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

Originally Posted by dport86

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I just got the NST Hawaiian tankers in chromexcel from Leathersoul and I too found the color to be much less rich/deep/lustrous than the photos. IN fact, I wish mine were chocolate brown--they are quite light--reddish/midbrown/tan/dogshit colored. I asked Bryan the LSBH manager what they do to photograph them and he told me nothing, no tweaks. Maybe it's just lot variation, but mine are significantly less brown even than other Horween chromexcels I've seen (like the Timberland Abingdons). So be aware when ordering.

I'm using a canon t2i, which is basically a crop version of their 5D, "L" series lenses and a 580EX flash. Unless there's some magical studio lighting going on it's definitely post production or a camera made specifically to photograph shoes and make them look like pornography.

Originally Posted by dunelly

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there's a pair of cordovan wingtips on ebay sz7. im a 6.5, how do their wingtip size? I dont want to an awesome deal

Find out what last its on:

The key to fitting Alden shoes is the knowledge that Alden uses different "lasts". The last is the form, in the shape of a foot, which the leather is stretched over to make the shoe. Lasts are made in different shapes. Some lasts have broad, round toe areas (toe box), and some lasts have more narrow and pointed toe boxes.

Because of the different last shapes, the various Alden shoe models fit differently, and vary in size. Some models fit approximately 1/2 size larger than others.

The most popular Alden lasts, and their relative sizes compared to usual U.S. shoe sizes are:

Leydon last - fits approximately like a standard US size
Plaza last - slightly longer than regular U.S. size
Aberdeen last - slightly longer than regular U.S. size
Van last - 1/4 to 1/2 size larger than regular U.S. size
Barrie last - about 1/2 size larger than regular U.S. size (U.S. size 10 = Barrie last size 9 1/2)
Trubalance last - about 1/2 size larger than regular U.S. size (U.S. size 10 = Trubalance size 9 1/2)
Modified last - at least 1/2 size larger than regular U.S. size (U.S. size 10 = Modified last size 9 1/2)

Each Alden shoe is marked inside with its model number and size.

The model number is usually a three or four digit number such as 986, or 9901, etc...

The size is always written as the length of the shoe, and under that, the width of the shoe, such as:

9 10 1/2
or
C/E B/D

In these examples, 9 and 10 1/2 are the length, and C/E and B/D are the width.

In U.S. shoe sizing, the widths are: A & B = Narrow, C & D = Medium, E, EE & EEE =Wide.

Inside each Alden shoe, the width of the shoes are written as:

A/C, B/D, C/E, etc.....

The width is written as a 'fraction', and the bottom of that 'fraction', (the denominator) is the width of the shoe.

Example: C/E = E width, or B/D = D width

Originally Posted by sockpuppets

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I'm using a canon t2i, which is basically a crop version of their 5D, "L" series lenses and a 580EX flash. Unless there's some magical studio lighting going on it's definitely post production or a camera made specifically to photograph shoes and make them look like pornography.

Flash will definitely bring out the colors (ie saturate them). Kind of like looking at the shoes in direct sunlight. The best way to show the 'true' colors of the shoe is to shoot them in natural light, but not direct (sunlight).

Example of a some Whiskey shells with natural light and then flash. I'm actually going to sell these soon on ebay if anyone is interested. They are 11.5D. I bought them from rebel222 on ebay and after wearing them about 3 times, I've come to the conclusion that I need a 12C. Aldens are costing me a lot of money to figure out the sizing. no flash - natural light with flash

Originally Posted by sockpuppets

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Here's the Chromexcel Plaza Wingtip Boots on the left (Plaza last) and the Alden for J.Crew cap toe cordovan boots on the right (Barrie last.)

That's quite a pair! I think I need some shell.

My LS Hawaiian Tankers with the AOC Black Wing Tip Boots. I must admit, I was put off by the shade of brown on the NST, but looking at the pics on the LS site, I do see some red in there. If I get tired of it, I will just try the Obenauf's trick.



Also, if anyone is interested, Union Made in San Francisco has their webstore up, they have quite a nice Alden selection and there are a few interesting pre-orders as well.

http://www.unionmadegoods.com/

Shameless self promotion.
those are my Alden drawings on the Unionmade site. I had a lot of fun doing them!

We have another 8 or so in the works too...

Originally Posted by jasonfoote303

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Shameless self promotion.
those are my Alden drawings on the Unionmade site. I had a lot of fun doing them!

We have another 8 or so in the works too...

Is this your way of saying you're in a position to influence Unionmade designs? If so, I'd like you to draw up a six-hole chukka, lined, double-sole, you pick the last. Leather: whiskey or ravello shell, must be available in a 9C.

Originally Posted by Trapp

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Would you mind posting some pics of the results?

Here are the pics of the Loakes I have left that I changed the speedhooks out of.

rocked the Indys today. sorry the pic quality isnt too great

For anyone thinking about putting obenauf's on their chromexcel boots to change the color, I would consider doing some research before committing. It's not the same as calf and the results will likely be different (and may be disappointing).

That looks like nice work on the speedhook change-out Mr. K.

Originally Posted by jasonfoote303

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Shameless self promotion. those are my Alden drawings on the Unionmade site. I had a lot of fun doing them!

We have another 8 or so in the works too...
Nice drawings but what's with this wingtip? Is it a wingtip wanting to be a longwing?

Hi,

I have a pair of PT Boots in #8 with crepe soles in 9.5D on the Barrie last that I am looking to sell. I just bought them from Leather Soul Hawaii last week, but they are the slightest bit big. If anyone is interested please email me.

Vincent