• Hi, I am the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. Our main, very popular sales thread, where the latest and best sales are listed, are posted HERE

    Purchases made through some of our links earns a commission for the forum and allows us to do the work of maintaining and improving it. Finally, thanks for being a part of this community. We realize that there are many choices today on the internet, and we have all of you to thank for making Styleforum the foremost destination for discussions of menswear.
  • This site contains affiliate links for which Styleforum may be compensated.
  • We would like to welcome House of Huntington as an official Affiliate Vendor. Shop past season Drake's, Nigel Cabourn, Private White V.C. and other menswear luxury brands at exceptional prices below retail. Please visit the Houise of Huntington thread and welcome them to the forum.

  • STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.

    Bored of counting likes on social networks? At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis.

    Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today!

    Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Status
Not open for further replies.

Ahab

Distinguished Member
Joined
May 15, 2009
Messages
1,851
Reaction score
39
Originally Posted by Tripleterror
I too have a pair of the Shoe Mart Ravello boots and absolutely love them. A link to Michaelw's info of looking after your shell would be handy as his footwear always looks superb and I can't seem to find anything on Ask Andy. Simon
He goes by mcarthur over at askandy. Here is one: http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...ns&p=643307#10 And I like this one: http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...-s&p=626767#20 DEDICATION! Though I cannot find the MAC procedure here is a good post: http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...ther-there-is-!
 

ctrlaltelite

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
2,335
Reaction score
3
is it just me, or have alden's prices gone up fairly recently? indys are now at 435 from 378.
 

makewayhomer

Distinguished Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2009
Messages
2,696
Reaction score
143
Originally Posted by Thor
007800x600.jpg


Wing Tip 9 Eyelet Boot. 5 Eylets 4 Hooks.
Genuine Ravello Shell Cordovan.
Goodyear Welt with Reverse Stormwelt Construction.
Double Oak Leather Sole. Dovetail McAfee Heels.
Fully leather lined.
Made in U.S.A.
Barrie Last.

I think this is my new dream boot.
 

saracen

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 9, 2010
Messages
87
Reaction score
9
Originally Posted by Ahab
White nubuck PTB's. These are seconds but I cannot see the flaw. They seem to be better made and nicer overall than my white suede saddle shoes.

whitenubuckptb.jpg


whitenubuckptb2.jpg


Whiskey Shell Long Wings. These are also seconds I ordered last week from The Shoe Mart:

whiskeylwb.jpg


whiskeylwb3.jpg


whiskeylwb2.jpg


whiskeylwb1.jpg


I see no problem with them and they do not look like they are seconds. They look like a return or a floor model. The finish seems to be the best of any of my Alden's though the Whiskey seems a tad darker than my other Whiskey. But they are definitely lighter than my Ravello. I love the commando soles. I plan on wearing the hell out of these this summer.


Is it possible these are considered seconds because the commando sole is not stitched on but glued? It's possible that this was done after the shoe was manufactured. I have not seen other commando soles that were 'not' stitched on.
 

Ahab

Distinguished Member
Joined
May 15, 2009
Messages
1,851
Reaction score
39
Originally Posted by saracen
Is it possible these are considered seconds because the commando sole is not stitched on but glued? It's possible that this was done after the shoe was manufactured. I have not seen other commando soles that were 'not' stitched on.
This is a great point.
teacha.gif
I think that these were returns to ShoeMart. They probably put the commando sole on there rather than at Alden. The other possibility is that there was something wrong with the sole at the end of the process and Alden put these on to cover it. Then sold them as seconds. I do not see Whiskey seconds in my size.
 

Ahab

Distinguished Member
Joined
May 15, 2009
Messages
1,851
Reaction score
39
Forgot to post these up yesterday. From our friends at Leather Soul:

csc2.jpg
 

bbhewee

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2010
Messages
730
Reaction score
138
Originally Posted by Ahab
This is a great point.
teacha.gif
I think that these were returns to ShoeMart. They probably put the commando sole on there rather than at Alden. The other possibility is that there was something wrong with the sole at the end of the process and Alden put these on to cover it. Then sold them as seconds. I do not see Whiskey seconds in my size.

Given that there is Alden written on the commando sole, wouldn't the second scenario seem more likely?
 

triumphman

Senior Member
Joined
May 26, 2010
Messages
208
Reaction score
1
I need a sizing advise.
I really want to buy a pair of Alden Indies on ebay, but need to know what sz I should buy as I'm not good w/ these shoe sizing, and definitely don't want to buy the incorrect size.
All I can tell you is that I wear a sz 8 in Clarks Desert Boots and Chucks.

Many thanks in advance!
 

Islander

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2010
Messages
599
Reaction score
71
Originally Posted by ctrlaltelite
is it just me, or have alden's prices gone up fairly recently? indys are now at 435 from 378.

A year ago two online retailers had old stock Alden 405 boots available for around $310 (with the cotton duck lining). Less than six months ago two different online retailers (in addition to one of the first two) started offering the updated leather-lined models for $344 and another had them at $378 with a 10% off coupon available. All three now list the 405 variants starting at $435. So yes, Alden's prices have gone up.

In the case of the Indy boots, there are three reasons I can think of: 1) Alden has been investing in updating this particular product line: universal leather linings, improved materials and new models (Chromexcel, Black, Tobacco Chamois etc). These activities require capital investment, which requires funding.

2) Alden appears to be a business run by smart people who want to make a profit, and they understand how to create and maintain pricing power with their distributors/retailers. The following quote is from an email I received from one of the aforementioned retailers in April: "Unfortunately, the wholesale price (the price that we pay) was increased on March 1st; that is why our retail prices were increased."

3) Supply and demand. Since people in this community help fuel Alden's success, the pricing increases are in part because of you and other people like you (e.g. me) that appreciate Alden's products.

Closing sentence from the above email: "The boots have become somewhat of a fashion item, and cannot be found anywhere."
 

slappy

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2009
Messages
557
Reaction score
5
Originally Posted by Ahab
Forgot to post these up yesterday. From our friends at Leather Soul:

csc2.jpg


What last is that? Doesnt look like trubalance to me for some reason
 

alleyooptroop

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2006
Messages
304
Reaction score
0
Originally Posted by triumphman
I need a sizing advise.
I really want to buy a pair of Alden Indies on ebay, but need to know what sz I should buy as I'm not good w/ these shoe sizing, and definitely don't want to buy the incorrect size.
All I can tell you is that I wear a sz 8 in Clarks Desert Boots and Chucks.

Many thanks in advance!


i'm the same size as you in those shoes. buy a 7.5 in the appropriate width.
 

hooker4186

Distinguished Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
2,334
Reaction score
3,339
Originally Posted by slappy
What last is that? Doesnt look like trubalance to me for some reason

Alden Shoes - Chocolate Suede Plaza Cap Toe Boot
 

JonB27

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2008
Messages
329
Reaction score
1
I'd prefer those on the Barrie last... Either way my next Alden purchases will be when Leather Soul finally opens the Beverly Hills location!
 

slappy

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2009
Messages
557
Reaction score
5
Oh damn thats a decent looking last. I was never a big fan of trubalance or barrie; this Plaza last looks a bit sleeker. Anyone know how they fit? If I could find a boot like this in calf (not shell) that would be great
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Featured Sponsor

How important is full vs half canvas to you for heavier sport jackets?

  • Definitely full canvas only

    Votes: 55 35.5%
  • Half canvas is fine

    Votes: 60 38.7%
  • Really don't care

    Votes: 17 11.0%
  • Depends on fabric

    Votes: 27 17.4%
  • Depends on price

    Votes: 28 18.1%

Forum statistics

Threads
505,161
Messages
10,579,024
Members
223,882
Latest member
anykadaimeni
Top