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

[ryewo[i dmfsOZI490w]



Quote:

I mostly built my collection around what my local outlet had in my size, when the sales happen.  I also scour ebay for new pair in my size, of something I want.  I keep a list of things on my "wish list" - currently I'd like a pair of AE Cambridge / Brooks Bros cordovan shortwings / RL marlow short wings... and a pair of shell penny loafers: AE Kenwood / Brooks Bros / Alden LHS... we'll see which one comes up first on sale.  


My current collection has: 

Calf: 
Black Park Avenue
Black Grayson 
Walnut grain Macneil
Walnut Dalton boot
Walnut (chestnut?) Clifton

Burgundy Shell Cordovan:
Macneil
Bradley
Grayson
Randolph
Leeds

Black Shell Cordovan:
Leeds

Brown Shell Cordovan
Strand

Other than Allen Edmonds: 
Alden for J. Crew captoe boot in #8 shell cordovan
Ralph Lauren Marlow Plain Toe Blucher in brown shell cordovan

I also had 4 pair I offloaded on Ebay: 2 pair of AE executive collection that didn't end up fitting, AE cole penny loafer that was slightly too long for my foot, and a pair of New Orleans that I didn't end up liking.  

Holy **** that's a lot of shoes.

 

[blsing]

I wear an 8.5 3E, and I feel that on my smaller, stubbier feet, any shoe that has a lot going on the front just tends to look too "busy" (Not really sure on the proper lingo for all the stuff going on). This would include the Strand (but not Sanford) and Mcallister/Cambridge. Is that just me being crazy?

 

[dieselman89]



Holy **** that's a lot of shoes.

+1 thats impressive

 

[kmdsimpson]



I wear an 8.5 3E, and I feel that on my smaller, stubbier feet, any shoe that has a lot going on the front just tends to look too "busy" (Not really sure on the proper lingo for all the stuff going on). This would include the Strand (but not Sanford) and Mcallister/Cambridge.  Is that just me being crazy?  

No, you are not crazy at all. It definitely does depend on the proportions of the shoe. I have a pretty long foot, and the brogueing to me helps them look not so big. And I also find that with so much going on the shoes you mention, if the shoe is too short, then it all gets kind of squished together.

 

[Thanks SF (a new me)]



Don't know. The Gentleman's Corner blog I grabbed the photo from claims it was sold by Lodger.

it is by Lodger...you can see it on the insole...

 

[Testudo_Aubreii]



I wear an 8.5 3E, and I feel that on my smaller, stubbier feet, any shoe that has a lot going on the front just tends to look too "busy" (Not really sure on the proper lingo for all the stuff going on). This would include the Strand (but not Sanford) and Mcallister/Cambridge.  Is that just me being crazy?  

Not at all. To counterbalance the width and shortness of your foot, consider combinations of: sleek lasts, chiseled or almond toes, no heavy brogueing, no wide toe caps, no short toe caps, and wingtips. Avoid wide toe caps with heavy brogueing and pinking, like on the Strand. Instead, look at stitch-caps with the toe cap set back far on the vamp, like the Johnston & Murphy Georgetown, the Crockett and Jones Hallam, or the Cheaney Walbrooke. Also can try narrow punch-caps on sleek lasts with delicate brogueing, as on the Cheaney Wardour or the C&J Westbourne. The sleekest and most lengthening will be austerity wingtips, like the Lodger above; followed by delicately brogued wingtips with no toe medallion, like the C&J Drummond; and plain toe balmorals, like the Alden 932 and 935 and the C&J Wembley. All of this applies to bluchers/derbies, too.

Dark colors will make the shoe look longer and narrower than it will in a light color. In general, dark colors somewhat counterbalance the widening effect of a toe cap.

 

[dieselman89]

Has anyone seen this video about the Independence Line?

My question is these guys design are represent some of the finest American shoes, why can't they get the fit of their suit down right? Sleeves are too long and their ties look terrible.

 

[ElDave]



I really like the look of the Player's and Lombard in brown and will consider purchasing them during the next Nordstrom's sale. Do you guys think they would work well with jeans and chinos? I'm just wondering if they look too 'dressy' to be worn in this context or if I should elsewhere for a wingtip to wear casually.

The Player's and Lombard both look great with chinos and nicer jeans.

 

[dieselman89]



The Player's and Lombard both look great with chinos and nicer jeans.

Just got the Lombard, be aware these are a tight/narrow fitting last. I typically wear an 11D and went to a 10.5E.

 

[jessetk313]

I am thinking of purchasing the Shell Cordovan Dalton boot in an 8.5E. Do you all think that this will make this boot like short and stubby?

 

[blsing]

Not at all. To counterbalance the width and shortness of your foot, consider combinations of: sleek lasts, chiseled or almond toes, no heavy brogueing, no wide toe caps, no short toe caps, and wingtips. Avoid wide toe caps with heavy brogueing and pinking, like on the Strand. Instead, look at stitch-caps with the toe cap set back far on the vamp, like the Johnston & Murphy Georgetown, the Crockett and Jones Hallam, or the Cheaney Walbrooke. Also can try narrow punch-caps on sleek lasts with delicate brogueing, as on the Cheaney Wardour or the C&J Westbourne. The sleekest and most lengthening will be austerity wingtips, like the Lodger above; followed by delicately brogued wingtips with no toe medallion, like the C&J Drummond; and plain toe balmorals, like the Alden 932 and 935 and the C&J Wembley. All of this applies to bluchers/derbies, too.
Dark colors will make the shoe look longer and narrower than it will in a light color. In general, dark colors somewhat counterbalance the widening effect of a toe cap.

Any AE's you would recommend in particular? So far I have the Lasalle, Clifton, and Fifth Ave. I think the Sanford would be nice.

No, you are not crazy at all. It definitely does depend on the proportions of the shoe. I have a pretty long foot, and the brogueing to me helps them look not so big. And I also find that with so much going on the shoes you mention, if the shoe is too short, then it all gets kind of squished together.

It basically seems like a wingtip would usually be a problem, with the exception of maybe the Lombard (but its very narrow), Players or the Williams.

 

[Rambo]

That wide width advice is ridiculous. You can wear whatever the **** you want, and make it look good, if you have big enough balls to do so. The idea that a medallion toe will make your foot look out of proportion is baffling. Your foot already looks like it should be attached to Fred Flinstone's legs, some ******* brogueing isn't going to change that. Wear whatever you think looks cool and rock out with ********* out.

 

[Barroomheroes]

Guys, Which Edge Dressing would you reccomend for Walnut Strands?

 

[JubeiSpiegel]

Once again, i have heel issues on the Kenilworth, just having received them back from re-crafting. I think I'm going to give up on this shoe, it would be my 4th try, it is the only model out of my 5 pairs that has given me trouble. Hopefully my SA will just credit me the shoe so that i can get a different model. It is a sad day, as i was extremely fond of the mirror finish i worked painstakingly to achieve.

 

[JubeiSpiegel]



Guys, Which Edge Dressing would you reccomend for Walnut Strands?

Neutral edge dressing, it is a natural sole on the walnut Strands, the brown edge dressing will darken it slightly. Unless that is what you are trying to achieve.