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

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chinngiskhaan

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There are some things about Alden that are objectively better than AE, and some things that are subjective on both.

  • In my opinion, the stitching on Aldens is objectively better. Higher stitches-per-inch, straighter lines, and the welt stitching is just a work of art. Seriously, if you hold Aldens next to a pair of AEs it's night and day.
  • Leather lining-wise, Alden uses a much finer quality leather, but AEs is more durable. Alden's is a bit too delicate for my taste.
  • Shell quality wise, well, that's tougher to compare. I like AEs burgundy much much more than Aldens. AE's patinas better and shoes more variations. Alden's is better if you want a darker shell and/or a more consistent shade. My AE's have all sorts of the horse's scars visible, and variations in the color. They also are an odd color if you don't love #8 for #8.
  • Last wise, well, that's a toss up. The Barrie last is terrible if you have wide feet, because the heel is wayyyyy too wide (most people with wide feet have narrower heels). The toe of Alden long wings is nicer, but the heel of the MacNeils is better fitting.
  • At the end of the day, I think it all depends on what you want. Custom AE MTO's at $500 easily trump Aldens at $650 *unless* you get exactly the Alden make-up you want. Remember, those great rare shades can take over a year in pre-order with Alden.
  • We don't have "Uncle" MacArthur here calling everyone nephew, and just page after page of quoted images saying "here's what I'm wearing" and him saying "nice shoes nephew" and them saying "thank you uncle."
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS! MacArthur, his aldens, his argyles, and his old - age spotted legs have completely turned me off when it comes to Alden shoes. It's like they are some sort of creepy cult or something. AE's are better for the simple fact that the AE thread hasn't turned into a cult yet... though I still see the posts in this forum all ending with a few of these
worship2.gif
and a "ALL HAIL ALLISON, THE ENABLER!!!" a few years down the road.... but lets be honest, she deserves to be worshiped by some of the men on this thread!
 

chinngiskhaan

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This is the main reason I stopped following the Alden thread. It's been seriously resembling some sort of cult for a lack of a better word.


lol, the uncle/nephew thing is 100% creepy.
yeah... the old man's legs are creepy enough without the uncle nephew stuff... I went into that thread hoping to see great looking shoes, and all I got to see were argyles, clunky shoes, and age spots (and not on shoes mind you). The name of that thread should be argyle and old legs fetish Appreciation, not shoeporn/damage...
 
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jch1

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...didn't we have this conversation regarding the Alden thread and its frequenters just a few weeks ago?
 

jungleroller

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Well I don't know about you but I can't remember much of what I did last week anymore.
baldy[1].gif
 

ScottyBoy920

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yeah... the old man's legs are creepy enough without the uncle nephew stuff... I went into that thread hoping to see great looking shoes, and all I got to see were argyles, clunky shoes, and age spots (and not on shoes mind you). The name of that thread should be argyle and old legs fetish Appreciation, not shoeporn/damage...


rotflmao.gif
That title made me literally laugh out loud!
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WICaniac

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Here are the couple of pictures I could find quickly of mine. I think they can easily be worked into a weekly rotation.




My first pair of shell last year were some NOS (decades-old) black Leeds on eBay for $125. I still wear them whenever black bluchers are called for, which unfortunately isn't very often -- usually weekends with jeans. That said, I can't imagine a better shoe to have in black shell. The material is showcased nicely on the expanse of unadorned plain toe.


Thanks for the helpful responses and pics. Fairly recent posts suggested that colored AE laces are a fad already passed, but I wonder whether a pair of royal blue laces on these would help me get over my hang-up (or just look awful?).

Good heavens - what are all these people doing to their shoes to need emergency replacements?
biggrin.gif
I have done a good bit of business travel in my day, and have yet to encounter a shoe emergency.

I've tried to create several, but they are never convincing enough to justify the purchase to my better half.

While the number of shoes SF members purchase may be small compared to total sales. I wonder how many people (casual readers) are steered towards AE by this threads existence.

I'm one. Despite growing up reasonably close to AE's HQ, I never considered spending this much on a pair of shoes until educated here. Moreover, were it not for promotions, I would not have made my first purchase when I did. I balked at spending $345 for one pair but gladly spent $1100 on four pair (2 of them shell) in the span of a few months.
 
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jungleroller

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Fairly recent posts suggested that colored AE laces are a fad already passed, but I wonder whether a pair of royal blue laces on these would help me get over my hang-up (or just look awful?).

Don't say that. Mine literally just came fedex today. Say it aint so.....
 

Odradek

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We don't have "Uncle" MacArthur here calling everyone nephew, and just page after page of quoted images saying "here's what I'm wearing" and him saying "nice shoes nephew" and them saying "thank you uncle.".


Glad I'm not the only one who finds that beyond weird.
Seriously, WTF?

Reminds me of that bit in Catch22 when all the officers are trying to get the girl to say "Uncle".
 

rc121

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thought I was in the movie ground hog day for a second
 

Subutai

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So it appears that they are out of the most desired colors of shell cordovan, leaving only the standard brown, burgundy and black. So here is my question to the SF readers. I am interested in getting a monk strap, I am thinking I want burgundy shell. Do I get the Franciscan or the Mora. I saw a while back a guy had the franciscan made up as an independence with wheeling and everything. Looks pretty hot to me. What say you guys??? Brown or Burgundy shell, and Franciscan or Mora?
This was my MTO; I am a huge fan and happy they're getting some love! I think the Franciscans are great (obviously!) I would definitely recommend getting them in #8 Cordovan. I was actually planning on switching these to shell but they were already in production. Happy either way, I thunk the Independence Line is underrated here on SF Good luck with the decision, either way they'll look great!
 
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jch1

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As did I. Definitely wasn't trying to be rude there. I really thought I was in some sort of parallel dimension.
 

AdamAdam

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PSA: I requested a list of seconds in a few sizes today and if you wear 7.5E there is a pair of Dalton in walnut shell and another walnut calf. There was as of this morning anyway...
 

masernaut

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GOP Shoe Guy: Personally, I would go for the Mora in brown shell. The Franciscan looks as if it has too much going on with a cap and broguing.
 

schweezly

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Been wearing my suede sands and liking them overall. However, they squeak very audibly under my big toe when I walk. Is there anything I can do about this?

Since they're a web gem I doubt they'd do much, and since it happens on both I feel its probably not a single error.


Update to this...I went to my local AE store today and they agree the squeaking is bad. They're being sent in to get either repaired/fixed or to get a new pair. Hopefully they come back soon!

I also tried on the brown suede strands. Really liked them but wasn't sure I wanted to spend the $300. Guess I'll have to think about it
 
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