why cordovan?
l was expecting you to fall into the igent trap l had set for you, but you passed with flying colours. Good answers!
lt's arvo here and the day is bloody brilliant, a perfect day. l am on cloud 26.
l have tried on the Alden calf loafers and l was far from thrilled. Just another goodyear welted shoe.
Regards: The Shooman.
Heppie - dont tell shooey - pretend they are weeds...
My thing with Alden is that their loafers are English style, despite them being an American maker, and I can get that look for a fraction of the cost over here. American style loafers were always rarer in Blighty & had to be sourced out so I value them more - Even if they are a 'lesser' shoe.
Plus I like the American style (Think of the OLD Weejuns & Sebagos) more.
The Aldens shown are certainly Brooksian and Ivy-friendly, it's just that the American Anglophile sector of Ivy leaves me bored - It's all far too much like what I wanted to get away from in the first place !
Alden make great HEAVY American style Longwings, Saddle Shoes & Bluchers - Those I like far more than their dainty little Anglo-style loafers.
Best -
Last edited by The_Shooman (2012-10-19 11:46:31)
I don't see why shell cordovan is worth the extra money. Is really that much tougher than good calf? And how does much it really matter, I'm guessing the welt is going to wear out before the upper anyhow. Why not put the money towards a better pair of shoes?
I have got a couple of shoes by Alden, but I won't buy them again. Loose strings on the upper, as well as stitching that doesn't line up with the punch holes (broguing?). The portion where the "storm welt" is joined is also VERY sloppy.
Shooey, I don't think those L-welts are stitched to the shoe. I examined mine, and there's no stitches going into the upper. As far as I can tell, they are just for looks. Maybe I should send you a pair to reveal how shoddy the workmanship really is.
Last edited by wahoo! (2012-10-19 12:26:38)
Whoa, strong stuff. I will have a lookout for these points when (if) I make it to the Alden store today. Surely it's impossible to scr*w up construction on a bloody loafer??
I'm going to have to try and convince an orthppaedic shoe maker to make me loafers.
I'm a surgeon, up all day walking around.
Then I go from the OR and have to put on a suit and answer questions from an upper crust matron trying to decide wether she wants a facelift.
The full strap cordovan loafer does the job perfectly. Comfortable during surgery, and I can partially slip my foot out. In the consultation room the cordovan color is casual enough for a day suit, yet dark enough to pass with a dark suit.
It is a workhorse that I have resoled once, and there is something about a well worn cordovan leather shoe that adds to the charm.
What about Allen Edwards version, recently renamed as "The Patriot" with combined leather/rubber sole for more inclement weather:
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/ProductDisplay?storeId=1&partNumber=SF4907&expDataUniqueID=6597232&expDataType=CatalogEntryId&langId=-1&catalogId=40000000001