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

[masernaut]

First wearing of my shell Dundee today

Gorgeous! I hope to own a pair someday.

 

[masernaut]

According to this thread at dappered.com:



Anyone else hear about this?

I didn't get that e-mail... All I got was this.

 

[cbtaylor]

Looking good!

Gorgeous! I hope to own a pair someday.

Thank you both!

 

[patrick_b]

Which outlet store emails you about these? I've tried to get on these emails but to no avail.

Quote:


Same here. Edward added me to his list and I get notified of sales at the factory outlet. I'm also on the general AE email list and get notified of sales at the AE stores (not 2nds).

You could probably email Edward at the Freeport store and ask him to add you to the list:

Allen Edmonds Freeport:

[email protected]

 

[hohneokc]



According to this thread at dappered.com:



Anyone else hear about this?

I got an e-mail from the Phoenix AE store about this sale. It listed 3 or 4 styles and said there were more styles included.

Chris

 

[TheFoo]



First wearing of my shell Dundee today

I think they'd look better if they were more sleek and had some more differentiating details. The leather looks kind of blah too. Like, it reminds me of an old, fusty library. I'd definitely go for something black and with more sheen. Also thinner souls would be great. Have you seen the stuff Ferragamo has been doing? Here's an example:

See how they hide the stitching better? It just looks more high quality that way.

 

[RogerP]

Not doubting your experience, but I can't say I've seen this.

Most recently was at an AE trunk show at one of the nicer men's clothing stores in Toronto. They probably had 30 pairs on display, and I noticed this in a few pairs. I chose to bite my tongue and not say anything to the otherwise charming and helpful AE sales rep. It gave me pause in ordering a pair of tan Franciscans, because I know if my pair arrived like that they'd be going right back.

 

[Cold Iron]

First wearing of my shell Dundee today

OUTSTANDING!! Great job and choice.

I think they'd look better if they were more sleek and had some more differentiating details. The leather looks kind of blah too. Like, it reminds me of an old, fusty library. I'd definitely go for something black and with more sheen. Also thinner souls would be great. Have you seen the stuff Ferragamo has been doing?

Here's an example:



See how they hide the stitching better? It just looks more high quality that way.

Yeah if you like to wear a woman's boot and excuse me but that leather is shell on his chukka. Give me more cowbell welt. And shell:

And my Alden Ravello shell chukkas are identical concerning the welt. Winston I will update you on my experience of the Barrie last as soon as I can.

Shakedown cruise of black shell PA today on road trip to a small distant regional hospital and clinic:

Almost 40 degrees and snow is melting. Wind chill is still in the 20's but we are getting there. Almost forgot how great it is to be in a rural area and have everyone look you in the eye, smile and say hi. Been a long day but when I get time will post Paul's response to my pictures of bowing on AAAC and also my experience and others that have PM'd me here and elsewhere over the last couple of years.

 

[TheFoo]



And my Alden Ravello shell chukkas are identical concerning the welt. Winston I will update you on my experience of the Barrie last as soon as I can.

No, I totally get the Timberland look. I'm just saying that if you want something more polished-looking and high-end, you might want to consider hiding the stitching. Don't be offended, but when the stitching shows, it looks more rough and homemade. That's not always a bad thing, but when I want to be super sharp (slim-fit suit, red zip-up cardigan, no tie, no socks), I want my shoes to be Italian high quality. Good shoes are the foundation of a man's style, after all! While there is something to be said for juxtaposing rustic with refined, I don't think that's what you're aiming for. Seriously, checkout Ferragamo. You won't be disappointed! Just my two cents.

 

[TheSizzle]



I think they'd look better if they were more sleek and had some more differentiating details. The leather looks kind of blah too. Like, it reminds me of an old, fusty library. I'd definitely go for something black and with more sheen. Also thinner souls would be great. Have you seen the stuff Ferragamo has been doing?

Here's an example:
-snip-

See how they hide the stitching better? It just looks more high quality that way.

You may have a reputation on this forum, but I'm going to have to respectfully disagree.

What he posted was a very cleanly executed and classic chukka in a great shade of shell cordovan. The stitching is visible, and intentionally so. It's part of the style that carries across many reputable brands of chukkas (Alden and the like). The AE version shown is well formed, off an appropriately curved last. It's a comfortable boot and creates a great blend of aesthetically pleasing, but durable materials.

Now, what you posted is something truly different. While it may not be a women's boot, it has far less masculine shape and is not a perfect substitute for a chukka buyer who has classic American tastes. Yes, they placed the stitching more discretely, and AE is able to do that, but AE's resistance is intentional. Moreover, regardless of price, the boot you posted looks cheap. While both styles are far from unique, the one you posted seems to placed fashion over style and does it poorly.

Before you call me uninformed, I am a fan of well-executed jodhpurs. I just don't think you chose a good representation thereof, and I don't believe they fill the same role as these chukka.

Basically, a chunkier chukka works well in a classic American sense, while the boot you posted works better with an Italian aesthetic. Each is valid, but each is distinct.

 

[Winston S.]



Winston I will update you on my experience of the Barrie last as soon as I can.

Thanks!

 

[TheFoo]

Like I said, I totally get the appeal of the hiking boot look. I'm just saying, for formal dressing it's best to wear something that is more obviously high quality. It's just a matter of context, I guess. Lanvin did these really spectacular hand-painted, hand-distressed booties a couple of years ago. They were like $2,000 and definitely high quality, but it takes a discerning eye to know it. So, when you're trying to look more conservative for work and still want to look sharp, you really need to hide the handmade, rustic details (like stitching). You want people to look from 10 feet away and see a really sleek, streamlined shoe that is finished super-professionally, with as few seams and stitches showing as possible. Have you heard of wholecut shoes? Those are the best, highest quality shoes you can get (and the most sleek!). Guess what? They have the fewest seams and stitches!

I understand certain more stylish looks might come across as more feminine to some, but fashion is all about evolving! We are wearing tighter, shorter suit jackets these days. Twenty years ago, people would have thought Thom Brown was absolutely insane! Now, a shorter cropped jacket is totally crucial! Otherwise, you'll look like you're dad, or even worse, your granddad!

 

[Flyswatter]



Best of luck!  I hope your next pair doesn't have a problem.  It will be interesting to see what happens, and please keep us informed.  In any event, I'm glad your Fifth Avenues are working out so well!

I agree it is not fit in every instance, but doesn't this more go to my point that most of the time the bowing/gaping seems to involve the Park Avenue?  Is it a defect particular to the PA?  Don't know.  Does it have something to do with how the black calfskin in the PA is more rigid?  That's my suspicion.  As others have noted, the black calfskin for the PA's is more rigid and tougher to break-in.  Pure speculation, but I wonder if this plays a role in the bowing/gaping issue.

Well unfortunately, I didn't have much better like with my second attempt at finding a pair of black Park Avenues that don't gape. I received a pair of seconds today from the Jville outlet, and while the gaping isn't quite as bad as on the pair on I posted pics of (even that gaping was relatively minor compared to some pics I've seen, though), it's still enough to cause me to send these back. Once again though, the gaping is only on the right shoe. Rather odd and frustrating. I still have the first quality PAs with gaping that I posted about earlier, but as I don't live near an AE store, figured I'd try my luck with seconds again, and if they worked-out, just get my money back for the firsts.

I think New Shoes1 might be onto something with his suggestion that gaping is much more common on Park Avenues and/or black calf Park Avenues. I would have assumed that Fifth Avenues would be prone to gaping at exactly the same rate since it's essentially the same shoe, just with perforations on the toe cap. But I'm 1/1 in scoring Fifth Aves with no gaping, and 0/2 with Park Aves. Then again, maybe it's the brown vs. black leather. I definitely notice a difference in the look and feel of the brown vs. black calf in terms of softness and texture.

If the gaping is indeed more common on the Park Aves and not so much on the Fifth Aves, should I give up on the black Park Aves and just go for a pair of Fifth Aves? Obviously in attempting to acquire black Park Avenues, I'm looking for a strictly formal and conservative shoe that can be worn when the occasion calls for such attire (job interview, funeral, etc.). Would the Fifth Avenue work just as well in those occasions, or does the addition of the perforations along the toe cap really bring down the formality of the shoe? Thoughts?

 

[TheSizzle]

Like I said, I totally get the appeal of the hiking boot look. I'm just saying, for formal dressing it's best to wear something that is more obviously high quality. It's just a matter of context, I guess. Lanvin did these really spectacular hand-painted, hand-distressed booties a couple of years ago. They were like $2,000 and definitely high quality, but it takes a discerning eye to know it. So, when you're trying to look more conservative for work and still want to look sharp, you really need to hide the handmade, rustic details (like stitching). You want people to look from 10 feet away and see a really sleek, streamlined shoe that is finished super-professionally, with as few seams and stitches showing as possible. Have you heard of wholecut shoes? Those are the best, highest quality shoes you can get (and the most sleek!). Guess what? They have the fewest seams and stitches!

I understand certain more stylish looks might come across as more feminine to some, but fashion is all about evolving! We are wearing tighter, shorter suit jackets these days. Twenty years ago, people would have thought Thom Brown was absolutely insane! Now, a shorter cropped jacket is totally crucial! Otherwise, you'll look like you're dad, or even worse, your granddad!

Now, let me start off by saying that I've worn my fair share of shoes that lean far more to the European aesthetic (I spent a good set of years out there). As far as the wholecuts, I do own a couple pairs, and my first pair was purchased around the age of 17.

I think the point is that he's wearing what seems to be chinos, and not slim extremely thin ones. Given that, as opposed to a sleeker, more tailored wardrobe, I think the boots he posted are a great fit. The lines and materials of the shoe seem to match with his personal style better than the ones you posted. If he had posted slimmer pants, I might have supported your recommendation. Style is personal, and these seem to fit him. I think by saying "you want people to..." you're assuming he wants a certain reaction, and perhaps he seeks another. I think those flow with his apparent wardrobe (from what I can gather).

 

[Flyswatter]



Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Almost 40 degrees and snow is melting. Wind chill is still in the 20's but we are getting there. Almost forgot how great it is to be in a rural area and have everyone look you in the eye, smile and say hi. Been a long day but when I get time will post Paul's response to my pictures of bowing on AAAC and also my experience and others that have PM'd me here and elsewhere over the last couple of years.

Nice shoes! I'm currently trying to find a pair of black calf Park Aves that don't suffer from gaping (see my post(s) above), so I'm definitely curious to hear about Paul's response on the matter on AAAC as well as your experience.