The Official Alden Thread for 2024 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[JTMD]

Back to classic 8 for wing Wednesday.

 

[sterlingindigo]

That’s Louis Prima - singer and trumpet player from New Orleans, popular in the 40s and 50s.

NGL I thought it was you since as long as I’ve been here 😂

 

[Markintosh]

Black shell. Don’t get the opportunity to wear these too often these days……..

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And of course, the best view in the house…….

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Happy halfway day Gang!

Hi Shawn - I just love black shoes like this with light tan slacks or tan colored jeans...then I wear a black shirt - what a great look!!!! Well done man!!!!

 

[tuna roll]

Hi Shawn - I just love black shoes like this with light tan slacks or tan colored jeans...then I wear a black shirt - what a great look!!!! Well done man!!!!

Same! I love black shoes with off-white, light gray, taupe, and similar trousers. I like the contrast.

And black shell IMO is much more interesting than plain black calf. I love my c8 shell but I have a soft spot for black shell as well.

 

[bemk]

While we're talking black shell. My 9901 today.

- Alden 9901 -

 

[SailingIvy]

Bought these beauties in Berlin. Color8 (ofc) 379x Military Last, speedhooks, leather sole and captoe. Had to do a tough decision between another pair which had a single punched line along the captoe on the barrie and with commando sole. The fit of these was better and I liked the cleaner design aswell as the last shape. Does anybody know anything about that foot-balance heelstack? Is there a secret kind of technology behind it? It certainly feels different on the foot. They also came with some lightening already (due to being display ones) but, as I like my color8 dark, I already gave them some wax paste from Alden and they appear to be darker already. Stoked to get these breaked in!

 

[Bavo]

Happy Halloween 🎃

 

[M635Guy]

Well, I finally opened what is very possibly my last grail...

My GYW journey has slowed over the last several years - between the lockdown, a series of family things that needed significant attention, a switch from over 100K-miles a year of travel to essentially none and working remotely 90% of the time, I've been wearing few, much less acquiring any.

But when was offered the chance to get a pair of Ravello Indys from my friend Matt, I had to get off the sidelines.

I actually got them a couple months ago and literally stuck the bag/box away unopened. That changed this morning. They're gorgeous.

I'll spare y'all the worst of the gushing, but here's a sampling of the unboxing:

Ready to go!

Sunlight does nice things for Ravello

Then I got a little carried away...
With their Dr. Jones and Mahogany Shell brothers

The other Ravello in the closet

The various batches of Ravello really show up here

Then it was time to remember Jim Pietryka, my friend (and also to many here) who passed away in Jan. 2020, and who is directly or indirectly responsible for all these pairs:

Aside from being a great guy who had a deep knowledge and love of Alden, AE and Florsheim, he was the one who gave me the heads up on the Ravello WTB and Mahogany pairs at ShoeMart (on the same day actually, IIRC - 'twas a funny text exchange). He introduced me to Matt, who owns Ealdwine, was the source of the Dr. Jones pair and who was incredibly gracious enough to allow me to get this latest pair. To break away from shoe pix for a moment:

Jim on the left, Matt on the right

As many of you know, Matt owns Ealdwine, and he and Jim founded it together. Matt is also an excellent cat (and not because he's got a great Alden store).

If you'll forgive a bit of maudlin pontification, that brings me to my point about what a great community this is (not just here in the Alden StyleForum thread, but other areas here, the crew over at Reddit's /r/GoodYearWelt sub, etc.) and how lucky I've been to meet some very awesome people through this journey - quite a few in person, and so many virtually. The last couple years have been pretty crazy for me, and it's family and community that got me through. I value it all greatly. Thanks to all of you who are a part of it.

Here's the whole album if you want to look

 

[JTMD]

Well, I finally opened what is very possibly my last grail...

My GYW journey has slowed over the last several years - between the lockdown, a series of family things that needed significant attention, a switch from over 100K-miles a year of travel to essentially none and working remotely 90% of the time, I've been wearing few, much less acquiring any.

But when was offered the chance to get a pair of Ravello Indys from my friend Matt, I had to get off the sidelines.

I actually got them a couple months ago and literally stuck the bag/box away unopened. That changed this morning. They're gorgeous.

I'll spare y'all the worst of the gushing, but here's a sampling of the unboxing:

Ready to go!

Sunlight does nice things for Ravello

Then I got a little carried away...
With their Dr. Jones and Mahogany Shell brothers

The other Ravello in the closet

The various batches of Ravello really show up here

Then it was time to remember Jim Pietryka, my friend (and also to many here) who passed away in late 2019, and who is directly or indirectly responsible for all these pairs:

Aside from being a great guy who had a deep knowledge and love of Alden, AE and Florsheim, he was the one who gave me the heads up on the Ravello WTB and Mahogany pairs at ShoeMart (on the same day actually, IIRC - 'twas a funny text exchange). He introduced me to Matt, who owns Ealdwine, was the source of the Dr. Jones pair and who was incredibly gracious enough to allow me to get this latest pair. To break away from shoe pix for a moment:

Jim on the left, Matt on the right

As many of you know, Matt owns Ealdwine, and he and Jim founded it together. Matt is also an excellent cat (and not because he's got a great Alden store).

If you'll forgive a bit of maudlin pontification, that brings me to my point about what a great community this is (not just here in the Alden StyleForum thread, but other areas here, the crew over at Reddit's /r/GoodYearWelt sub, etc.) and how lucky I've been to meet some very awesome people through this journey - quite a few in person, and so many virtually. The last couple years have been pretty crazy for me, and it's family and community that got me through. I value it all greatly. Thanks to all of you who are a part of it.

Here's the whole album if you want to look

Great collection. Thanks for sharing the photos.

I know Matt runs an Alden Enthusiast page on Facebook. Seems most of the gents there are his clients (I'm odd man out 😅) and certainly some fabulous shoes/boots coming out of his shop. I haven't introduced myself via private message yet but suppose I should one of these days. 😁.

 

[Vincent George]

Well, I finally opened what is very possibly my last grail...

My GYW journey has slowed over the last several years - between the lockdown, a series of family things that needed significant attention, a switch from over 100K-miles a year of travel to essentially none and working remotely 90% of the time, I've been wearing few, much less acquiring any.

But when was offered the chance to get a pair of Ravello Indys from my friend Matt, I had to get off the sidelines.

I actually got them a couple months ago and literally stuck the bag/box away unopened. That changed this morning. They're gorgeous.

I'll spare y'all the worst of the gushing, but here's a sampling of the unboxing:

Ready to go!

Sunlight does nice things for Ravello

Then I got a little carried away...
With their Dr. Jones and Mahogany Shell brothers

The other Ravello in the closet

The various batches of Ravello really show up here

Then it was time to remember Jim Pietryka, my friend (and also to many here) who passed away in late 2019, and who is directly or indirectly responsible for all these pairs:

Aside from being a great guy who had a deep knowledge and love of Alden, AE and Florsheim, he was the one who gave me the heads up on the Ravello WTB and Mahogany pairs at ShoeMart (on the same day actually, IIRC - 'twas a funny text exchange). He introduced me to Matt, who owns Ealdwine, was the source of the Dr. Jones pair and who was incredibly gracious enough to allow me to get this latest pair. To break away from shoe pix for a moment:

Jim on the left, Matt on the right

As many of you know, Matt owns Ealdwine, and he and Jim founded it together. Matt is also an excellent cat (and not because he's got a great Alden store).

If you'll forgive a bit of maudlin pontification, that brings me to my point about what a great community this is (not just here in the Alden StyleForum thread, but other areas here, the crew over at Reddit's /r/GoodYearWelt sub, etc.) and how lucky I've been to meet some very awesome people through this journey - quite a few in person, and so many virtually. The last couple years have been pretty crazy for me, and it's family and community that got me through. I value it all greatly. Thanks to all of you who are a part of it.

Here's the whole album if you want to look

Beautiful write up and beautiful boots! Wear in good health.

I think many of us owe a lot of our shoe knowledge and collections to Matt and Jim.

 

[Shawnc]

Amazing post @M635Guy.

 

[M635Guy]

I know Matt runs an Alden Enthusiast page on Facebook. Seems most of the gents there are his clients (I'm odd man out 😅) and certainly some fabulous shoes/boots coming out of his shop. I haven't introduced myself via private message yet but suppose I should one of these days. 😁.

I think a lot of folks there were members of the page before they were clients . I don't know any stockist that posts so many pix of his own Alden makeups from other shops, and he does it with love. It's all those pairs that led him to his own store, so all are welcome. He's got a really great eye/sensibility for makeups.

That crew isn't as active as here, though to be honest, I prefer SF over FB for this kind of thing.