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

[harlequin782]

I find the McAllister to be a great looking shoe. Maybe the reason you do not hear much about that model is based on its contradiction. A full brogue, balmoral shoe. It is designed in a formal style, but with casual detailing. Just a thought. I would have bought them if not for the Tresanas.

Thanks for the feedback. That makes sense, though Ive never actually considered that possibility. Being a fine-shoe noob, I never really thought about the possibility that the Balmoral is considered less formal than a Blucher. Im not sure why but I thought perhaps since the McAllister is part of the Timeless Classics Collection, that it would carry a natural air of sophistication.

easy_golfing, I am using the Superfeet 8810 (that's the Men's 3/4 insert for dress shoes). It's just the plastic arch support, no top cover or padding. Surprisingly, it feels OK. I'm just not used to arch supports yet.

I am also a fan of the McCallister (especially after seeing the display shoe in Merlot) as well as its offspring, the Neumok and McTavish. And I like it precisely because it's a brogue wingtip with closed laces. The Neumok and McTavish also throw in a little twist with the rough, unpolished upper. The mix of a formal shoe design with informal details like the broguing give the shoe some texture.

On the other hand, Derbies don't catch my eye except for something like the Player's Shoe. This seems to be a matter of personal style. If you like the McCallister, go for it.

And, yes, the Strand is a really awesome shoe.

Great points, and I agree. I ordered my first pair of AE's online. Even before I ordered my Fifth Aves, I was mulling the purchase of the McAllister first. Then when I found out I had an actual Allen Edmond's store in my city, I decided to go in and get some shoe trees. Welp, I saw the McAllister on he shelf in Merlot, and in person it is absolutely striking. [Along with the Strand - it too has a very artistic quality to it] Its interesting, because online Allen Edmond shoes tend to look attractive but mediocre. I think much of it has to do with the posing of the shoes in their advertising, and could be in part due to the lighting. However in person, the tightness of the stitching and the quality of construction is readily apparent across the board in person. Now that Ive seen how much better Allen Edmond shoes actually look in person, in contrast to their online images, I have a hard time not justifying a follow-up purchase of the Merlot McAllisters.

The Black McTavish is also appealing, but I want a shoe I can shine.

 

[elbastardocalvo]

The MacNeil's in walnut grain arrived today:



The photo isn't all that great, but they are exactly what I was looking for. The design and grain of the leather make them a step down in formality from the Player's Shoe (which I happened to be wearing today), and the perfect dress down shoe for me. Fit was pretty great as well (both are 14EEE). Leaning toward keeping them. I still really like the black McTavish, maybe this summer...

 

[Cold Iron]

Fifth Street after my color change/pseudo-antique experiments (with flash)

They look outstanding! Any details would be appreciated I couldn't find a thread where you explained it. But am very interested. And love the look of the X lacing on those, nice attention to detail.

 

[Winston S.]



From what i understand technically they are balmorals. Oxford / balmoral refers to the same thing, a dress shoe with closed lacing. Both acceptable terms when referring to this style...
Maybe you meant to say blutcher / derby, with would be a different style shoe.

I thought the same thing as you until someone corrected me in the C&J thread. Apparently balmorals are a subset of oxfords:

http://www.styleforum.net/t/227575/quintessential-crockett-jones-thread/700_50#post_5070060

 

[fitchottie]

hey fellas, I wanted to give you a heads up that I am selling a pair of RL Sanderson LongWings, in Burnished Brown, Size 12d. These are made by Allen Edmonds and believe these are on the same last as the player...

There is a link below to the B&S Thread..... Great shoes worn maybe 3 times total, I have had the bottom topyed....

http://www.styleforum.net/t/287801/12d-ralph-lauren-sanderson-longwing-brown

 

[JubeiSpiegel]



I thought the same thing as you until someone corrected me in the C&J thread. Apparently balmorals are a subset of oxfords:
http://www.styleforum.net/t/227575/quintessential-crockett-jones-thread/700_50#post_5070060

Seeing as the source is also just repeating hearsay, i'll differ to another clothing thread:

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/showthread.php?91911-What-is-a-balmoral-shoe-...

Their opinion is that Americans and British use the different terms to mean the same thing, adding that in England "balmoral" specifies the particular design of oxford you mentioned.

Wikipedia seems to be under the same impression:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balmoral_(shoe)

So really, it is just a matter of geography, so if you find yourself in England call them oxfords. To conclude, i stand by my original comment, synonymous terms...

 

[JubeiSpiegel]



Thanks for the feedback.  That makes sense, though Ive never actually considered that possibility.  Being a fine-shoe noob, I never really thought about the possibility that the Balmoral is considered less formal than a Blucher.  Im not sure why but I thought perhaps since the McAllister is part of the Timeless Classics Collection, that it would carry a natural air of sophistication. 

I think you misunderstood, the balmoral (which the McAllister is) is indeed more formal than the blutcher MacNeals. The contradiction, is that even though the McAllister's are closed lacing (balmorals), they have full broguing details (wingtip), which makes them casual. It looks like most people on this thread like their wingtips on a casual style blutcher shoe. Hope that clarified

 

[New Shoes1]

hey fellas, I wanted to give you a heads up that I am selling a pair of RL Sanderson LongWings, in Burnished Brown, Size 12d. These are made by Allen Edmonds and believe these are on the same last as the player...
There is a link below to the B&S Thread..... Great shoes worn maybe 3 times total, I have had the bottom topyed....
http://www.styleforum.net/t/287801/12d-ralph-lauren-sanderson-longwing-brown

Good timing? The ShoeBank is selling new seconds of the Sanderson for (I think $220??), but they're out of 12D.

 

[Winston S.]



Seeing as the source is also just repeating hearsay, i'll differ to another clothing thread:
http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/showthread.php?91911-What-is-a-balmoral-shoe-...
Their opinion is that Americans and British use the different terms to mean the same thing, adding that in England "balmoral" specifies the particular design of oxford you mentioned.
Wikipedia seems to be under the same impression:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balmoral_(shoe)
So really, it is just a matter of geography, so if you find yourself in England call them oxfords. To conclude, i stand by my original comment, synonymous terms...

Eh, seems like more than just geography. There was nothing in the posts you linked that disproved the whole balmoral are a subset of oxford thing. Granted I am an American too, but I'm going to have to go with the Brits on this one and that's rarely something I ever do.

 

[JubeiSpiegel]



Eh, seems like more than just geography. There was nothing in the posts you linked that disproved the whole balmoral are a subset of oxford thing. Granted I am an American too, but I'm going to have to go with the Brits on this one and that's rarely something I ever do.

Fair enough, all I am trying to say is that they are both acceptable terms. Where, in your understanding, it does not allow for gradation.

 

[patrick_b]

I took advantage of the $499 price on the burgundy shell macneils today. I stopped by the State St., Boston store and the Assistant Mgr James Pietryka was very helpful, pleasant and professional. They didn't have my size/color combo but he found a pair at another store (Chicago) that will be overnighted to me for delivery tomorrow. Can't wait! He spent a great deal of time getting the fit right with a variety of black and burgundy macneils.

I'll surely post pics upon arrival. I've been debating this purchase for a few weeks now and the sale price for shell was too tempting to pass up.

Last question...is blucher pronounced 'bloo-cher' or 'bloo-ker'.

 

[SuitedDx]



 
They look outstanding! Any details would be appreciated I couldn't find a thread where you explained it. But am very interested. And love the look of the X lacing on those, nice attention to detail.

Thanks! If you plan to re-dye shoes, I recommend checking out this thread started by Ron Rider: http://www.styleforum.net/t/45530/shoe-antiquing

How I did it:

1. Meltonian Color Preparer (did it twice to make sure I take out as much of the dark brown dye as possible)
2. Saphir Reno
3. Fiebing Oxblood leather dye (I personally used a rag): 3 passes (1 night per pass to let the dye settle)
4. Meltonian burgundy cream polish: 3 passes (1 night per pass)
5. Meltonian black cream polish: 1 pass (let sit for another night)
6. Kiwi cordovan wax to seal and provide water resistance

Nothing groundbreaking and I pretty much do it similar to others. My experience is going darker is always better and let the leather dye and cream dye sit for a night to settle the color better.

Good luck!

 

[fitchottie]

The shoe bank? These are first quality not seconds...

 

[New Shoes1]

The shoe bank? These are first quality not seconds...

Yes, but they're used. My point was that you have fortuitous timing in that the exact size you are selling is out of stock during the current sale. As I wear a 12D and have the Sandersons on my wish list, I was definitely tempted, but need to pass for now. Good luck.

 

[Superfluous]



I took advantage of the $499 price on the burgundy shell macneils today. I stopped by the State St., Boston store and the Assistant Mgr James Pietryka was very helpful, pleasant and professional. They didn't have my size/color combo but he found a pair at another store (Chicago) that will be overnighted to me for delivery tomorrow. Can't wait! He spent a great deal of time getting the fit right with a variety of black and burgundy macneils.
I'll surely post pics upon arrival. I've been debating this purchase for a few weeks now and the sale price for shell was too tempting to pass up.
Last question...is blucher pronounced 'bloo-cher' or 'bloo-ker'.

I've been wondering about the pronounciation too as I only see them online . I thought it would be "bloo-(Israeli CH sound)-er"