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jerrybrowne

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Originally Posted by HorseHide
I don't believe that the BB shoe is shell cordovan. What makes the Tassels shoes so amazing is that the pebble grain pattern was applied to shell. Sweet shoes although I thought someone on the thread picked up a pair - with duty and shipping weren't they about $900?
Well they ended up being ~ $800 shipped- no customs duty. Well worth it, one of my favorite pairs of Aldens. I believe the pebble grain shell is available via Rider boot for custom order.
 

makewayhomer

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Originally Posted by slammyman
So I received my Jcrew Alden Shell Cordovan Cap Toe boots. I love them. But I spent a hell of a lot of money on stuff this holiday season. I got them for $440 + tax. I am wondering if you guys can convince me to not return them.

What kind of outfit would these boots work with? Everything from t-shirt and jeans to a nice suit? Or since they are cap toe are they more formal wear only?


these are awesome, I just got a very similar cigar shell captoe boot from C&J. I would wear it with anything in my closet
 

Ritchee

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Could anyone comment on the van last? I'm looking at the Ranger Moc at Blackbird and Winn Perry and getting conflicting sizing recommendations. One says the van last fits true to your regular size and the other says size down one-half.

My true shoe size is a 10D. I own 3 different Alden lasts. The Indy boot on the Trubalance I sized down one-half to 9 and one-half D. A blucher on the Copley last and a boot on a Leydon are both size 10D. thanks.
 

Dewey

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Originally Posted by John_
But I will still stand by $600 being expensive for shoes, even while also being a good deal for the quality.

They aren't cheap, that's for sure. We can agree on that.
 

Man with Apple

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Originally Posted by 100 yrs
anyone have any ideas as to the cause of heel pain experienced when wearing indy boots? would it imply the boots are too small or too big, or could it be the way i walk? i'm not talking about blistering caused by rubbing - it would best be described as a bruise. the boots don't slip when i walk, and fit relatively well in the toe area (could maybe be a smidge bigger). i am wearing wool socks. it's only happening in my left foot, and it's the back of the heel (i'm quite satisfied with fit of the right boot). i can't figure it out and it's driving me crazy. this is my second pair of indy's (went from 8.5 -> 9) and i am quite frustrated with sizing.

as i mostly wear desert boots, which are very unstructured, i figured there'd be some adjustment period for my feet going to the fairly rigid indy's, but i've probably worn them a dozen times or so which should be sufficient.

i read how comfy everyone says their indy's are. i dunno, maybe these just aren't for me, as much as i love the looks.


Sorry to hear that Drew. The ones you sold me are working out great. Hope someone can help you figure this out.
 

jerrybrowne

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Originally Posted by Ritchee
Could anyone comment on the van last? I'm looking at the Ranger Moc at Blackbird and Winn Perry and getting conflicting sizing recommendations. One says the van last fits true to your regular size and the other says size down one-half.

My true shoe size is a 10D. I own 3 different Alden lasts. The Indy boot on the Trubalance I sized down one-half to 9 and one-half D. A blucher on the Copley last and a boot on a Leydon are both size 10D. thanks.


Hi,
I'm a 9.5D or 9E on Barrie or Trubalance. On the Van I'm a 9.5D for bluchers, and a 9D for loafers. I actually think the Van runs a bit narrower than Barrie since the 9.5D is a bit tight in the forefoot on the Van.
 

Joenobody0

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Originally Posted by John_
I understand that they are handmade shoes, after all, and meant to be worn and worn out. But I will still stand by $600 being expensive for shoes, even while also being a good deal for the quality.

There is very little to nothing about a pair of Aldens that would qualify them to be called "hand made", unless you consider a pair of Allen Edmonds or C&J benchgrade shoes to be "hand made".
 

makewayhomer

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I think a lot of Aldens are absolutely worth their retail price. the fact that used shell cordovan Alden boots will sell for 80% - 90% of their full original retail price is astounding. I think it's much more arguable whether some of the more basic calfskin or unremarkable shoe models are "worth it"
 

John_

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Point taken on hand made, Joe. I was rather implying the level of human attention, which you have to admit is pretty high, vs other shoe manufacturers. And I do agree the price is worth it, or I would not be a customer. I guess I would like to see the attention extend all the way to the final delivery somehow. (Have you observed how Apple packages and delivers their products, for example?)

Thanks again for all the replies!
 

Joenobody0

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Originally Posted by John_
Point taken on hand made, Joe. I was rather implying the level of human attention, which you have to admit is pretty high, vs other shoe manufacturers.

I can't say that I find Alden to have a level of human attention greater than AE, C&J, Loake or any of the other produces of welted shoes in the $300-$500 range. There styling however is superior to any shoe in their category.
 

CasinoRoyale

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I'm trying to upgrade my shoe collection. Seems like Alden(as well as Allen Edmonds and a few others) are a good quality at a good price, so I'm wondering which Alden's I should look at.

Basically I have a pair of Clark's Desert Boots in sand suede, which I like, but I was thinking of something better and a bit darker.

There's so many different types of Aldens so I'm wondering which ones are most versatile. I would like to wear them with more fitted jeans, chinos and a sportcoat, or even with a suit/tie.

I was thinking Indy boots and also the Chukkas for a while but don't think I can go with a tie on those. I'm not sure what other styles I should look at, or if any fit into this category, but I'm trying to kill a few birds with one stone in the most quality but economical way I can. Any advice would be appreciated.

FWIW I live in L.A. so judging by the store listing I have access to Alden's and I wouldn't need the heaviest boot for snow and what not.
 

Aries83

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Captoe is for me the most versatile, can dress up or down.
 

Dewey

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Originally Posted by CasinoRoyale
wear them with more fitted jeans, chinos and a sportcoat, or even with a suit/tie

how about a wingtip. or a chukka in smooth calf or cordovan. or a plain toe blucher in brown, but then to get maximum versatility you have gone as far as you can go toward boring.
 

number9dream

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"FWIW I live in L.A. so judging by the store listing I have access to Alden's and I wouldn't need the heaviest boot for snow and what not."

Swing on in to Leather Soul and have a look around!
 

LynahFaithful

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Originally Posted by Joenobody0
There is very little to nothing about a pair of Aldens that would qualify them to be called "hand made", unless you consider a pair of Allen Edmonds or C&J benchgrade shoes to be "hand made".

The stitching on the vamp for the LHS (aptly named the Leisure Hand Sewn) and on the NST is all done by hand according to Tom who has reported on the talented staff that do this sewing. There may be other models that I'm not aware of where this is done as well. For sure, the pattern cutting, lasting, and other construction is done by machine but there is some components that are hand sewn.
 
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