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

[coinopcollector]

The creased vamp is unacceptable for a full price shoe. The other minor dings will be found in some variation in every pair of new Alden's.

 

[Wooderson]



Whiskey Chukka Boot.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

-Mike

Wonderful! I was just going to ask if someone might be doing a run of these again anytime soon.. It seems unlikely, but I'd sure love a pair!

 

[TtownMD]



Sorry it didn't work out, it's frustrating.

I wear an oddball size and was forced to choose between probably never getting a particular shoe in my size, or accepting something very far from perfect. I kept them because fit trumps all, but it sucked.

You were not kidding when you said what you said above. Called jcrew they have no other sizes only option is to keep it or return it & get a gift card

 

[coinopcollector]

With the creased vamp I'd send them back for a full refund. I'm sure one of the other Alden shops has a color 8 LWB in your size BNIB and without a creased vamp.

 

[smoothie1]

I think the flaws are fairly typical for Alden.

Other retailers (Alden shops) would smooth the creasing out with heat from a hair dryer, then sell them. You can do this yourself at home; it works like a charm on shell, as will rubbing with a cloth and/or deer bone. The blucher will crease sooner or later with wear.

Consider trying to smooth them out before returning them. Virtually every pair of Alden's has something small over which to nitpick. The most important thing is to get your sizing right and to get a pair with pristine shell and finishing. Soles get replaced, facings can be restitched, but crappy shell cannot be refinished easily.

 

[TtownMD]



With the creased vamp I'd send them back for a full refund. I'm sure one of the other Alden shops has a color 8 LWB in your size BNIB and without a creased vamp.

You are right & yea I am returning them.

 

[TtownMD]



I think the flaws are fairly typical for Alden.

Other retailers (Alden shops) would smooth the creasing out with heat from a hair dryer, then sell them. You can do this yourself at home; it works like a charm on shell, as will rubbing with a cloth and/or deer bone. The blucher will crease sooner or later with wear.

Consider trying to smooth them out before returning them. Virtually every pair of Alden's has something small over which to nitpick. The most important thing is to get your sizing right and to get a pair with pristine shell and finishing. Soles get replaced, facings can be restitched, but crappy shell cannot be refinished easily.

Thank you for your input bud really appricated.

 

[Teeka]



I called Alden of DC on a whim yesterday and asked if they had any long wings in cigar size 10 1/2 D. To my surprise they did, and here they are on my feet today. This is a very deep dark version of a cigar shell Cordovan and I am not upset with that in anyway. The color is very rich and even. I also like the way the creases are setting in over each vamp

Congrats! I got mine the same batch too

 

[mdubs]



Wonderful! I was just going to ask if someone might be doing a run of these again anytime soon.. It seems unlikely, but I'd sure love a pair!

Thanks. They are harder to come by but some stores do run them. I am not certain how much Whiskey Shells Alden is currently sitting on though, but I wouldn't necessarily say it's a ton.

-Mike

 

[mdubs]



Congrats! I got mine the same batch too

Spoiler

Ha! Those look pretty nice. The mohagony edge with Cigar is growing on me.

-Mike

 

[ironclad]



Ravello PTB. Leydon last from LS.

Freaking gorgeous.

 

[Matty123]

PSA: some nice cigar shell cap toe balmorals on the bay. Not mine. Enjoy

http://r.ebay.com/R3Bbso

 

[TtownMD]

Very nice

 

[89826]



Speaking of dark color 8 and eBay transactions, I picked these up in another flawless transaction (as most of mine are).

This is one of the 3 style that Alden of Madison carries that I really like, and surprisingly have never seen posted on SF. They also have an NST/loafer on Aberdeen and a Fullstrap loafer on Grant. I've been thinking about the monk strap for a while but didn't know how I would feel about the brass on shoes after having them for a while. When I saw them on the bay at a great price I almost couldn't believe it. Fortunately they were buy-it-now with an offer option so I didn't have to get in a bidding war. There is virtually no wear on the soles and other than some wrinkling, these shoes are immaculate. Very pleased.

Isn't the Alden of Madison split toe loafer on the Grant last? As far as I know, only AoC has made a split toe loafer on the Aberdeen last, and that was long ago. By the way, those wingtip monk straps are fantastic

 

[89826]

On some level, I understand why people get worked up when they buy shell Aldens with try-on creases. They are damn expensive shoes now, and you want 'em to be perfect. On the other hand, they are shoes and will be creased as soon as you wear them anyway.

I think my strategy, if it happened to me (and it never has-- 40 pairs into it), would be to ask for a break on the price. But if the store said no, I would just keep them.