Your opinions, please, on a first Alden shell

[DCwaxedLWB]

Gentlemen,

Wish I found you guys sooner. Bought a pair of black Alden shell PTBs in my size, 8D, in a local shop that is no longer a dealer. When I realized within a day they were a little too big, I started poking around the Interwebs and found you guys and read about the Barrie last and how my size should be 7.5. Store doesn't have my size and won't take 'em back.

And after seeing Mac's pictures, I was blown away with the beauty and range of shell.

So, where should I start? I have a pair of Alden waxed LWBs from J Crew and some nice light brown bluchers from AE, so thinking whiskey and Ravello should not be the place to start. I have a pair of relatively new black, pebble-grained Florsheim Imperial LWBs (cheaply made, not recommended) and burgundy Red Wing Heritage Iron Ranger boots.

Thinking #8 LWBs (which seems the usual answer on this forum), #8 chukkas (love the shell rolls on chukkas) but figure they will show up as seconds soon on TSM because of J Crew volume, or #8 PTBs.

So much shell, so little $$$.

 

[Gauss17]

#8 Alden Shell is a favorite and for good reason. Buy whatever shoe you like best and fits best.