Every year, dozens of enlightened retailers across the world work with Massachusetts’ Alden Shoe Company—the last truly great American dress shoe (and plenty more) maker—to create hundreds of “makeups,” or custom designed shoes and boots. Some are straightforward in the best way possible. Others are wildly creative. Never before have all of them been cataloged in one place.
The goal of this story is to compile every single new-for-2020 Alden makeup that’s released in the US this year. This is, without question, an extremely difficult task! And for various reasons, maybe even impossible to get 100% right. But Stitchdown never shies away from a challenge, if it can help you figure out what’s out there in the wonderful world of quality footwear—and what to get your hands (and feet) on next.
Below is everything you need to know:
-Again, the goal is to catalog every single new-for-2020 Alden makeup released by US retailers. In other words, no restocks of shoes from past years (we’ll get there…).
-I’ll also be including certain makeups I love from other countries—Canada, definitely some European countries, and maybe even Asia. Being comprehensive on them as well is absolutely a goal, but, one step at a time.
–This will be a living story you should check back on regularly. As new makeups become available, they will be added to this story. The first batch of releases from the first two months of the year aren’t really in any specific order; as new makeups are released, they will flow in chronologically.
-While I’m including some pre-order shoes, the only ones that will make this list—for now—are pre-orders that have photos available. That may expand as we go…hold tight on that.
-This story will just list makeups, not keep updated if they are sold out or not. So if that happens…I’m sorry! But definitely get in touch with the retailer if there’s something you love that’s gone—they may very well be doing a restock at some point, especially if they see interest.
-Because there are literally hundreds of Alden retailers, being 100% comprehensive is difficult, even if it is very much the goal. So things may be missed, for one reason or another. If you see any new-for-2020 Alden makeup that isn’t listed here, please let me know! Just shoot me an email at ben@stitchdown.com or a DM on Instagram at @stitchdown and I’ll update accordingly.
-There’s one major hole worth noting in this list already: makeups from Brogue, doubtless one of the finest Alden shops of them all. Mack, the owner, is in the process of moving to a new storefront, so we’re going to confirm everything once that’s done, hopefully in a week or two. In the meantime, definitely check out Brogue’s full incredible world of Alden makeups here.
And there we have it. I’d recommend bookmarking this page (if people still do that) and checking it out regularly—there are plenty more makeups to come this year and beyond.
Enjoy.
This story requires a massive amount of work to compile and maintain. If you find it valuable, please consider supporting Stitchdown with a small monthly donation by joining Stitchdown Premium—you’ll also earn all sorts of fantastic benefits.
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Black Shell Cordovan “Stitchup” Boot: $815
-Barrie last
-360 reverse welt
-Black welt/sole edge
-Commando outsole
-Brass eyelets and speed hooks
-2-2 stitching on cap toe and heel counter
-Exclusive Stitchdown collaboration
Reverse Tobacco Chamois “Cyrus” Handsewn Tanker Boot: $660
-Grant last
-360 reverse welt
-Antique welt/sole edge
-Double waterlock outsole
-Nine brass eyelets
-Indy stitch
-Pull tab
Color 8 Shell Cordovan Six-Eyelet “Seneca” V-Tip Chukka: $820
-Barrie last
-360 flat welt
-Antique welt/sole edge
-Commando outsole
-Six brown eyelets
Unlined Black Shell Cordovan Straight Tip “Boardroom” Blucher: $750
-Plaza last
-Leather outsole
-270-degree flat welt
-Black welt/sole edge
-5 blind eyelets
Unlined Color 8 Shell Cordovan Cap Toe “City Blucher”: $755 (PRE-ORDER)
-Barrie last
-Single oiled leather outsole
-270-degree flat welt
-Five blind eyelets
Unlined Snuff Suede Cap Toe “City Blucher”: $585 (PRE-ORDER)
-Barrie last
-Flex leather outsole
-270-degree flat welt
-Five blind eyelets
Black Regina Grain Plain Toe Boot: $609
-Barrie last
-Black wedge outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Black eyelets and speed hooks
-Antique edge and welt
Black Scotch Grain Wingtip Boot: $643
-Hampton last
-Commando outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Brass eyelets and speed hooks
-Antique edge and welt
Black Scotch Grain Monk Strap: $619
-Hampton last
-Commando outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Nickel buckle
-Antique edge and welt
Brown Scotch Grain Wingtip Boot: $643
-Hampton last
-Commando outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Brass eyelets and speed hooks
-Antique edge and welt
Color 8 “Wayfarer” Double Gore Slip-On: $759
-Barrie last
-Single oiled leather outsole
-360-degree flat welt
-Antique edge
Tobacco Reverse Chamois Leisure Handsewn Loafer: $599
-Van last
-Oiled flex outsole with McAffee heels
-360-degree flat welt
-Antique welt and edge
-Unlined
THE 30 ALDEN INSTAGRAMS YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST FOLLOW
Black Shell Cordovan “Irwin” V-Tip Boot: $780
-Barrie last
-Single leather sole with Thomas heel
-270-degree flat welt
-Black eyelets and speed hooks
-Black welt and sole edge
Color 8 Shell Cordovan Medallion Cap Toe “Dillon” Boot: $795
-Barrie last
-Double leather sole with dovetail heels
-360-degree flat welt
-Tonal eyelets and speed hooks
-Antique welt and edge
Loden Green Suede Plain Toe “Glenwood” Boot: $625
-Barrie last
-Commando outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Brass eyelets and speed hooks
-Antique welt and edge
Black Chromexcel “Dawson” Indy Boot: $620
-Trubalance last
-Commando outsole
-270-degree storm welt
-Black eyelets and speed hooks
-Natural welt and edge
Blue Suede “Dr. G” Indy Boot: $640
-Plaza last
-Commando outsole
-360-degree flat welt
-Brass eyelets and speed hooks
-Antique welt and edge
-Tan bark contrast moc stitching
Color 8 Shell Cordovan “Sir Walter” Wingtip Boot: $795
-Plaza last
-Double oak leather outsole
-270-degree flat welt
-Nine blind eyelets
-Mahogany welt and edge
-Full brogue on quarters and heel counters
-Trumpet medallion
Black Shell Cordovan Plain Toe “Wick” Boot: $826
-Trubalance Last
-Commando outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Nickel eyelets and speed hooks
-Black welt and edge
-Inspired by John Wick!
Color 8 Shell Cordovan Algonquin Split Toe Boot: $825
-Barrie Last
-Commando outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Tonal eyelets and speed hooks
-Antique welt and edge
-Indy stitch
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Black Shell Cordovan Algonquin Split Toe Boot: $825
-Barrie Last
-Commando outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Tonal eyelets and speed hooks
-Black welt and edge
-Indy stitch
Loden Green Suede Wingtip Boot: $610
-Modified Last
-Single oak leather outsole with Foot Balance rubber heels
-270-degree flat welt
-Eyelets and speed hooks
Snuff Suede Modified Last Indy Boot: $625
-Modified Last
-Plantation crepe outsole
-270-degree storm welt
-Eyelets and speed hooks
-Natural welt and edge
Color 8 Shell Cordovan Perforated Cap Toe Blucher: $785
-Modified Last
-Single oak leather outsole with Foot Balance rubber heels
-270-degree flat welt
-Six blind eyelets
-Antique welt and edge
Snuff Suede “PT Boot”: $625
-Barrie Last
-Commando outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Eyelets and speed hooks
-Antique welt and edge
Dark Brown Calf “PT Boot”: $625
-Barrie Last
-Commando outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Eyelets and speed hooks
-Antique welt and edge
Snuff Suede Mocc Toe Blucher: $590
-Barrie Last
-Leather outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Five blind eyelets
-Antique welt and edge
-Red laces
Color 8 Shell Cordovan Mocc Toe Blucher: $790
-Barrie Last
-Leather outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Five blind eyelets
-Antique welt and edge
Milkshake Suede Plain Toe Nassau Blucher: $589
-Barrie Last
-Waterlock leather outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Four eyelets
-Antique welt and edge
HOW EALDWINE’S MATT GRAY ASSEMBLED PERHAPS THE WORLD’S FINEST COLLECTION OF ALDEN RARE SHELL CORDOVAN BOOTS
Brown Alpine Grain Monk: $577
-Plaza Last (even though J. Crew website says Aberdeen)
-Waterlock leather outsole
-270-degree flat welt
-Antique welt and edge
Unlined White Suede Buck Dover: $565
-Barrie Last
-Single oiled leather flex outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Five blind eyelets
-Antique welt and edge
Dark Brown and Black Regina Grain “Franklin” Algonquin Saddle Blucher: $675 (Pre-Order)
-Barrie Last
-Commando outsole
-270-degree flat welt
-Five brass eyelets
-Antique welt and edge
Tan Suede “Hobson” Indy Boot: $597 (Pre-Order)
-Trubalance Last
-Heavy single oiled leather outsole
-360-degree flat welt
-Brass eyelets and speed hooks
-Antique welt and edge
-White moc stitching
Brown Alpine Grain Handsewn “Portlander II” Mocc”: $589 (Pre-Order)
-Plaza Last
-Single oiled leather outsole
-270-degree flat welt
-Antique welt and edge
-Bark tan stitching
Loden Green Suede “Casco” Tassel Loafer: $567 (Pre-Order)
-Copley Last
-Single oiled leather outsole
-360-degree flat welt
-Antique welt and edge
-Berry gold stitching
Color 8 Shell Cordovan “Widgery” Wingtip Monk: $767
-Plaza Last
-Heavy single oiled leather outsole
-270-degree reverse welt
-Silver buckle
-Antique welt and edge
Brown Horween Utica Leather “Springwater” Boot: $625
-Van Last
-Plantation crepe outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Brass eyelets and speed hooks
Dark Brown Regina Grain Indy Boot: $650
Judd Frost Clothiers (boots are not on website—call 952.473.4633)
-Trubalance Last
-Commando outsole
-360-degree storm welt
-Brass eyelets and speed hooks
-Antique welt and edge
-Berry gold moc stitching
-No Indy stitch
Reverse Earth Chamois Perforated Cap Toe Boot: $650
Judd Frost Clothiers (boots are not on website—call 952.473.4633)
-Barrie Last
-Commando outsole
-360-degree reverse welt
-Black eyelets and speed hooks
-Antique welt and edge
Black Scotch Grain Algonquin V-Tip Boot: $597
LA Rossa/LOUIE (boots are not on website—call 781.335.9631)
-Barrie Last
-Double oiled leather outsole
-270-degree flat welt
-Nine black eyelets
-Antique welt and edge
Dark Brown Regina Grain Full Strap Leisure Handsewn Loafer
Dark Brown Regina Grain Full Strap Leisure Handsewn LoaferClaymore Shop (boots are not on website—call 248.642.7755)
-Van Last
-Oiled flex outsole
-360-degree flat welt
-Bark tan handsewn thread
-Antique welt and edge
-Fully lined