Closet Archive #A: Alden Shoe Company

HISTORY

Alden Shoe Company was founded by Charles H.Alden in 

Middleborough, Massachusetts in 1884. It was the period where the shoe industry in New England was blooming due to the series of new inventions that resulted in production efficiency. The competition amongst shoe companies was vigorous but only lasted for a short while until The Great Depression. Soon after, the impact from the financial crisis lead to the closure of these shoe companies. Yet, Alden Shoe Company managed to pull it through and has sustained as a family owned handcraft shoe making business at New England in this generation.

Making Process 

Renowned for its American Heritage, the superior quality and comfortability in each of the Alden Shoes earned the brand many supporters around the world. In particular, Harrison Ford is known to be a fan even before his acting career. When he was cast as Indiana Jones, he chose the Alden 405 aka Indy Boots to match the adventurer outfit. With various product lines such as Boots, Oxfords, Slip-On and Tassel Moccasins etc, Alden Shoe maintains its classic appeal and delicacy to meet the challenges of the dynamic fashion world.

Each pair of Alden Shoe is strictly made under three crucial factors: 1) refined quality, 2) genuine welt construction and 3)genuine shell cordovan. This short documentary by Epaulet below explains the manufacturing details:

Epaulet presents: the Alden Shoe Company from Epaulet Shop on Vimeo.

Stockists

Click here if you are interested in finding out where the nearest retail stores are. Online shoppers may also shop for the items in e-commerce site such as EndClothing, ShopStyle, The Shoe Mart & Union Made. And if you are looking for exclusive Alden Shoes, these collaboration products from JCREW & The Bureau are the options that you can't afford to miss! 

Image via, Alden Shoe Company