Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - reviews, pictures, sizing, etc...

[mikefive9]

Can someone explain the lacing on shoes like Park Ave, Fifth Ave, etc. where they laces leave no gap at all? When wearing, is there supposed to be any gap? I basically hate mine because of the spread/gap created the higher it goes up my foot. Is this is a fit problem or just the way those types of shoes are supposed to be?

 

[elbastardocalvo]

what is wrong with the toe box? was thinking of picking up a pair myself...

VERY narrow, even in EEE width, and shaped differently than other 1 last shoes (I have the Dalton and Bayfield and they fit fine).

 

[New Shoes1]

After wearing my fifth aves yesterday, I kind of wish I had have gotten something different like the strands or rutledge. The cap just makes the entire shoe look... off. I really wish it was longer. I guess it's too late now, though.

It's not AE, but here is how I solved the issue of my dislike for the Fifth Avenue's toe cap:

 

[kmdsimpson]



Picked up the Parkway in grey, I'm pretty pleased with them:

I like them for casual wear, and the 333 last fits my wide 10.5 EEE size great. No bowing, and the heals are level on this pair, shoe lays completely flat. Looking forward to breaking them in tomorrow

I'm going to post a picture of my Seven Cerretos when I get home tonight. I just realized how similar they might be in shape....

 

[ihaveaquestion]



Hi everyone,
My Fifth Ave just came in yesterday. I tried it on without socks last night and found the front to be very tight. There is virtually no room for any socks. Albeit, I did order the size 9B though.
My Clifton is size 8.5D, and it fits me fine. The Nordstrom staff measured my foot at 9.5...and when I said I wanted to go with 8.5 he was against it. But it fits fine. However, my Fifth Ave, which I don't have the luxury of trying it in store, doesn't fit me very well in terms of width.
My question is how much will the width widen as I wear them more often? Only certain sizes are on sale now. My other option is 8.5E or 8.5EEE, which should I go with? I feel the length on 9B is just fine.
Btw, please correct me if I am wrong. But I believe the Clifton is on the 2 last and Fifth Ave is on the 5 last.

Please do help. Thanks!

 

[Winston S.]



Can someone explain the lacing on shoes like Park Ave, Fifth Ave, etc. where they laces leave no gap at all? When wearing, is there supposed to be any gap? I basically hate mine because of the spread/gap created the higher it goes up my foot. Is this is a fit problem or just the way those types of shoes are supposed to be?

If it fits correctly, there should be no gap some say.

 

[kmdsimpson]



Looking for suggestions on my first pair of non-seconded AE's.

I am specifically looking for a pair of casual loafers that can be paired w/ chinos or wool trousers + a dress shirt. I'm hoping to buy something that is on sale 
during this rediscovering america sale.

I was thinking about one of the following =
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF4906_1_40000000001_-1
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF42470_1_40000000001_-1
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF44000_1_40000000001_-1
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF44233_1_40000000001_-1

one thing to note is that these three loafers use different construction, and will therefore fit differently. The Patriot is a welted shoe, while the other two are their "handsewn" shoes, albeit on differing last (plus I think Kenwood is made in the Dominican Republic).

I went into a store a while ago and tried on basically every loafer they had in stock. I was quite surprised to find that the handsewn shoes were the LEAST comfortable, at least for my foot. I ended up with the Verona, which is the Italy-made shoe that is Bologna construction; sort of in between welted and handsewn. There is something funny about AE's handsewn shoes; I'd suggest trying them on before buying.

 

[Doctor Damage]



I went into a store a while ago and tried on basically every loafer they had in stock. I was quite surprised to find that the handsewn shoes were the LEAST comfortable, at least for my foot. I ended up with the Verona, which is the Italy-made shoe that is Bologna construction; sort of in between welted and handsewn. There is something funny about AE's handsewn shoes; I'd suggest trying them on before buying.

I often think the Verona was designed for my feet given how well they fit. I regretably have only one pair of the brown, which has been discontinued.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Can someone explain the lacing on shoes like Park Ave, Fifth Ave, etc. where they laces leave no gap at all? When wearing, is there supposed to be any gap? I basically hate mine because of the spread/gap created the higher it goes up my foot. Is this is a fit problem or just the way those types of shoes are supposed to be?

If it fits correctly, there should be no gap some say.

That's the theory, but I've found that over time shoes will stretch and loosen up and a gap in the lacing allows them to be tightened up to compensate.

 

[New Shoes1]

That's the theory, but I've found that over time shoes will stretch and loosen up and a gap in the lacing allows them to be tightened up to compensate.

+1. I have a new pair of shoes with no gap, and I have some concern that they may stretch beyond my ability to tighten them.

I'm also experimenting with another pair to see how much they really will stretch.

 

[remind]

Posting regarding my experience with AE's amazing customer service:

- 1.5 years ago, I got sized for my first pair of AEs, Park Avenues in dark brown. The sales associate told me I was 10.5 EE and I bought the PAs in that size.
- I got the PAs, wore them for 6 months and really could never get used to the feel.
- Got sized 8 months after buying the PAs for a pair of Strands, and I found out my size was actually 9.5 E!
- I got my Strands after a while, then figured out that 9.5 E is the right size on the 5-last.
- This was now almost a full year after I got the PAs, and they were not new by any standards. I email customer service about what happened, and they told me to send in the Park Avenues.
- New pair of dark brown Park Avenues in 9.5 E on my doorstep after 2 weeks.

Amazed. Customer for life.

 

[amathew]

Posting regarding my experience with AE's amazing customer service:

- 1.5 years ago, I got sized for my first pair of AEs, Park Avenues in dark brown. The sales associate told me I was 10.5 EE and I bought the PAs in that size.
- I got the PAs, wore them for 6 months and really could never get used to the feel.
- Got sized 8 months after buying the PAs for a pair of Strands, and I found out my size was actually 9.5 E!
- I got my Strands after a while, then figured out that 9.5 E is the right size on the 5-last.
- This was now almost a full year after I got the PAs, and they were not new by any standards. I email customer service about what happened, and they told me to send in the Park Avenues.
- New pair of dark brown Park Avenues in 9.5 E on my doorstep after 2 weeks.

Amazed. Customer for life.

Wow!

 

[OptoDoc]

I am a big fan of the Hale... have them in black, chili, and walnut. I think the brogueing gives them a little more heft an their PA counter parts.
If you have a Nordstrom Rack store nearby, see if they have them... that is where I picked mine up and they were around ~$200 per pair.

Sadly, the closest Nordstrom Rack to me is 570 miles away in St. Louis.

 

[hohneokc]



Can someone explain the lacing on shoes like Park Ave, Fifth Ave, etc. where they laces leave no gap at all? When wearing, is there supposed to be any gap? I basically hate mine because of the spread/gap created the higher it goes up my foot. Is this is a fit problem or just the way those types of shoes are supposed to be?

I have a high instep and none of my shoes completely close at the laces. Not a problem for me as long as the gap isn't too big.

Here is a picture from one of the AE catalogs and there is a gap. I'm guessing they wouldn't feature it in the catalog if it wasn't OK.

Chris

 

[OldManMachine]

After wearing my fifth aves yesterday, I kind of wish I had have gotten something different like the strands or rutledge. The cap just makes the entire shoe look... off. I really wish it was longer. I guess it's too late now, though.

@ jch1 - What is it with the 5th avenue cap that you don't like? I'm planning to purchase my first quality shoe and was hoping to go with the 5th avenues. Please chime in with your thoughts and experience. Are you implying that they look short and stumpy?

It's not AE, but here is how I solved the issue of my dislike for the Fifth Avenue's toe cap:

@ New Shoes1 - what is it that you solved in the photo? I'm a shoe noob, so not quite sure what it was that you did.