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

[jimney]



I assume that a local cobbler installed the toe taps. How much were they and are you located in Chicago by chance? Anybody have recommendations for a Chicago cobbler?

I used Beehive on Wells (I think) for a re-heel on my AEs and they did a good job and I've used Gus New Quality Shoe Repair on Clark to get rubber topys on my Alden boots, which was also okay (though the sole appears to be splitting a year later, which is probably unrelated). When my Alden cordovan LWBs needed toe taps, however, I just bit the bullet and sent them to B Nelson to make sure it was done right. Couldn't be happier with them.

 

[Betelgeuse]

I guess it's hard to say. For me Carmina 8UK in Rain, Inca, and Forest lasts all translates to US 9D in AEs. I do have a pair of Bradley's in 9.5D that fits fine as long as I tighten the laces pretty good. I guess you should give size 9.5D a try and see if it works out.

Thank mate, I think I will go with the 9.5D. Hope to share some pics of the Dalton's soon!

 

[uunngghh]

"A restocking fee of $10 will be applied to each pair of factory second shoes shipped back to us for return."

I just received a pair of RL Saunders seconds where the vamp was stitched on improperly, and thus the lacing is a bit skewed. Anyone know if they'll charge the restocking fee of $10 for exchanges, and not just returns?

 

[tifosi]

"A restocking fee of $10 will be applied to each pair of factory second shoes shipped back to us for return."

I just received a pair of RL Saunders seconds where the vamp was stitched on improperly, and thus the lacing is a bit skewed. Anyone know if they'll charge the restocking fee of $10 for exchanges, and not just returns?

I would imagine that they would. I mean, there is a reason the shoes are seconds. What you described is why. I think they are trying to discourage people from buying seconds then sending them back and sending them back till they get a pair that are close enough to firsts that they can live with. IMHO.

 

[OptoDoc]

Will anybody here venture into the new AE clothing lines? I think they have a nice niche in the shoe market, but I'm not sold on Allen Edmonds clothes. It seems like they are trying to expand for the sake of expanding only without really bringing anything special to the table.

I don't plan on it. Paul has stated that the inclusion of clothing at AE stores is because their market research shows that most men prefer "one-stop shopping". However, I would imagine that this is not so for men who are willing to pay over $300 for shoes.

I would venture to say that most on this site at least have a favorite manufacturer of shirts, pants, socks, ties etc.

If AE were able to fill the same niche they do with their shoes...the most budget friendly way to get high quality craftsmanship while continuing to be American Made...then they may be on to something. I know that when I go into an AE store to purchase a pair of shoes, that I will walk out with a high quality item that fits perfectly. I don't feel this would be the case with their sport coats.


Although, this could be interesting...

One of the best posts on AAAC in that thread was someone saying they were going to wait for the blazerbank to open before he purchased a sportcoat from AE.

 

[tifosi]

I don't plan on it. Paul has stated that the inclusion of clothing at AE stores is because their market research shows that most men prefer "one-stop shopping". However, I would imagine that this is not so for men who are willing to pay over $300 for shoes.

I would imagine that most on this site at least have a favorite manufacturer of shirts, pants, socks, ties etc.

If AE were able to fill the same niche they do with their shoes...the most budget friendly way to get high quality craftsmanship while continuing to be American Made...then they may be on to something. I know that when I go into an AE store to purchase a pair of shoes, that I will walk out with a high quality item that fits perfectly. I don't feel this would be the case with their sport coats.

I agree. I don't want AE to reduce their stock of shoes at their retail locatations to make room for clothing stock.

 

[MSchapiro]

I don't plan on it. Paul has stated that the inclusion of clothing at AE stores is because their market research shows that most men prefer "one-stop shopping". However, I would imagine that this is not so for men who are willing to pay over $300 for shoes.

I would imagine that most on this site at least have a favorite manufacturer of shirts, pants, socks, ties etc.

If AE were able to fill the same niche they do with their shoes...the most budget friendly way to get high quality craftsmanship while continuing to be American Made...then they may be on to something. I know that when I go into an AE store to purchase a pair of shoes, that I will walk out with a high quality item that fits perfectly. I don't feel this would be the case with their sport coats.

I somewhat disagree here. Maybe for us, but for your average guy buying up into a pair of AE from Cole Hans (thinking like a 2nd year iBanking analyst here) they do just want to shop around for high quality products. AE certainly fills that niche. I'm not sure if it makes more sense for them to make their own clothes than retail a few other examples of high end clothing, but they probably did a make vs buy analysis and the numbers looked good. It looks to be very well done casual and I think would be very popular with many academics I have known.

 

[ryoneo]

Got my Cronmoks a week ago and gave them a wax.

 

[tifosi]

^what did you use?

 

[ScottyBoy920]



Received 5 pairs. 2 pairs on Saturday and 3 pairs today.

Sanford – Walnut
PA – Grey Cloud
Players – Navy suede
RL Illford – Tan Khaki
LaSalle - Chili Burnished

I should permanently leave this thread…

How did you size the players compared to the park aves?

 

[tampatravel]

RE: Allen Edmonds Clothing

Most guys...hate to shop - loathe it even. If their wife gets them in there to buy shoes. She can talk him into getting some new clothes I'd guess. I know that the folks that are on here are the 1%ers that care about what they wear. Most guys don't..hell...99% don't. I can't tell you how many guys at my office have been dressed by their wives.

This is a good move by AE - to get guys to buy more in the store.

I know if they keep the clothes made in America - I'll show some interest in them for sure.

In a selfish way, I almost wish they were doing a reverse of J.Crew and having an "In good company" but with clothes in the AE stores.

 

[AdamAdam]

I was in my local AE store the other day picking up some shoes that I had ordered and noticed the clothes. They were off to the side not taking away from the focus of the shoes. I had been looking for a winter-season vest and happened to see something that I liked while I was waiting. I tried it on, it looked good and was priced similar (maybe even a little less) to what I imagine Brooks Bros would have charged. Plus I got 15% off with the recent coupon. So, I bought it.

Are their clothes any better or worse quality than any of the popular brands in the same price range? Do they offer something that the aforementioned brands don't? I don't know. All I know is that I liked that piece of clothing, felt it was of high quality, think it was comparably priced, happened to be in the store anyway - so I bought it.

FYI...I like to shop so it wasn't just a convenience thing.

Edit: Also on their website they show people in complete outfits so I imagine a man buying a pair of shoes on the website, seeing one of the models and saying, "Hey, that sweater looks nice with those shoes" and clicking "Add to Cart".

 

[chinngiskhaan]

RE: Allen Edmonds Clothing

Most guys...hate to shop - loathe it even. If their wife gets them in there to buy shoes. She can talk him into getting some new clothes I'd guess. I know that the folks that are on here are the 1%ers that care about what they wear. Most guys don't..hell...99% don't. I can't tell you how many guys at my office have been dressed by their wives.

This is a good move by AE - to get guys to buy more in the store.

I know if they keep the clothes made in America - I'll show some interest in them for sure.

In a selfish way, I almost wish they were doing a reverse of J.Crew and having an "In good company" but with clothes in the AE stores.

I'm in the opposite situation... For the most part, I choose my wife's clothes for her. She is from Mongolia, from a small town. She knows very little about style, so she shows me some things she likes, and I make the final decision... Most often I end up pointing out something entirely different than what she picked out. She tries it on, and is surprised when it looks great on her.

It's great to have a wife that supports my shoe shopping addiction.

 

[dapperdoctor]

I'd bet that in most cases where the woman buys her man's shoes, she gets them at Macy's, Kohl's, or whatever similar store you can think of.

 

[Busa]

Can anyone tell me what, if anything, is special about AE belts to put them in the $100 range? Love the shoes, but I am a bit picky and looking at the stamped buckles and normal leathers I think I'm looking at maybe a 50 dollar belt when I look at them. I buy custom made belts in belting or bridle leather for less than this...

Any rebuttal, commentary? I am open minded but just have a disconnect...