That was the subject line of the email I received from my very good client and serious shoe enthusiast Mr. Hythe.
The email:
I was looking at a picture of whiskey Alden NHS (Norwegian Hand Sewn) and I was thinking to myself: you know what? This shoe is pretty much as good as the Dover. The Brits can take their pig thistles and shove them! Besides, Alden is American and I can get shell cordovan and the price is much better.
So I took it to myself to find pictures of Dover’s and PROVE that there is no meaningful difference, that it was just a subjective difference in opinion and perhaps even Anglophilia run wild that overrates the Dover.
Then I started looking at the Dover pictures.
Then I said to myself: you know, maybe comparing the 606, 808 and 82 to the Alden Barrie or Aberdeen just isn’t quite apples to apples. Maybe I should only compare the Alden’s to the 202. So I only started looking at 202 Dover’s.
Then I got a sick feeling in my stomach that I’d just wasted half an hour of my time on a truly pointless exercise. Then I took my Aberdeen-lasted color #8s and put them in my closet. They probably won’t be uncovered until after the next ice age.
Alden Norwegian Hand Sewn Blucher
Edward Green Dover Derby
And you thought they were just something to protect your feet.
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8 Comments
Once you go green you never go back !
Gui,
Well said,
Steven
Amazing timing. I was just visiting The Shoe Mart in Norwalk a couple of weeks ago, and tried on a beautiful Alden NST in Cigar Shell. I was very close to making the purchase, when, to my salesman’s chagrin, I got it in my head that what I really want is the Dover. During the drive home, I couldn’t help but question my sanity over passing up such a nice Alden for the Dover at nearly twice the price. And I can’t even find the Dover in my size in stock anywhere. I did pick up a nice pair of Alden boat shoes which will get a lot of weekend use this Summer. As for an NST blucher, it seems I’ve contracted EG disease but good.
Hi Sal,
They say timing is everything. I think your time has come to place an order for a pair of Dover’s. We’ve had EG’s made in Whiskey shell cordovan in the past…..
Steven
Talking about insanity, i had a dream involving a pair of Shannon on last 82 in dark oak calf and tobacco suede… so erotic !!!
Brilliant exercise. But, I like them both.
I have a pair of Shannon 82s in dark oak scotch grain with tobacco suede with the ridgway soul. You should pick some up. Times a wasting. August factory closure and all. You’ll be lucky to have them by December. Better get on it.
I’m sure Steven can help you out!!!
James thank, LOL yes Gui I can definitely help you with an order for a pair of those bad boys. As luck would have it the EG factory reopens on Monday. Deliveries will most likely resume for November.
Steven