2021: The Year of Hope
I dubbed 2020 as the Unforgettable, Forgettable Year. It was a world that we had never seen, with the global pandemic and several incidents highlighting racial injustice in our nation leading to widespread protests. However, 2021 represented the year of hope with the potential of beginning the return back to normal. I thought that this was appropriate for discussing Alden as well.
Thinking about 2021 through the Alden lens, it was a great year filled with many amazing models and materials. The lovely Color #4 Shell Cordovan models that had been commissioned in 2020 (plus a few new ones), came out magnificently and there is now a sense of hope that Color #4 wasn’t merely a “one and done” ordeal, but may actually be an offering that may be obtainable moving into the future. I was finally able to recover a long lost Cigar Balmoral. The Ravello Shell Cordovan of 2021 definitely did not disappoint either. The Ravello, particularly as the year progressed became a truly deep and rich shade with an amazing amount of red undertones that would give any Shell Cordovan shade out there a run for its money. This year, we also saw a new material be offered by Alden including Luxe Calf and a new shade of suede, Polo.
I rounded out the year with a few pairs from Viberg and Rancourt, and even found a new Marbled Cordovan model again.
In the order that I received the pairs this year, here is what I was blessed to have received.
- Viberg Color #4 Shell Cordovan Service Boots
- Alden Ravello Shell Cordovan Tanker Boot (Brick + Mortar Seattle)
- Alden Color #4 Shell Cordovan Wingtip Boot (Brick + Mortar Seattle)
- Alden Snuff Suede Perforated Tip Cap Toe Boot (Alden Madison)
- Alden Cigar Shell Cordovan Hand-Stitched Tassel Loafer (The Armoury NYC)
- Alden Cigar Shell Cordovan Straight Tip Balmoral (Pelle Line)
- Alden Ravello 2×2 “Stitchup” Cap Toe Boot (Alden Madison)
- Alden Ravello Shell Cordovan Plaza NST Boot (Style by Blain)
- Alden Milkshake Suede Unlined U-Tip Blucher (Brooks Brothers)
- Alden Ravello Medallion Cap Toe Boot (TheShoeMart)
- Rancourt Green Shell Cordovan Camp Moccs
- Alden Color #4 Shell Cordovan Medallion Cap Toe Blucher (Alden of Washington D.C.)
- Alden Color #4 Shell Cordovan Plain Toe Boot (Alden of San Francisco)
- Alden Ravello Shell Cordovan NST Blucher (Alden of Washington D.C.)
- Alden Whiskey Shell Cordovan Cap Toe Boot (Alden of Washington D.C.)
- Alden Whiskey Shell Cordovan NST Blucher (Style by Blain)
- Alden Arabica Luxe Calf 2×2 “Stitchup” Cap Toe Boots (Alden Madison)
- Alden Color #8 Shell Cordovan Indy Boot on Neocork Sole (Alden Madison)
- Alden Milkshake Suede Indy Boots (LaRossa Shoes)
- Viberg Marbled Black Shell Cordovan Service Boots
- Alden Whiskey Shell Cordovan Saddle Shoe (Leffot)
- Alden Color #4 Shell Cordovan Tanker Boot (Alden Madison)
- Alden Whiskey Shell Cordovan Wingtip Boot (Alden Madison)
- Alden Color #4 Shell Cordovan Indy Boot (David Wood)
- Alden Polo Suede Wingtip Blucher (Brick + Mortar Seatttle)
- Alden Color #8 and Black Shell Cordovan Saddle Shoe (Ealdwine)
- Alden Whiskey Shell Cordovan Plain Toe Boot (LaRossa Shoes)
- Alden Color #4 Shell Cordovan Perforated Tip Cap Toe Boot (Pelle Line)
- Alden Ravello Shell Cordovan Tanker Boot (Alden of San Francisco)
- Alden White Calfskin Boat Shoe (Alden Offshore Collection)
