All set for another few months.

Where to find:
- Alden unlined bluchers at Leather Soul
- Alden bluchers at Frans Boone, along with longwings and Tricker’s on a red brick sole
- Paul Stuart crepe sole chukka boots
- Mark McNairy chukka boots from Bonobos
- Mark McNairy saddle shoes with white soles at Bows+Arrows
- Walk-Over and Sanders

In limited Sizes:
- Tricker’s chukka boots and bluchers at the Bureau
- Tricker’s wingtips at Present
- Alden unlined bluchers from Tres Bien

Alden bluchers on the Plaza last, flex welt, metal eyelets.

Mark McNairy saddle shoes with red brick soles.

The leather is not actually suede in the traditional shoe sense, but is instead the special reverse chamois that has been showing up lately on several different Alden makeups for stores. It has a very matted and oily texture, and is very easy to care for.

The highlight for me are these roughout suede chukkas and I’m torn between getting a pair of these and the unlined chukka boots on the Leydon last.

Nigel Cabourn FW10. I went for the blue plaid naval shirt – and it’s already sold out in my size! wtf.

Alden.

Except for the crepe soles, these remind me a bit of the roughout boots worn by some servicemen during WW2.

A future version that I’d like to have would be the same model in a light brown or tan scotch grain leather. A pair of dress chukka boots made on the Plaza last in the same chocolate suede would be nice as well.

On my boots, I’ve switched out the flat waxed laces that Alden includes with regular work/hiking boot laces. They’re far more reliable than the waxed laces, which tend not too last very long under my kind of wear and tear and their bright yellow color will quickly turn brown as soon as they start to absorb the oils from the leather (such as how the laces look on the used pair).

These have never been polished, and I’ve only applied leather conditioner twice. Shoe trees are used only when I have a pair lying around, and they’re otherwise not really fussed over.

A view of the commando soles on the used pair. They’ve held up very well after two years, but I will probably have them sent off to get replaced soon.

They’re easily the best shoe purchase I’ve ever made.

Chromexcel, or CXL as it’s written in the building, is a combination tanned leather that undergoes at least 89 separate processes taking 28 working days and utilizing all 5 floors of our facility. Needless to say, it’s complicated. For any tannery, the chemistry that transforms salted or cured hides into leather often requires a degree of “cooking.” By cooking I mean there are slight variations that must be managed and corrected from lot to lot.

Continue reading more.

I also hear that a suede version might be in the works? Hmm…

Some of the new shirts, including a few with club collars and a new utility shirt made from a heavy oxford fabric. Good stuff.

Sun faded Stanton shorts.

One of the new Levi 501 models made for J.Crew, this one has gone through a salt soak according to the description (sounds like a gimmick). I wonder how they compare to the 501’s that Levi’s sells in their own stores.

A new “Cadet” jacket. I think its design would have been better if the epaulet straps were left off.

A very lightweight chambray scarf. I’ve checked this out in my local store and it’s surprisingly very soft.

Some of the madras ties. The first one is interesting in how the pattern was set horizontally to the ground, and that the tip is squared off. Seems pretty vintage like.

The classic Persol 649 sunglasses (a favorite of Steve McQueen).

A leather postal bag from Belstaff.

Made in USA Weejuns! Not bad at all.

And lastly the special Alden shoes. The indy boots are a bit better made than the regular stock 405 model (nicer leathers are used), and the calfskin longwings are probably on the Barrie last if you’re wondering.

Continue reading more.

Related posts:

• Letter from Peal and Co. transferring the name to Brooks Brothers (from Generations of Style)
• Beams Japan’s Alden Factory Visit

This particular Alden branded wallet is made from shell cordovan and is big enough to hold about 2-3 dollars in change. I’m usually fumbling around my pockets for change when I’m picking stuff up at the market, and hopefully this will help. They’re available at Blackbird, along with a few other accessories.

Alden chukkas and bluchers on the Plaza last.

Conveniently, Blackbird has just posted some new black Alden boots on their site a few minutes ago, which are a better made version of the plain #306 stock model. It’s too bad they did not order any in my size. ;_;

Update: Two more styles are now available as well.

Nice! It’s too bad the cost on Alden’s overseas is exorbitant though.

Longtime Alden fans will probably see the similarities between the new models and existing custom models made for Leather Soul and Alden of Carmel. From left to right: The 403 in brown chromexcel, the upgraded 405, and the 404 in brown kudu with lug soles. All will be fully lined in leather. 

Link: http://store.silver-and-gold.com/?pid=12826305

I wonder what lucky store all of those are going to.

This next scan shows an interesting part before the soles are attached.  If you notice closely, there is in fact a large piece of metal laid on top of the cork bed which is usually referred to as a steel shank.  To loosely quote one of their salesmen, the steel shank is part of what makes an Alden shoe so special (and heavy :) ) as it helps provide support for your feet.

Alden Brown Chukka Boots

Alden chukka boots in brown calfskin on the plaza last with a reverse storm welt and commando soles. These have a few seasons into them already.

Dear Friends of Leather Soul,

I am extremely pleased to announce that I will be opening a Leather Soul store in Beverly Hills, California!

When I opened my first store back in 2004, I would have never imagined that I would be opening a store on the mainland. I owe it all to you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting me throughout the past 5 years.

As things progress I will keep everyone informed as best as I can. As of now, I have secured a wonderful location right in Beverly Hills (next to ample public parking!). I am targeting December or January as an opening date. I am so excited to bring our passion for shoes to Southern California and hope being on the mainland will give us an opportunity to be more accessible to you.

In the meantime, if you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment on this post, email me directly, or give me a call at the shop (808)922-0777.

Mahalo!

Tom

Congrats to Tom!  I have been buying shoes from his store for a couple of years now, and he’s now much more closer.  I’ll look forward to visiting his new location next time I’m down in that area.

Alden Tan Bluchers

Alden bluchers on the Plaza last – good for anything from chinos to denim.  These are a stock model (#2816) so most Alden dealers should be able to get them for you.