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

Originally Posted by winston

Click to expand...

Breathtaking. I need a pair.

When I last contacted Tassel's they mentioned they were getting more in the middle of the year.

I'm visiting Hong Kong in June for work so hopefully I can grab some whilst there .

Originally Posted by Arizor

Click to expand...

When I last contacted Tassel's they mentioned they were getting more in the middle of the year.

I'm visiting Hong Kong in June for work so hopefully I can grab some whilst there

.

Do you know how much they were going for?

Leydon last runs narrow, correct? So a 10D foot would need a 10E, as a rule of thumb?

Originally Posted by winston

Click to expand...

Do you know how much they were going for?

$650 as far as I know.

Originally Posted by interlockingny

Click to expand...

Leydon last runs narrow, correct? So a 10D foot would need a 10E, as a rule of thumb?

Correct but not narrow enough to go to a 10E as a general rule.

Originally Posted by zippyh

Click to expand...

Correct but not narrow enough to go to a 10E as a general rule.

This man speaks the truth.

I have plaza boots in 10D, and leydon boots in 9.5E, and the leydon are roomier.

Yes, $650. But I remember reading on here that the import / tax / shipping fees to the states combined for a huge ($150?) upcharge.

Originally Posted by Arizor

Click to expand...

$650 as far as I know.

Originally Posted by Trapp

Click to expand...

Yes, $650. But I remember reading on here that the import / tax / shipping fees to the states combined for a huge ($150?) upcharge.

Holy ****, well I live in England so I'm guessing the fees will be about the same. Thank God I'm going to Hong Kong!

Originally Posted by Trapp

Click to expand...

Yes, $650. But I remember reading on here that the import / tax / shipping fees to the states combined for a huge ($150?) upcharge.

nothing like importing shoes from HK that were made 30 miles away!

**Alden's in Irvine***

Gary's at Fashion Island carries Alden. They don't have much of a selection boot wise, but they will measure your foot and let you try different lasts--they are friendly and charge nothing for this.

Originally Posted by Arizor

Click to expand...

Holy ****, well I live in England so I'm guessing the fees will be about the same. Thank God I'm going to Hong Kong!

Probably. In my experience HM customs doesn't convert dollars to pounds, and taxes the dollar amount as if it were sterling, and then Parcelforce charges £8 just to mark it paid and deliver it to you.

Originally Posted by humeee

Click to expand...

I think I've been seduced into splurging on my first pair of Aldens. But I'm a bit confused about how to figure out my size. I hear all this talk of different lasts and apparently for some lasts I need to size down from my ordinary size (10.5). But most websites don't list the last that of the shoe being sold. Ought I to just order a pair and see if they fit? What's the return etiquette on $500+ shoes? Considering that these shoes are obscenely expensive (I've never bought shoes over about $125 before), I'm a bit nervous about ordering them online.

Alternatively, I suppose I could attempt trying some on in person, but I don't know where they're sold near me (I live in Irvine, CA).

Any Alden groupies have recommendations?

Shoemart (theshoemart.com) carries many Alden shoes and lists which shoe is on 0which last (their last listings are usually accurate). Order a few sizes in the shoe you want to size yourself in that last. They also have a 365-day return policy -- as long as the shoe is in pristine condition and is in the original, undamaged box, of course. I've returned $600+ pairs of shoes to them before and it's been no problem. The people there are very nice. They also have free domestic ground shipping.

Originally Posted by Dexter_

Click to expand...

Maybe go to a decent shoe store and get your foot measured on a brannock device to get your true size and width.

From there you can check - http://www.alden-of-carmel.com/index.cfm/fitting.htm for some ideas on how the different lasts will fit you.

Most of the Alden stockists mentioned in this thread would be more than willing to work with you on getting the right size.

This is also a good idea. If you can find a good Alden stockist near you, they'll be able to help you out. The trick, of course, is finding one that isn't going to push you to buy the shoes after you've tried on 5 pairs. But if you're ready to buy, then go ahead. Make sure you're aware of Alden's full line by visiting their site, Alden of Carmel's site, Shoemart's site, and others, because if a store doesn't have the shoe you want and another place does, try ordering from them.

I also usually wear a 10.5 (a 10.5D specifically) and I can tell you that my sizes are:

Trubalance Last (Indys and boots only, I think): 10D
Hampton Last: 9.5D
Tremont Last: 8.5D*

*Seriously; this 8.5D is a pair of shell cordovan bal wing tips, though, and they've stretched some, as cordovan does; I'm generally an advocate of buying cordovan a half size small if you're between half sizes, as it tends to stretch and flex more than calfskin leather with wear)

Alden Snuff Suede Plain Toe boot, crepe soul with Wolf Vs. Goat Espresso Chino.

Are those from Leather Soul? I thought the ones Tom had were a leather soul not crepe.

Thanks to everyone who has given me advice. Sometime in the next week or so I'll carefully measure my foot and then investigate alternatives. What I think I really want is some sort of longwing, but I'm not sure I have the stomach to make the jump immediately into $650 shell cordovan.

Originally Posted by travisttt

Click to expand...

**Alden's in Irvine***

Gary's at Fashion Island carries Alden. They don't have much of a selection boot wise, but they will measure your foot and let you try different lasts--they are friendly and charge nothing for this.

Thanks for letting me know that Gary's carries Alden. I've never been there, but seeing as how fashion island is like 1.5 miles from my house I might stop by. The only thing stopping me is fear of the awkwardness of trying on a handful of super expensive shoes and then booking it so that I can order something more awesome from the internet.