M
mfad16mo ago
Luc

Alden Shoes

Anyone have recs on how to acquire some Alden LHS's/ Alden Loafers? I got my meermin ones, and theyre great! But looking at Alden too, just dont wanna buy new when it costs a lot of money, any one have recommendations on where to look?
29 Replies
Flechette_The_Toe
aldenmodelproject.com compiles most eBay listings, but you can also find them by trawling through improperly listed shoes
Luc
Luc16mo ago
oh snap this is awesome thanks
mattw2
mattw216mo ago
1 minute to great advice. Some kind of record.
Luc
Luc16mo ago
fr fr i dont mind getting shoes second hand, plus alden i can resole if i want a new sole 🤷 I just really want alden cause I like my meermin just not a fan of the pointy tip, i like aldens more curved not as pointy tipped loafers
Flechette_The_Toe
the alden toes are the GOAT for loafers
Luc
Luc16mo ago
seriously, such a look do people tend to prefer 1/2 strap or full strapped ones? I like the 1/2 strap but the full is also not bad looking either and seems theres more in stock of full strapped Aldens
Flechette_The_Toe
Can't say for certain, I prefer half strap since I don't wear pennies with suits, but I suspect more people wear those until they're unsellable
Luc
Luc16mo ago
is it more proper to wear full strapped with suits? I dont wear suits at all (and I live in SE USA, although I do spend a lot of time in Seattle since my GF lives there so a blazer might come in handy more there)
Flechette_The_Toe
Some people say yes, I say it doesn't really matter. If I have a suit on I prefer tassels. But the half strap is a little more casual
Luc
Luc16mo ago
yeah thats fair thats good to know, hmm ill have to keep watch here on that site to see if i can snag a half strapped penny
Flechette_The_Toe
Happy hunting Ebay saved searches will also email you a list of new listings every morning
Luc
Luc16mo ago
oh thanks for the heads up
AAE
AAE16mo ago
mind if i ask why Alden commands such a high price compared to other full-leather, GYW shoes? I've always taken their quality/reputation for granted w/o really knowing why
Flechette_The_Toe
A little bit is the cost of the name, but it's also just that well made, actual MiUSA dress shoes from quality leather aren't cheap.
gimp
gimp16mo ago
Good shoes start at around $200. Good ready-to-wear shoes go up to like $2000. And bespoke can go even higher. Alden is much more expensive than $200 but they are by far not the only company selling shoes in the $600-900 price point. Just like any good shoe company in that price range, the answer is, basically: a good brand name, a reputation for quality, made in a country with expensive labor, made out of great materials (materials themselves from known good companies, like horween leather), with good craftsmanship, good durability, good repairability, good feeling, attractive lasts, good quality control, etc. It's kind of like, why does a porsche cost more than a chevy? There are a lot of technical reasons, but the final reason is that people are willing to pay it. Some pay it because of the badge, but most who are willing to pay the premium do so for a slew of reasons that are kind of hard to quantify directly, but seem more obvious in a qualatative comparison. Alden's $800 shoes are just ... nicer ... than most $200 shoes, and for some people, that is worth paying for.
AAE
AAE16mo ago
thanks gimp! appreciate the thoughts
awburkey
awburkey16mo ago
Full strap can be dressier and I think they tend to look a bit more sleek/elegant/feminine due to the last, lower vamp and overall shape. Ethan Wong wears his full strap Alden’s vvv well
AAE
AAE16mo ago
Well... thanks to this thread (and aldenmodelproject website above) just snagged some very good condition/recently resoled aberdeen black tassle loafers for $90 (and returnable!)
bhav 🧐 🥳
bhav 🧐 🥳16mo ago
Full strap is more formal and harder to dress down, so I prefer half strap which is easy to dress up or down.
Luc
Luc16mo ago
yeah, they seem more popular tho, will just have to keep watch on ebay i guess, also how does Alden sizing work? do they run large? i wear like 10.5 adidas that fit perfectly
gimp
gimp16mo ago
Styleforum
The Official Alden Thread for 2023 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice,...
Gentlemen, welcome to the Official Alden Thread for 2023! This thread is the continuation of the long running Official Alden Thread (2008 - 2015) and the subsequent annual threads (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022). This thread is intended to provide an environment to share...
gimp
gimp16mo ago
Styleforum
Alden Shoes: Sizing Guide
Lasts Alden's lasts may seem a little confusing to first-time buyers. Our posters in the Alden thread for 2016 (archived pre-2016 Alden thread here) have a wealth of experience and knowledge about Alden sizes. We were able to compile this guide...
Luc
Luc16mo ago
10.5D it is then
gimp
gimp16mo ago
if your brannock size says 10.5 B/D, then I am sure that will work for you. Though I will say that loafers can be a little unexpected in terms of size, you really need great fit so your heel doesn't pop out.
Luc
Luc16mo ago
yeah true
jarmul22
jarmul2216mo ago
It’s very hard to figure heel slip, and explain it to people that arent familiar. Definitely expect to have some slip when they’re new - and maybe still some if you’re wearing thinner socks But it should never be enough that they’re coming off of your feet / you need to consciously keep them on
Luc
Luc7mo ago
Fair coming back to this so my size for Adidas Stan Smith is 10 men they fit comfortably no issues would you say size down 1/2 a size? im assuming width of Adidas Stan Smith's are width: D? sounds like its pretty standard I have Meermin loafers in 9.5D but they are a little tight, so maybe a 10D is right you know, actually i think 9.5D is correct
jarmul22
jarmul227mo ago
I’d advise getting sized on a brannock before getting Alden’s. That said - I take a 9.5uk in most Meermin, and go for a 10 in most ~1/2 down Alden lasts (Barrie & trubalance). Keep in mind I do have narrow feet.
Luc
Luc7mo ago
hm alright thats good to know I might instead try and go somewhere and try on some Aldens then order online
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