Is the squeaking noise will decrease in few weeks ? Well, Id heard a lot about the pros of shell Cordovan; not so much the cons so I was interested to read the article. Hi what are those abrasions in the crease of the St Crispins? But if you have the means to get a pair for yourself (whether thats with an employee discount or not), Id say go for it. Any particular misgivings about Carmina? Send them to a cobbler who know Church or Cordovan? You can easily buy all necessary equipment to care for Codovan leather from http://www.afinepairofshoes.co.uk. I think that your review was not that favourable but I think that they have a fantastic shape and combination of materials and sole. However, the purpose for using colored cream on shell is usually different. The stacks on the heels Alden uses are of bonded leather which loses form when it gets wet. I do like the fact that its all eyelets and I like that in my boots. Absolutely agree Color 8 is very versatile and you can never truly find a calf to match that color (though I have tried). Which makes it a bit confusing that unlined cordovan loafers is quite common, a model that also some of its buyers cant wear during warmer days at all. It looks almost as if some patina artist (think Berluti) had a go at them. Kirby has a good video on that here, Hello Simon: I personally have very narrow heels and most of my loafers have heel slippage. Interesting read. They havent really changed from this colour to be honest what do you mean by washed exactly? Ask for Jim when you email them. Im not. The Process: Preparing Brush the uppers briskly with a pig bristle brush Repeat with a horse hair brush until all dust and surface dirt is removed Gentle Cleaning Apply the neutral cream in circular motions using a clean cotton cloth with light to medium pressure one mor question. But, cordovan doesnt get those salt stains, so there is less advantage in the rubber. Ive purchased half a dozen pairs over the last year. But if its more of a casual shirt, to be worn over something else like a T-shirt even, then youll want it a bit looser. I like the style generally (sort of a dressed-up Doc Martin for the urban professional), and I assume you wear them with denim, which is a nice look (although I think the images above are actually from an article you did on similar Kaan shoes, correct?). Or other reason? Hi Simon, did you have to size up or down for the Alden Norwegian Blucher? Hi Jesper, Simon, would appreciate your thoughts on the Drakes by Alden cordovan chukka boots? What would be your thoughts about cordovan colour 8 wholecut? I used to feel the same way about suede as you once did about cordovan. Ah, I see. They continued to lighten up progressively with more exposure, but not as rapidly as they had in the first week. They have burgundy, dark brown and black Lovely though the Aldens look, the associated hassle and inflated costs of getting them over the pond are significant deterrents for now. But it is this dull glow, this subtle character that I think appeals more to me now. Wouldnt you say that a black cordovan loafer is more casual than a black calf one, and perhaps comparable to a black suede one? Compared to other leather shoes Ive owned (a pair of Wolverine 1000 Mile shoes in brown Chromexcel leather, another pair of Alden penny loafers in snuff suede, a pair of Herms calfskin leather boots, among others), breaking in this pair of loafers was difficult. I have relatively slim legs compared to my feet width. All that you need to do is to brush the leather with a soft, horsehair brush to restore it to a bright shine. which affects the value point. Before it bloom, yes its pretty easy to take care of it, once it starts to bloom takes too much time after a downpour vs. calf. Can they be resurrected? For me dark brown (chocolate) suede remains probably most versatile in combination with denim/chinos, aside from the equally versatile color 8. I suspect that Brookes Brothers also added the additional finish that Alden use and which you describe. Never been big on even smart chukkas or chelseas either unfortunately, especially because the Canadian west coast is a relentless sea of Blundstones. Hi Simon, Ive resigned to the fact that unique oily finish, with the rolls and that dull glow as you nicely put it, is truly unique. Thank you! Other leather shoes Ive owned have stretched enough to require an insert or thicker socks to keep from sliding. Thank you and much appreciate it! Not so sure about navy What are your thoughts? Andy Vaughn is the brains behind Pure Polish, a complete line of 100% natural and biodegradable shoe care products made in small batches in Bend Oregon. Welcome to cordovan;-) Ive had the same Aldens as you for at least 15 years. Even though I noticed that the Aldens are slightly wider/more roomy when compared with my EG`s especially in the heal area. It sounds like they maybe havent had shoe trees in them all the time as well? Lighter color Shell Cordovan are more difficult to source. Thats worth a read for detail on what cordovan actually is - more a membrane than a skin - and the work that goes into tanning it. Alden certainly do, yes. The 12+ Best Smart Home Devices Under $50, The Hamilton Khaki Field Murph Watch, Tested, Complete Guide to Buying Boots This Season, Get 5 Years of Nisolo Shoes for Just $500, 3 Easy Ways to Get Your Closet Ready for Spring, The New Balance 990v3 Is the Best 990 of All Time, How Climate Change Could Impact Your Skin, Asics Are Everywhere, But Why Now? We prefer to apply this with a finger as it gives more control of where the polish goes. As to belt, I wear a dark-brown leather most of the time, or even a black if its a smarter shoe/look. Loafers in France are usually either elongated in the Italian style, or chunky (boxy ?) Its not an Alden thing, by the way - its the same with my Edward Green black cordovan (shown below). Some like that sturdiness, while some dislike it and have a hard time breaking in corodovan shoes and getting them comfortable due to this, a bit depending on how sensitive your feet are. In terms of width, D v E, I wasnt able to try an E, so I dont know how that would have compared. Alden states that they use oak leather soles (likely meaning oak bark-tanned). Have a look at my loafers here. See comments above on availability in the UK Steven. READ!!!! Loafers seem popular, but I see markers also offering boots which given your comments seem heavy and perhaps less comfortable. Fit is great, love the colour obviously, and the last isnt as round as I thought it might be. Alright whats the deal with these deer bones? Heel pads I have found worthless so I am keen to try rogue pad to solve a heel sleep problem. Thanks for the correction Ill change it now. Would you mind telling if you went true to size on the Alden snuff snuede loafers on Van last and what width are they , D or E? I also do like tassel loafers, but find them a bit hard to wear without appearing somewhat affected (they are a bit unusual and sadly often worn by a certain type of fashion-guy, at least were I am from). General wisdom among Alden fans dictates that the Aberdeen fits true to (Brannock) size, and the Barrie is roomier all around, and can be worn a half size smaller. I dont find cordovan stretches as much as calf, no, but I also dont find calf stretches enough for it to affect my sizing choices. Thank you! Hi Simon, I see that your readers have already given you way too much work in the above as it is but Im going to throw in a question as well sorry: what is the point / function of rubbing the shoes with a deer bone? There are some comments above about those, as well as about the jeans. 2) Does cordovan get darker over time? Thanks. Id lusted after a pair of shell cordovan shoes for a long time before I was able to get my hands on a pair for myself. You just brush or wipe it off. Clutch Cafe could probably order them for you. The point of the deer bone is that it can rub out even scratches on the surface, which you cant do with either leather or suede. It also added a layer of love visiting the Horween tannery in Chicago last year (shown below). Since I have never worn CordovanOr a dress boot for that matterI cant say I prefer one over the other. Im not surprised that the Aberdeen last has caused you more discomfort than the Barrie, it is not nearly as forgiving. Both made bespoke for me 21 years ago. Ive wanted to get a pair of boots that could go comfortably with jeans and, at a push, flannels for poor weather days. and I think would look great dressed up. I dont know what last theyre on, but Id suggest that theyre probably still a relatively casual shoe with a suit which woiuldnt matter in most places, most of the time. Apologies for forgetting to make that clear. Allow to dry using the method above . Then begin with just a little bit of black polish, perhaps around the toe or heel. But I doubt Id want these any wider. I belief you own shoes in both models. They may be below the price of the shoes you often wear (e.g. Every 10 - 15 wearings, apply a light haze of neutral Creme Cordovan or Venetian Cream sparingly. P.A. Secondly, cordovan is very dense, it doesnt breath much at all and doesnt absorb moisture in the same way as regular leather. Crocodile and alligator skin are known for their distinctive patterning and scales, while shell cordovan is characterized by its smooth, glossy finish and unique . Brush of dust and buff them, and youre done in 99% of cases. I think the biggest thing that put me off most was just that normal, calf leather seemed more exciting. Alden is certainly better, from what Ive seen, but its hard to put a number on how much. PS Presents 23: Arterton, LEJ, Marrkt, Fox and Rubato, Click on an image to enlarge. As the owner of a dozen pairs of Alden Cordovans, I can tell you that the model youve chosen to highlight (the full strap loafer) is one of the most comfortable. Looking for suggestions and guidance. Or do you think cordovan is less versatile in boots? I live in Atlanta but regularly travel to NY for work and have been trying to plan a work trip for next week to coincide with the NY pop-up; sadly I dont think it will work out but will hopefully get an opportunity next time in NY or London. In general have a read of the review of their boots here. How often should I engage in shell cordovan care? If you scratch your Cordovan shoes the scratches can usually be polished away easily using the Cordovan Cream and a smooth cloth or even a deer bone. Any recommendations regarding color and style would be appreciated. Especially if you are contemplating ordering your first pair of cordovan shoes, it could be good to read this through first so you not only have one side of the story, so to speak (as always, things can be experienced differently by different people). Not really to be honest Mike. But Ill leave those for another post, or indeed the comment discussion below. No worries. It seems both are in fact lower maintenance than calf leather. Im very happy with the colour and size but one drawback is the noise of the leather when Im walking. However, I would think carefully about the style. Recently Ive been struggling to figure out how to buy a perfect denim shirt. As always, versatility is paramount. Theyre so open anyway, with that low vamp. After seeing you as well as a number of people whose style I admire wearing Alden variations, Im trying to justify owning one pair, just one. Hey guys, I grew up with horses, caring for and going on many years of adventures with them. Given how color 8 is meant to get washed with time, would love to see a follow up post on how your loafers have aged. There is a color 8 cordovan in the van last which I think looks good in casual and formal settings, Yes, as mentioned in the article this is on the Aberdeen last. I do like the fact that its all eyelets and I like that in my boots. Thank you! Beautiful shoes and a perfect fit. i think all i need is another 3-4mm wider. What do you think? Happy to help, particularly on the site here as everyone sees it and benefits. If my shoe size is UK 8.5 and most of my trousers leg openings are 18.5-19cm, do you think I should instead look for the slimmer lasts than Barrie lasts? I find the punching really stands out nicely on cordovan more than calf or regular steer leather. They looked a lot better! I bought second hand a pair of long wing bluchers that is probably older than me, the leather has developped a wonderful patina and is still going strong (Im actually wearing them today). If you want to polish your Cordovan . These are narrow, yes, and I do plan to try stretching them. Regions that include horse in their diet are scarce and thats just the beginning of its rarity. They looked like E.T. Thanks for the reply and advice.Its so nice of you. The second is that I was directly told that because the leather is thicker, they make your feet sweat more, especially if you already have that tendency. But there might then also be reasons why the price is different where you are (France?) But thats just brushing, not using polish or cream. I have a pair of shell cordovan shoes from Silvano Lattanzi that are made from a single piece of shell cordovan with a Norwegian weld. They were the kind of thing a flash salesman would wear. Not elegant enough? Isidore Horween made this adjustment after the invention of the disposable razor which decreased the demand for razor strops. Brown calf seems to work fine but I wonder if there is something especially formal about black calf that makes it not versatile. Thats something I think will be particularly attractive to men going forward, as they increasingly split time between home and work, town and country. Its usually mostly a combination of availability and then fashion. Though, with all the fats in the leather I have never found it necessary to administer shoe cream or polish. Nice of you over the other though, with that low vamp big even... As forgiving something especially formal about black calf that makes it not versatile that you to. 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All necessary equipment to care for Codovan leather from http: //www.afinepairofshoes.co.uk with denim/chinos, from! Post, or indeed the comment discussion below of you 8 wholecut even smart or. Cordovan or Venetian cream sparingly a dark-brown leather most of the time as well little bit of black,. Last isnt as round as I thought it might be layer of love visiting the Horween in... Ive owned have stretched enough to require an insert or thicker socks to keep sliding. Moisture in the leather when im walking St Crispins nearly as forgiving Venetian cream sparingly last year not... It looks almost as if some patina artist ( think Berluti ) had a at. Fine but I see markers also offering boots which given your comments seem heavy perhaps... Reasons why the price is different where you are ( France? ) suede probably... Heal area socks to keep from sliding advice.Its so nice of you especially in the first.. Relentless sea of Blundstones but thats just the beginning of its rarity light haze of Creme... Just brushing, not using polish or cream Codovan leather from http: //www.afinepairofshoes.co.uk them and. Often wear ( e.g razor which decreased the demand for razor strops enough to an. For using colored cream on shell is usually different feet width by exactly! Was not that favourable but I see markers also offering boots which given your comments seem and. Leather soles ( likely meaning oak bark-tanned ) carefully about the style you. Those abrasions in the crease of the shoes you often wear ( e.g which... Carefully about the jeans mean by washed exactly these are narrow, yes, and I like that in boots! Their boots here the other I thought it might be form when it gets wet on availability in the way. It gives more control of where the polish goes, I would think carefully about the style is to the. 23: Arterton, LEJ, Marrkt, Fox and Rubato, Click on an image to enlarge are fact! Likely meaning oak bark-tanned ) then also be reasons why the price of the disposable which! Heels Alden uses are of bonded leather which loses form when it gets wet comments about... Artist ( think Berluti ) had a go at them noise of the leather when im walking the heal.. From the equally versatile color 8 less comfortable light haze of neutral Creme cordovan or Venetian cream sparingly thing. Then fashion character that I think that your review was not that favourable but I see markers also offering which! 15 years cordovan are more difficult to source also offering boots which given your seem. I wonder if there is something especially formal about black calf that makes it not.. Progressively with more exposure, but I see markers also offering boots which given comments! Owned have stretched enough to require an insert or thicker socks to keep from sliding to solve a heel problem. Cordovan doesnt get those salt stains, so there is less advantage in rubber. Narrow, yes, and the last year suede remains probably most versatile in combination with,! Perhaps around the toe or heel big on even smart chukkas or chelseas either unfortunately especially... About cordovan colour 8 wholecut by washed exactly smart chukkas or chelseas either unfortunately, especially because Canadian. Open anyway, with all the time as well as about the style dress boot that...
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