If you could only own one pair of men’s dress shoes, which ones would they be? For me, it’s Alden shoes, and specifically the Alden Long Wing Blucher Black Shell Cordovan. I always look for versatility in a shoe, and this classic black wingtip goes perfectly with everything from selvedge denim to a suit.
Alden Shoes Rich History
For years, Alden shoes have been known as a top-of-the-line men’s dress shoe. Founded in 1884 in Middleboro, MA as one of hundreds of other shoemakers in New England, Alden is now only one of a handful of factories left. The high-quality leathers are sourced mainly from small tanneries in Europe and the United States. Alden shoes are well-respected, well-made, and made in America.
At this point in my life, I’m looking for shoes that are well-made, will last several decades, and are preferably made in the USA. Even Indiana Jones wore them. These Alden shoes check all those boxes.
Limited Availability
Alden shoes are hard to find; and for what you pay, it’s definitely worth trying them on. I searched the internet for my closest Alden dealer, and the only one I could find was a shop in NYC. I ventured into the city with my family on a quiet Sunday morning and stopped by their store at Grand Central Station.
A small, hole-in-the-wall shop with one employee, the Alden shop was bustling with shoppers the minute I walked in. After having so much trouble finding any Alden shoes anywhere, it was amazing to see all the models on one wall. I wanted all of them!
Ideally, I’d go for both the brown and black brogue wingtips. However, I feel like the black wingtip is dressier, yet can still be dressed down for dinners, special events, and even wearing to work in a casual setting.
Where Else to Buy Alden Shoes
If you don’t live near an Alden shop, you can luckily find some at retailers like Todd Snyder and Nordstrom. I’m starting with the black wingtip, but hope to eventually add a brown brogue, loafer, and/or a boot to my collection.
Alden Shoes Sizing – Important to Know
I was surprised at how big the wingtips ran – I’m typically a size 11 in sneakers, and a 9.5 in dress shoes. For this model, I had to go all the way down to a size 8.5. The salesman said “just throw the sizes out the window.” It makes sense, but definitely isn’t helpful if you’re ordering online.
Tips to Care for Your Aldens
Make sure to get some proper shoe trees to keep inside the shoes when not wearing. They help the shoe to maintain its proper shape, and keep the leather from cracking by wicking away moisture. The wood will also absorb the lining of the shoes to prevent any rotting.
I also prefer to keep them in the dust bags that came with them. Leather is animal hide, which can quickly change shape and form. Exposing it to a damp environment can create mold, and light can change its color.
I will most likely get them shined once or twice a year and also conditioned. Leather conditioner can help prevent cracking, as it hydrates and prevents water penetration which could rid the leather of its oils and cause it to dry out. Just remember not to polish right after you’ve conditioned, as this can prevent the conditioner from drying.
I plan on wearing these for the next ten to fifteen years, and by caring for them properly they can continue to look new.
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