They are amazing shoes. And yes, being the owner of about 6 pairs, I feel qualified to say that they do deserve their status. They only get better with age, so the relatively high price tag will turn out to be an investment.

Last edited by Uncle Ian (2022-03-11 15:57:39)

The variations in size and last have always been a problem for me.

There's a store in Connecticut, ShoeMart, that carries most if not all of the Alden line. It's a substantial haul for me, so I've never made the trip. (Never mind the price of new Aldens.)

Some day...

I've got a bazillion pairs of loafers I don't wear already.

Last edited by Patrick (2022-03-12 04:03:53)

^ That's about where I am. Even after a fairly thorough purge I have a shitload of shoes.

Woof,

I have exactly the same issue with shoes. The toe of the sole goes first.

My local Crockett and Jones adds in the flush metal plate from French brand LuLu.

They also got some Rancourt Loafers over soled so that the Blake stitching was covered with a full leather sole

I know it is sacrilegious to say so but I´ll say it anyway. I hate loafers. To me they are old mans shoes. There was this renowned guy in swedish finance who got so fat that he couldn't tie his own shoes, so he only wore loafers. That is what I think of every time I see loafers. And I have also been morbidly obese andI  know how it feels like to have a brush with death every time you have to tie the shoe laces...

Man, eating and drinking yourself to death is hard work I'll tell you. I failed. Like with everything else I try. Maybe that's where I failed. Never try, as what "Chinaski" used to say. My recipe for death was a bottle of champagne and half a bottle of bourbon every day. Until one morning when I was standing up pissing in the toilet and felt a pang in my chest and then almost fainted.

Therefore I will never wear loafers.

LHS cordovan loafers have a bit of a geriatric character. They're sturdy, well built and re-soleable but staid. Although this may get me banned I almost always gravitate toward horse-bits over Aldens. That said my Brooks/Alden cordo cap toes are nearly perfect and see much more wear. A proper lace-up seems more suitable to the material. A personal proclivity to be sure.

A suede pair might strike a nice balance.

A rare poking of the head above the parapet for me, - outstanding timing on the thread Alvey, I too am contemplating such a purchase.
Part of my issue is that no where on this rock actually sells Aldens, so they'll have to be imported. I'm contemplating a pair of C&J's instead because at least I could theoretically try those on, although it would require a trip to Belfast, which is frankly an unappealing place to visi - and realistically I'm not sure which is the better shoe?

On the question of cost, I look at it this way, firstly there is the thrill of splashing out a not insignificant amount of money. Then comes buyers remorse, "Oh god, what have I done" - and finally acceptance and enjoyment.
If you really want to put it into a different perspective, then over a ten year period, your swanky new shoes will cost you a mere 70 quid a year, or £1.34 a week, a mere snip at 19 pence a day. I'd find that on the floor of the local Tesco car-park without too much issue.

I must admit, going to Belfast solely to buy a pair of shoes is not something I've ever done.

Tim-

'On the question of cost, I look at it this way, firstly there is the thrill of splashing out a not insignificant amount of money. Then comes buyers remorse, "Oh god, what have I done" - and finally acceptance and enjoyment.'

This describes me on a fairly regular basis. I'll have to start visiting the local Tesco car park by the sounds of it.

@RobbieB - I can't claim that all Tesco car-parks are alike but I'd have thought twenty pence would be easily found if you happened to be looking. Buyers remorse is only ever temporary, unless you truly have cocked up!
@Alvey - Good to know on the C&J's front. The old man swore by them & before them Wildsmith of old. I'll be in London in April, so will try and have a look at both if I can.
@Yuca - Going to Belfast is unappealing full stop, it just happens to be home to the only half-way reasonable shoe-shop and menswear-shop on this damp little island.