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

[mediahound]

Shoe:
http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1812819

Code:

http://www.ralphlauren.com/promo/index.jsp?promoId=20560756

GREAT SHOE! Hard for for me. Too big or too small but I got the larger size and they get a lot of wear. Stand up like troopers.

It's a great shoe although fit can be tricky (what else is new, right?). I wear a half size up than my Barrie size in the Marlow, which is a generally smaller, sleeker shoe. Note too that the sole is very stiff and takes a long time to break in so expect some heel slippage at first (for a long while). Horween shell in a great color!

 

[stevent]

For what it's worth, the RL Marlows may be a bit cheaper (30% + 15%) at the end of this month but no guarantee it hits that sale and your size may be gone.

 

[rydenfan]

The Marlows do absolutely nothing for me. Their sole and heel look very chunky to me and the color is ok

 

[Ahab]



The Marlows do absolutely nothing for me. Their sole and heel look very chunky to me and the color is ok

I am not going to argue that they are clunky but the color is awesome. The fact that it is a "rare" shell will only make most people in this thread want it more.

 

[Hermitedge]



The Marlows do absolutely nothing for me. Their sole and heel look very chunky to me and the color is ok

To each his/her own pref, but they look sleeker than Alden's usual barrie last brogues, but i suppose the sole is clunkier. It's one of the few shortwing designs I fancy quite a bit, plus that Hershey poop color is great.

 

[mediahound]

The Marlows do absolutely nothing for me. Their sole and heel look very chunky to me and the color is ok

I am not going to argue that they are clunky but the color is awesome. The fact that it is a "rare" shell will only make most people in this thread want it more.

To each his/her own pref, but they look sleeker than Alden's usual barrie last brogues, but i suppose the sole is clunkier. It's one of the few shortwing designs I fancy quite a bit, plus that Hershey poop color is great.

Only reason why the heel/sole may look clunky is because the shoe is sleeker which sort of accentuates the sole.

The sole is no more clunky than an Alden and in fact much sleeker and less bulky than my 975s for example.

 

[imolazhp_ci]

to each their own guys. it's not worth arguing. a barrie last LWB is as about as sleek as a brick. it doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the design, but there is no point in trying to say the sky is green.

 

[Alcibiades]

The Marlow isn't "sleek" but the toe has more of a taper to it than Barrie longwings. That, combined with the dark edge trim and the "cleaner" shortwing pattern (versus the longwing) make it 100% suitworthy IMO (where as longwings may be 75% there, depending on the color). The fact that the shoe is also so robust also makes it denim worthy. This is why I think this style is the most versatile in the wingtip family (whether made by Alden, RL, Church's, Edward Green, whatever)

 

[mediahound]

Interesting pic perhaps.

Here's my Alden 975 and Marlow side by side. These are both the same size:





I posted in the RL thread how I cannot believe one could wear the same size in both shoes. The Marlows fit me perfect and most of my Alden 8.5'Ds are too big (I'm selling them all and will re-buy at 8D).

 

[Alcibiades]



Interesting pic perhaps. Here's my Alden 975 and Marlow side by side. These are both the same size:

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

I posted in the RL thread how I cannot believe one could wear the same size in both shoes.

I wear 9.5E in Barrie and I wear a 10D in the Marlow. My Marlows were very tight initially (uncomfortably so), but on the advice of the RL SA I kept the 10D. I think that they "break in" a bit more than some Aldens. After the extremely stiff sole was broken in and my feet sank a bit into the corkbed, my Marlows fit like a glove (a bit snugger than my longwings, but still very comfortable). The RL stores in London apparently sell an E width in this shoe. If I ever replace my current pair I will investigate that EDIT - That said, I tried this same break-in method with a pair of the Marlow penny loafers and was unsuccessful, so I had to sell them. I'd likely have to get 10.5D in those if I try again. It's a shame because they were a great color

 

[Ahab]



to each their own guys. it's not worth arguing. a barrie last LWB is as about as sleek as a brick. it doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the design, but there is no point in trying to say the sky is green.

This is a discussion forum. You will learn to conform!

I wear 9.5E in Barrie and I wear a 10D in the Marlow.

My Marlows were very tight initially (uncomfortably so), but on the advice of the RL SA I kept the 10D. I think that they "break in" a bit more than some Aldens. After the extremely stiff sole was broken in and my feet sank a bit into the corkbed, my Marlows fit like a glove (a bit snugger than my longwings, but still very comfortable).

The RL stores in London apparently sell an E width in this shoe. If I ever replace my current pair I will investigate that

EDIT - That said, I tried this same break-in method with a pair of the Marlow penny loafers and was unsuccessful, so I had to sell them. I'd likely have to get 10.5D in those if I try again. It's a shame because they were a great color

This makes me sad. I wonder if I would have gone with the smaller size if they would have eventually broken in? Regardless, I still wear mine all the time. I wear them out to places I have no business wearing them, like dive bars and fantasy football drafts.

 

[BeSpiffington]

Alcibiades, were the Marlow penny's different enough from Alden's LHS to make them worth a look?

 

[Alcibiades]



Alcibiades, were the Marlow penny's different enough from Alden's LHS to make them worth a look?

I can't wear cordovan LHS due to my high instep, so I can't really comment from experience. The Marlow pennys look similar to the Alden full straps, but with a much higher vamp (similar to an LHS). I would just view it as another color option for a cordovan loafer. I would say the same thing about the tassel loafers (I have not tried on the PTB).

 

[mediahound]

Does anyone know how the shell Chukka (Barrie last) fits compared to the shell LWB (also Barrie)? Are they about the same?

 

[imolazhp_ci]



The RL stores in London apparently sell an E width in this shoe. If I ever replace my current pair I will investigate that

i wonder if this is actually true since E width is the UK equivalent to a US D. E is the standard UK width.