Alden Accessories

I just picked up some Alden accessories and thought I'd give my report on them. I'll also give the list price on them since it's not easy to obtain this information from Alden.

I know there's at least one person on this forum who loves the shell cordovan credit card case as a wallet. I've been looking for something ultra-thin for a while now, so I picked this up in black. It's definitely very nice. The only problem I have is that I've got just enough things I want to carry to make this a bit small, but I think I've managed it. I always believe in traveling light, but still, when you add up a driver's license, ATM card, credit card (I'll admit I carry two), medical insurance card, auto insurance card, and transit card, that's a lot of space occupied. But overall I'm extremely happy. The case has an Alden crest on it, which might not appeal to everyone. It usually wouldn't with me, but I actually like it here. The case feels great in my pocket - I barely know I'm carrying it. The price on this item is $70.

I also bought two belts. One was the shell cordovan, color 8, nickel buckle, 35mm. Without a doubt this is the nicest belt I have never seen. I'm wearing it at the moment, but putting it on the first time was difficult because I almost would have rather mounted it on my wall as a display piece! The other is the dark brown calf skin, gold buckle, 30mm. This is just a basic belt. I'd probably think better of it if I didn't have it right next to the cordovan to compare. Both the calf skin and the cordovan are available in the 30mm or the 35mm. If I had it to do over again, I'd have gotten both in the 35mm, but I'm partial to a taller belt. The cordovan belt price is $235, so I'd better be sure never to gain any weight! The calf skin is much less expensive at only $80.

One note on the cordovan belt contruction. You might be asking yourself how Alden got a piece of cordovan leather that long. The answer is that they didn't. Instead, this belt is stitched together from three separate pieces. This is clearly visible on the outside of the belt, if that matters to you.

Lastly, I bought the 11in genuine shoe horn. This is quite simply one of the most beautiful objects I own. It came in almost solid black, with a few patches of white. It's extremely light and comes with a leather cord attached. At only $40, this is well worth the purchase. Alden also sells smaller and larger sizes. I can't say enough good things about this shoe horn.

Alden will not let you order accessories from their catalog without buying a pair of shoes as well, but your local Alden retailer can do this for you no problem.