Ode to the tassel loafer (pics)...

**Doctor Damage** · August 29th, 2006, 10:28

There is no particular reason for this thread, although (1) I will dedicate it to Harris's re-appearance (a man matching his description was last seen...well, that would be telling), also (2) tassel loafers seem to have been supplanted by LHS and boat shoes in the forum (or maybe I'm just reading the wrong threads).

Anyway, below, for everyone's visual enjoyment, a bunch of Alden tassel loafers listed on eBay in the last year.

**Doctor Damage** · August 29th, 2006, 10:29

Here's an amazing pair of cordovans. I am always astonished at how beautiful the horse-hide looks in comparison with calfskin.

**mpcsb** · August 29th, 2006, 10:49

Originally Posted by Doctor Damage

There is no particular reason for this thread...tassel loafers seem to have been supplanted by LHS and boat shoes in the forum (or maybe I'm just reading the wrong threads).

Supplanted - nah, can't be. They're one of the baseline articles, although recently I have been very partial to my kiltie tassels, anyway those cordos look nice.

**Doctor Damage** · August 29th, 2006, 10:54

Pair of black calfskin tassels.

Here's a really old pair, still holding up and very charming.

**abc123** · August 29th, 2006, 11:03

I love the suede ones. How much do they go for, the Alden ones?

**Doctor Damage** · August 29th, 2006, 11:33

Here's two pairs of Alden suede tassels, also known as the #666.

**eagle2250** · August 29th, 2006, 11:34

Originally Posted by Doctor Damage

Anyway, below, for everyone's visual enjoyment, a bunch of Alden tassel loafers listed on eBay in the last year.

Doc: If you keep posting pictures like that, I will be forced to trade in my AE Graysons for a pair of Alden tassels. Those are some very handsome pairs of shoes!

**paper clip** · August 29th, 2006, 12:12

Originally Posted by Doctor Damage

Here's two pairs of Alden suede tassels, also known as the #666.

Aaah! The shoes of the Beast!

**ASF** · August 29th, 2006, 12:16

The Alden suede tassels are good looking kicks.

I usually wear a suit to work with 563's or 660's and 986's with khakis or charcoal trousers when wearing a blazer or tweed coat.

What do you wear wear when wearing the Alden suede tassels?

ASF

**A Questionable Gentleman** · August 29th, 2006, 12:26

Originally Posted by ASF

What do you wear wear when wearing the Alden suede tassels?

ASF

With a model number like 666, surely the only answer is, "Nothing at all!"

**Harris** · August 29th, 2006, 13:06

Reappearance, eh? Color me intrigued. Dr. Dam: did we cross paths? Now that'd be, well, uh, "telling."

Remember, though, Dam: a lot of guys wear sack suits and tassel mocs! It could have been Cooly, after all.

You don't hang out at the Yankee Doodle Tap Room, do you? If so, the guy in the sack-tassels-repp-horn rims combo apologizes for wreaking of American Spirit "Browns" (non-filters) and keeping company with professors.

Some habits are worth holding onto.

Cheers.

**Larchmont** · August 29th, 2006, 13:33

I was recently thinking the same thing - has the tassel been pushed to the back of the closet? The Brooks cordovan tassel would be my first purchase if I had to start a shoe collection.

It may be that people are not wearing suits and dress trousers as much. I try to wear my tassels at least once a weak. 13 years and still going strong.

**AlanC** · August 29th, 2006, 13:40

Originally Posted by Doctor Damage

Here's two pairs of Alden suede tassels, also known as the #666.

My, what well taken photographs! :biggrin2:

**mcarthur** · August 29th, 2006, 20:14

The tassel loafers in either burgundy or black shell cordovan are the best!

**hreljan** · August 29th, 2006, 20:33

[QUOTE=ASF;397185
What do you wear wear when wearing the Alden suede tassels?
[/QUOTE]

Blazer, gray flannel pants.

Navy suit or pants

**Doctor Damage** · August 30th, 2006, 06:57

Size comparison. The pair on the left is sized 11 AAA, while the pair on the right is sized 11 EE.

**Doctor Damage** · August 30th, 2006, 06:59

Now here's a really odd sized pair. I didn't post the photo of the inside, but this pair is marked 10.5 AAAA/AA.

**kforton** · August 30th, 2006, 08:22

Originally Posted by Doctor Damage

Size comparison. The pair on the left is sized 11 AAA, while the pair on the right is sized 11 EE.

Actually, the pair on the right are 11EEE. They used to be mine, and I sold them on ebay to a very happy fellow in Germany. After a few earings I could tell they were not fitting right, but at that point it was too late. I still have the damnest time fitting Aldens to my feet. I work with Ed at Shoemart now, but I am second guessing some of his/my judgment lately. I need new black tassels and am considering Allen Edmonds b'c they are not as pointed. Is that blasphemy? I may also just go to a EEEE in the Alden. Any thoughts?

**well-kept** · August 30th, 2006, 08:26

Dr. D.
From the size variation, I gather you collect these as art objects.

**Coolidge24** · August 30th, 2006, 08:27

Beautiful array, Dr. Damage.

**Doctor Damage** · August 30th, 2006, 08:48

Originally Posted by kforton

Actually, the pair on the right are 11EEE. They used to be mine, and I sold them on ebay to a very happy fellow in Germany.

What are the odds of me those shoes being owned by a member of this forum?

...I still have the damnest time fitting Aldens to my feet. I work with Ed at Shoemart now, but I am second guessing some of his/my judgment lately. I need new black tassels and am considering Allen Edmonds because they are not as pointed. Is that blasphemy? I may also just go to a EEEE in the Alden. Any thoughts?

Sounds like you have the same prob I have with all RTW welted shoes with stiff toe puffs, i.e. my toes are squished. My solution has been to switch to Italian mocassins and drivers, which are much softer and shape to my feet better, but are very un-trad.

I think Alden will make shoes with a bigger drop between the toe/heel measurements, for example maybe a EE toe with an A heel. But frankly I don't know, and you'd probably have to wait the better part of a year to get them. Does anyone know?

Also, in this forum, a few months ago someone mentioned that on the recommendation of a salesman they bought a longer shoe than normal, but also narrower than normal, so they achieved the longer toe box (no toe squishing) but the narrower width ensured that it didn't slip off the foot. I don't remember who that was...again, anyone?

Just saying what pops up in my memory, hopefully members who own lots of Aldens and/or who deal with the company regularly will have some info.

**Laxplayer** · August 30th, 2006, 08:52

Dr. Damage,

Beautiful shoes. Which pair are yours? I don't own any tassels, but I have been seriously considering them.

Harris,

Non filtered American Spirits huh? Aren't those pretty harsh? Or, do you smoke them like cigars ie. without inhaling. I know they do not add all the chemicals to them, so I was just wondering if that made any difference. It's funny you mentioned professors, as I knew two professors who were fond of American Spirit, must be an intellectual thing.

**mcarthur** · August 30th, 2006, 19:58

Originally Posted by Laxplayer

Dr. Damage,

Beautiful shoes. Which pair are yours? I don't own any tassels, but I have been seriously considering them.

Harris,

Non filtered American Spirits huh? Aren't those pretty harsh? Or, do you smoke them like cigars ie. without inhaling. I know they do not add all the chemicals to them, so I was just wondering if that made any difference. It's funny you mentioned professors, as I knew two professors who were fond of American Spirit, must be an intellectual thing.

Lx-
I would highly recommend to you that should purchase tassel loafers shoes in either burgundy or black shell cordovan.

**kforton** · August 30th, 2006, 21:14

I looked at the Allen Edmonds this afternoon at lunch. Compared to my Aldens, they were ugly. The stitching is all wrong--it's just run in a line by a machine. And they looked so clunky. I think I'll try the EEEE in black calf.