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

[sevenfoldtieguy]



Anyone have any recommendations for belts to wear with Ravello? I've found a couple of leads but didn't know if anyone had a go to that they would recommend. Doesn't have to be perfect, obviously, but something that comes close.

It is very difficult to ascertain true color on the Internet so any advice would be appreciated.

Many AE chili calf belts go well with ravello.

 

[Olifter]



This is exactly the slippery slope I trip on just about every time. It started off for me with, "I'll dive into the Alden scene, but only if I can get a J.Crew discount." Then it was, "Oh, LWBs are nice. The cool styleforum guys are talking about shell. I obviously need some shell action." Got a color 8 LWB then decided not only that I needed a shell boot, but also more shell in other places. "I'll go ahead and get that Grant lasted cap toe boot; Kathy from Alden of DC is so nice and accommodating after all." "Oh, wait, summer is coming. I obviously need a loafer. Cigar it is." Wait, what about those Indy boots everyone is talking about? Oh, if I pass up on the Leffot presale for black shell naval boots, there will be a big hole in the color spectrum in the closet." You catch my drift...

Olifter, congrats on a diverse shell collection and best of luck in the hunt for whiskey...

Well, it sounds as though you certainly have things figured out. I have received some very good advice from this forum. I still wear some Allen Edmonds, but decided to get a couple of Alden shells, black and #8 cap toes. That's it. Stumbling onto the forum has expanded that somewhat and I am interested in some styles and colors that I would have never considered previously. Can't say I have any regrets.

Best of luck to you as well.

 

[Papa Doble]



Thanks always for your well thought out feedback. I think you're right. Breadth AND depth are key to the shoe wardrobe. I think it's been easier to fantasize about the rainbow of lwb because, well, I know lwb's. not sure how I'd wear the ptb. I always get confused. Do you dress it up with crisper pants/suits or is it casual wear (eg w chinos or cords)? Some have said nst is too casual. Is this a widely held opinion? I think I could try to build more lhs's in, but I want to beat them up and wear them primarily in summer w no sox. Too many lhs's would get confusing because they'd interfere with casual weekend boots' airtime. Nobody knows the trouble I've seen...

And yes, my pics are long overdue. Waiting for wife to kick the flu and go out w her friends. She always smirks at my weirdness when the dslr comes out for shoes.

I think PTBs and LWBs are essentially the same in formality. I say this because while I recognize that technically a PTB is more formal than a LWB, all other things (last, material, sole, etc.) being equal, I think they have the same range. You can wear PTBs and LWBs from jeans to wool trousers. And, if you wear bluchers with suits, I don't think one is more equipped to do that than the other.

Some consider NSTs to be more casual than PTBs and LWBs. I tend to agree, but only because I might wear a PTB or LWB with a suit, but probably not a NST. Otherwise, it's a blucher like the other two and works just as well from jeans to wool trousers. Note that NST boots in particular get a lot of love here, which makes them more casual still, in a way that I find to be fitting with the NST style.

 

[Numbernine]



SFTG, you are correct sir. #4 is the occasional shoe in my collection that I wear for a pop. Never found a belt to match my #4 shoes.

Here's a few pics of my LS #4 4x4 to showcase the color.

I would think a lwb with its number of panels would take advantage of the shade variations to create a beautiful shoe in color 4 but then I find shade variation to be one of the most desirable aspects of shell.
As to the belt I have a pair of ae swbs in chili that I shine w/ saphir congnac (very red)color seems close to the color 4 pic ive seen . unfortunately ive never spotted it in the real world

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

Getting ready to bust out the snuff suede lwb's (enough carpet treatment for them). Has anyone used Meltonian Water and Stain Protector on suede? Is it worth my while? Should I have gone with the Alden leather defender? Have you treated calf with the Meltonian?

Any light shed on the matter will be very appreciated.

Thanks!

I use AE spray waterproofer... good for all types of leathers. Not sure about Meltonian or Alden leather defender; read the label.

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

Quote: These look like the factory 2145, on the Aberdeen. Do they say 2145 inside?

Nice shoes.

Thanks.

I was surprised to see the 2145 inside also. But it has the Brooks Brothers labeling inside the shoe and on the sole. Not sure how old they are, Is it possible that early on they used the same style number for both Alden factory shoes and made for BB? I think the BB version is also built on the aberdeen last.

 

[El Argentino]



natural CXL (not sure if Leydon epaulet or Barrie leffot) --> how dark does it really get after, say, a year?

FWIW, here are some color comparison pics of NatCXL. (Using my Indy's as an example)

Dec. '11

Same boots at about a year, courtesy of the Mac Method.

 

[El Argentino]

Also, a custom SF-makeup using #4 would be beyond rad.

Boot. Plaza/Grant last (...Modified...?). Medallion cap-toe. Pull-tabs. All eyelets. 270-degree welt. Commando sole.

 

[docalden2013]



FWIW, here are some color comparison pics of NatCXL. (Using my Indy's as an example)

Dec. '11

Same boots at about a year, courtesy of the Mac Method.

Nice patination, El Argentino. A testament to the simple beauty that flows from the Mac methods

Now, I just need to decide if the nat cxl ice breaker should be the Lwb, the brixton boot or the Oak Street Bootmakers trench boot or beef roll penny. If I'm down to my last $500, which is it?

 

[SuitedDx]



Nice patination, El Argentino. A testament to the simple beauty that flows from the Mac methods

Now, I just need to decide if the nat cxl ice breaker should be the Lwb, the brixton boot or the Oak Street Bootmakers trench boot or beef roll penny. If I'm down to my last $500, which is it?

LWB or Brixton (would love the latter but they don't carry my size)

 

[SuitedDx]



My girlfriend would have a fit if I stored my shoes like that... hence, they have their own closet.

 

[Alcibiades]



Nice patination, El Argentino. A testament to the simple beauty that flows from the Mac methods

Now, I just need to decide if the nat cxl ice breaker should be the Lwb, the brixton boot or the Oak Street Bootmakers trench boot or beef roll penny. If I'm down to my last $500, which is it?

I'm really liking the LWB, especially going into spring/summer.

 

[Al in Philly]

unfortunately I think Alden bans its retail partners from EVER putting something on sale.

Not true. Sherman bros. has a sale on all Alden's every year after Christmas.

 

[Don L]

youll need to give alden another 20 years to catch onto the double monk trend

Is the Double Monk a classic style or a more modern trend?
Alden sticks to the more traditional styles

 

[SuitedDx]



Is the Double Monk a classic style or a more modern trend?
Alden sticks to the more traditional styles

It has a history I believe... John Lobb I think is associated with creating the design but I cannot confirm.