Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - Page 954

I just wait for Jos A Bank to do their either 70% off or Buy 1 get 2 free - Then I load up on shoe trees so that I have a few extra around for new purchases when they come in. Also their hangers (again, woodlore w/ Jos A Bank label), both shirt and contoured coat are included in this promotion, I am slowly converting away from crappy plastic hangers to nice cedar hangers. I have ordered 2 batches, 20 hangers at a time (for the shirt hangers) and my closet smells great.

Is everyone wearing the same size Clifton as Strand/PA?

The clifton I got seems like my toe is really close to the front. I ordered same size as my McAllisters

 

You're correct in theory, but wrong in reality.  There have been numerous comments regarding displeasure with Nordstrom shoe trees having no cedar smell as compared with the other two.  And, yes, I could sand the Nordstrom shoe trees if I was really concerned about having the Nordstrom name on my shoe trees.

I buy the AE shoe trees when I purchase a pair of shoes from there. I know it might not mean that much in theory, but I like that I can go by their size chart on the back. Plus I really like the shape of the AE branded trees more than some others I have used.

+1

 

 

So I guess all the grey colors were a flop, I have a pair of the grey McTavish on the way from clearance.

I have purchased trees from all of the retailers I mentioned above, there is no difference in quality. I believe that the age of the trees has everything to do with the aroma (or lack of) rather than the store you bought them from. Nordstrom trees are generally more expensive, they likely sit in store longer, which may be why the cedar smell doesn't last as long.

If you expose new grain by sanding, the smell returns. They are less than $15; if I have to spend 30sec sprucing them up every once and a while, I'm ok with that.

That's what I was thinking regarding the grey shoes. But they seemed to have come to that conclusion awfully quick. Didn't they just bring out all those "shades of grey" like 3~4 months ago? Or did time just fly?

I bought the granite grey Parkways on clearance and thought they looked pretty good. Not sure when I'll actually wear them though.

Gentlemen, I've got a dilemma. I'm going to purchase two new shoes to add to my rotation. I've already decided that one is going to be the Clifton in brown. The next is a choice between the Sanford and Lombard in walnut. I'm looking for something that can be worn casually with jeans and slacks and possibly a suit; though I wear suits so rarely that that factor can be neglected completely. 

 

Which would be the better choice? I already have three medallion cap-toes: Strands in walnut and black, and a Sanford in Merlot. I am lacking in the wing-tip department, with the McTavish in black being the only member.

+1  I get all of my shoe trees from Jos A Bank.  I wait until they do their Buy 1 Get 2 Free Sale and you get 3 shoe trees for like $25.  They also have the wooden shoe shelves by Woodlore and the sale works on that too.  

 

Since you don't have any walnut wingtips, I'd consider the Lombard. It's discontinued, but it's a great casual, wingtip blucher, and it would pair quite nicely with jeans. 

 

The Sanford may be a blucher, but it would present itself very similarly to the Strand you already have.

 

Sanfords are way too similar to Strands to get both in the same color.  I like the Lombard, but personally would not choose that if I already had Walnut Strands as well.  I think your rotation would benefit more from a pair of boots (Daltons or Malverns), longwings in dark brown or bugundy or a plain toe.

 

 

 

I agree.  The Sanford is a fantastic shoe.  However, you already have it in merlot.  I also agree that it is too close to the Strand to have both in the same color (it is essentially a blucher version of the Strand for all intents and purposes).  Also, even though your Clifton is brown, the Sanford is quite close in design to it as well (with the exception of the medallion).   Between the two, I would have to go after the Lombard to expand your wingtip options, or just save your money and get something you truely need (if boots will fill that need, go for them like New Shoes suggests). 

I had the same experience. I did not like the way to wings were on the MacNeil compared to my Ralph Lauren (Made In Italy) wingtips, but they definitely grew on me. I'm not sure if I like the wings on my MacNeils or my Marlow Wingtips better right now.

Now that I've thought about it a little bit more, I'm leaning towards the Lombard as well. I already have a few boots as it is (Krause/Timberland/Clarks DB). Though if I find a black or brown Bayfield in CXL, I'll pounce on that. 

 

I think I'll let Edward know that I want the Lombard. Thanks again for the help, gentlemen.