Any recommendations regarding color and style would be appreciated. Whether its more casual than cordovan, well the material alone is probably more casual, but cordovan tends to be made into more casual shoes. If you want a low-vamp tassel, Id look to the Alden one first. A fast brush will not only remove dirt, but the friction will build up heat that brings back oils and shine to the leather. Wanted to see what I should expect with more wearings. that I have kicked around quite badly. Ive purchased half a dozen pairs over the last year. But then I am biased as I really like Vass. Yes, Ive seen that and it is a nice design. Lighter color Shell Cordovan are more difficult to source. Hi,Simon Just got a pair though I am yet to try it on. I have a bit of a conundrum. I prefer them in suede, but then thats probably subjective too. Those are extremely difficult or impossible to repair. What materials and colours work with suede that dont work with cordovan? A neutral polish, if you want to maintain the patina that has developed over time. Some shell will spot at the sight of rain, while others (even the same maker and tannery) will soak it up and keep clear of spots, like nothing happened. The other common objection to cordovan is that its stiff, and takes a long time to wear in. It produced a higher polish, looked sleeker, and aged in a way that produced more variation in colours and textures. To generalize about Alden is difficult as they offer eleven different lasts in a wide range of lengths (US6 to US15) and widths (AA to EEEE), many different models, and many different leathers (Horween Chromexcel & cordovan, suedes, calfskins, etc. Thanks Quention. Some water spots become more difficult to remove if you dont address them quickly. Curious how your Alden full straps fit now? Yes, I think other bones could work, and perhaps other tools too if they were equally oily. (This is not a feature of the shoe a sort of suede and cordovan shoe. 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. (Thinkwould set the bar too highIm aware ). Hmm. I assumed that you thought about stretching the width of these shoes (and not the length Perhaps you didn`t need to? Have you seen this article on shoes with brown trousers? Gents! How does on go about this exactly? It is all essentially corium. Please. Just re-read this, I do have to get myself a pair of these! How do I repair old, beaten, weathered shell cordovan? Yes, I think makers that arent used to it will avoid it if they can. Doing so not only helps get rid of those white streaks, it also . Because shell cordovan ripples instead of creasing, it maintains its integrity for much longer. Try to keep the rest a little smart too eg a white oxford and navy or mid-grey crewneck. Cordoba: Thanks! Over time, even with proper care, repeated creasing can cause leather to crack and rip. Currently at 260, I feel like I cant really beat AEs quality at this price point. Plenty of people do wear topsiders, or boat shoes, over here too. Bet that poses a challenge in cleaning and polishing with natural cremes. Reading this post I realize I should have voted for Alden in your post a few weeks ago. Allan Donnely: Hehe havent happened to me, but sounds like it makes sense . The shells are hand-curried with a rich blend of natural waxes, oils, and greases that come up to the surface. I cant really comment on the first issue, but I think the second sounds exaggerated. If so, could you provide more details? I think theyd be very nice, with the caveats of the Aberdeen fit, mentioned above. That would have helped keep that upper smoother. Im normally an 8.5 in UK shoes, and I went for a 9.5 in the Barrie. But they were looking much lighter! I think the thing with the bone is you can get more than just scratches out, or at least more than light scratches. r/goodyearwelt Alden Whiskey Shell Longwings . Color 8 is by far the most common color of shell cordovan available. Like you, I have been putting off investing in a pair, but you may have convinced me. Of course, a US size is usually around one bigger than a UK size, where I wear an 8.5, sometimes an 8. You just brush or wipe it off. To see if this would work, I bought some Florsheim Imperials on Etsy to do some testing. Just use it very sparingly, as cordovan doesnt really need it much. 379X Military Last. Shell is not leather and doesnt have the same layers of leather so there is no corium really in shell. I havent yet added any cordovan footwear to my collection yet, so I found this article intriguing. The dark aubergine-colored Alden finish does fade out after a few years, even when storing them away from sunlight. Specific to the modified last, definitely, I really only wear white, which is why we launched with this. See something like my oundles from Edward Green for example. What are the plusses and minuses? The colour is, I think a brown/burgundy. 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. George Wang (https://dieworkwear.com/2018/09/06/the-sophisticated-black-tassel/) that black loafers work better with jeans than brown ones? Still, those can be buffed out or taken out with cream, and the point is they dont get salt stains, which are what really kill leather shoes in the long term. They'd become a bit darker. I do have dark raw indigo jeans,olive and khaki chinos and real mccoys beige chinos and later would add ecru jeans. In my experience they do stretch. Take them into a good cobbler and it may not all be lost. The only thing Id say is that the make of the ALden is not at the same level so they will be a little more casual, but only a little. Hi simon, a few questions about cordovan shoes: Although not a number 8, I really like those cordovan Vass. Another model you might want to try is the monk strap. They continued to lighten up progressively with more exposure, but not as rapidly as they had in the first week. Ive wanted to get a pair of boots that could go comfortably with jeans and, at a push, flannels for poor weather days. The Aberdeen last wasnt available at the time. Privacy Policy. Dyes added will make the hide darker as it goes through the tanning process. Shell cordovan comes from horses and is named after the Spanish region of Cordoba from which the specific leather tradition originates and is derived from the hindquarter of a horse, referred to as the shell. It does vary, and it will darken as you wear them too. However, theres a few downsides of cordovan that some might not know about, which can be good to be aware of if you are an aspiring cordovan shoe buyer. Thank you. I often get asked "how do I remove the water spots/welts from my shoes from the rain?" cars), the EU applied even higher tariffs to goods that were made (or it thought were made) in America. Regions that include horse in their diet are scarce and thats just the beginning of its rarity. Worth every short term pinch! I was wondering if black cordovan loafers are the shoe equivalent to the Oxford cloth button down shirt. Deer bones are traditionally used to help smooth the creases, assist in the absorption of oils, and spread the waxes on the surface. Dmitriv Yastrebov: Some of the reasons are explained in the article, also I personally dont like the plasticky feel of it. We prefer to apply this with a finger as it gives more control of where the polish goes. Hi Simon, Im not sure if black was the way to go but there was something that kept pulling me to the cordovan 8. Using a humidor may actually reduce their ability to evaporate the sweat from your feet. Does the colour 8 vary that much from pair to pair? ), sole materials and thicknesses, welts, and so on. And as mentioned, most burgundy/oxblood isnt as nice as the colour 8. Do you mind to share what US size and width do you you wear in this Alden loafer in Aberdeen last? Thats what I thought too. Others undoubtedly picked up Allen Edmonds Park Avenues. Unless I want to go the MTO route, Ive got 1 rubber soled option from 6 offerings at Edward Green and 0 from 11 offerings at C&J, which I find puzzling! It still offers the same pressure and smoothing effect. Cordovan possesses a natural shine, even without additional products. Hi Simon If the leather looks very dry and dull use a pea-sized amount for the entire wallet. Theres nothing wrong with the shoe, but it can be a bit of a shock if youre not expecting it. It now slightly resembles suede rather than a leather finish. I like how those are slim but not TOO slim if you know what I mean. It is also built on the Aberdeen last, and the fit and feel of the shoe is absolutely luxurious. Im wondering would something like that be useful with wearing with shorts and say black/navy polos? Ashland Leather Co. 6.24K subscribers Shell cordovan is hot stuffed with an incredible amount of waxes, oils, and greases. I love loafers but I have a high instep and wide feet. I have two pairs of Cordovans from Vass. Its usually mostly a combination of availability and then fashion. If you desire a faster solution, one can completely re-wet the shoes with a wet cloth or towel and then allow them to dry treed. Ill have to check some of the online guides further. When it creases, the paler colour that comes up is like a pale purple or pink (which is surprising for some, and I know puts some off). 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). I got it, the best way to learn whether it for you or not is to actually test it by yourself They looked like E.T. Safe travels to NY. Just to clarify: the Aldens you are wearing have a shorter than usual vamp and that style can only be purchased in the US? Youll also get 10% off any Grant Stone, Sagara, and Parkhurst purchase, plus plenty other benefits. Where is it from? I generally struggle with CJ loafers (only come in one width standard), as I have to go up in size to accomodate my wide forefoot, which leads to a shoe that is a bit too wide at heal. I conditioned themhuh, the leather now feels sorta weirdly stiffand I put them back in the sun. Those are the heavy wear spots and would be the first to show signs of breakdown, if not cared-for. And if that doesnt work, try a little cream. Hi Noel. How do I get rid of scratches and scuffs? It looks almost as if some patina artist (think Berluti) had a go at them. At that time I dont think any UK shoe manufacturers sold cordovan. If and when that eventually happens, Id probably end up with another pair of conservative shoes to make the next investment worth it. I have a pair of Cordovan shoes from Crockett and Jones, and theyre well constructed, but a more snug fit than Aldens. CHURCH do a first class resole service. Simon, curious to know if you have any thoughts on the last post re: quality of cordovan sourced by makers. Alden Shoes - Aging of Color #8 Shell Cordovan. Hi, I was in business. Most stronger colours will be better with suede almost anything bright or strong really. Because the materials are limited to this specific region, a single horse yields much less material than a cow. Finally, even scratches and nicks can be rubbed out to an extent, with the help of a deer bone (shown above, For a more detailed breakdown of these steps, with illustrations, Jesper has a good guide. But paying such a premium for a shoe whose most important component is exactly the same as in terms of quality as one thats half to a third of the price seems a tough sell. They are among my favourite shoes, as the fit and comfort is great. However, I would think carefully about the style. Most farmers have much greater respect for animals than non-farmers. Further complicating matters is their custom retailer program whereby they create unique configurations for some of their retailers. Viberg Color 8 Shell Cordovan Service Boot via Viberg. Any plans on covering EB loafers (particularly their cordovan)? Some people argue that cordovan stretches (like calf) but I have no experience with breaking in cordovan shoes. Thanks. Understood. Micro cracking most often occurs around the eyelets, heel top line, and on the vamp. For more information, please see our Later, you can then brush them off, followed by a thin layer of protective cream polish, rubbed into the shell, and a thorough brushing. A jean with a leg that slim looks silly with a normal Alden loafer on the bottom. If you do get caught in an unexpected downpour, dont fret, as a quick remedy can be achieved. But I suppose I should reconsider those options if I really want that flexibility. Oh, I remember that from your Stockholm article now that you mention it. 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How do I get rid of those white streaks, it maintains its integrity for much longer the are. Eb loafers ( particularly their cordovan ) the other common objection to cordovan is that its,... You can get more than just scratches out, or at least more than just out. It much: Hehe havent happened to me, but you may have me... Perhaps other tools too if they can remove if you know what I mean may convinced! Mentioned, most burgundy/oxblood isnt as nice as the colour 8 vary that from... I am yet to try is the monk strap if they can Although not a of...