Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - Page 807

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayross 

The thing is, I don't really have any formal occasions. I'm 19, just a university student. Black shoes just seem boring to me and not as versatile. and I'm not entirely sure they are necessary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kentyman 

 

Keep in mind that they'll come in handy for eventual job interviews, any senior formal type thing you might go to, and unfortunately any funeral you'll need to attend. And if you buy something nice like AEs and take care of them, they'll last you well through your 20s.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucksfan 


+ the weddings you will start getting invited to soon.

jay, i agree with you. i would go for another non-black shoe before black. weddings are getting more and more casual...my cousin wore sneakers to mine. (ok, maybe he shouldn't have.) as a college student, you will definitely see more use from, say, a pair of dark brown boots than black balmorals. depending on your intended field, a suit might not even be necessary for future interviews.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarioImpemba 

 

 

Thanks for more pics of the 744's.

 

You guys are killing me, especially when these are available (in my size): http://www.ebay.com/itm/261125961386?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

Those shell 5th Streets look amazing - are those MTO from AE?

Yes, the Fifth Streets were MTOs from the web gem they did about 2-3 months ago. I was going to get the Daltons in shell, but wanted something a little more dressy to pair with suits.

The only thing I can tell you about the 744s is to buy them and don't look back... at that auction price, it's a slam dunk decision.

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarksdb 


Is the 2/$300 deal on all models or just a certain few?

Did I miss this? Is the 2/$300 sale going on currently? Seems like this was mentioned a few times, but nobody is really talking about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayross 

I have a pair of AE strands in walnut. I'll probably get either the park or fith ave in a dark brown or bourbon, and then a pair of dub monks in a brown. Do you think that's a fairly balanced shoe collection? I'm mostly wearing them pretty casually, maybe with the ocasional grey suit.

• You said you'll mostly wear them casually, and it's hard to wear balmorals and black shoes casually, especially a shoe that's both (black balmoral).
• You're 19. My "dress shoes" at that age were a hideous pair of brown Timberland loafers. My guess is that if you own a pair of dark brown or burgundy AEs, they'll be more than passable at any sort of formal event you attend in the next few years because the expectations for someone your age are really low. I'm not suggesting you barely meet those expectations, but I'm keeping that in mind when I think about shoes you'll use most for daily wear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pudman43 

Question for anyone who owns both the Delray and Lasalle: which is sleeker? Looking to maybe pick up another dark brown blucher and would prefer a sleeker, more streamlined shoe. Thx in advance guys
J

They are both on the same last, so the "sleekness" isn't really different between them.  However, the stitching on the LaSalle is more casual than the Delray, so it is safe to say that the Delray is the dressier of the two.  Bear in mind that they have different insoles as well (if that matters to you).  The Delray has the traditional natural leather insole, while the LaSalle has a leather covered foam insole.   

Suggestions on which of the following shoes I should get? I ordered from BB the AE fifth avenue and it's not quite right for me, so I'm going to exchange them. 

From what I see from Brooks Brother's website, I have the following options:

AE Park in Black, Brown, Walnut.

Strand in Black, Brown, Walnut (I already own the walnut).

Mccallister in Black, Burgundy.

So far I have the following dress shoes (very limited collection, I know):

A pair of BB black captoe oxford (Italian maker, so idk who it's by)

Walnut Strand

AE Fairfax in Merlot

I'm leaning towards the Mccallister in Black or Bungundy at this point because the cap on the fifth avenue was not to my liking (too forward, which makes my feet look stubby), and the cap on the park is similar to the one on fifth avenue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by khe86 

Suggestions on which of the following shoes I should get? I ordered from BB the AE fifth avenue and it's not quite right for me, so I'm going to exchange them. 

 

From what I see from Brooks Brother's website, I have the following options:

 

AE Park in Black, Brown, Walnut.

Strand in Black, Brown, Walnut (I already own the walnut).

Mccallister in Black, Burgundy.

 

 

 

So far I have the following dress shoes (very limited collection, I know):

A pair of BB black captoe oxford (Italian maker, so idk who it's by)

Walnut Strand

AE Fairfax in Merlot

 

 

I'm leaning towards the Mccallister in Black or Bungundy at this point because the cap on the fifth avenue was not to my liking (too forward, which makes my feet look stubby), and the cap on the park is similar to the one on fifth avenue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winston S. 


If you don't like the captoe on the Fifth avenue I doubt you will like the one on the Park Avenue. If you are leaning towards the McCallister I would do Burgundy instead of black solely because I think a black brogued shoe is kind of contradictory (Black being formal and brogueing being casual). In addition, you don't really need too many black shoes. Just one pair for the dressiest of occasions.

I agree here.  Also, keep in mind that if you have the Fairfax in merlot, you may already have a shoe that fills the niche you would use for the McAllister in Burgundy.  Yes, I know that the Fairfax is a wholecut, but it has a wingtip perforation pattern nevertheless (albeit more mild than the McAllister).  Similarly, the merlot and burgundy are close enough to be worn with similar styles and occasions.  I may be wrong but with a small collection that you are looking to add more shoes to, you may want to go with something that fills a different gap. 

Moneywellspent: your train of thought is why I went with the brown 5th avenue to get some color differentiation. I'm thinking black Mccallisters because the Mccallister in burgundy is similar to my fairfax in style and color, but Winston is right that black and brogues are a little contradictory. How would someone wear the black Mccallister? 

How are the Cliftons? I need a black shoe that I can wear with suits and business casual. I don't know if I want to buy a black oxford like Park Ave because I feel that it's too conservative and I don't wear suits often. I want something that has a hint of sleekness.

Quote:

Originally Posted by khe86 

Moneywellspent: your train of thought is why I went with the brown 5th avenue to get some color differentiation. I'm thinking black Mccallisters because the Mccallister in burgundy is similar to my fairfax in style and color, but Winston is right that black and brogues are a little contradictory. How would someone wear the black Mccallister? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Doble 


It depends on your profession, but the bolded statement holds for me.
I think a brogued black shoe can make sense, or at least more sense than something like an un-brogued light brown cap toe balmoral. I do not think I will own a black brogue any time soon, however.

It sounds like I fall into the same realm as Papa Doble.  I would never have a need for a black brogue.  I think his comment above about it depending on your profession.  If you are in a profession where black shoes are the norm, or at least considered "proper", then the black McAllister would be a great way to throw in some variety.  The only black shoe I could ever need (unless I switch careers) is a black Park Avenue, and it will struggle to see more than one or two wears per year.