to Alden of SF on a whim and found a new pair of shoes - Ravello Chukkas! Thank you Thomas! I also had a pair of LHS Color 8 come in too.
My small collection