Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - Page 1065

Originally Posted by TheSizzle 

Today, let's rock some Brooks Brothers calf and linen wingtips... Why? Well, why not?

Originally Posted by newbie369 

It's tight across the middle part, especially the outer sides of the shoe. It kind of rubs on my pinky too. Since I'm not going to return it, should I take it to a cobbler to stretch it or is there something I can do about it at home? Thanks!

Originally Posted by MoneyWellSpent 

This will be a question that is nearly impossible to answer with any degree of accuracy.  If you are just getting into the high-end shoe market for the first time, you will just need to go spend some time in an AE store trying on different shoes (and shoes made on different lasts) and walking around in them for a few minutes.  If you have an AE outlet near you, it is a fantastic opportunity to go in and spend an hour trying on shoes since they are all out for you to access at your leisure without having to bother a sales associate. 

That said, here is a stab at answering your question...  I have never owned a pair of Clarks desert boots, but I tried on a pair once and they felt quite sloppy and unsubstantial to me.  You will be in for an adjustment with your first pair of high end shoes because goodyear-welted shoes have a feel of their own.  They will feel very stiff initially, but after a series of wearings they will feel very comfortable assuming they fit you properly.  Shoes like Clarks are mass produced on relatively shapeless, blobby lasts for a reason.  They want any average joe to be able to walk in regardless of their foot type and be able to pull on a pair and walk out of the store in them.  Any foam that is present inside cheaper shoes is also there for a reason.  Foam instantly forms around your foot to take up the "slack" for a shoe that doesn't fit you in an ideal way, and it allows nearly unlimited foot types to fit into the same shoe.  After growing up wearing cheap shoes (or even expensive ones that are still made of foam, like tennis shoes), a goodyear-welted shoe that fits properly will likely feel quite restrictive initially.  Some people think that massive amounts of wiggle room in the toes and other areas of the shoe is good, and when they suddenly have on a shoe that actually fits and is made of sturdy leather, they feel claustrophobic.  Welcome to a shoe that fits properly.  You should be able to wiggle your toes some, but they will feel like they are hitting a hard sturdy surface on all sides due to the substantial sturdy leather that quality shoes are made from.  Also, the natural leather insole that your foot will be resting on in a traditional AE shoe will feel really hard when you push on it with your fingers, and the bottoms of your feet may ache a bit after wearing them for the first series of wears.  Some people get spooked by this, but it is completely normal.  The insole will form to your foot as the cork compresses and forms a custom-like footbed.  Your feet are perfectly capable of walking on a surface that is even harder than leather and cork as long as they are properly supported.  Just like working out will be uncomfortable at first, you will get used to it and be better off in the long run.  Your feet don't need to be surrounded by soft foam for all day comfort, that is a myth.  This may have been more than you were asking for, so sorry for the long reply! 

Originally Posted by Mike Lucas 

I've decided to get myself some boots since the Daltons and Fifth Street are currently on sale.  I prefer the Dalton, but the only color available on sale is the grey.  I haven't seen the grey in person yet, so I was wondering if anyone had any real pictures of them and I was curious if maybe I should just go with the brown Fifth Street instead.  Thoughts?  I ask because a friend nearly got the grey Daltons when they came out, but was really put off when he saw them at the shop.  I'd be interested in some opinions and justification one way or the other.

Originally Posted by BackInTheJox 

Any more pics of the RL Sandersons?  I'm agonizingly close to pulling the trigger on a pair of seconds even though they're 200% more expensive than they were a week or two ago.

Originally Posted by BackInTheJox 

Any more pics of the RL Sandersons?  I'm agonizingly close to pulling the trigger on a pair of seconds even though they're 200% more expensive than they were a week or two ago.

Originally Posted by TheSizzle 

 

What color?

Originally Posted by MacktasticGDogg 


Here's a quick pic of the Sandersons:

Originally Posted by MoneyWellSpent 

 

I haven't seen where they publish their sales.  That said, I haven't been able to figure them out at all.  They run massive sales like they are going out of business (buy one get 3 free on suits that are over $1,000.00!?  )  I dont' know how they sell anything at retail price when they run these crazy sales so frequently.  Just keep an eye on them though, because I haven't seen more than a month go by without some insane sale they are running.

Originally Posted by Winston S. 

If it is tight across that whole part top and sides it does sound like you bought it too narrow. Personally, I would not experiment with stretching them yourself and take them to a cobbler to do it.

Originally Posted by BackInTheJox 

 

You just had to call my bluff didn't you. 

Beautiful shoes!

 

I wear 9.5E in the Lasalle/Delray (8 last).  I keep hearing this last runs narrow/long.  What's your experience? 

Originally Posted by captstatic 



I am wearing my new gray Daltons to the office today. I have to say they were stiff as a board out of the box and squeak like rubbing two balloons together. However, after several hours of wear they are softening up, quieting down, and feeling great! Very pleased and even got two compliments already.

Also note... they look lighter in this picture than they actually are. We have very bright white lighting in my office. They are more like a mid charcoal gray.

Chris

Originally Posted by DpprDr 


Comparatively to the 5, the Dalton's last is slightly narrower right?