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Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - Page 554

post #8296 of 21786
8/4/12 at 7:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cold Iron View Post

When LL Bean started to target the prep crowd in the late 70's early 80's most of us thought damn, that is the end of Bean as we know them. I'm wearing a Bean button down Oxford right now that is older than some of those that post in this thread. It wasn't the end of Bean, they never forgot their roots and the customer service is still one of the best in the business. I like the direction the CEO of AE has taken. I don't wear loafers and my old burgundy and black Shelton's are enough color for me so most of the new offerings don't do anything for me either. AE still needs to keep the lights on and by targeting the younger generation Paul is ensuring a customer base for those that follow him. That is pretty good long term vision IMO. I have been waiting since December of last year to get a pair of #8 shell Bradley's that don't bow. Yeah a pair in black shell would be nice too but I'd be happy to just get a pair of shell Bradley's, how long do I have to wait for them to get it right? Rapid expansion of product while trying to train a new workforce can make or break a company. I can wait. As long as the customer service remains outstanding I will stick with them. And they keep offering an occasional shoe or boot that I can't seem to live without. Yes it is a very interesting business study. Eddie Bauer did the same as Bean but abandoned their roots until this year when they offered a sportsman line once again. And most of us that they are targeting feel that it is too little too late.
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post #8297 of 21786
8/4/12 at 7:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarioImpemba View Post

You can't fault AE for doing good business, but I thought this forum was above consuming products aimed at trendy 20 year olds working their first job in graphic design striving to announce their individualism. Everyone is going to wonder what the hell they were thinking in a few years when these silly shoes like Neumoks are no longer in vogue and they could have spent their money on a proper, timless design that also showcases unmolested leather; this style is merely a gimmick.

Anyway, AE is a few years behind the curve of what Cole Haan and others were/are doing and are simply hitching a ride: Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

All in all though, this reminds me a lot of the direction Coach took. Very interesting business study. Looking forward to see how AE, as a brand, develops in the years to come.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cold Iron View Post

When LL Bean started to target the prep crowd in the late 70's early 80's most of us thought damn, that is the end of Bean as we know them. I'm wearing a Bean button down Oxford right now that is older than some of those that post in this thread. It wasn't the end of Bean, they never forgot their roots and the customer service is still one of the best in the business. I like the direction the CEO of AE has taken. I don't wear loafers and my old burgundy and black Shelton's are enough color for me so most of the new offerings don't do anything for me either. AE still needs to keep the lights on and by targeting the younger generation Paul is ensuring a customer base for those that follow him. That is pretty good long term vision IMO. I have been waiting since December of last year to get a pair of #8 shell Bradley's that don't bow. Yeah a pair in black shell would be nice too but I'd be happy to just get a pair of shell Bradley's, how long do I have to wait for them to get it right? Rapid expansion of product while trying to train a new workforce can make or break a company. I can wait. As long as the customer service remains outstanding I will stick with them. And they keep offering an occasional shoe or boot that I can't seem to live without. Yes it is a very interesting business study. Eddie Bauer did the same as Bean but abandoned their roots until this year when they offered a sportsman line once again. And most of us that they are targeting feel that it is too little too late.

The big difference (so far) with Cole Haan, Coach, J&M, et al, is that their quality and price points were reduced significantly at the same time. They all moved production to India, and they managed the outsouring very poorly. There is a very discernible difference between their outsourced and previous products.

AE is still manufacturing their shoes the same way. All those crazy colored Neumoks are still going to be Goodyear welted and cost $250. I think the risk would be if they significantly expanded the "ae by Allen Edmonds" line of glued construction shoes. That would really be bad.

I do agree that there will be a lot of buyers regretting their decision to drop $250 on purple shoes in a few years.
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post #8298 of 21786
8/4/12 at 8:59am
Gentlemen,

Can i have your thoughts on what Strand size i should be getting? I have no way to try them out physically. I printed out the shoe size chart AE provides on their website, used it, and my feet comes in at 8D. So, I think i might go with a 8.5D instead for extra wiggle room in the front.

My question is, will D be too narrow? I'm not sure if this is a useful reference, I wear loake/herring in 8F and normal sneakers in sz9. I have read quite a lot of conflicting thoughts on this. Some people say the #5 last is long and narrow; others say it is true to size.

Your help would be really appreciated, thank you all!
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post #8299 of 21786
8/4/12 at 9:26am

Something like this may go out of style in a few years (maybe more).  Sure.  Will I regret this purchase?  Will l look back and think I should have put the $$$$ towards a "timeless" shoe?  No.  Just, no.  There must wingtips in 57 shades of brown (I have a few myself).  For some of us, it was time for a change.  If those grey wingtips hit the shelves this fall, I'll probably buy those too (or maybe the Carmina version if I can get them) 

 

700

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post #8300 of 21786
8/4/12 at 9:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by noinimod View Post

Gentlemen,
Can i have your thoughts on what Strand size i should be getting? I have no way to try them out physically. I printed out the shoe size chart AE provides on their website, used it, and my feet comes in at 8D. So, I think i might go with a 8.5D instead for extra wiggle room in the front.
My question is, will D be too narrow? I'm not sure if this is a useful reference, I wear loake/herring in 8F and normal sneakers in sz9. I have read quite a lot of conflicting thoughts on this. Some people say the #5 last is long and narrow; others say it is true to size.
Your help would be really appreciated, thank you all!

I don't have Strands but I have the McTavish and the Ridgeway, both use the 5-65 last.  My size is 12E.  I bought the McTavish in 11.5E and they are plenty long and wide with room to wiggle my toes--I think that if I had bought them in 12E they would be way too big.  My Ridgeways are 12E and while they are roomy, they aren't too big.  I think that I could've fit into an 11.5E too but to get a roomy feel I would need to wear dress socks and I wanted to wear more casual, thicker socks.  

 

Contrast with the 2-222 last, I have the Lubbock and a couple pairs of the Norwich, they were unwearably tight in 11.5E and in 12E I have to wear the super thin rayon socks to be comfortable.

 

I also have the Leeds and the Finch in 12E on the 1-511 last and I would call the fit of these shoes perfect for me.

 

So my impressions of a few different lasts are that shoes built on the 2-222 last are going to be kind of tight, shoes built on the 1-511 are going to fit very well, and shoes made on the 5-65 are going to be on the loose side in both length and width.  If I was going to buy a pair of Strands, I would start with a pair in 11.5E and I am pretty confident that it would be the right choice.  

 

I don't have Strands but I hope that my impressions on the different lasts help in some way.            

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post #8301 of 21786
8/4/12 at 10:04am
delmar, thank you for that detailed write-up. That was very helpful and kind of you. The information will definitely serve as a useful reference when i get more AEs in the future wink.gif
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post #8302 of 21786
8/4/12 at 10:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by delmar View Post

I don't have Strands but I have the McTavish and the Ridgeway, both use the 5-65 last.  My size is 12E.  I bought the McTavish in 11.5E and they are plenty long and wide with room to wiggle my toes--I think that if I had bought them in 12E they would be way too big.  My Ridgeways are 12E and while they are roomy, they aren't too big.  I think that I could've fit into an 11.5E too but to get a roomy feel I would need to wear dress socks and I wanted to wear more casual, thicker socks.  

Contrast with the 2-222 last, I have the Lubbock and a couple pairs of the Norwich, they were unwearably tight in 11.5E and in 12E I have to wear the super thin rayon socks to be comfortable.

I also have the Leeds and the Finch in 12E on the 1-511 last and I would call the fit of these shoes perfect for me.

So my impressions of a few different lasts are that shoes built on the 2-222 last are going to be kind of tight, shoes built on the 1-511 are going to fit very well, and shoes made on the 5-65 are going to be on the loose side in both length and width.  If I was going to buy a pair of Strands, I would start with a pair in 11.5E and I am pretty confident that it would be the right choice.  

I don't have Strands but I hope that my impressions on the different lasts help in some way.            

Quote:
Originally Posted by noinimod View Post

delmar, thank you for that detailed write-up. That was very helpful and kind of you. The information will definitely serve as a useful reference when i get more AEs in the future wink.gif

No, this is incorrect. Go true to size on the Strands. The McTavish and the Ridgeway fit a half size larger than the other 5-last shoes, due to their different, unlined leathers. There is a lot of discussion regarding how these shoes run larger than the Strands.

Do some searches on those models in this thread, and you'll see. Or else order both sizes and return the one that does not fit. AE offers free shipping both ways now.
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post #8303 of 21786
8/4/12 at 11:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by acousticfoodie View Post

Any love for BlackHillzthe rough version of the Leeds?

I really like my Black Hills - great business casual / casual shoe and good for rainy days.

blackhills.JPG

Chris
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post #8304 of 21786
8/4/12 at 11:09am

McTavish and Ridgeway are lined leather uppers.

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post #8305 of 21786
8/4/12 at 11:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by delmar View Post

McTavish and Ridgeway are lined leather uppers.

ah, my apologies. Did I mix them up with the Neumok?
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post #8306 of 21786
8/4/12 at 11:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by noinimod View Post

Gentlemen,
Can i have your thoughts on what Strand size i should be getting? I have no way to try them out physically. I printed out the shoe size chart AE provides on their website, used it, and my feet comes in at 8D. So, I think i might go with a 8.5D instead for extra wiggle room in the front.
My question is, will D be too narrow? I'm not sure if this is a useful reference, I wear loake/herring in 8F and normal sneakers in sz9. I have read quite a lot of conflicting thoughts on this. Some people say the #5 last is long and narrow; others say it is true to size.
Your help would be really appreciated, thank you all!

 

My experience with shoes (Cambridge, Shell Strand, McTavish, and Elgin) in that last for the best fit is go half size down and 1 up in width, true to size would also work but you may not be able to lace the top together as close. Do not go up.

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post #8307 of 21786
8/4/12 at 11:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kmdsimpson View Post


ah, my apologies. Did I mix them up with the Neumok?

noinimod was thinking about sizing up to ensure roominess and I don't think doing that would be necessary.  I switch between 11.5E and 12E depending on style because my feet are kind of in between the two sizes.  

 

The Neumoks are huge and floppy, I didn't like that unlined feel. 

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post #8308 of 21786
8/4/12 at 11:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by noinimod View Post

Gentlemen,
Can i have your thoughts on what Strand size i should be getting? I have no way to try them out physically. I printed out the shoe size chart AE provides on their website, used it, and my feet comes in at 8D. So, I think i might go with a 8.5D instead for extra wiggle room in the front.
My question is, will D be too narrow? I'm not sure if this is a useful reference, I wear loake/herring in 8F and normal sneakers in sz9. I have read quite a lot of conflicting thoughts on this. Some people say the #5 last is long and narrow; others say it is true to size.
Your help would be really appreciated, thank you all!

To give you something to compare your situation with, I wear 8.5 for regular sneakers. I went down a size and up a width for the 5 last. So I purchased Strands in 7.5E. If I were you, I would go 8.5D or 8E.

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post #8309 of 21786
8/4/12 at 11:36am

Has anyone seen the Rutledge in brown? I have only seen the walnut and the black. I am trying to decide what colour to get in this shoe so any input would be appreciated. In terms of "dress" shoes, I have the McAllister in black and the Strand in walnut. 

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post #8310 of 21786
8/4/12 at 11:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by delmar View Post

noinimod was thinking about sizing up to ensure roominess and I don't think doing that would be necessary.  I switch between 11.5E and 12E depending on style because my feet are kind of in between the two sizes.  

The Neumoks are huge and floppy, I didn't like that unlined feel. 

Yeah, I misread and botched this. Ignore what I said.. shog[1].gif
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