scurvyfreedman
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Hi all-
I am new to SF (long time lurker but newly registered) and this thread. I currently own the following and am looking to expand into more casual footwear:
- Alden 971 x Brooks Brothers straight tip bluchers - black calf
- Alden 972 x Brooks Brothers straight tip bluchers - walnut calf
- Alden 9695F x Brooks Brothers penny loafers (not LHS but not flex like current model) - black calf
- Alden 9697F x Brooks Brothers penny loafers (not LHS but not flex like current model) - brown suede
- AE Wilbert NST Brown calf
- AE Wilbert NST Dark Brown CXL
- Carmina 531 Derby/PTB - brown suede
- And Meermin Snuff SuperBuck NST blucher on the way....
I have gone through the first 150 pages in this thread. I did not read every post but rather skimmed ones that seemed interesting and viewed almost all of the shoe and boot pictures. I covered from January through mid-March. I plan to continue on this path until I catch up to the current era. For now, I have a few questions which I hope others would be willing to help answer:
I was surprised that it seemed boots were almost 50% of what was posted. Is that because most people wear boots as often as shoes or was it just the time period (late winter)?
What is a "King Wing"?
Does anyone have any idea what lasts my AldenxBB use (the shoes are circa 2011)? I have read they could be Aberdeen, Copley, Van, or even Snap but no fit information on the last one.
I really like lined PTBs so I am considering both a PTB Natural Chromexcel 9501 because I understand they may be gone forever very soon. Is there any truth to that or is it just a bad rumor?
I also like lined Chukkas and am considering a Chukka Boot Snuff Suede D4707 and/or Chukka Boot Brown Chromexcel 13781C from Alden Madison.
I will probably not get all 3 at once (my wife would have a nervous breakdown as she is supposed to be the one with the shoe collection in our relationship) so which 2 would round out what I already own that are shown above? My work/personal life is moving more towards casual wear (even pre-pandemic) and less business casual (and suits).
How do you all keep our shoes so clean and in such good shape? I have lived in urban areas and either walked and/or taken public transportation to work most of my life and my shoes simply get beat up no matter how careful I am so what is the secret to all these pictures of shoes in pristine condition (not judgmental, really looking for the magic answer)?
I'll do me first.
My first pair of real shoes are Alden stock model punch cap toe oxfords (mistakenly called Balmorals). I got them around 12-14 years ago. After that I filled out my dress shoe collection with English makers. Crockett and Jones and Alfred Sargent. I liked their sleeker lasts for dress shoes. I also really like Adelaides with a chisel toe, and have one each in light brown (chestnut C&J) quarter brogue, oxblood (A&S) quarter brogue, and middle/dark brown (A&S) short wing austerity brogue.
But, when I gravitated toward casual shoes to wear with jeans and chinos, I like Alden better and I generally prefer rugged boots. I have added 3 Alden boots to my collection (tan suede Indy, color 8 Indy, color 8 semi-brogue on Grant), plus one on order (another Indy) and one I have on my next list (an Indy chukka), plus a pair of Alden green suede slip ons (loafers). I did get one pair of rare shell Alden shoes, but I find them neither fish nor fowl. They are oxfords, but with a rounder toe and double leather soles. I treat them as more causal. I'll wear them with a cotton suit, but not wool.
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