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@EdwardZ
With Alden you can't guess sizing as the shoes sizing is not just the length and their 2 widths (Alden are sized also with heel width) but also the last. Some lasts are longer (the Barrie for example over the Plaza) and some shorter. Some lasts with same nominal widths seem to fit tighter, resp. looser than others. The only way to size the shoes is Last and length, width/width. Once you know what last and size is good one can order them again as they tend to be resonably consistent but its a crap shot without trial. Here one probably needs the assistance of a good well stocked shop as most people tend to not know how to size shoes and end up with shoes that are too short and too wide. The greatest problem these days in Europe is that most shops don't carry a wide enough selection of the shoes and tend to stock them mainly in popular widths effectively meaning that they fit almost nobody correctly.
Lastly, properly fitted shoes don't need to "break in" to fit. If they don't fit at the shop they just don't fit so when you go to the shop take a few hours and your socks with you...