Not So Plain (Toe Blucher)

We made a trip down to the Chicago Collective today – there was lots worth seeing (and plenty not worth seeing…).  We spent some time talking with Floyd, Barry, and Bob of Alden Shoe.

Alden PTB in Natural Chromexcel

Brownout

The last post featured a picture of some old longwings that generated a fair amount of questions regarding patina, polishing, and the general care of Shell Cordovan.  Maybe I should say re-generated, as we do get a fair amount of inquiries on the subject.   In response, this will be the first in (at least) a three part series addressing these topics (and we’ll get on to something other than just shoes in the future – so if shoes aren’t your thing don’t give up on us).

Someone had recently asked if there was “a way to make shoes patina faster?

They both started as the same color...

Alden Shoe Shop | 344 Madison Avenue

On a recent trip to New York City, I made sure to leave enough time to stop by the Alden Shoe Store on Madison Avenue (@44th street).  I get so used to seeing the raw material on a daily basis that it’s really great to see a room full of finished product from time to time.  With burgundy, the loafer, and hand-sewn deck shoes enjoying a revival, the store on Madison is a viable option for choices of all three.  They also had a nice stock of some of the browns and lighter colors – whiskey, cigar, and ravello.

The Alden Shoe Shop of New York

A few of the choices available in whiskey shell cordovan.