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

[Suit Up]

I also have another question, in a previous post (see spoiler), a member posted the following picture, I was wondering if the colors are accurate (second from the left being bourbon from what I understand). On Allen Edmonds' website, the bourbon would be closer to the shoe to the far right:

Kenilworth - Brown and Bourbon (the shade of brown & bourbon on the right are the most accurate)






Kenilworth - Burgundy, Bourbon, Brown





I thinking about keeping the Brown pair as I think they're the most versatile.

My current collection consists of:

• Walnut McAllister
• Merlot McAllister
• Walnut Strand

 

[pudman43]



In my opinion, I doubt it.

Nordstrom is more likely to have the (similar) LaSalle on sale, rather than Delray. J

 

[tietherope]



Looks like we both got hooked at the same time, third and fourth pair are enroute and I've already planned the fifth, sixth and seventh. Damn these sales I feel like I'm stealing candy from a baby (and can't resist).

You sure move quickly then if we got hooked at the same time! I'd be right up there with you, but I was actually revamping my whole wardrobe. Including the Allen Edmonds shoes I bought 10 pairs total, including a few pairs of boat shoes, some Johnston & Murphy suede nubucks, and some cheap suede wingtips. Rubber soles serve a huge purpose in Canada. I also replaced all of my pants, dress shirts, t-shirts, shorts, socks, belts, and all the alterations to go along with it. At which point money becomes an issue.

It's crazy though right? I never thought I would be hooked on shoes or look at the shoes of every guy I pass. I also never thought I'd spend so much on a single pair.

Please share your list of 1-7 so I can get some ideas of what direction to head next. I'm thinking of splitting the difference of my walnut Strands and merlot Mcallisters with some walnut Mcallisters. I'm able to hold off on them for this tent sale, but I think when the Nordstrom sale or the next AE sale hits I'm going to be getting the snuff suede Neumoks as well.

 

[pudman43]



You sure move quickly then if we got hooked at the same time! I'd be right up there with you, but I was actually revamping my whole wardrobe. Including the Allen Edmonds shoes I bought 10 pairs total, including a few pairs of boat shoes, some Johnston & Murphy suede nubucks, and some cheap suede wingtips. Rubber soles serve a huge purpose in Canada. I also replaced all of my pants, dress shirts, t-shirts, shorts, socks, belts, and all the alterations to go along with it. At which point money becomes an issue.

It's crazy though right? I never thought I would be hooked on shoes or look at the shoes of every guy I pass. I also never thought I'd spend so much on a single pair.

Please share your list of 1-7 so I can get some ideas of what direction to head next. I'm thinking of splitting the difference of my walnut Strands and merlot Mcallisters with some walnut Mcallisters. I'm able to hold off on them for this tent sale, but I think when the Nordstrom sale or the next AE sale hits I'm going to be getting the snuff suede Neumoks as well.

Hey Tie, I'm in a similar place, though I got hooked on AE about 4-5 yrs ago now - up to 11 prs now, incl the black PAs I have arriving tomorrow. Depending on how you dress for work, I'd probably suggest something in dark brown next, for variety, or if you think you'll have the need, black. IMO the walnut Strand and walnut McAllister are already quite similar. J

 

[jrarnold]

It's crazy though right? I never thought I would be hooked on shoes or look at the shoes of every guy I pass. I also never thought I'd spend so much on a single pair.

Please share your list of 1-7 so I can get some ideas of what direction to head next. I'm thinking of splitting the difference of my walnut Strands and merlot Mcallisters with some walnut Mcallisters. I'm able to hold off on them for this tent sale, but I think when the Nordstrom sale or the next AE sale hits I'm going to be getting the snuff suede Neumoks as well.

I have a serious problem with this now. I really hope people aren't noticing how intently I am staring at their shoes in an attempt to discern the leather, stitching and welt.

Do you have anything in burgundy or chili already? If not, I definitely recommend both, the chili more so.

 

[woodywoodford]

Just got my first pair of AE's... dark brown Neumora's. Can't wait to wear em, but with the amount of rain coming down right now it could be a few days. I bought the dark brown AE shoe polish with them, is this stuff any good? And is it worth getting leather conditioner or anything else? So far all I've done is straight polish my shoes (damp rag to clean them first), but these the first shoes I've spent more than $200 on so want to do it right.

 

[MidwestSteve]

Thanks for the great feedback about the Park Avenue's. I'll be ordering some tomorrow. Wish I had learned how to properly shine my shoes years ago, and glad to see the techniques here!

 

[spoiledone]

My new Neumoks in blue. Very comfy shoes!

 

[tietherope]



Hey Tie, I'm in a similar place, though I got hooked on AE about 4-5 yrs ago now - up to 11 prs now, incl the black PAs I have arriving tomorrow. Depending on how you dress for work, I'd probably suggest something in dark brown next, for variety, or if you think you'll have the need, black. IMO the walnut Strand and walnut McAllister are already quite similar. J

Hi Pudman, They are very similar, but they are just so nice looking. Looks wins over function in my brain right now.

The great thing about my work is that I can really hit any part of the AE line up that I want. It is an office, but up until a few weeks ago I was wearing jeans and a polo and that was OK. I wasn't alone, but I was not in the majority either. I am now regularly wearing chinos and a dress shirt with brown, blue, or grey suede bucks/wingtips while the majority wears black dress pants, black square toe shoes, black socks, black belts, and a dress shirt. I actually think my outfits are much nicer even though they are not as formal. I'm also 27 so it suits me, and those in all black are 40-65. Today I had to wear dress pants instead of chinos in order to wear the Mcallisters and I was by far the best dressed in the building.

With that said, I don't think that black shoes will be needed any time soon and I'd rather spend the money on something fun. If at some point I'm looking for a new job, then certainly, but until then I'll use the merlot Mcallisters wherever I can for more formal events.

Seeing as you did not get the PAs until now and they are considered the go to business shoe, do you have any shoes in chili? If so what do you think of it? Also, do you have any in bourbon and what do you think of that colour vs. brown?

I have a serious problem with this now. I really hope people aren't noticing how intently I am staring at their shoes in an attempt to discern the leather, stitching and welt.

Do you have anything in burgundy or chili already? If not, I definitely recommend both, the chili more so.

It looks like we have a chili recommendation even before I asked about it, that's a good sign! I do have burgundy, my Mcallisters are merlot and a great colour.

 

[BigRob]

I bought a pair of Park Ave's about two weeks ago. I've worn them two or three times a week since; I've been giving them two days between wears to dry out or whatever.

How am I supposed to clean them? I bought a horsehair brush and premium polish from AE. What I intend to do, tomorrow, is:

1) Lightly brush the the shoes with the horsehair brush
2) Apply the premium polish in a light coat around the entire shoe
3) Wait ten minutes for it to dry
4) Heartily brush the shoes with the horsehair brush


Is this bueno? Anything else I should do? Condition the soles or something?

 

[tietherope]



My new Neumoks in blue. Very comfy shoes!

Really nice looking. Do they fit the same as other shoes on that last, if you have any?

 

[spoiledone]

I'm not even sure which last these are on?
I have a pair of Norwich monk straps that are the same size and fit about the same. The Neumok is a little bit longer in the toe area

 

[PK35216]

I know they are nothing special in this thread, but here is my first ever pair of Allen Edmonds on their first day in the wild.

Congrats! Welcome to the club. And, nice socks.

How old are those Macneils?


What are the oldest pairs of AE floating around this forum? Post pics of some glorious patinas!

Unfortunately, I cannot say, since I got them on the bay. However, they are old enough that many of the areas around the eyelets are cracked, unfortunately. I am happy to take some credit for them, because a fair amount of elbow grease and trial and error has certainly improved the look.

Those are nice. Nice ensemble too.

Thanks. My Zegna Su Misura three piece grey plaid suit. Maybe the best damn sale pick up ever. $1000 for a $4000 suit.

...agreed. I'm not a big fan of longwings, but those look very nice. Is that burgundy or brown?

Burgundy. I think you were talking to me. ; )

PK: The patina on those is amazing! Great job!

Bootspell: Walnut shell Daltons are impractical for me when considering the cost, but your pictures make me want to reassess that decision.

PK: Vicious McNeils!

They look fantastic!

Thanks for all the positive comments, fellas.

 

[PK35216]

Newbie here, and first off, amazed by this thread. Love AE shoes, and given their great quality, am not surprised at the many positive comments from the many experts here.

I haven't been able to find this in the forums, and surprisingly haven't had much luck from AE with this question. I am looking for dress shoes, preferably cap toe, that have a mirror shine but not as much like a patent leather. If you ever had your shoes shined by the guys in the St. Louis airport when TWA was at the end of their run, you'll know what I mean. Ordered the Park Avenue's but the shine was mediocre. AE suggested the Strand, but from their site it looks like a similar leather.

Is a mirror shine shoe out of style, am I looking at the wrong model of AEs, or both? I've had this in the past with AE wing tip shoes, but can't seem to find those either.

Thank you.

Steve,
I'm just guessing, but are your expectations based upon what used to be the standard in many men's dress shoes, including AE, which is polished cobbler's leather, or corrected grain? I inherited my first several pairs of AE from my step grandfather about 13 years ago and I wore them out before I knew what I had. I had a black and burgundy pair of polished cobbler's leather park avenues. Two years ago, when I started paying attention to these things and started amassing my current collection of AE shoes, my first pair was black park avenues to replace my old pair. That is when I learned about full grain calfskin used in all of AE's shoes today versus the polished cobbler's leather that AE used in many different styles over the years.

I'll grant you that when I see a pair of black park avenues on the shelf of a store today, it looks unappealing, because it comes from the factory without much polish. But that can be remedied either by elbow grease and polish or by finding a local cobbler, shoe shiner in your area. I have a great one in my area, but in the past year amassed my own collection of AE and Saphir products to do it myself. I find it relaxing and fun.

If you were thinking of polished cobbler's leather, then in my opinion, you are much better off with today's full grain models. They are much more durable and better looking IMHO (with a little shine or a "full bull job" - trademark -).

I bought a pair of Park Ave's about two weeks ago. I've worn them two or three times a week since; I've been giving them two days between wears to dry out or whatever.

How am I supposed to clean them? I bought a horsehair brush and premium polish from AE. What I intend to do, tomorrow, is:

1) Lightly brush the the shoes with the horsehair brush
2) Apply the premium polish in a light coat around the entire shoe
3) Wait ten minutes for it to dry
4) Heartily brush the shoes with the horsehair brush


Is this bueno? Anything else I should do? Condition the soles or something?

That would certainly be sufficient, and is mostly what I do in my still novice polishing endeavors. You might want to add a fifth step of using a flannel cloth or nylon panty hose (or the amazon microfiber cloths that I bought thanks to ColdIron on this forum, I believe). You buff the toe and vamp and heel area with a rapid back and forth motion and it adds a bit of pop to the shine after the final brushing with the horsehair. Good luck and post some pics after.

 

[mdubs]

Today felt like a good day for AE Walnut Shell Strands and argyle OTCs.