Finally, its worth noting that cordovan differs a lot depending on from who you purchase the shoes, and of course from which tannery the cordovan comes from. But I prefer the styles from Alden. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Are these NW1? Please send me pictures! Some brands makes the shoes with this natural cordovan, some doesnt. Yes, absolutely. An article on how to polish would also be great or by memory I thin you have that covered? It looks almost as if some patina artist (think Berluti) had a go at them. Brush of dust and buff them, and youre done in 99% of cases. Kind of difficult to find a store and compare by myself in my area. Maybe inside a humidor??? Apologies on the sizing point, I was thinking about my LHS, not these full straps. Compared to other leather shoes Ive owned (a pair of Wolverine 1000 Mile shoes in brown Chromexcel leather, another pair of Alden penny loafers in snuff suede, a pair of Herms calfskin leather boots, among others), breaking in this pair of loafers was difficult. A grain Piccadilly can still fit with a pair of denimisnt it? I was worried that Fiebings dye would be too aggressive, but in the future if I wanted to do a proper dye job, I might dilute some Fiebings dye rather than try the Saphir product. It takes a lot to beat up shell cordovan. I think the colour is perfectly usable where you would wear a dark brown or color 8, yes, no issues there. Mirror Shining shell cordovan can actually be accomplished much easier than grain leather. edward green) but in towards economic climate, is a decent shoe in terms of quality/price ratio. One can see how this looks on for example this photo of the flesh side of a horserump hide, where you see the shell as a more light grey area in the bottom half: https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/0*Sn-Siz4wX_IDteTp. Ive seen and worn many shoes over the years that were called burgundy, oxblood, or something similar, but I always felt they had nothing to recommend them over black or brown. Have a look at the way this Brycelands shirt fits for example. Just to clarify: the Aldens you are wearing have a shorter than usual vamp and that style can only be purchased in the US? They simpy cost too much to take the chance, in my view. Id love to see something one day on leather alternatives for shoes. But, cordovan doesnt get those salt stains, so there is less advantage in the rubber. That last is only more comfortable on most people because it is larger and so more forgiving. What are the plusses and minuses? Its a bit loose for my liking, worsened with some heel slip. My biggest surprise was finding a pair of Allen Edmonds MacNeil burgundy shell cordovans this summer, in great shape, at my local Goodwill shop for the princely sum of $15! You could take a pair of shell cordovan shoes to your local cobbler or shoe shiner to get a touch-up, but if they dont have the proper products, your shoes could be damaged. Crocodile is my favourite but can be fiercely expensive.but I dont feel the need to tell people when wearing them !!! Kirby has a good video on that here, Hello Simon: I have relatively slim legs compared to my feet width. Would you consider adding any cordovan accessories? E.g. At this point I am imagining that I might quit my job, buy a greenhouse in which to sun-bleach $20 pairs of shell footwear and then dye and re-sell them in the red-hot rare-colored-shell online marketplace. The Van last is more comfortable, but it largely depends on your foot shape really. The jeans are great, as are my others from BHL, but never quite as good a fit as bespoke ones. That it fits in almost everywhere. I'm not entirely sure why they fell out of someone's rotation, but I'm happy they did. I like the style generally (sort of a dressed-up Doc Martin for the urban professional), and I assume you wear them with denim, which is a nice look (although I think the images above are actually from an article you did on similar Kaan shoes, correct?). With black cordovan then, Id say it is certainly versatile in being able to wear with smart tailoring and some more casual tailoring, eg smart dark chinos and a sweater. The regular penny is widely stocked, at Trunk and Clutch for example. Seems like Color 8 usually gets lighter over time the same way denim looks more and more washed over time. Yes, I know what you mean. Its time to balance those out with something much less impressive. Thank you Jesper! I have covered them a little here, but thats all for the moment, I order this up for clients all the time. After taking them off for the day, use a damp cloth for a quick wipedown. My alden loafers have a slightly lesser version of that in the roll. They continued to lighten up progressively with more exposure, but not as rapidly as they had in the first week. Because of my experience in Barrie I ordered the 684 in 7E as well, thinking theyd be somewhere in between my previous two considering the slimmer Aberdeen last. My feet get very hot, and Ive noticed a small difference in my boots, but certainly nothing in my loafers. They havent really changed from this colour to be honest what do you mean by washed exactly? Indeed, some readers thought they were black, when they saw, The colour is particularly appealing too. Someone made this comment above Alex. Would you say the van or abeerden last is more suitable? Sorry. Breaking in shell cordovan is a gauntlet that many find worth suffering in pursuit of a perfectly molded shoe, but making sure to find the right shoe size in the right last is doubly important. I have very narrow heels and broader width at the front. Coveted by leather heads around the world, Color #8 is often referred to simply . No I didnt have that issue with this Trunk one. Would a belt made of the same Cordovan as the matching shoes not look elegant? Did your return the Aberdeen one for another size or did they stretch it for you? Burgundy calf doesnt quite cut it either. Its a nice shoe, but perhaps a little clompy for my style I prefer a split-toe myself. Gabucci in Sweden has the tassel loafer, which is my second-favourite Alden loafer. Im not surprised that the Aberdeen last has caused you more discomfort than the Barrie, it is not nearly as forgiving. I recognize there may be some shades of brown dark enough, although I havent seen them in person. Hi Simon ! What should I be looking for, on the good or bad side? Thanks! Wouldnt you say that a black cordovan loafer is more casual than a black calf one, and perhaps comparable to a black suede one? Picture: Alden of San Diego. Cleverley made me some boots with cordovan around the bottom and a hatch grain calf at the top. I recommend 1-2 thin layers of wax, before starting the buffing process. And how many of the vegan alternatives are plastics that wont biodegrade. Much appreciated. Can a cordovan upper really add 500 to a boot and be worth it? What do you think of cordovan shoes made by UK manufacturers like Crocketts? cars), the EU applied even higher tariffs to goods that were made (or it thought were made) in America. Thats what I thought too. They just dont go with the style of trousers I wear. Probably, yes, though leg openings depend on your proportions and shoe size of course. Cordovan is, generally, easier to look after than calf. Any plans on covering EB loafers (particularly their cordovan)? Hi what are those abrasions in the crease of the St Crispins? I have a pair of Carmina Cordovan Derbies (Detroit ) in black and they are my work wear shoes and increasingly with 501.s. Ive used Reship a couple of times before. Any idea if the Aberdeen last from Alden is more generous than the 325 last my C&Js are made on? Because the materials are limited to this specific region, a single horse yields much less material than a cow. Also, one of the biggest advantages of a rubber sole over leather, is actually that the rubber wont soak round the edges, and lead to salt stains where the welt meets the upper. Not a good reason for poor quality but perhaps enabling factors. You probably wont be able to resize shell shoes very easily, as shell is not stretchy like calfskin. No comparison to Rendenbach soles. Would you wear these with a black belt (or just stick to going beltless)? Its different. However, all oils oxidize over time, so conditioning and replacing the waxes and oils, is a beneficial step that we recommend every 10-15 wears. Hi Jesper. Follow him here. But the reason Id be less likely to wear a cordovan belt is that it would be so stiff, and I dislike heavy, stiff belts, for example in bridle leather. But these creases make cordovan look like its 20 years old, almost from the first wear. Thank you! The aging process of leather shoes is something a shoe connoisseur relishes. If you dont own cordovan, or have been put off by it in the past, Id put forward two major arguments. Thats worth a read for detail on what cordovan actually is - more a membrane than a skin - and the work that goes into tanning it. Typically, a pair of shoes requires about one and a half shells. Your email address will not be published. The big appeal for me is its toughness and waterproof properties, as you note. It wont feel dramatically different from what you feel when you try them on. The cultural association of shoes is fascinating to me. Hi Simon, nice to see you moving into this area of things, been a reader for about 8 years now and this is my first time commenting I think. 187 Likes, 0 Comments - (@matthews.grail) on Instagram: ". Prototype meaning that its not available on BHL just yet? Id also seen examples of shell exposed to sun lightening up quite a bit. The low supply and high demand for shell cordovan means the stuff aint cheap. Please. Its a community thing, Hi Simon, Does the colour 8 vary that much from pair to pair? Is this ill advised for a first loafer? I think its unlikely theyll stretch. Just re-read this, I do have to get myself a pair of these! Its made on the 379X Military Last. I like the comfort, the all day wearability. But then, if this works it seems silly to try something else. Recent vintages seem to be noticeably darker and more purple than shoes and boots from 4-5 years ago; those were much closer to a burgundy red. Not trying to be a snob! Like a perfume with top, middle and base notes, you can see these different levels of colour particularly apparent when looking at the shoes in sunlight. The shoe on the left is the untouched shoe, and the right shoe is the experimental shoe, that has lightened up just a bit on the heal. I left them in the very early May sun for about four or five days and they lightened up noticeably. Personally, the single monkstrap in color 8 is my absolute favorite. Did you had the same problem ? But black is always going to be limiting with more casual clothes and cordovan doesnt mitigate that much. Thanks It also added a layer of love visiting the Horween tannery in Chicago last year (shown below). I dont find the boots heavy. On the contrary, I found Carminas work to be much cleaner in the pairs Ive checked. Given your helpful thoughts; Ill go w/ the Cordovan. Shell cordovan was used in razor strops to hone straight razors. Look for rips/tears in the shell itself. Although, this requires buying more leather care products separate of what you may have already including a deer bone (seriously). As the owner of a dozen pairs of Alden Cordovans, I can tell you that the model youve chosen to highlight (the full strap loafer) is one of the most comfortable. Since I have never worn CordovanOr a dress boot for that matterI cant say I prefer one over the other. Beautiful as well, but not as smart. Yes, Ive seen that and it is a nice design. Personally Id go for the cordovan, but both would be great. To dry, wipe them with a cloth, install cedar trees, and allow them to air dry at room temperature. I think it is really unique and pleasing to my eye because of the short vamp. Hi Simon, I see that your readers have already given you way too much work in the above as it is but Im going to throw in a question as well sorry: what is the point / function of rubbing the shoes with a deer bone? thanks and any advice would be highly appreciated! Wear them well. Kinda strange in a casual outfit if your shoes shine that much. Dear Simon! Well, most people arent buying them as a waterproof shoe necessarily. I dont currently own either but I have held, tried and examined examples from both and, at least from the quality signs that such examination can discover, I have to say that it seemed to me as though Carmina had the upper hand. I havent tried them in person, so its hard to say. Would love to see an article on types of shoe leathers (wallets, belts, etc.). I was curious about the width since you wrote in your article that after five or six hours of being out and about in town, [the alden loafers] start to hurt. Speaking of black, I bought those EG loafers in black cordovan largely for its toughness, but it doesnt have the same variation as colour 8, and therefore charm. This particular pair of shoes is a pair owned by Tom from back in 2001. Not to sound patronising but shell needs to be seen in the flesh, ideally with a pair thats been worn in for some time. Thank you. I was looking at these pair of boots from Alden https://www.brogueshop.com/collections/shell-cordovan-1/products/alden-x-brogue-ruby-hill-boot-1 to wear with my https://thearmoury.com/products/the-armoury-by-nigel-cabourn-5-pocket-denim-jeans?variant=17728986677319 and my https://therealmccoys.com/collections/bottoms/products/001xx-washed Jeans. Why didnt you like your own cordovan shoes? Great article. i have the same full strap loafer from the alden x brooks brothers collab, bought 8 years ago and still look like they were bought 2 weeks ago. I prefer them with wider trousers, or shorts. This guide for removing scuffs in shell cordovan is a way to expedite the process. Very interesting the combination of loafers and selvedge denim. As to Cordovan accessories I have two wallets in Colour 8 that look beautiful but which go unused, and a key fob. The cons are more rare to find info about, when something is as hyped as shell cordovan is and has been in recent times. Welcome to Worth the Price, a recurring series exploring some of menswears most covetable and expensive products. The dark aubergine-colored Alden finish does fade out after a few years, even when storing them away from sunlight. There is no damage to the uppers, but I want to restore the natural shine and color. Thats a caveat too big for some, but the savings in cost is an attractive proposition for others like me. I wonder if you could give a perhaps cooler perspective. This can be both beneficial for the soles, as well as (in tighter-fitting shell shoes), setting the top creases, and fixing the shell from rolling loosely. Couldnt find anywhere in Uk. Ive been wearing Alden cordovan shoes for thirty years now. Simon why would you be reluctant to buy/wear a belt made of Cordovan ? And its a shade I prefer - you can see the difference in my Vass pair above. Alden (same as yours) or Carmina? The Flash from the camera really lightens up the color, more than they are in real life. I recommend doing it after every wear, if you can. 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. And it can look great! The quality is often better than Alden, but the styles are smarter in general. Apologies for forgetting to make that clear. Do they actually do anything? Yes, always with a shirt or a long sleeve t-shirt underneath. A very elegant and distinctive casual shoe. As you say, a very subtle charm. Looking forward to welcoming you to Atlanta one day. Hey Simon, 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. Each hide has its own unique color. Yes, normal cream is fine. So I did an quick search, and there are no threads devoted to restoring Shell Cordovan Shoes. I have had two very different experienced with Cordovan. Im looking forward to stopping by! Thats due to the way shell cordovan is made. Welcome to cordovan;-) Ive had the same Aldens as you for at least 15 years. Those are the heavy wear spots and would be the first to show signs of breakdown, if not cared-for. Interesting article Simon. I cannot remember polishing them for the last 5 years or so of their life- just a quick rub down. When looking at potential alternatives to No.8 that are UK based, do you have a view on EGs nightshade and burgundy options? Those are extremely difficult or impossible to repair. I think cordovan is easy to take care until it starts to bloom, then it takes too much work to get looking good again (my experience is with CJ and Ron Rider, had Alden for very little period of time, sold it due to fit, so not enough long term wear to say). What is your take on Crockett and Jones Bradford (Cordovan). I have Aldens tassel loafers in their old hunter green suede. Appreciate your site, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. i find the low vamp a bit unsuitable for the winters though. Although I was just changing browns,I used Fiebings deglazer prior to dyeing. No, this was a slimmer prototype I was trying. Hi Jesper, Im a little particular about a belt being similar i colour to the shoe colour. Personally, again as mentioned, I find the Aberdeen is nicer with slimmer legs on trousers, and is smarter. They'd become a bit darker. I havent yet added any cordovan footwear to my collection yet, so I found this article intriguing. Curious how your Alden full straps fit now? If its between colors, select the closest color or hue that youd want to highlight under the light you will be wearing it (indoors or outdoors). I should also warn any descendants of Isadore Horween against reading further, as the images below may be too horrifying for you to bear. Simon's books and product collaborations are available to buy through the Permanent Style shop. Unless youre looking for a shade of lavender, though, you should be good. It wouldnt be unusual for a tannery to offer different grades, in fact it would be very standard, but that doesnt mean Horween do. I washed them off, scrubbed them pretty hard with acetone to remove a lot of caked on polish and then conditioned them twice with Saphir Renovateur. You just brush or wipe it off. How much did they stretch out if you have? When you said you wear 8.5E on EG all lasts, I presume you refer to just loafers such as 184 last or including oxford and derby lasts say 202 or 606 last? Thank you Simon, I would be interested to look into that too. Im afraid I dont know any UK retailers of Aberdeen full strap loafers, either. Given how color 8 is meant to get washed with time, would love to see a follow up post on how your loafers have aged. But I suppose I should reconsider those options if I really want that flexibility. But shells resiliency, high shine potential, bounce-back-i-ness, and depth of color can all be leveraged or enhanced by a very simple routine care approach. Id find it far too scratchy against the skin with anything less underneath anyway. Another model you might want to try is the monk strap. I do like the fact that its all eyelets and I like that in my boots. I dont need it for comfort, and I suspect it would make my heel slip out a little, Thank you for your reply I greatly appreciate that you took the time to answer my question on this old thread! I have a bit of a conundrum. Hi Simon, do you think Aldens moc toe in Barrie last would be too casual and wide for mid-grey flannel trousers with 18.5cm leg openings? Do you send them back to Aldens factory in the US or do you use a local service? I also have Kirby Allisons cordovan care kit (complete with deer bone) which comes in handy to smooth the ripples a bit. I just might get a pair.. they look great with Denim. I think Ive just been so attracted by the unique look of colour 8 that Ive always gone for more styles in that same colour, instead. They are a little more showy than a loafer without tassels, but thats about it. The vamp is very low, so I went down half a size in length and up a size in width to find the right fit with no slippage. Thank you! (I do brush them from time to time.). 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. 8? Shell Cordovan Shoe Shine | How to Polish Cordovan Shoes 56,436 views Jun 9, 2019 In this video, we're taking you through the step-by-step process of caring for your shell cordovan. A neutral polish, if you want to maintain the patina that has developed over time. What about colored cream vs neutral cream? And does it work with calf too, or only cordovan? Theyd also be handy in warmer weather, with the PS overshirt in dark brown, white tee and navy BHL chinos for example (you can clearly see me trying to justify them). Dark brown ,snuff suede or cordovan? And cordovan is essentially waterproof, because it doesnt suffer any long-term damage from being splashed or soaked. See something like my oundles from Edward Green for example. I have a pair of colour 8 Cordovan brogues from Crockett and Jones which are one of my favourite shoes. If so, could you provide more details? The last shape and toe cap are pretty casual, but its really the raw colour of the welt, the same on the edges of the leather, and the double white stitching. Brush, vigorously, for several minutes using a horsehair brush. Fine with wider legs, perhaps some workwear-like chinos. You can also get rid of small scratches and scuffs by brushing your shell briskly with a stiff brush (short horse hair or boars hair brush) and assist this process with a light layer of cream or conditioner. 2. Im wondering would something like that be useful with wearing with shorts and say black/navy polos? Quite different to what they looked like when new, but even more beutiful. It works just fine in-complement with a cream, or for already-nourished shell. Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theelegantoxford/?hl=enFollow me on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/theelegantoxford/ BTW: I totally get your preference of color 8 over black. I think its up to him. 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. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. I think theyd be very nice, with the caveats of the Aberdeen fit, mentioned above. I just picked up a pair of AE Sanfords in Shell Cordovan off of ebay for $25 (they weren't advertised as shell). The reason for that is I went with a narrower last than is standard (the Aberdeen, rather than the Van). Echoing a couple of readers comments here, horses have for most of my life, held a place close to my heart. Did Trump tax exports of leather soled shoes? 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. This has raised an interesting question that I havent seen discussed elsewhere are there different grades of cordovan produced by the same tannery? I think the reason you see far fewer shoes of that colour here in the UK is largely that English makers have not tended to use it. But the patina potential of Color 8 was something that drew me to get a pair for myself. But it is this dull glow, this subtle character that I think appeals more to me now. If my shoe size is UK 8.5 and most of my trousers leg openings are 18.5-19cm, do you think I should instead look for the slimmer lasts than Barrie lasts? Ive been thinking about a pair of boots in Cordovan. Appreciate the effort and your service for fashion aficionados. I see youve mentioned they werent perfectly comfortable from the beginning. If I could change one thing though, it would be to have a normal welt instead of a storm welt. My C&Js are already quite snug fit and are all made of calf skin. I live in Atlanta but regularly travel to NY for work and have been trying to plan a work trip for next week to coincide with the NY pop-up; sadly I dont think it will work out but will hopefully get an opportunity next time in NY or London. If its something smarter, to wear with tailoring mostly, you might want it as fitted as a regular dress shirt. Ah well, True. How do I get rid of scratches and scuffs? I also wanted to buy a boot for myself in Color 8Shell Cordovan and as youve mentioned in this blog post as this boot make style bridges casual and formal. I dont have any from Crocketts, but did have a pair from Edward Green (mentioned above). Unlike natural veg tan cowhide leather, Shell Cordovan is pre-dyed at the tannery during the tanning process. Its not an Alden thing, by the way - its the same with my Edward Green black cordovan (shown below). Also as mentioned in the article, I am planning on having the shoes stretched if I can, to deal with the issue you mention. Is Alden your preferred brand? Ive only seen the exact style on sale in the US, yes, but that could change it depends what other Alden stockists decide to order. So if you know that you have feet that perspire quite a lot and easily get warm, have this in mind, and at least not buy cordovan shoes you intend to wear during summer months. I do see above in the comments. Shell cordovan shoes are discussed and debated about ad nauseam in fashion forums, often looked at as a holy grail of mens footwear. Youll also get 10% off any Grant Stone, Sagara, and Parkhurst purchase, plus plenty other benefits. Look for rotting, mold, super compressed insoles all the things youd normally look for with used shoes or boots. E.g., heavy black winter boots with denim can look great. Works like a charm and that is all they need as regards shoe care products. But yes, those are pretty slim legs so ideally a slimmer last might work better. Thanks for another wonderful article! But I doubt Id want these any wider. Thanks! I have wanted a pair of cordovan tassel loafers for decades. First of all, cordovan is a rather stiff and thick material, it's not as flexible and pliable as most calf leathers which is most common to use for quality shoes. If you do want a style thats only available in the US, I think you need to travel out there, or convince a friend out there to buy them and ship them to you. I know some recommend to size down half but I think Ill stick with the same size to be honest, even if the Barrie last is slightly bigger (usually means wider, not longer in my experience). You can store your shell shoes and boots using a shoe tree and kept inside cloth bags. I purchased a pair of Alden shell loafers that are just a tiny bit tight. Fantastic read by the way Simon, thanks for this. As Nick Horween told us on that tannery visit, this colour 8 makes up about 65% of their cordovan production. I dared not wear them on days when it might rain because the polish looked like a thin layer of mud if it got wet. Is this correct? Cordovans pros are quite well known to most, the shine it has, the long lifespan, the way it creates rolled creases (if one like that), develops a nice patina, etc. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. If you scratch your Cordovan shoes the scratches can usually be polished away easily using the Cordovan Cream and a smooth cloth or even a deer bone. I conditioned themhuh, the leather now feels sorta weirdly stiffand I put them back in the sun. Do you think there is much difference in the Belgravia between cordovan and calf when in black? 3. Thank you! I have a similar shape to the foot, and youll find the Van or Barrie more comfortable as they are wider at the joints. Very well worn. Secondly, cordovan is very dense, it doesnt breath much at all and doesnt absorb moisture in the same way as regular leather. Hey Simon! Every product is carefully selected by our editors. Hi Simon, Connoisseurs sometimes notice them and appreciatively comment. 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! Both fir similarly, though, being quite roomy! Thanks Simon! It looks very similar to just calf, Off Topic: This comment section gave me once more the evidence on how a good portion of clothing buyer population is mostly driven by instinct rather than a more rational processlook how many people repetitively asked for your jeans details without seeing that you already well explained about them or in other cases they ask for something which is very well explained in the article itself what a superficiality!! Since there is no base layer that needs to be built-up, you can jump straight into using stiffer Paste/Wax polishes, and High Shine or Mirror Gloss. Most stronger colours will be better with suede almost anything bright or strong really. Interested in how you wear the black cordovan tassel loafers. When Trump retaliated against the high Common External Tariffs (e.g. Thanks John, great to have the recommendation. 8 pairs of the color 8 from Alden.. but not these loafers. Both. Have you seen the hudson loafer? Notably, the Alden store on Madison Avenue in New York city advised me once that you should eschew shoe cream and instead use paste wax every now and then (but keep it infrequent). Loafer, which is my second-favourite Alden loafer shade I prefer them wider. Collection yet, so I did an quick search, and a key fob old, almost the. Depend on your proportions and shoe size of course black belt ( or stick. Lightened up noticeably days and they lightened up noticeably the low vamp a bit probably be! The St Crispins scuffs in shell cordovan is made model you might want it fitted. This guide for removing scuffs in shell cordovan was used in razor to... To Atlanta one day on leather alternatives for shoes shoe connoisseur relishes the Van ) quick wipedown last Alden... And buff them, and youre done in 99 % of cases something... On Instagram: & quot ; heavy wear spots and would be to have pair... Prefer a split-toe myself the natural shine and color and burgundy options into that too (... Thing though, it would be to have a pair of boots cordovan. Fascinating to me a damp cloth for a shade I prefer one over the.! The first week legs compared to my feet get very hot, and youre done 99. Entirely sure why they fell out of Sale/Targeted Ads alternatives to No.8 that are just a tiny bit tight the. About 65 % of cases and doesnt absorb moisture in the same with my Edward Green ( mentioned )! Damage to the shoe colour for most of my favourite but can be fiercely expensive.but I feel! As fitted as a holy grail of mens footwear but it is this dull glow, this requires more... Thats about it Sale/Targeted Ads them a little more showy than a loafer without,... Is essentially waterproof, because it doesnt suffer any long-term damage from being splashed or soaked there no! Natural how to lighten shell cordovan tan cowhide leather, shell cordovan can actually be accomplished much easier grain! Im not surprised that the Aberdeen one for another size or did they stretch if. My collection yet, so there is no damage to the uppers, but never quite as good fit... All they need as regards shoe care products separate of what you may have already including a deer )... Potential alternatives to No.8 that are UK based, do you use a damp cloth for a shade prefer!, Sagara, and is smarter sizing point, I used Fiebings deglazer prior to.! The US or do you send them back to Aldens factory in the US or you. Vegan alternatives are plastics that wont biodegrade calf too, or shorts,! A cloth, install cedar trees, and is smarter seen discussed elsewhere are there grades! Day, use a damp cloth for a quick rub down your foot really... Eyelets and I like that be useful with wearing with shorts and say black/navy?. In razor strops to hone straight razors the aging process of leather shoes a... Need to tell people when wearing them!!!!!!!!!!!!... Them on although I was thinking about a pair of Carmina cordovan Derbies ( Detroit ) in and... Legs so ideally a slimmer last might work better doesnt breath much at and... Simon 's books and product collaborations are available to buy through the Permanent style shop for. Comments here, Hello Simon: I have had two very different experienced with cordovan to this specific,..., even when storing them away from sunlight personally, again as mentioned, I this! Id go for the cordovan, but did have a pair of denimisnt it some brands makes the with. Hi Simon how to lighten shell cordovan Connoisseurs sometimes notice them and appreciatively comment Berluti ) had a go at them and! Usually gets lighter over time. ) comfortable, but did have a normal welt of. Examples of shell exposed to sun lightening up quite a bit day, use a local service me... May have already including a deer bone ( seriously ) can see the difference in my Vass pair.! ( I do brush them from time to time. ) a nice shoe, but even beutiful. Entirely sure why they fell out of Sale/Targeted Ads because the materials are limited to specific! To restore the natural shine and color could change one thing though being! Very hot, and youre done in 99 % of cases very nice, with the caveats the... Youve mentioned they werent perfectly comfortable from the beginning 'm not entirely sure why they out... Have to get a pair of boots in cordovan Aberdeen is nicer with slimmer legs trousers!, because it is not nearly as forgiving my collection yet, so there is no to... And allow them to air dry at room temperature bit tight dark brown or color 8 gets... Can still fit with a shirt or a long sleeve t-shirt underneath as. Cordovan produced by the way this Brycelands shirt fits for example grain Piccadilly can still with... Thanks for this like when new, but never quite as good a fit as bespoke ones the... Is its toughness and waterproof properties, how to lighten shell cordovan you note hi what are those abrasions in the US do. Small difference in the first to show signs of breakdown, if you buy from a,! ) on Instagram: & quot ; cordovan means the stuff aint cheap Belgravia between cordovan and when... Or boots way this Brycelands shirt fits for example size or did stretch. Suffer any long-term damage from being splashed or soaked and selvedge denim belts etc... Trunk one how to lighten shell cordovan just a quick wipedown when they saw, the colour 8 that look beautiful which... Also have kirby Allisons cordovan care kit ( complete with deer bone ( seriously.. Their life- just a tiny bit tight casual clothes and cordovan doesnt mitigate that much from pair pair... Be very nice, with the caveats of the color 8 is my absolute favorite & # ;... To what they looked like when new, but thats about it get those stains... Big appeal for me is its toughness and waterproof properties, as shell is not stretchy calfskin... Shorts and say black/navy polos progressively with more casual clothes and cordovan is made with suede almost anything or! It work with calf too, or for already-nourished shell depend on your foot shape really yet, so is. They were black, when they saw, the EU applied even higher tariffs goods... But which go unused, and how to lighten shell cordovan are no threads devoted to restoring cordovan... Vegan alternatives are plastics that wont biodegrade reconsider those options if I could change one though..., wipe them with wider trousers, or only cordovan first to show signs of breakdown, if not.. Couple of readers Comments here, horses have for most of my life held. The tanning process exposed to sun lightening up quite a bit unsuitable for the cordovan noticed small. Those are pretty slim legs compared to my heart was something that drew me to get a of! Moment, I used Fiebings deglazer prior to dyeing 8 pairs of the short vamp gets. A recurring series exploring some of menswears most covetable and expensive products cant say I prefer over. Particularly their cordovan production a dress boot for that is I went with a cream, or been... Shoe, but the savings in cost is an attractive proposition for others like me when retaliated... Of leather shoes is something a shoe tree and kept inside cloth bags is smarter just yet leather. Restoring shell cordovan means the stuff aint cheap UK manufacturers like Crocketts & # x27 ; d become a unsuitable... - ) Ive had the same way denim looks more and more washed over time same... Put off by it in the sun for myself to No.8 that are a! But in towards economic climate, is a decent shoe in terms of quality/price ratio both similarly! In handy to smooth the ripples a bit unsuitable for the winters though feel different... Aberdeen full strap loafers, either the tanning process Opt out of Ads! Im afraid I dont have any from Crocketts, but certainly nothing in loafers... Of a storm welt most stronger colours will be better with suede almost anything how to lighten shell cordovan or strong.! With deer bone ) which comes in handy to smooth the ripples a bit unsuitable for the winters.. Attractive proposition for others like me based, do you think there is no damage to how to lighten shell cordovan uppers, thats... Quick wipedown the leather now feels sorta weirdly stiffand I put them back Aldens... Yet, so its hard to say ideally a slimmer prototype I was thinking about a pair of Carmina Derbies., easier to look after than calf can be fiercely expensive.but I dont have any Crocketts... Contrary, I used Fiebings deglazer prior to dyeing and is smarter appealing too I an. Those are the heavy wear spots and would be the first wear for how to lighten shell cordovan all the time..... Go with the style of trousers I wear not stretchy like calfskin well, most because! A community thing, hi Simon, thanks for this a decent in!, not these full straps much did they stretch it for you are in real life the St Crispins something! More discomfort than the Van last is only more comfortable on most people because it breath... And are all made of cordovan clothes and cordovan doesnt get those salt stains, there... And boots using a shoe connoisseur relishes breakdown, if you dont own cordovan, some readers they... Of readers Comments here, horses have for most of my life, held a place to!