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

[makewayhomer]

oh boy I'm on my slow pony lately

so it's essentially 5 eyelets vs 4...ok!

 

[srivats]

Originally Posted by makewayhomer

oh boy I'm on my slow pony lately

so it's essentially 5 eyelets vs 4...ok!

No, not just the number of lacing holes ... alden has 4 different styles as to how the quarters are attached to the vamp. Look at these photos:

The 4x4 is similar to the chukka, with one piece for the vamp and 2 pieces (on either side) for the quarters.

The regular stock PTB, with a single, big piece for the vamp and quarters and attached to two pieces of leather for the lacing holes (needs big pieces of perfect shells!):

The moc-toe, V-tip and some PTBs are different from regular PTB pattern, with one piece (3 for the U-tip) for the vamp and two pieces for the quarters (similar to the 4x4 but the pattern is very different):

All the models listed so far have a seam at the heel like this:

The final design has the 4 pieces - one piece for the vamp, one piece for the (seamless) heel and two pieces for the sides. The NST is a shoe with this pattern:

The seamless heel:

A closeup of the NST design:

Hope that is clear.

 

[srivats]

Going through LeatherSoul's alden entries makes me want to own more aldens (as if that's what I need).

I really miss the machine stitching on the shell indys.

Why alden decided to offer shell indys with ONLY handsewn option is a mystery to me. And I am so frustated at myself that I did not grab a pair if shell indys with the old stlye stitching. I am not going to find an unused pair

 

[Joenobody0]

Originally Posted by srivats

No, not just the number of lacing holes ... alden has 4 different styles as to how the quarters are attached to the vamp. Look at these photos:

Hope that is clear.

Hello,

Thank you for you thoughtful and extremely detailed post. It is much appreciated.

 

[wj4]

Anyone got comparison pictures of the Indy 403 and 405? It's been a couple of weeks since I ordered a pair of Alden and I'm itching to do so again.

I have a pair of 405 already, playing with the idea of getting a pair of 403 as well. Thanks!

 

[makewayhomer]

Originally Posted by Joenobody0

Hello,

Thank you for you thoughtful and extremely detailed post. It is much appreciated.

indeed! like many things I could tell there was something different but couldn't put my finger on what exactly. great post

 

[Alcibiades]

I just bought a pair of #8 longwings today... Then I see Epaulet just got in a new shipment of the whisky longings... Should I take the #8s back and get the whisky?

 

[ChrisGold]

Nooooo!!! #8 is classic and goes with virtually everything - my whiskey long wings are possibly my favorite shoes, but conversely are worn the least of all of them. Keep the #8, and save up again for whiskey. Between all of the Alden retailers, you can almost always find someone with whiskey in stock.

 

[Alcibiades]

Originally Posted by ChrisGold

Nooooo!!! #8 is classic and goes with virtually everything - my whiskey long wings are possibly my favorite shoes, but conversely are worn the least of all of them. Keep the #8, and save up again for whiskey. Between all of the Alden retailers, you can almost always find someone with whiskey in stock.

Thanks, this makes sense. This is my first cordovan purchase... I need to go with the classic more versatile color.

 

[zippyh]

I agree on the #8 being the most versatile color, but I say get the whiskey now and return the #8s.
You know, bird in the hand and all that.
You'll always be able to find #8s.

 

[jerrybrowne]

+1

Also, #8 longwings are sometimes available at discount- whiskey, never.

 

[wj4]

How do Whiskey's look like in person? I want a pair, but they appear kind of too bright in pictures.

 

[ChrisGold]

I think this is pretty true to the actual color.

 

[Roguls]

Originally Posted by zippyh

I agree on the #8 being the most versatile color, but I say get the whiskey now and return the #8s.
You know, bird in the hand and all that.
You'll always be able to find #8s.

+1. Whiskey is not always available; #8 is .

Plus, whiskey is simply a gorgeous color - it is dandyish and strong; #8 is far more subtle and "versatile." But you only live once.

 

[wj4]

You guys are tempting me on the Whiskey.

The only reason I haven't ordered already is that I have a pair of Longwings from J. Crew x Alden already and I think the hue might be too alike the Whiskey. But still, tempted nonetheless