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Alden
May 1, 2016 22:58:48 GMT -6
Post by devastitis on May 1, 2016 22:58:48 GMT -6
Damn damn damn..I'm ecstatic. If these go through, I might have scored the deal of the year for me. 30% off from Jcrew and another 13% off from gift cards to make it < $450 for a pair of Alden shell PCTs. The money saved will go directly to my Iron Heart UHF fund heh.  |
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Post by Mowgli on May 4, 2016 9:07:24 GMT -6
Finally wore my JCrew PCTs today to work. Had been wearing these for a couple hours at a time on carpet at home for a few days to break them in.. After much thought, I just went with my regular barrie size on these.. They are a little snug with heavy socks now but I expect them to fit nicely once the foot bed settles and the leather breaks in..  One in the sun..  |
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Alden
Jul 13, 2016 16:00:04 GMT -6
ap likes this
Post by devastitis on Jul 13, 2016 16:00:04 GMT -6
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Post by devastitis on Jul 13, 2016 17:16:23 GMT -6
After about a 3 month backorder, these finally made it home.  |
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Alden
Jul 14, 2016 5:29:48 GMT -6
Post by gaseousclay on Jul 14, 2016 5:29:48 GMT -6
NeedSupply has a bunch of their Alden Indy makeups on sale. code: NEEDDOTNET gets you an extra 10% off (SF discount). Note: the code may exclude Alden but thought i'd mention it in case you were buying something else from them.
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Post by devastitis on Aug 11, 2016 23:42:35 GMT -6
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Post by Mowgli on Nov 3, 2016 14:31:25 GMT -6
Couple shots of the JCrew PCTs..  One in the shade  |
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Alden
Nov 3, 2016 17:49:14 GMT -6
Post by unnamed on Nov 3, 2016 17:49:14 GMT -6
^ #8 Cordovan looks great with the CF's.
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Post by devastitis on Dec 8, 2016 15:51:01 GMT -6
 Just got these for nearly 60% off at Brooks Brothers. Pretty cool. |
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Alden
Jan 16, 2017 20:43:32 GMT -6
Post by scooter on Jan 16, 2017 20:43:32 GMT -6
Well, I may have finally found an Alden boot I would drop some coin on.... https://www.instagram.com/p/BPWDS9QjmvM I already spent this year's allotment for boots, when I recently nabbed the Viberg Color 8, though. At $600, they're a budget buster, at the moment..... |
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Post by disheveled on Jan 17, 2017 7:56:21 GMT -6
Those Aldens look good. Nice score on the #8 color Vibergs. Post some pics and thoughts on em, if you get a sec scooter Im zeroing in on their service boot, maybe vintage kudu. |
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Post by scooter on Jan 17, 2017 9:34:15 GMT -6
Those Aldens look good. Nice score on the #8 color Vibergs. Post some pics and thoughts on em, if you get a sec scooter Im zeroing in on their service boot, maybe vintage kudu. I've got a few words, and side-by-side pics, with my Marrone, here..... Half way down the pageEdit: I'll post more, when I've got a few miles on them. |
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Alden
Jan 19, 2017 7:08:35 GMT -6
Post by gaseousclay on Jan 19, 2017 7:08:35 GMT -6
looks like yet another price hike is coming from Alden. Not that it matters. I have 2 pairs of Alden - a pair of shell captoe bals and a pair of Indys that rarely get worn. But, the increase basically means that the only way i'll buy from Alden again is from TSM's seconds list or on discount somewhere.
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Alden
Jan 19, 2017 7:31:06 GMT -6
Post by northcoast on Jan 19, 2017 7:31:06 GMT -6
looks like yet another price hike is coming from Alden. Not that it matters. I have 2 pairs of Alden - a pair of shell captoe bals and a pair of Indys that rarely get worn. But, the increase basically means that the only way i'll buy from Alden again is from TSM's seconds list or on discount somewhere. I'm sure I'll own a pair someday, but it will probably be second hand. What really drives me nuts about their makeups is the lack of commando. I just don't like plain leather shoe bottoms as that limits when I can wear them since I live in a 4 season climate and if I'm shelling out $600+ I'd sure as hell like to wear them. |
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Alden
Jan 19, 2017 10:22:01 GMT -6
Post by gaseousclay on Jan 19, 2017 10:22:01 GMT -6
I live in a 4 season climate as well. leather bottoms are definitely not ideal for winter unless you like skiing on ice. i've probably told this story before but I once slipped on the ice wearing my Alden shells and put a giant scuff on the heel. I cried myself to sleep that night
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Alden
Jan 19, 2017 10:31:51 GMT -6
Post by gaseousclay on Jan 19, 2017 10:31:51 GMT -6
for the record, Alden does do commando soles but those are usually private label exclusive make-ups done through certain retailers like Leather Sole Hawaii, epaulet, S&S and others. You just have to know where to look and have a little bit of luck on your side.
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Alden
Jan 19, 2017 14:57:13 GMT -6
Post by northcoast on Jan 19, 2017 14:57:13 GMT -6
for the record, Alden does do commando soles but those are usually private label exclusive make-ups done through certain retailers like Leather Sole Hawaii, epaulet, S&S and others. You just have to know where to look and have a little bit of luck on your side. Yes, I have observed this. It's just never quite what I want. Take the Epaulet ALt Wien. Really like the shoe. Here is a makeup that is close BUT waxed nubuck is not exactly a simple leather to maintain. I can see them just getting ground in dirt and looking like shit fast. The fact that they are currently marked down $150 to $425 is gonna bug me till I check back later and someone has bought up my size.  |
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Alden
Jan 20, 2017 8:48:09 GMT -6
Post by gaseousclay on Jan 20, 2017 8:48:09 GMT -6
i'm just curious if Alden is digging themselves into a hole with their constant price increases. I like a few of their shoe models and the fact that they're US made, but with their continued price hikes you might as well buy from a European maker like Enzo Bonafe or Carmina, both of whom offer shell cordovan and at similar prices with Carmina being on the lower side. I can see shell cordovan going up in price due to the rarity and high demand but not calf.
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Alden
Jan 20, 2017 9:06:28 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by bentin on Jan 20, 2017 9:06:28 GMT -6
I don't think it's an unusual situation. Look at watches. Skilled workforces are aging, frequently have pensions that aren't performing well in these low or no interest markets and young labor just isn't interested.
The options are to raise prices or do an AE and outsource parts or all of your process internationally. Alden's fighting the good fight, hopefully it works.
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Post by gaseousclay on Jan 20, 2017 9:27:06 GMT -6
I'm pretty sure Alden employs Union workers, so they're likely paying decent wages which i'm all for. And I agree that skilled labor, especially in shoe making, is probably dwindling. I just don't know how sustainable it will be for them in the long term.
I remember buying my first pair of Alden shells back in 2010, and this was right before a price hike via TSM. I can't recall the exact price I paid but I think it was just a hair over $500 for my shell captoe bals. Now it's hovering close to $700. $700 for shell seems in line with what other companies are charging but I don't understand why calf is going up as well.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 20, 2017 9:42:48 GMT -6
I don't think it's an unusual situation. Look at watches. Skilled workforces are aging, frequently have pensions that aren't performing well in these low or no interest markets and young labor just isn't interested. The options are to raise prices or do an AE and outsource parts or all of your process internationally. Alden's fighting the good fight, hopefully it works. Why aren't young people going into skilled labor? I just don't get it. In my area, JW Hulme makes leather goods. There is a local community college that has partnered with JW Hulme to create a training program and their graduates are hired the second they are available by JW Hulme. The demand is there. It takes a minor miracle to get a plumber or electrician to come to my house. There are some educational barriers to entry, true, but its not like we're requiring these folks to go to medical school. What is the disconnect? What is behind the supply/demand mismatch? Surely there are still people who still like to make stuff, use their hands, etc. We can't all be selling insurance and making apps, right? I don't think an electrician will ever be "wealthy", but it seems like you could live a comfortable life on a electrician's salary, right? |
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Post by northcoast on Jan 20, 2017 9:47:51 GMT -6
The lack of a trade school track in US 9-12 schooling needs to be rectified.
I think people are getting sick of going into debt for the right to get into more debt because 4year degrees are the new HS diploma.
I'm trying to encourage my nephew to get into one of HVAC or electrician.
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Alden
Jan 20, 2017 9:58:54 GMT -6
Post by gaseousclay on Jan 20, 2017 9:58:54 GMT -6
The lack of a trade school track in US 9-12 schooling needs to be rectified. I think people are getting sick of going into debt for the right to get into more debt because 4year degrees are the new HS diploma. I'm trying to encourage my nephew to get into one of HVAC or electrician. agreed. 4 yr degrees are essentially useless in today's workforce, unless you have a specialized degree in engineering or the medical field. I don't think it's a coincidence that there's been an uptick in 'handmade' goods over the last several years, whether it's leather goods or clothing. there may also still be cost barriers for a lot of people to attend trade schools. Anecdotally I know that skilled labor is drying up within certain trades, like plumbing. A lot of old timers are retiring and it's becoming increasingly difficult to find skilled labor from younger generations. In the event of a global collapse it will be the skilled trades that will be in demand to bring civilization back from the brink of ruin *tinfoil hat* |
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Post by bentin on Jan 20, 2017 10:14:19 GMT -6
In my finance field, I haven't seen a non MBA applicant in about five years. Kids are getting so much schooling and have to be de-programmed to work in the real world of business. It's annoying.
A focused two year degree and a mentorship program would be so much better, and that's for a "professional" skill. Bringing back tech schooling and shop classes would be fundamental to bringing labor jobs back to the US and competing with the damned Portuguese head on.
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Post by Mowgli on Feb 6, 2017 14:21:40 GMT -6
Alden 4060H after a quick shining.  |
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