AE Strand or McAllister? - Page 3

I have to agree here and withmixedmajik. It's one thing to hop on the coattails of a friends and family discount, or borrow your buddy's 30% off at Gap code. But when you're talking about trying to get a discount reserved for people who put their lives in danger to support their country, that's a whole other level and would rumple a lot of feathers.

Anyway, if you're in Europe, consider Meermin at 160 Euro.

Since that one question raised so much concern and not at all important, I deleted that section. I honestly just want opinion on which shoes to buy. Strand or McAllister, given my modest current collection :)

 

mixedmajik, thanks for your comment! I understand the fact that a burgundy is versatile, but for one reason or another, I don't see myself wearing it 'yet'. I dunno why, but for me it's more a shoe colour I'd start wearing when I'm in my mid 30s. Maybe I should change that 'attitude' and buy myself a pair of burgundy oxfords in the next couple of years. Just want to add some more shoes to my rotation to spare each pair a little so I can enjoy my entire collection a little longer.

Fair enough with the burgundy. Don't force it until you really want it for sure, thats something I still to learn with my impulsivity sometimes. Applaud you for that. Seriously though...its really hard to break down strand vs mcallister...just so hard because they're both so good...that said...I just lean slightly more to the walnut strand since its a slightly more established shoe from the AE brand than the McAl....but using the same reasoning the McAl is less commonly seen than the strand so it depends on your value on classic+wellknown vs classic+unique. Also...the strand I think is slightly more versatile since the broguing is enough to make it possible for casual but not excessive so you can still dress it up also. McCall has some more broguing that can be seen as a little distracting in the context of a whole outfit (people staring at your feet) and it also not as easy to dress up in more upper end business casual and business dress.

If someone is in Europe, buying AEs and Aldens are poor value for money, especially when duties and shipping are taken into account.

What about canada? We get docked crazy shipping customs too sometimes but unlike europe that have alternative brands i dont think canada does...am i SoL?

Though I don't support exploiting discounts put in place for a group of which one is not a member, I don't think you can make an argument that those who served in Iraq or attacked Libya put their lives in danger to support/defend their country - yet they are still eligible for the discount.

Also, IMO, more than a way to thank them, these military discounts are a way to get regular civilians to buy their products as people are often patriotic and would support a company that offers such discounts to military members. Silly rationale but hey, it works.

If you live near the border, consider having things shipped to an American depot and just pick it up the next time you head into the US.

CBI USA for Ontario residents at $6 a package is one that I have had good experiences with.

Second, consider buying from Ebay. It is much less likely that you'll be docked taxes or duties so long as you use USPS.

It's just so hard to hear people talk about AE everywhere on the internet but not being able to buy them at a decent price. I don't think we have anything comparable here in EU. At least not for ~200EUR

Trust me man i know. I've been trying to ask what i can buy since im on a student busget and cant afford AE and everyone responds still by saying buy AE lol

Exactly :) The next time I'm in the US, I know what to buy :) It's just not worth paying 450USD in Europe for these shoes if you can buy them (in sales) for 200USD in the US...