Alden Shoe Company
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| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Apparel |
| Founded | 1884 |
| Founder(s) | Charles H. Alden |
The Alden Shoe Company is a shoe company founded in 1884 by Charles H. Alden in Middleborough, Massachusetts.[1] Aldens specializes in handcrafted mens leather boots and dress shoes, such as Oxfords, Blüchers, loafers, and Chukka boots.
In the 19th century, there were once hundreds of shoemakers in New England, but now Alden is the last in the region, and is considered a heritage, family-owned brand.[1] [2] Many of the company's roughly 100 workers at its factory in Middleborough are second or third generation,[1] and it sources its leathers mostly to small tanneries in Europe and the U.S. – its shell cordovan comes from the last such tannery in America.[2]
Along with other brands of Americana,[3] Alden has experienced something of a resurgence in 21st century mens fashion.[4] Despite a recession in the late-2000s and the relatively high prices of their products, Alden has grown again because of a renewed interest in more traditional mens shoes and boots, which can last decades.[1] It is this reliance on high-end shoes, especially by those interested in business attire, that has allowed the company to avoid going under despite the decline of American shoe manufacturing.
In popular culture, Alden model 405 boots (commonly referred to as the Alden "Indy" boot) were the shoe of choice for Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones character in the film versions of the franchise.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d "At Their Feet, Crafted by Hand". The New York Times. April 20, 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/fashion/21SHOES.html.
- ^ a b "All-American Team". Forbes. September 15, 2008. http://www.forbes.com/forbes-life-magazine/2008/0915/104.html.
- ^ "Authentic Americana". Newsweek. January 31, 2009. http://www.newsweek.com/2009/01/30/authentic-americana.html.
- ^ "A Belt, a Brief, and a Man’s Heart Skips a Beat". The New York Times. September 9, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/fashion/10CODES.html.
- ^ "The Boots of Indiana Jones". indygear.com. http://www.indygear.com/igboots.html. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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