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

[Jigg]

Thanks--that's what I'm worried about but I already ordered the same size. Will probably end up trading for a half size down.

I just got my 1/2 size down Patriots (Burgundy) and I can't get my foot in the left shoe!
Back to the drawing board.

 

[random-adam]



Think I'm going to have to pick up a pair of Leeds in black shell now to replace my black calf Leeds.

Black shell Leeds were what got me started with shell cordovan. I never thought I'd like a black pair of shoes as much as I like those.

Your Dundees look marvelous!

 

[kentyman]

Guys, which color are you using to polish your new Bourbon color shoes (Amsterdam, strand, etc)?

I picked up some of their closeout Bourbon polish when I first ordered them back in September. I'm assume their new Bourbon color is very similar to their old stuff, if not the same. It's possible they'll be adding Bourbon to their non-closeout polish, but I'm not sure. I'd recommend buying some in case they are out for a while.

 

[g.michael]



I just got my 1/2 size down Patriots (Burgundy) and I can't get my foot in the left shoe!
Back to the drawing board.

I'm sorry to hear that! It's always a gamble going sight unseen with a new last. One of the reviewers on the AE site says he should have gone a half size over his normal size!

 

[SloopyNoob]

I picked up some of their closeout Bourbon polish when I first ordered them back in September. I'm assume their new Bourbon color is very similar to their old stuff, if not the same. It's possible they'll be adding Bourbon to their non-closeout polish, but I'm not sure. I'd recommend buying some in case they are out for a while.

I think the bourbon color they had is quite different to this new one.

 

[Winston S.]



My current shoes:
1. Park Avenue black
2. Clifton burgundy
Future shoes on my wish list:
3. Patriot loafer burgundy
4. Del ray brown
5. Patriot loafer brown
6. Jefferson brown or Mcallister bourbon if it becomes available
7. Don't really want but will probably add anyways Strand walnut
Then I'm done.

You should consider some shell.

 

[bucksfan]

Quote:

When the others come in I will post pictures in natural lighting. This getting dark so late in the morning and early at night is going to take awhile to adjust for.

Very nice -
still contemplating those brown Dundees. Thanks for the kind words, I am very happy with the new Leeds. And, my Black shell Leeds are doing very well too, if your calf are ready to go, get some shell - they are great.

Quote:
We've all said that... I originally said that after my 5th pair of AE dress shoes. That was quite a few shoes ago. I'm currently contemplating which 3 more shoes I should order during the sales of the season. (and I have a very modest collection compared to some on here).

I agree with Winston - before you are done, you need some shell!

 

[spitshine123]

I picked up some of their closeout Bourbon polish when I first ordered them back in September. I'm assume their new Bourbon color is very similar to their old stuff, if not the same. It's possible they'll be adding Bourbon to their non-closeout polish, but I'm not sure. I'd recommend buying some in case they are out for a while.

I reached out to customer service about this because I wanted to do the same thing. Customer Service rep said that the 2 shades are different

 

[clarksdb]



You should consider some shell.

I agree with Winston - before you are done, you need some shell!

Yeah, I can imagine me eventually going over that limit lol. For now though those are the shoes I really want. Of course that list was much smaller couple months ago. This thread is very AD driven!

I don't know much about shell and that is probably the reason why I have stayed away from spending additional money on it. From what I can tell it seems that the cons could be it might look plastic-y at times and also harder to care. Though the creasing seems to look much better on it. What are some of the other advantages of shell?

In fact I did a google styleforum search on shell just the other day but didn't get much other than the points I made above.

 

[thebeebs]

Inaugural wearing of my new Leeds in burgundy shell: (again, sorry for the crappy blackberry pics).

Nice shoes. You should apologize for the mere idea of simply owning a Blackberry, however.

 

[db78]

Hi, this is my first time posting on the forum though I've been lurking for some time. I was hoping to get some help regarding my recent (and also first) AE purchase(s). I bought the 5th Aves in Walnut and the Park Aves in Walnut Cloud during the recent sale, but only intend on keeping one of the pairs for now. Had a couple of questions though:

1. As far as fit is concerned, I'm torn between 9.5D and 9.0D. The 9.5D fit quite nicely out the box. The heels are perfect and my toes have a decent amount of wiggle room. I'm afraid that the leather may stretch after some wear and it the 9.5D may become a little too loose. The 9.0D fit a bit snug/uncomfortable out the box. My left ankle sticks out a little more than normal (basketball injuries)l I'd say, which rubs against the leather which is a bit bothersome. I had this issue with another pair of shoes. After breaking those in, the ankle thing was more just something I notice rather than being actually bothersome. Also with the 9.0D, my toes are little squished in the front though not painful. I'm thinking the 9.0D will be a better fit after breaking in the shoes a bit, but hoping someone more experienced would chime in.

2. How closely should my belt match my shoes? I purchased a Walnut colored belt from AE alongside my shoes, but the belt/shoe match isn't perfect. The belt is slightly darker than the 5th Aves, and definitely darker than the Walnut Cloud.

3. Does anyone know if AE intends on releasing the Walnut Cloud for 5th Aves? I personally like the fancier design of the 5th Aves, but the new Walnut Cloud is absolutely gorgeous. I especially like the lighter shade of the Walnut Cloud compared to Walnut.

Thanks all!

 

[bucksfan]



Yeah, I can imagine me eventually going over that limit lol. For now though those are the shoes I really want. Of course that list was much smaller couple months ago. This thread is very AD driven!
I don't know much about shell and that is probably the reason why I have stayed away from spending additional money on it. From what I can tell it seems that the cons could be it might look plastic-y at times and also harder to care. Though the creasing seems to look much better on it. What are some of the other advantages of shell?
In fact I did a google styleforum search on shell just the other day but didn't get much other than the points I made above.

I've read this critique elsewhere, but In person I don't see how they could look plasticky. Particularly after they have been worn a bit, they get a great patina. It is, however, personal preference.

I also think shell's creasing is much better looking than calf's.

Care is actually quite simple - brush them if you want to make them look good. Once you get past the initial break in (and "spewing" of extra oils) they really only require a minute or so of brushing to freshen up their look.

They also have the ability to last a long time. The leather is thicker and hardy, so you will get away with banging them on things that would kill a calfskin shoe.

Finally, once broken in and worn for a while, they get very soft and ultra comfortable. Seriously, I have a pair that is so soft that the vamp will start to collapse in unless there are shoe trees in them.

Nice shoes.  You should apologize for the mere idea of simply owning a Blackberry, however.

Thanks for the kind words re the shoes. Agreed on the blackberry (hangs head in shame). My company's IT just cleared us for ipnone/ipad integration last week. Before that, it was blackberry or nothing(hard to believe). Unfortunately, my new iPhone 5 is backordered. Fortunately, it will arrive in 2 weeks.

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

Yeah, I can imagine me eventually going over that limit lol. For now though those are the shoes I really want. Of course that list was much smaller couple months ago. This thread is very AD driven!

I don't know much about shell and that is probably the reason why I have stayed away from spending additional money on it. From what I can tell it seems that the cons could be it might look plastic-y at times and also harder to care. Though the creasing seems to look much better on it. What are some of the other advantages of shell?
In fact I did a google styleforum search on shell just the other day but didn't get much other than the points I made above.

I've read this critique elsewhere, but In person I don't see how they could look plasticky. Particularly after they have been worn a bit, they get a great patina. It is, however, personal preference.
I also think shell's creasing is much better looking than calf's.
Care is actually quite simple - brush them if you want to make them look good. Once you get past the initial break in (and "spewing" of extra oils) they really only require a minute or so of brushing to freshen up their look.
They also have the ability to last a long time. The leather is thicker and hardy, so you will get away with banging them on things that would kill a calfskin shoe.
Finally, once broken in and worn for a while, they get very soft and ultra comfortable. Seriously, I have a pair that is so soft that the vamp will start to collapse in unless there are shoe trees in them.
Thanks for the kind words re the shoes. Agreed on the blackberry (hangs head in shame). My company's IT just cleared us for ipnone/ipad integration last week. Before that, it was blackberry or nothing(hard to believe). Unfortunately, my new iPhone 5 is backordered. Fortunately, it will arrive in 2 weeks.

I agree here. If you can fork out the extra money for shell cordovan, the longevity of the leather upper should be quite longer than calfskin. One question that is hard to find an answer to, however, is whether or not the shoe itself will last longer over all. The general consensus is that goodyear welted shoes can go through about 4-5 recraftings before they are done for. I haven't heard any reports that shell can withstand a greater number of recraftings. I don't think it is unfair to say that a shell cordovan shoe at 20 years old will look significantly better than a calf skin shoe at 20 years old. This is a great video on the making of shell cordovan by the way: just in case you haven't seen it.

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

I picked up some of their closeout Bourbon polish when I first ordered them back in September. I'm assume their new Bourbon color is very similar to their old stuff, if not the same. It's possible they'll be adding Bourbon to their non-closeout polish, but I'm not sure. I'd recommend buying some in case they are out for a while.

I think the bourbon color they had is quite different to this new one.

I reached out to customer service about this because I wanted to do the same thing. Customer Service rep said that the 2 shades are different

Just want to add one more agreement the these comments. I would be very careful before using their close-out bourbon polish. The new bourbon shade is definitely a different shade compared to the original. Many people use different shades of polish than what is "recommended" by AE, so you could use the old bourbon polish and see results that you like. That said, AE wouldn't close-out a polish for a shoe that they are re-releasing. They will likely have a different shade recommendation, or they may be in the process of making a new polish for the new bourbon.

 

[bucksfan]

Today: my 2-year old AE Randolphs (burgundy shell cordovan) on a cloudy day.