I'm new here and found this forum while expanding my sorry dress shoe wardrobe that had diminished to one pair of AE Grayson slip ons that I wore daily (boring). I have been a loyal AE fan most of my working life. I recently stopped by the AE outlet store while on vacation in Charleston and picked up a couple of new pairs of shoes with the intent of rotating instead of wearing one or two pairs to death. As I am also somewhat compulsive (my wife would probably strike "somewhat") I have been shopping on ebay as well and have and found several very good deals on some new and lightly used AE's to expand the stable further. I've never used recrafting but have been considering and while doing some research I landed here. One of my co-workers is a lifetime Alden advocate and has used their restoration service many times. I've always liked Alden's but have never owned a pair. Same can be said for anything cordovan. My latest ebay score is a classic pair of Alden Full Strap 684 #8 Shell Cordovan Penny Loafers for $80. They are in pretty good shape and were recently re-soled (not by Alden) and think they are great restoration candidates. I hope the restoration will tighten them up and resort the color (now somewhat brown) back to the original cordovan. Packaged and sent off to Alden yesterday. Here are the before pics. Wish me luck!
Another Alden Restoration Experience Shell Cordovan
- Thread starter mthomas58
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This should be good. 
Keep us posted - looking forward to seeing the results.
Oh man, I cant wait to see the afters. This is going to be great. First Bob and now you 
Thanks for the contribution
Thanks for the contribution
I'm curious as well!
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- #7
Our 2nd resto thread in The Hab. This one is about 2 weeks in.
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- #9
Another nice ebay score. These will also be sent for restoration. Still waiting for the first pair to be completed.
Mark
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- #10
Not a bad addition to your collection. I see you are having some success obtaining Aldens on the Bay. Nicely done.
I have the same model in color 8 shell - despite Esquire's advice to "sell" tassel loafers as being passe I like them a lot and will be wearing them whenever I can. I'll be interested to see how the patina holds up to the restoration process - I've heard that Alden redyes them so they are a uniform color throughout which gives me pause about having them recraft the shoe. Mine are in good shape so I don't have to worry about that for a while yet but your experience will be a useful guide.
I don't know if they will re-do the tassels. If they do, you should invest a couple of bucks and get some kilt keepers so that the tassels will maintain their their shape over time. I bought mine at Johnston & Murphy and they definitely help. 
I don't know if they will re-do the tassels. If they do, you should invest a couple of bucks and get some kilt keepers so that the tassels will maintain their their shape over time. I bought mine at Johnston & Murphy and they definitely help.
Are those to keep the tassels in shape or keep the kiltie flat? I am always looking for new gadgets to buy (why else would I keep B&B bookmarked?) but I can't see how these would help the tassels - I like to puff the tassels up not flatten them down. I should probably get a pair since I d have some kilties anyway!
They are to help keep the kiltie flat but I like the tassels to maintain their shape. You can pick up a set at the J&M website.
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Great suggestion, the tassels do look a little wild now that you mention it. Will be interested to see how they come back.
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Ohhh...I cant wait to see how these are going to turn out
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Received first pair yesterday and they turned our great. The brownish color has been restored to color #8. The restoration did in fact tighten up the width. They are tighter in the vamp/strap area and now fit perfectly like a 10B should. In addition to the overall great appearance, I think the most striking difference is in the new sole/heels. The shoes had been recently resoled by a local cobbler. Note in the side view of the before pic the shoe extends out beyond the back of the heel and the overall hight of the heel is lower and looks "undersized" like a cuban heel on a dance shoe. In the after shot, the proportions look perfect. Very happy with the result and cannot wait for pair # 2 to arrive. I'm at the 5 pic post limit so I will follow-up this post with a side view before and after so that you won't have to scroll back to see the dramatic difference in the heels.
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