Alden

According to a 1914 news item in the Ellensburgh (Washington) Capital, nearly half of the world's shoes and boots were then made in Massachusetts, in the northeastern United States. Taken another way, that's almost enough for everyone on earth (everyone wearing shoes, anyway) to be wearing one shoe built in Massachusetts. In the century since, a lot has changed. Couple of wars; the Ellensburgh Capital ceased printing in 1947; and the number of shoe makers in the U.S. has dwindled to but a few. Lucky that those that survive do such a bangup job. Alden Shoes has been in business since 1884, and still makes a quality shoe in Middleborough, Massachusetts. But even 116 years of shoemaking tradition wouldn't mean too much if the shoes weren't so damn handsome.

If you appreciate the classic sweep of broguing reaching from an oxford's toe to the heel counter, Alden's longwing is the ideal example. The Alden chukka is a post-mod desert boot that's as wearable with smart trousers and a jacket as it is with a pair of worn in fatigue pants and a t-shirt. Alden cordovan pennyloafers are the ironclad standard of casual Ivy wear. These designs may be old standards, but seem as relevant as ever today, when fashion often looks forward by looking back.

Alden has outlasted other makers by sticking to quality standards, too. Alden uses high-grade leathers, including Horween shell cordovan (you may have called something "tough as leather"? Well shell cordovan is tougher), and a Goodyear welt to construct their shoes. All are made in the U.S.A. by Alden's skilled workers. When you're looking down and admiring the timeless shape of an Alden-lasted shoe on your foot, look back, too.