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

[Cold Iron]

A recent find buried in the back of my closet (during a reorganization ordered by my wife) prompts this question. (I’ve search here, and elsewhere, but haven’t detected a consensus of opinion.)

Not two days after ordering some 100% linen pants on sale at STP, I found a practically unused pair I had forgotten I even owned that turned out to be the same color as the ones ordered (“sand,” which I think some call “natural”). Not the rope-tied-in-the-front, everyone-in-the-family-wear-white-for-a-picture-on-the-beach linen pants (not that there’s anything wrong with that) but tailored linen dress pants. I swapped the ordered pair for what STP (or Hickey Freeman) calls “olive,” though it’s more of a lighter green-tan.

Anyway, just in time for summer I now have these two pair of linen pants and it occurs to me I may not have the right sort of shoes for them.

Here is my little collection:

Oxfords:
Black wing-tips (single sole)
Burgundy McAllisters (wing-tip, single sole)
Brown Jeffersons (wing-tip, double sole)
Walnut Strands (cap toe, single soles)

Bluchers:
Pebble grain walnut Macneils (LWB, double sole)
Burgundy shell LWB’s (double sole)
Brown RL Sandersons (LWB double sole) (Thank you, Kristle at Jeffersonville)
Ravello shell cap toe (double sole)

Obviously, I’m heavily tilted toward fully brogued, “heavy” shoes. And there’s nothing I have that is a dedicated “spring/summer” sort of shoe. So, my questions are:

1. Is anything I have even passable as a proper shoe for these pants?;
2. What should I be looking for to better work with these pants?

Something versatile enough to wear year round would be nice but I am not opposed to a seasonal shoe.

My primary leanings are toward AE but any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks.

Welcome to SF and also the Allen Edmonds thread, great beginning . And most of all Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads.

I am looking at the same exact pants on STP but haven't put them in the cart yet. I have 2 pair of shoes that I can see going with them and maybe the Patriot loafer in both brown and burgundy shell. The first is the AE for BB Seven. I'm thinking about cutting the tassels off but haven't done so yet, it is as near to a spectator shoe that I own. I purchased mine as seconds and can't find any flaws. I would have a hard time buying them at retail from BB being a seasonal shoe. Not my favorite but would work I believe:

To me the no brainer is the Strawfut in brown. Also purchased as seconds during the 2 for $200 sale awhile back. A great summer shoe and would work well with linen pants I think.

 

[AmericanGent]

Perfect backdrop for the Strawfut - 28" of snow.

 

[Kroaker]

A recent find buried in the back of my closet (during a reorganization ordered by my wife) prompts this question. (I’ve search here, and elsewhere, but haven’t detected a consensus of opinion.)

Not two days after ordering some 100% linen pants on sale at STP, I found a practically unused pair I had forgotten I even owned that turned out to be the same color as the ones ordered (“sand,” which I think some call “natural”). Not the rope-tied-in-the-front, everyone-in-the-family-wear-white-for-a-picture-on-the-beach linen pants (not that there’s anything wrong with that) but tailored linen dress pants. I swapped the ordered pair for what STP (or Hickey Freeman) calls “olive,” though it’s more of a lighter green-tan.

Anyway, just in time for summer I now have these two pair of linen pants and it occurs to me I may not have the right sort of shoes for them.

Here is my little collection:

Oxfords:
Black wing-tips (single sole)
Burgundy McAllisters (wing-tip, single sole)
Brown Jeffersons (wing-tip, double sole)
Walnut Strands (cap toe, single soles)

Bluchers:
Pebble grain walnut Macneils (LWB, double sole)
Burgundy shell LWB’s (double sole)
Brown RL Sandersons (LWB double sole) (Thank you, Kristle at Jeffersonville)
Ravello shell cap toe (double sole)

Obviously, I’m heavily tilted toward fully brogued, “heavy” shoes. And there’s nothing I have that is a dedicated “spring/summer” sort of shoe. So, my questions are:

1. Is anything I have even passable as a proper shoe for these pants?;
2. What should I be looking for to better work with these pants?

Something versatile enough to wear year round would be nice but I am not opposed to a seasonal shoe.

My primary leanings are toward AE but any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks.

Your walnut strands would work perfectly with both those pants.

 

[fiddlestyx]

I'v been lurking for a while but am ready to start making some purchases so I figured I would throw it out to the people and hope for some advice.

I recently started a new job that requires more professional dress (suit/blazer or slacks+tie) than my previous position and am now in need of more dress shoes. I currently have a pair of AE McGraw in black cordovan and some ugly brown oxford lace-ups that I've been wearing while I try to plan out my next couple AE purchases. Walnut Strands will be my next purchase, but I'm undecided on the next. I was looking at either Park/Fifth Ave in a brown shade but can't decide between Fifth Ave in brown or Park in dark brown or bourbon. Or, with the walnut Strands, would I be better off getting either the Fifth or Park in black?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[AdamAdam]



I'v been lurking for a while but am ready to start making some purchases so I figured I would throw it out to the people and hope for some advice.

I recently started a new job that requires more professional dress (suit/blazer or slacks+tie) than my previous position and am now in need of more dress shoes. I currently have a pair of AE McGraw in black cordovan and some ugly brown oxford lace-ups that I've been wearing while I try to plan out my next couple AE purchases. Walnut Strands will be my next purchase, but I'm undecided on the next. I was looking at either Park/Fifth Ave in a brown shade but can't decide between Fifth Ave in brown or Park in dark brown or bourbon. Or, with the walnut Strands, would I be better off getting either the Fifth or Park in black?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Of course much of it comes down to personal preference. If you have the chance to see these in person I highly recommend doing that. For instance, I was considering bourbon Park Ave but when I saw them in the store I decided otherwise. For me, any brown darker than walnut needs some kind of broguing. I didn't like any dark brown or bourbon in Park or Fifth Ave but loved the Strand. Again, personal preference but for me it was much better to see them in person if you have the ability.

 

[pudman43]



Of course much of it comes down to personal preference. If you have the chance to see these in person I highly recommend doing that. For instance, I was considering bourbon Park Ave but when I saw them in the store I decided otherwise. For me, any brown darker than walnut needs some kind of broguing. I didn't like any dark brown or bourbon in Park or Fifth Ave but loved the Strand. Again, personal preference but for me it was much better to see them in person if you have the ability.

If you aren't near an AE store or outlet, or a Nordstrom or other dealer, scroll through member pics on the right side of this forum. There are hundreds upon hundreds of photos of nearly every AE shoe, and most look far better than in their AE website pics. Good luck to you! J
EDIT: In case it wasn't plain, this comment is directed to Fiddle's post above

 

[epc2]

Hi guys,

Looking at buying a PA from the tentsale , I don't own any AE ,anybody knows how the sizing compares to Alden's Barrie last? Heard that the PA runs long and narrow?was thinking going with an E wide and half size smaller?

Also do you know if the Tensale allows returns/refunds in case they're not a good fit.

Thanks.

 

[Numbernine]



I'v been lurking for a while but am ready to start making some purchases so I figured I would throw it out to the people and hope for some advice.

I recently started a new job that requires more professional dress (suit/blazer or slacks+tie) than my previous position and am now in need of more dress shoes. I currently have a pair of AE McGraw in black cordovan and some ugly brown oxford lace-ups that I've been wearing while I try to plan out my next couple AE purchases. Walnut Strands will be my next purchase, but I'm undecided on the next. I was looking at either Park/Fifth Ave in a brown shade but can't decide between Fifth Ave in brown or Park in dark brown or bourbon. Or, with the walnut Strands, would I be better off getting either the Fifth or Park in black?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Ah just save yourself the trouble and buy shells . You know thats all you want

 

[polojock615]

OK,

So I'm not usually that picky about shoes, but I'm wondering about this one. Should this crease bother me? I'm not sure if it's a crease or fold, or what. Since they're my new custom MacNeils, I'm just being cautious. I didn't see it before I wore them today for the first time. I compared that section to my burgundy shell MacNeils to see if it's just the fact that it's shell or if it's what I do to MacNeils in general. What do you think?

Anybody else have an opinion?

 

[BackInTheJox]



[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]A recent find buried in the back of my closet (during a reorganization ordered by my wife) prompts this question.  (I’ve search here, and elsewhere, but haven’t detected a consensus of opinion.)[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Not two days after ordering some 100% linen pants on sale at STP, I found a practically unused pair I had forgotten I even owned that turned out to be the same color as the ones ordered (“sand,” which I think some call “natural”).  Not the rope-tied-in-the-front, everyone-in-the-family-wear-white-for-a-picture-on-the-beach linen pants (not that there’s anything wrong with that) but tailored linen dress pants.  I swapped the ordered pair for what STP (or Hickey Freeman) calls “olive,” though it’s more of a lighter green-tan.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Anyway, just in time for summer I now have these two pair of linen pants and it occurs to me I may not have the right sort of shoes for them.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Here is my little collection:[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Oxfords:[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Black wing-tips (single sole)[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Burgundy McAllisters (wing-tip, single sole)[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Brown Jeffersons (wing-tip, double sole)[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Walnut Strands (cap toe, single soles)[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Bluchers:[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Pebble grain walnut Macneils (LWB, double sole)[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Burgundy shell LWB’s (double sole)[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Brown RL Sandersons (LWB double sole) (Thank you, Kristle at Jeffersonville)[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Ravello shell cap toe (double sole)[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Obviously, I’m heavily tilted toward fully brogued, “heavy” shoes.  And there’s nothing I have that is a dedicated “spring/summer” sort of shoe.  So, my questions are:[/COLOR][/SIZE]

1. [SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Is anything I have even passable as a proper shoe for these pants?;[/COLOR][/SIZE]
2. [SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]What should I be looking for to better work with these pants?[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Something versatile enough to wear year round would be nice but I am not opposed to a seasonal shoe.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]My primary leanings are toward AE but any suggestions would be welcome.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt][COLOR=0070C0]Thanks.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

What about Ralph Lauren Sanderson in tan/khaki? The khaki material is breathable (not normal leather) and great for summer. They often have seconds available.

 

[fiddlestyx]

Of course much of it comes down to personal preference. If you have the chance to see these in person I highly recommend doing that. For instance, I was considering bourbon Park Ave but when I saw them in the store I decided otherwise. For me, any brown darker than walnut needs some kind of broguing. I didn't like any dark brown or bourbon in Park or Fifth Ave but loved the Strand. Again, personal preference but for me it was much better to see them in person if you have the ability.

Any suggestions on a darker brown shoe to consider looking at when I stop in?

If you aren't near an AE store or outlet, or a Nordstrom or other dealer, scroll through member pics on the right side of this forum. There are hundreds upon hundreds of photos of nearly every AE shoe, and most look far better than in their AE website pics. Good luck to you! J
EDIT: In case it wasn't plain, this comment is directed to Fiddle's post above

Thanks for the responses.

I have a AE store near work so I'll have to stop in again. Last time I was in, I just looked at the walnut strands and fell in love with them. I really just wish I could buy them all, seems much easier than choosing one over the other.

 

[fiddlestyx]

Ah just save yourself the trouble and buy shells . You know thats all you want

If only my wallet would allow it!

 

[Subutai]

Hi guys,

Looking at buying a PA from the tentsale , I don't own any AE ,anybody knows how the sizing compares to Alden's Barrie last? Heard that the PA runs long and narrow?was thinking going with an E wide and half size smaller?

Also do you know if the Tensale allows returns/refunds in case they're not a good fit.

Thanks.

It would be difficult to give you an accurate comparison between Alden's Barrie and AE's 5 lasts, in my opinion, because neither run TTS. I, like most others, find the Barrie last runs up to a full size larger; AE's 5 last is definitely narrow.

The Tent Sale does allow returns, just don't scuff up the soles

 

[Factor Xll]



Anybody else have an opinion?

I would probably just keep them but email AE and see If they would do anything about it. At the price of mto, it shouldn't have a flaw like that.

 

[pudman43]



What about Ralph Lauren Sanderson in tan/khaki? The khaki material is breathable (not normal leather) and great for summer. They often have seconds available.

+1. What a gorgeous shoe. J