NEW ARRIVAL: ALDEN FOR BLACKBIRD WING TIP BLUCHER OXFORD IN BLACK

The Wing Tip Oxford, perhaps more than any other shoe, provides style and versatility to any outfit. They are an automatic exclamation mark to any sartorial sentence a man can create with his clothing. You can wear them with jeans, chinos, or dress slacks. Some of us can wear them with shorts and I know this Russian guy who can wear them with Adidas track pants. Point being that anyone can wear a pair of oxfords and suddenly stand out in a crowd for having a modicum of decorum.

Designed by Blackbird in collaboration with Alden of New England, makers of fine hand-crafted boots and shoes since 1884, are our newest Alden collaboration, the wing tip blucher oxford in black calfskin. A brand and style that will make you forget about whatever it was you were wearing before. Perfect for any outfit and any occasion. We bring these to you in the most versatile color of all: black. Our namesake color for your foot's sake. Can we get an Amen?

ALDEN - WING TIP BLUCHER OXFORD

in black

STYLE: Perforated short wing blucher. LAST: Barrie. UPPER: Burnished black calf leather. OUTSOLE: Extremely durable, water resistant double waterlock outsole. INSOLE: Vegetable tanned leather insoles with the 'Made Expressly For Blackbird' heel pod. MID-SOLE: Cork midsole with steel shank for long-lasting strength and support. LACING: Cordohyde laces through matching agatine eyelets. WELT: Matching reverse Goodyear leather welt. LINING: Fully leather lined. SIZING: These shoes run large. We recommend sizing down half a size.

Sizes available in D widths only: 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12
$510
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Handmade shoes from Alden take a long time to produce so there is not always inventory readily available. If the size, width or style you are interested in is currently out of stock, or you have questions about fit, please contact us at info@blackbirdballard.com where the we will quickly answer your questions and do everything in our power to get them for you.

INTRODUCING: ALDEN FOR BLACKBIRD CHEMIST BOOT

The Chemist Boot balances dress style and work performance like no other boot. Why? We don't know, really. It could be the black shell cordovan leather, creating a look and feel of a lab technician's go to shoe with a slight suggestion of a punk rock monkey boot. It could be the natural gum rubber crepe sole which is at home on hospital linoleum or dive bar dance floor. The black threaded hand-stitched moc toe might make this the bastard step child of the Indy Boot. But when it is added to the aforementioned components, an entirely new pedigree is established and a truly independent statement is made, not unlike Beethoven drunk on a B-3 Hammond.

We limited the Chemist Boot to 18 pairs. You will be hard pressed to find a boot with as much comfort, durability, and singularity as this. Like our Alden for Blackbird custom Foss Tugger and Christopherson's Creamery boot styles, we aren't messing about here. Collectibility, longevity, craftsmanship, class and non-conformity. There is the status quo and there is one of a kind. Given the choice, which would you prefer?

ALDEN - CHEMIST BOOT
in black
DETAILS: STYLE: High-top blucher boot with a moc toe. LAST: Barrie. UPPER: Horween black shell cordovan leather. OUTSOLE: Natural plantation crepe outsoles with fitted leather tip. INSOLE: vegetable tanned leather with the "Made Expressly for Blackbird" heel pod. MID-SOLE: Cork with steel shank for long-lasting strength and support. LACING: 9 no-show blind eyelets with black flat waxed laces. WELT: Single Goodyear leather welt construction with black finish. LINING: Fully leather lined.

SIZING: these shoes run large. We recommend sizing down half a size. If you don't see the size you're looking for, please contact info@blackbirdballard.com for assistance.

7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 11
$695
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RE-CAP: ALDEN DAY AT BLACKBIRD PORTLAND

A big thanks to the over 1,700 Blackbird customers took part in our recent Alden survey. We discovered a serious haul of data as a result and it's nice to know we aren't the only Alden geeks in the world.

From the Alden heads with a closet full of them to the initiates planning their first investment, we're all just a bunch of weirdos that dig Alden shoes in a major way.

When we notified our survey winner, Tommy Harden of Portland, OR, that he had won, his response was exactly what we wanted to hear: “HOLY SHIT!" We knew Tommy was as excited as we were about all this so we threw all our Aldens in a U-Haul van and tore ass down to Portland to meet him in person.

Tommy arrived just as our Stumptown buzzes were kicking in. He works close by at Wieden+Kennedy as a film editor and recently won an Emmy for his work on a Chrysler commercial about Detroit featuring Eminem that was featured during Super Bowl XLV. Watch and dig:

Tommy is also a painter, is building a home studio, lives in SE Portland and provided us with a snapshot of a recent piece he's been working on (see below). He prefers boots to shoes and recently acquired a pair of Wolverine 1000 Mile boots though an Alden purchase had been simmering on the backburner.

After some close scrutiny and multiple try-ons of different styles, Tommy opted for the Hauff’s Department Store boot and was thrilled at the comfort, fit, and “any occasion” style. The black Regina calfskin grain leather, the perforated straight tip cap toe, the high blucher style boot, the pull tab, not to mention the vintage ERCO heel design, all add up to a classic dress/work boot combination.

We asked Tommy what led him to seek out a pair of Aldens and what he told us was as well put as it gets: "I used to be a bit of a punk who enjoyed giving the finger to anything you might consider 'traditional.' At a certain point I realized the immaturity of that, and rejected originality in favor of quality and integrity. Where that finally brought me, and how I see it now, is not that originality and quality are opposed to one another, but that the effort to create something of true quality, if taken to its fullest extent, will always result in something that feels original and true to itself. Even if the techniques and concepts it took you to get there aren't new, what you end up with will feel new. So in a sense that's what Aldens represent to me: an extraordinary amount of traditional craftsmanship resulting in something that feels strongly unique unto itself."

Thanks again Tommy, and thank you again to all of you.

Check out the originality and quality of Alden for yourself, here. 

TOMORROW AT BLACKBIRD PORTLAND : ALDEN DAY!

We sent out the Alden Survey Contest a few weeks ago, and the responses from all of you were phenomenal! We are working on improving not only our selection of Alden and the regularity of them being available, but also our knowledge of our Alden friends and co-enthusiasts. The survey you took part in has been a tremendous help to these ends and you and everyone else who participated deserve a big thanks!

Our winner, Tommy Harden of Portland, OR was of course excited to hear that he had won $500 towards his next pair of Alden shoes. Once again Portland you have shined a light on us and we are ever appreciative.

The Blackbird team will be heading down to Portland this Saturday, Oct 22nd to present Tommy with his gift. We will also be at the store from 10am - 12pm with our entire Alden stock for you to come in, try things on, and for us to meet with you - our Portland customers who we have been hearing so many great things about. Please, come by and say hello!

Blackbird Portland

1306 W. Burnside

Portland, OR 97209

503.227.1825

www.blackbirdballard.com

AND THE WINNER IS: ALDEN SURVEY CONTEST

We sent out the Alden Survey Contest a few weeks ago, and the responses from all of you were phenomenal! We are working on improving not only our selection of Alden and the regularity of them being available, but also our knowledge of our Alden friends and co-enthusiasts. The survey you took part in has been a tremendous help to these ends and you and everyone else who participated deserve a big thanks!

Our winner, Tommy Harden of Portland, OR was of course excited to hear that he had won $500 towards his next pair of Alden shoes. Once again Portland you have shined a light on us and we are ever appreciative.

The Blackbird team will be heading down to Portland this Saturday, Oct 22nd to present Tommy with his gift. We will also be at the store from 10am - 12pm with our entire Alden stock for you to come in, try things on, and for us to meet with you - our Portland customers who we have been hearing so many great things about. Please, come by and say hello!

Blackbird Portland

1306 W. Burnside

Portland, OR 97209

503.227.1825

www.blackbirdballard.com

NEW ARRIVAL: ALDEN by BLACKBIRD HAUFF'S DEPARTMENT STORE BOOT

Hauff's Department Store, Ballard

The Hauff's Department Store Boot was designed by Blackbird in collaboration with Alden of New England, makers of custom boots since 1884. These boots are inspired by our love of early 20th century gentleman's attire. Every man needed a sturdy pair of dress boots like these to act as the workhorse of his wardrobe. The name of the boot comes from the idea that back-in-the-day you have might have found this boot for sale at Ballard's first department store, Hauff's, which was originally located on Ballard Ave (between 1913 to 1918) and then moved to the the ground floor of the Ballard Building on Market Street where Blackbird's corporate offices now reside. If you are looking for a tough, comfortable, and versatile boot to work into your wardrobe, look no further.

Alden - Hauff's Department Store Boot II

STYLE: High-top blucher boot with a perforated straight tip cap toe and leather , LAST: Barrie, UPPER: Black Regina calfskin grain leather, OUTSOLE: Double Waterloc which is water resistant and extremely durable, INSOLE: vegetable tanned leather with the "Made expressly for Blackbird" heel pod, MID-SOLE: Cork with steel shank for long-lasting strength and support, LACING: 9 no-show blind eyelets with black flat waxed laces, WELT: Single Goodyear leather welt construction with black finish, LINING: Fully leather lined. SIZING: these shoes run large. 

We recommend sizing down half a size. If you don't see the size you're looking for, please contact info@blackbirdballard.com for assistance.

 sizes: 5.5D, 6D, 6.5D, 7D, 7.5D. 7.5D, 8D, 8.5D, 9D, 9.5D, 10D, 10.5D and 11D

$498

Call 1-866-500-2524 or email info@blackbirdballard.com for inquiries or to place your order.  Supplies are limited

ALDEN EXPERTS, WIN $500 TOWARDS A NEW PAIR OF ALDEN SHOES !

WIN $500 TOWARDS A PAIR OF ALDEN SHOES

Are you an expert or fan of Alden shoes ? We are calling on you to tell us what you love about Alden shoes. With this short and fun survey you will not only be entered to win $500 towards a brand new pair of your choice, but will also be helping us to serve you better. 

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY

NEW ARRIVAL - ALDEN HAYBURNER SADDLE OXFORD IN BLACK AND CORDOVAN

Designed by Blackbird in collaboration with Alden of New England, custom bootmakers since 1884, this series of saddle shoes (also including the Leschi Picnic Saddle Shoe) was inspired by Seattle historical figure, Frank Osgood and his horse drawn and electrical streetcars. His contributions helped Seattle become a more modernized city and dramatically changed its street culture, helping Seattle's working man keep his shoes clean on his daily way through town and making his gal's Sunday afternoon picnics at Lake Washington as easy as hopping on a trolley.

The Hayburner, named after the horses who pulled Seattle's earliest streetcars, features contrasting cordovan and Alpine pebble grain in black and deep oxblood, smart brass eyelets, and the classic saddle shoe shape that's adorned the feet of summertime dandies for decades.

1884 - Frank Osgood, widely known as the father of Seattle's public-transportation system, begins operating a horse-drawn trolley on Sept. 23. Passengers pay a nickel for a trip along steel tracks, laid in the mud of Second Avenue.

1887 - Osgood's horses — known also as "hayburners" — have trouble with Seattle's hills, so cars pulled by cables beneath the street are introduced. The Lake Washington Cable Railway, linking Leschi and Pioneer Square, is especially popular in the summer, when people ride along Yesler Way or Madison Street for a picnic at the lake.

1889 - Osgood unveils Seattle's first electric streetcar, despite fears that the line would magnetize pocket watches and shock horses with stray bolts of electricity. On the first run, a car stalls, forcing passengers to push it to the end of the line.

Within days, horse-drawn trolleys are phased out, making Seattle the first West Coast city to offer fully electric streetcar service.

ALDEN - HAYBURNER SADDLE OXFORD

in black/cordovan

DETAILS: Saddle Oxford LAST: Barrie UPPER: black alpine premium leather and color #8 Horween cordovan OUTSOLE: black, single thickness INSOLE: vegetable tanned leather insoles with the "Made expressly for Blackbird" heel pod MID-SOLE: cork midsole with steel shank for long-lasting strength and support LACING: round Cordohyde lacing through six pairs of brass agatine eyelets WELT: high quality matching Goodyear leather single welt construction LINING: fully leather lined.

SIZING: These shoes run large. We recommend sizing down half a size. If you don't see the size you're looking for, please contact us for assistance

$540

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SOME FALL/WINTER 2011 SELECTIONS FROM RICK

Blackbird sales guy and Alden guru shared with me some of his favorite items that we have in the store right now. Check it out!

Not all of these items are available yet via BlackbirdBallard.com. If you see an item you are interested in but do not see it online, please send us over an e-mail or give us a call (1-866-500-2524).

Our Legacy - 1940s Buttondown Shirt in rinse wash
Hope - Deck Trouser in khaki-green
Alden for Blackbird - Foss Tugger Work Boot in earth reverse (shop)


Robert Geller - Dieter L/S Shirt in Army Green (shop)
Hope - Beuys Trouser in black
Alden for Blackbird - Summer Oxford in reverse tobacco chamois (shop)

NEW ARRIVAL - ALDEN FOR BLACKBIRD CHRISTOPHERSON'S CREAMERY BOOT IN 8 CORDOVAN

Designed by Blackbird in collaboration with Alden of New England, makers of custom boots since 1884. The Christopherson's Creamery Milkman Boot was inspired by the shiny simple uniform boots that so many delivery drivers wore back in day when milk and groceries were delivered. Christopherson's Creamery was a local Ballard dairy shop on Market Street, just around the corner from where Blackbird is today. We're expecting to see this become your favorite boot - the one that you'll wear with everything, doing anything for the next 20 to 50 years.

ABOUT ALDEN'S SHELL CORDOVAN LEATHER:

Using the centuries-old method of pure vegetable tannage and hand finishing, the single tannery still producing genuine shell cordovan today is indeed practicing a rare art. The tanning process takes a full six months to complete and produces leather that is soft and supple, yet very durable. Alden's classic patterns take on a unique character when made from genuine shell cordovan.

By virtue of their long experience, Alden stands as the acknowledged master in working and finishing this special leather into extraordinary footwear. The crafting of shoes from shell cordovan recalls, indeed depends on, shoemaking of the old school. The special qualities of the leather are elusive, unresponsive to high volume production methods. Cordovan demands the measured pace of hand shoemaking and patient finishing, responding to such careful work with unmatched luster.

ALDEN - CHRISTOPHERSON'S CREAMERY BOOT

in 8 Cordovan

STYLE: Navy Blucher High Boot - plain toe - perforated quarter detailing at the ankle, LAST: Barrie, UPPER: Alden's #8 brown shell cordovan (for details, scroll to the bottom), OUTSOLE: rubber Commando outsole for grip and durability, INSOLE: leather with the "Made expressly for Blackbird" heel pod, MID-SOLE: cork midsole with steel shank for long-lasting strength and support, LACING: flat waxed lacing through black agatine and hook eyelets, WELT: high quality Goodyear leather storm welt construction. LINING: fully leather lined. Note: these shoes run large. We recommend sizing down half a size.

$679

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Over time, the patina in Alden's genuine shell cordovan shoes will only improve, deepening with each polishing and showing to full advantage the especially rich character of the leather. As durable and comfortable to wear as they are beautiful to look at, genuine shell cordovan shoes truly are Alden's masterworks.

Handmade shoes from Alden take a long time to produce so there is not always inventory readily available. If the size, width or style you are interested in is currently out of stock, or you have questions about fit, please contact us at info@blackbirdballard.com where the Blackbird crew will quickly answer your questions and do everything in their power to get them for you.

shop all Alden's

BACK IN BLACK - ALDEN FOR BLACKBIRD SUEDE SUMMER OXFORD IN TAN

Since it’s inception in 1884, Alden of New England has existed as a pinnacle to the shoe connoisseur in all of us. And it is with this in mind that we bring you our most recent batch of Alden for Blackbird collaboration shoes.

Each shoe is hand made with Horween leather in an all-natural, special recipe tanning process that can take up to 6 months. After this process is complete, each pair of shoes are hand made and take another six weeks to produce. Such intensive attention to quality and excellence is what makes Aldens stand out from the rest and what make them so highly sought after the world over.

Charles H. Alden started his shoe company like so many others in the last two decades of the 1800’s as the shoe industry exploded, with the help of the railroad and steam engine shipping, into the south and western regions of the country. Most of the companies who remained in New England after WWII could not compete in the demanding post-war economy. Yet Alden prospered by relying not on lower quality mass-markets but on high quality dress shoes.

Alden is now the sole (no pun intended) New England shoe and bootmaker remaining of the hundreds who began in the late 1800’s. It is still a family owned business and continues to maintain a tradition of quality hand-crafted and genuine-welted shoemaking that is second to none.

The Tan Summer Oxford. These sand-hued shoes stamp any outfit with a stylish, in-the-know swagger, whether in summer, spring, or even early fall.

ALDEN - SUEDE SUMMER OXFORD 

in tan

DETAILS: The brother to Alden's famous unlined 1490's series, this semicasual oxford is fondly referred to as "Alden's summer sneaker." Distributed exclusively between only a handful of Alden accounts and featuring each retailer's custom heel pod (ours features the Blackbird logo and the words "Made expressly for Blackbird" in gold lettering), these slim line summer oxfords are tailor made for wear with a summer weight suit, slacks, or your slouchy rolled chinos and worn in denim. Featuring an unlined leather upper for ultimate wearability with or without socks and Alden's Flex water resistant outsole (Unexpected spring rain? So?), they'll keep you crazy comfortable on your feet and looking sharp all season long.

STYLE: Plain Toe Oxford, LAST: Barrie, UPPER: premium unlined tan suede calfskin, OUTSOLE: Flex single waterlock water resistant outsole with dressy McAfee heel, INSOLE: Flex vegetable tanned leather insoles with the "Made expressly for Blackbird" heel pod, MID-SOLE: cork midsole with steel shank for long-lasting strength and support, LACING: round cotton lacing through five pairs of blind eyelets, WELT: high quality light antique finish Goodyear leather reverse welt construction, LINING: unlined for summer comfort.

SIZING: These shoes run large. We recommend sizing down half a size.

Handmade shoes from Alden take a long time to produce so there is not always inventory readily available. If the size, width or style you are interested in is currently out of stock, or you have questions about fit, please contact us at info@blackbirdballard.com where the Blackbird crew will quickly answer your questions and do everything in their power to get them for you.

$440

shop

shop all Alden

INTRODUCING - ALDEN FOR BLACKBIRD SUMMER OXFORD IN REVERSE TOBACCO CHAMOIS

The Alden for Blackbird Summer Oxford in Reverse Tobacco Chamois makes its debut and combines the untouchable cool of Blackbird fan favorite, The Summer Oxford in Tan Suede with another best seller of ours, the Ranger Moc Blucher oxford. The result is a master work of rugged class and extreme personal signature with a patina that develops brighter and darker highlights as the vegetable oils of the Horween leather move around with usage.

Since it’s inception in 1884, Alden of New England has existed as a pinnacle to the shoe connoisseur in all of us. And it is with this in mind that we bring you our most recent batch of Alden for Blackbird collaboration shoes.

Each shoe is hand made with Horween leather in an all-natural, special recipe tanning process that can take up to 6 months. After this process is complete, each pair of shoes are hand made and take another six weeks to produce. Such intensive attention to quality and excellence is what makes Aldens stand out from the rest and what make them so highly sought after the world over.

Charles H. Alden started his shoe company like so many others in the last two decades of the 1800’s as the shoe industry exploded, with the help of the railroad and steam engine shipping, into the south and western regions of the country. Most of the companies who remained in New England after WWII could not compete in the demanding post-war economy. Yet Alden prospered by relying not on lower quality mass-markets but on high quality dress shoes.

Alden is now the sole (no pun intended) New England shoe and bootmaker remaining of the hundreds who began in the late 1800’s. It is still a family owned business and continues to maintain a tradition of quality hand-crafted and genuine-welted shoemaking that is second to none.

ALDEN - SUMMER OXFORD

in reverse tobacco chamois

$460

shop

Alden fans know that our Blackbird custom make-up models are hard to come by. Be sure to secure a pair of our special Blackbird exclusively designed shoes or boots before they sell out. For more information, please email info@blackbirdballard.com or visit our stores in Ballard, WA and Portland, OR where you can properly be fitted.