Young Man, I have worn Alden Long Wing Wing Tip Shell Cordovan in Ravello & also in Burgundy, a Chukka Boots ( burgundy), Straight Tip (black) and Norwegian split toe (burgundy) for over 30 years. I rotated wearing these shoes over the years and they look as good as when they are new. I took care of these shoes with Saphir polish made for shell cordovan over the years and these shoes will last in my life time. I am now 82 years old and I still wear these Aldens and also 4 pairs of Allen Edmonds Shell Cordovan. Buying shell cordovan shoes in the classic last & style such as wing tips, plain toe & split toe bluchers are always current. If you can afford it, buy shell cordovan shoes because it will save you money in the long run and the shoes always look good!!!
I bought my first pair of wingtips (brown grained leather) at a rummage sale when I was 17. I immediately started wearing them to school. I remember one guy in particular making fun of me for wearing “old man” shoes. I knew, even then, that he was an imbecile. And in the fullness of time, it’s just that much clearer - wingtips and long wing bluchers are the premier casual lace-up shoe, and classics never go out of style. I only wear sneakers to run or in the gym, just like you. I don’t know what happened to that original pair of bluchers, but I just ordered some Alden LWB in brown grain, and I can’t wait to get them, a gift from my younger self, paying it forward. Can’t wait.
man that's amazing to hear and thank you for sharing!!! oh how i can relate to being made fun of for wearing particular things!! but for everyone who laughs at people wearing wingtips, trust me, the people wearing wingtips are laughing back at them for wearing sneakers whilst living under the assumption that sneakers are comfortable X-D clearly they've never worn or experienced the support of a stacked leather sole with a steel shank!!! wear your aldens in good health my friend
I have worn my lighter color long wings with shorts, probably not with color 8 wings. I think bluchers/derbys looks kinda clunky with full suits so I wear them with mostly khakis or dark jeans. IMO- long wings are the most versatile shoe but they don't go with suits, that's what oxfords are for
Like you, I had always considered the brogued winged shoe to be a more formal dress shoe. Upon research I have learned that it is considered less dress or formal than a cap or plain toe, owing back to the origination of brogues as a farm or worker shoe. The brogueing was to drain water. It is a modern loosening of standards to dress up a long wing or wingtip. The actual standard is to dress them down with the likes of jeans. As I said, this is contrary to what I thought..
The vintage Florsheim Imperial LWBs line (90s and earlier!) is worth looking in, too! arguably the best LWBs ever made! I honestly think you should look for them and try them out, the quality and craftmanship are equivalent if not better than Alden!
That was my dad's shoe of choice before retirement. He would buy them two pairs at a time so he would rotate them every other day. Both pairs would get cleaned and polished on Saturday morning. I guess I know where I get my shoe "thing" from.
The real question is, besides the obvious shell/calfskin one, do you notice a different between the model purchased from Alden versus the model produced for J Crew?
I love your videos. I have a pair of black monk straps but find them too dressy for shorts and a polo. But love the ideal what shoe would you suggest more at the enter level? I thought about grantstone but is the something more economical? Thank You for any recommendations
i agree, i feel like the bottom button rule is so outdated and has no utility whatsoever. The problem is, it's so mainstream that it's going to be a looooong time until we can shift away from it. I've heard the consensus argument surrounding why it's in use, and it used to make sense to me, but the more i wear suits in different weathers/environments, it does not make sense to uphold this rule 100% of the time!!
Are you not a fan of tightening your laces? All of the presented pictures seem to be quite loosely tied. // The scotch grain is lovely, but when I scuffed mine and realized I couldn't get them back to true, I was gutted and off they went.
thePowerPlant Good eye sir!! They’re not completely loose, but I definitely don’t pull them tight at all. I am very conscious of blood flow and comfort, so I tie accordingly so if there’s any swelling throughout the day from heat, they remain comfortable. That’s good to know about the scotch grain, I haven’t scuffed them too bad yet but I’ll definitely be cognizant of that in the future
Young Man, I have worn Alden Long Wing Wing Tip Shell Cordovan in Ravello & also in Burgundy, a Chukka Boots ( burgundy), Straight Tip (black) and Norwegian split toe (burgundy) for over 30 years. I rotated wearing these shoes over the years and they look as good as when they are new. I took care of these shoes with Saphir polish made for shell cordovan over the years and these shoes will last in my life time. I am now 82 years old and I still wear these Aldens and also 4 pairs of Allen Edmonds Shell Cordovan. Buying shell cordovan shoes in the classic last & style such as wing tips, plain toe & split toe bluchers are always current. If you can afford it, buy shell cordovan shoes because it will save you money in the long run and the shoes always look good!!!
I bought my first pair of wingtips (brown grained leather) at a rummage sale when I was 17. I immediately started wearing them to school. I remember one guy in particular making fun of me for wearing “old man” shoes. I knew, even then, that he was an imbecile. And in the fullness of time, it’s just that much clearer - wingtips and long wing bluchers are the premier casual lace-up shoe, and classics never go out of style. I only wear sneakers to run or in the gym, just like you. I don’t know what happened to that original pair of bluchers, but I just ordered some Alden LWB in brown grain, and I can’t wait to get them, a gift from my younger self, paying it forward. Can’t wait.
man that's amazing to hear and thank you for sharing!!! oh how i can relate to being made fun of for wearing particular things!! but for everyone who laughs at people wearing wingtips, trust me, the people wearing wingtips are laughing back at them for wearing sneakers whilst living under the assumption that sneakers are comfortable X-D clearly they've never worn or experienced the support of a stacked leather sole with a steel shank!!! wear your aldens in good health my friend
This video is so important
I have worn my lighter color long wings with shorts, probably not with color 8 wings. I think bluchers/derbys looks kinda clunky with full suits so I wear them with mostly khakis or dark jeans. IMO- long wings are the most versatile shoe but they don't go with suits, that's what oxfords are for
Great review! What do you think of the J Crew Ludlow long wings and how do they compare with the Aldens. Thanks.
Like you, I had always considered the brogued winged shoe to be a more formal dress shoe. Upon research I have learned that it is considered less dress or formal than a cap or plain toe, owing back to the origination of brogues as a farm or worker shoe. The brogueing was to drain water. It is a modern loosening of standards to dress up a long wing or wingtip. The actual standard is to dress them down with the likes of jeans. As I said, this is contrary to what I thought..
The vintage Florsheim Imperial LWBs line (90s and earlier!) is worth looking in, too!
arguably the best LWBs ever made!
I honestly think you should look for them and try them out, the quality and craftmanship are equivalent if not better than Alden!
awesome, I am going to check them out, thanks for the recommendation!! I know florsheim used to be an excellent brand in its hayday
That was my dad's shoe of choice before retirement. He would buy them two pairs at a time so he would rotate them every other day. Both pairs would get cleaned and polished on Saturday morning. I guess I know where I get my shoe "thing" from.
The real question is, besides the obvious shell/calfskin one, do you notice a different between the model purchased from Alden versus the model produced for J Crew?
0 difference, same maker, same result!!
I love your videos. I have a pair of black monk straps but find them too dressy for shorts and a polo. But love the ideal what shoe would you suggest more at the enter level? I thought about grantstone but is the something more economical? Thank You for any recommendations
sounds like what you're wanting is grantstone!!! it's the best bang for your buck
@@DalesLeatherworks thank you man!!
Great review!
Glad you enjoyed it!!!
I never understood the bottom button rule, and a lot of other dress style rules either, a lot of suits look awesome with the bottom button fastened .
i agree, i feel like the bottom button rule is so outdated and has no utility whatsoever. The problem is, it's so mainstream that it's going to be a looooong time until we can shift away from it. I've heard the consensus argument surrounding why it's in use, and it used to make sense to me, but the more i wear suits in different weathers/environments, it does not make sense to uphold this rule 100% of the time!!
Break the fashion rules!
Edmund Tam dang right buddy!!! It’s good to know the style rules, and when to break them!!
I think Grantstone's are better made than Alden's. Especially on the vamp stitching.
Ray Contego I won’t argue that GS is top notch!!!
I would much rather buy something Made in the USA vs. China. But that's just me.
Joe Dimes I do love American made 😁
Are you not a fan of tightening your laces? All of the presented pictures seem to be quite loosely tied. // The scotch grain is lovely, but when I scuffed mine and realized I couldn't get them back to true, I was gutted and off they went.
thePowerPlant Good eye sir!! They’re not completely loose, but I definitely don’t pull them tight at all. I am very conscious of blood flow and comfort, so I tie accordingly so if there’s any swelling throughout the day from heat, they remain comfortable. That’s good to know about the scotch grain, I haven’t scuffed them too bad yet but I’ll definitely be cognizant of that in the future
You want high quality Alden long wing pair of shoes, buy yourself a pair of ALDEN LONG WING SHELL CORDOVAN!
you're right, i'm hoping to get on a list for some whisky shell LWBs :-D