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

[MoneyWellSpent]

Today, let's kick it old school with some longwings.

Looking good. Walnut grain Macneil? The orange laces and tan cords really create a uniquely different look.

 

[Barrister]

I have three pairs of AEs (1, 5, 7 lasts) and all are too tight in the forefoot but fit well otherwise. They are actually painful to wear. Not having local access to an AE dealer for try-on, I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a last which is wider in the forefoot than these three.

 

[TheSizzle]

Looking good. Walnut grain Macneil? The orange laces and tan cords really create a uniquely different look.

They sure do, and the proximity makes the shoes appear more of a honey color. I usually rock blue or green laces with them though.

 

[Michael Haines]

Now that I have both AE shell and Alden shell I sure notice a difference in finish and in Particular the shine. Is it just a matter of time with the Mac method to bring the shine up on AE. I seem plenty of nice pictures of great shine on Alden but not so much for AE. Any one have a couple of pictures of there shel with a nice Mac Method shine.

 

[lostron]

Those macneils look great!

 

[TheSizzle]

Well, it's not quite all of them, but here's the current rotation of AE.

Left to Right:
Top: Finch (Brown/Red), Kiowa, McTavish (Natural), McTavish (Cognac
Middle: Shelton (Walnut/Brown), MacNeil (Walnut Grain), Strand (Walnut), Strand (Bourbon)
Bottom: Hastings (Black), McAllister (Black), Strawfut (Brown/Linen), Jingle Bell Mok

(I realize I have colorful laces on most of them at this time, and I'm perfectly happy about that.)

 

[supremoak]

Recently purchased a Kenilworth in my usual dress shoe size. I noticed the shoe was bowing (aka top line bulging) pretty badly around the ankle.

Is this a fit issue or defect? Shoe does feel a bit long but width is good.

 

[PhiPsi32]

Well, it's not quite all of them, but here's the current rotation of AE.

Left to Right:
Top: Finch (Brown/Red), Kiowa, McTavish (Natural), McTavish (Cognac
Middle: Shelton (Walnut/Brown), MacNeil (Walnut Grain), Strand (Walnut), Strand (Bourbon)
Bottom: Hastings (Black), McAllister (Black), Strawfut (Brown/Linen), Jingle Bell Mok

(I realize I have colorful laces on most of them at this time, and I'm perfectly happy about that.)

+1 on the laces. What laces do you have on the black McAllister and may I ask where you got them?

 

[TheSizzle]

+1 on the laces. What laces do you have on the black McAllister and may I ask where you got them?

They're light purple 30" 1901 laces (Nordstrom brand) that I picked up because they're not waxed, and they really give the shoes a more casual look than the thinner, waxed AE variety. I think they came in a variety pack for about $20 for seven colors or $5 by themselves.

I might eventually swap them over to flat laces though.

 

[kmdsimpson]

I was at a Nordstrom Rack today and saw a pair of what I think are the Parklands (discontinued loafer on the 8 last) in my size. I contemplated getting, but decided I don't need them. If they were on clearance at something like $100, I would have likely bought, but they were $219.

Anyway, I thought they looked familiar, but I couldn't remember the model name. The insole did not state the model (light brown insole); but the box said "Welts". I was thinking "what model is the AE Welts?" Then I realized it must have just been a random AE box that had been used to store or transport welts. What it was doing at Nordstrom, I have no idea. Perhaps this was old stock that AE had laying around that they just threw in a box and sent to Nordstrom?


This led me to do some Googling, and to bore you some more, I found a post by the AE CEO that definitively states that Nordstrom shoes are not different quality than AE direct-sold shoes. Here is the link to his post: http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/...quality-of-Allen-Edmonds-on-the-decline/page5

Go to post #122. The reason I linked to the whole page is that he is responding to post #101 (top of page), where someone is asserting that the Nordstrom shoes have a different build quality than AE-sold shoes, because the stitching pattern is different. It turns out that AE switched to using a thicker thread for the sole, and this was done for the entire line. The CEO states directly that Nordstrom shoes are first quality, using the same construction as all AE shoes.

Now, you can argue that he doesn't mention the Rack. But he does say that they clearly differentiate the made-in-the-USA welted shoes from the made-in-the-DR cemented shoes, and there are no other welted shoes anywhere.

So I think the answer to the Rack quality question is that they must be selling either older stock models or shoes from Nordstrom mainline stores, that may also include the Nordstrom-only models, such as the Clifton. I also take this to mean (and have always thought ) that the beat-up shoes at the Rack are likely returns or display models from the mainline stores.

So the Rack may have some funky, outdated models, and it's possible that Nordstrom reserves some models only for the Rack (though I doubt it); but there is no "lower quality" AE line that is made only for outlets. That much is clear.

 

[adsmith4]

Just snagged a pair of Amok's I'm the snuff color for $79. Pumped, my tan Amok's are my favorite pair so I couldn't pass up another pair for that price. For all you guys that wear a 9D, my local outlet has a TON of sales samples for $79. Some of the highlights that I can remember were Brown burnished Jermyn's and Neumora. Chili grain Randolph's and Park Avenues. If anyone is interested, let me know and I will give you the SA's name and number to the store.

 

[bargerhm]

Just did shined my Strands tonight.

 

[MarioImpemba]

Now that I have both AE shell and Alden shell I sure notice a difference in finish and in Particular the shine. Is it just a matter of time with the Mac method to bring the shine up on AE. I seem plenty of nice pictures of great shine on Alden but not so much for AE. Any one have a couple of pictures of there shel with a nice Mac Method shine.

My Leeds were crazy matte. I used Kiwi to shine 'em up:



Similarly, I used Kiwi to shine up my Wovlerine 721's (#8 Shell, made/finished by AE):

 

[hohneokc]

Check the AE website - new models.

Nashua in English Tan, Ashton in Brown, McAllister in Bourbon (with combination sole), Chukkamok, Strandmok, and Banchory look interesting to me. And there are a few more new styles and colors.

Chris

 

[pskusa]

Hoping I get my first set of shoes (getting AEs) tonight! Let's hope ebay pulls through

Going for brown stockbridge, and black delrays.