WANT: Alden Shoe Tree

I wish these came with the shoes. I've got a couple pairs of Alden's at home and they all need shoe trees. I can be a little silly when it comes to brand cohesion and things working together, so I'm afraid a shoe tree by Alden would be the only kind that would work, and leave my mind at ease. It's unfortunate as there is nowhere to buy them around here and they cost between $60-80 whenever I find them online. When you're spending a couple hundred dollars on footwear you plan on having for decades, it is worth an extra investment to make they last those extra couple seasons in the end.

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WANT: Alden Cordovan Chukkas

Although these might seem like an obvious choice for some people, it's taken me a little while to warm up to the Cordovan leather, especially if its not on a plain toe blucher, wing tip or long wing. Two good things I like and know are great. but rarely ever wear are chukka boots and Cordovan leather. So I'm not sure these would immediately become a high rotation shoe, but the combination of what I feel is a very classy,  elegant leather and a more casual boot model are definitely done best by Alden, and I'm more into it now than I have been. However I'm not too into spending the money this minute, or trying to track them down in this exact colorway (since these ones from Japan are sold out), but I would like to put some miles into them. —

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Alden For Winn Perry, Little Tanks

While Winn Perry's first Alden special make ups captured my eye, and my wallet, their second pair has just arrived in shop. The "Little Tanks" are the latest version of the high Blucher boot by Alden and are based on Pershing Trench Boots issued to US soldiers in 1918, which they attempted to waterproof the boots themselves with beef tallow. The heavily oiled reverse chamois leather is complimented nicely by the plantation crepe sole with and the leather toe. The boots are built to last the rain, hail, sleet and snow and are a very nice combination of Jordan's taste and Alden's wonderful footwear craftsmanship. You can find them now at Winn Perry. —

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The Field House

Blackbird have apparently opened a new shop in Ballard to showcase some of their American heritage brands including, Woolrich Woolen Mills, Filson, RRL, Red Wing, Alden and a selection of candles, soaps as well as some vintage garments. Mister Crew reports on the new shop with some nice photos of the space and product being offered. It looks absolutely great to me. The cuttered layout works very nicely with the balance of brick walls, fall coloured flannel and candles and flowers. The product curation is much more focused in this space and everything seems to work together nicely, down to the name. Browsing the images, I can spot at least a handful of items I would love to pick up, there is no information regarding the shop otherwise, so you'll do well to make a trip to Ballard yourself if possible. —

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LOOK | Another Fall Day

There isn't anything too special about this outfit, but it is perfect for fall. We have seen a definite temperature drop here in Vancouver so layers of wool are essential. I'm just as fond of the red and black lumberjack as anyone and still haven't acquired a Filson Mackinaw – but the hankering has been kicked up a notch lately. Engineered Garments tab collar broadcloth shirt and wool cardigan are a perfect match and the blue tones go really nicely with the Mountain Research scarf. The South 2 West 8 cords worked nicely with the flap pockets and good buttons, and of course the colours sit nicely with the Alden Indy's from Blackbird. Finished off with our own Duluth Pack collaboration bag and you're set for another fall day.

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Alden "Double Waterloc" Long Wing

I've made my love for the long wing known recently and after I thought I saw my favorite pair, I found another, then another, and now I've really found it. Winn Perry have made up a special pair of the Alden long wings that have everything I love and more. The flex-welt sole on the pair from Leather Soul is great. It's extremely comfortable from the first wear and looks great – however I slightly prefer the look of the double leather sole. I find that little extra width on the mid sole makes the shoe feel a bit more casual and works nicer with denim. Winn Perry's model uses the same buttery soft walnut calfskin upper but doubles up the thickness of the flex-welt which makes the "Double Waterloc" sole. The perfect width, the perfect upper and the perfect shoe. I am having a hard debate in my mind whether the slight difference warrants the purchase of another very similar shoe – probably. Life's dilemma's can be tough, but looking at these photos surely isn't.

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Alden Cordovan Long wing

A friend of mine recently took up residence in a respected accounting firm and needed to get his attire together. He was asking me what dress shoes might be suitable, and of course Alden came straight to mind. At first I suggested the 990 Plain toe Blucher in cordovan, and I think it's a great choice for most people – however if it were me, I think this is the ultimate. Alden's long wing model first came to be back in the 1950's and has seen little change since. The burgundy may not be the best with black suits but if you're going heavy into grey and tweed then the model at Epaulet is just right. Complete with the double leather sole, Color 8 Cordovan from Horween and of course made in the US of A. If you have a lifetime of suit wearing ahead or just need something a little more slick, I really can't think of too many better options that will last you the rest of your life.

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Alden for JL POWELL

I only recently discovered the great JL Powell. The American lifestyle brand combines a lot of classic products, sensible design and great taste for an all around impressive selection of outwear, knitted sweaters and footwear. Working with Quoody, Edward Green and Alden help curate a well rounded offering of shoes. This suede plain toe oxford by Alden is my top choice. I'd been drooling over the double leather sole version at Leather Soul but unfortunately missed my size, so this discovery was well timed. The hand sewn shoes feature the usual Goodyear welt and crepe sole with a leather toe to make for a very fall friendly shoe. Built to last, these simple looking shoes will go with anything from a casual suit to a pair of jeans.

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