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

Originally Posted by Ahab

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To vote we send an email?

Yes, to [email protected]

Originally Posted by LynahFaithful

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Tom - Beautiful ravello chukka's up on your website. Gotta make sure you have at leat one narrow 11.5 next time!!

Thanks, sorry about that!

Sigh.....I just can't make a D width work.....

Anyone know where to get a belt in natural chromexcel?

TIA

Have they ever made a longwing boot? That would have been my entry. Just because I'm curious

Originally Posted by Doctor

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Have they ever made a longwing boot? That would have been my entry. Just because I'm curious

Don't own any Aldens yet, but this would be my entry as well. Longwing boot, just a few speedhooks at the top, grey suede, natural colored leather sole. Plaza last?

Wow, you know what they say about great minds...

Would get my vote!

make something from nubuck pls.

Originally Posted by Magic1

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The boots are okay, not much better. I like boot #1, but wish it were on a different last. Boot #3 is nice. Boot #2 would be hideous--just think of it. I think natural chromexcel is an iffy color, and it certainly won't look good paired with the wingtip.
Few photos of the natural chromexcel actually do the leather justice, and it certainly seems to have a polarizing effect. I think they look great as shown in this photo, which I believe to be an accurate representation of them. (Photo from The Agatine Eyelet) What is surprising about the boot entries is the combinations of leathers with the brass eyelets. It is rare to see brass eyelets used with those two leathers, and they will definitely stand out by contrast. Again, The Agatine Eyelet made a nice compilation of Alden makeups featuring brass eyelets. In my opinion, the brass eyelets are polarizing just like the tone of the natural chromexcel. This should definitely make voting interesting, although it's too bad there doesn't seem to be a design that is a home run...

Originally Posted by impolyt_one

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Don't own any Aldens yet, but this would be my entry as well. Longwing boot, just a few speedhooks at the top, grey suede, natural colored leather sole. Plaza last?

I agree somewhat.

My idea was for a Longwing boot in navy blue with a double leather commando sole. I really liked the navy blue suede options from LS earlier in the summer, but figured navy blue chromexel would be more all year, easier to treat scuffing, and easier to take care of.

No speed hooks, laces all the way up with brass eyelets and natural trim on the Barrie last.

I figured it would be a nice alternative to a Trickers boot, a nice alternative to the basic brogues out there that everybody has, and a nice alternative to all the black and dark brown options.

Figured as well it would be something different mainly. I think the current finalists are more of the same as what's available now.

Then again, I was recently talking to Viberg and they can do a MTO navy blue chromexel service boot with double leather commando sole. And they're in Canada, so no customs hassle.

Originally Posted by impolyt_one

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Don't own any Aldens yet, but this would be my entry as well. Longwing boot, just a few speedhooks at the top, grey suede, natural colored leather sole. Plaza last?

Sounds good - maybe nubuck - grey or blue/grey or off-black?

Originally Posted by Doctor

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Have they ever made a longwing boot? That would have been my entry. Just because I'm curious

Alden doesn't have the pattern available. I received a lot of entires for stuff that just wasn't available. It's not that we didn't think they were good ideas, it's just that we can't make them. No blue chromexcel, no austerity brogues, no balmoral boots, no chelsea boots, etc, etc, etc.

If not longwing, then a conventional wingtip plaza boot, like you did last month in Chromexcel, would be nice, I think. I would not want the commando sole as it does not mesh aesthetically with the delicate upper of a suede wingtip boot in a soft color like a medium'ish smoke grey suede. Double sole is nice but I think for something I'd want in my wardrobe, that I could turn to for more than a couple years, while being a bit 'younger' looking, this: in grey suede, would be just right. Maybe with speed hooks, maybe without, not critical. It could be 3 season, it'd dress up and down really well, and it'd be interesting.

I'm looking for a pair of dark brown leather cap toes. Anyone got any suggestion? Thanks.

a black cap toe toe oxford/balmoral.....in scotch grain.....with metal eyelets....oiled flex single sole.......would love to go on business trips in these

personally I would go with these:

http://www.theshoemart.com/alden-men..._cordovan.html

and with age and sun exposure, they will become more brownish. Obviously this will take some time.

Otherwise search "alden captoe" or "alden straight tip" on the shoemart website and there are several dozen choices. good luck