[Miket61]

Since I don't want to clutter up the forum with two new threads at once...

1) Today was rainy and cold, so I wore my favorite shoes, the brown Alden All-Weather Walkers. I've mentioned them several times in the last couple weeks, and also mentioned that a size 13 was enormous and I had to get a 12.

I stand corrected. For those who are considering ordering any Alden shoes on a Barrie last, I didn't go down a whole size. These are the only 12 1/2s I have ever seen.

2) While in Chicago last weekend I stopped in at the new Paul Stuart shop. It's beautiful. It's on two floors. Fitting rooms and the MTM desk are upstairs, and there are fitting rooms and what I assume is an office area in the back downstairs. Throw in an elevator and a staircase and you've got a rather small shop, really. Every item I looked at I coveted - the material, the workmanship, the price (ouch!)...

2a) Hanig Shoes has moved from their store right on Michigan Avenue into the John Hancock tower. That's the building Paul Stuart came from, but I don't know if they took Paul Stuart's space. Their old location is being renovated as part of the Ritz-Carlton Residences. Ritz-Carlton licenses the name to a developer, so they don't own the building. Which I suppose is a perfect match for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel down the street that's not owned by Ritz-Carlton either. :icon_smile:

 

[Jim In Sunny So Calif]

I didn't know any shoe maker offered shoes in half sizes above 11 1/2. One more plus for Alden.

Cheers, Jim.

 

[Pentheos]

AE offers a 12.5

 

[Miket61]

I didn't know any shoe maker offered shoes in half sizes above 11 1/2. One more plus for Alden.

Cheers, Jim.

I just bought a pair of AE Park Avenues at Lord & Taylor in Oak Brook, IL. I was actually surprised that they had 13s - back when they had stores here, they never went above a 12. Some stores do leased shoe departments, maybe they switched lessors?

 

[nobody]

Hanigs' old spot is being converted into condominiums and parking, and they will not be moving back there. The new space is actually around the corner from PS's old location - I hope the off-Michigan site does not hurt their business - they seem to be the only store downtown with a real selection of Aldens. I am very happy to see that PS is back - I have been by the shop but not in - once a new suit is back from the tailor I'll be in there asap to look for ties, and am looking forward to seeing what they've done, but it does seem like it must be small.

 

[JayJay]

I've been to Hanig's new location, as I often park in the Hancock Building garage when I'm not in Chicago overnight. As usual, they have a wonderful selection of Alden basics.

I haven't been to the new Paul Stuart location but will have to stop by the next time I'm in Chicago.

 

[Jim In Sunny So Calif]

I have taken a shoe in a 12 length all my adult life, but from reading catalogs it looks like you chaps who need 13's have fewer options and that above 13 the choices are really limited.

In some less expensive shoes there seems to be a trend to offering narrow/medium/wide and sometimes only one width.

It is bad enough with shirts that do not have exact sleeve lengths. I thought that was a bad idea for the customer, but bought a 34/35 from BB when they were doing that with some shirts and found out for sure it was a bad idea.

I am sure I will never buy shoes that don't come in proper sizing.

I ordered a new pair of Aldens earlier today in burgundy calf - I forget the name of the shoe - the rep told me they also come in cordovan, but as I want them sometime this decade, I decided to stick with calf.

Cheers, Jim.

 

[Miket61]

I have taken a shoe in a 12 length all my adult life, but from reading catalogs it looks like you chaps who need 13's have fewer options and that above 13 the choices are really limited.

...

I ordered a new pair of Aldens earlier today in burgundy calf - I forget the name of the shoe - the rep told me they also come in cordovan, but as I want them sometime this decade, I decided to stick with calf.

Cheers, Jim.

People who wear 13s are usually OK - 14s and 15s are rare but those who need them find there is still a sufficient variety of price points. Above 15, one must special-order through Nordstrom or a shop that specializes in shoes for professional athletes, which means they're very expensive and often "fashion-forward."