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



Testudo_Aubreii said:

I like the shape of the Manhattan, but I don't like the brogueing. Myself, I don't like seamless brogueing anywhere but on a toe medallion. I think it's because it makes the shoe's lines less sleek: a line of circles occupies more visual space and looks wider than a line of circles running between two close parallel lines, as with seamed brogueing on punch-caps like the Fifth Ave, quarter-brogues, semi-brogues like the Strand, and wingtips like the Cambridge. My own view is that seams without brogues, as on an austerity wingtip:
are highly preferable to brogues without seams, except for toe medallions. But YMMV.

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What shoe is that in the picture? C&J?

althanis said:

I wear the PA and would be using the FA for work in a business casual environment, mostly pants that are light grey, dark grey, navy and black. The McAllisters I wear with jeans, but I also have a Wolverine 1000 Mile that I wear casually, so I don't need another one.
I'm thinking I should just get the black FA and call it quits, it's way too easy to start buying too many shoes. Three AE's, the Wolverine 1K mile, and 2 beaters in black and brown ought to be enough, yeah?

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I think that makes sense to get one pair of black dress shoes, and as stated above, check out those that are less formal than the cap-toes, since you could wear those with the dark grey and black slacks to work as well as with a suit (black Strands would probably work also - the broguing makes them less formal). Black park ave's are a bit much with typical grey or black slacks.

3 pair of AE dress shoes is certainly a good start - allowing your shoes to rest a couple days between wearings will lengthen the lifespan of your shoes (especially when using shoe trees on the 1-2 days between wearings). If you're really looking for an answer to your second question, though, I would get a couple more pair of dress shoes. If you add 2 more, you will be able to let a pair of shoes rest a full week between wearings, which will significantly increase the lifespan of your shoes, both between resolings and overall lifespan.

Since you work primarily in a business casual environment, I'd look at adding something with a double-sole: Macneil, Leeds, Walton, Hillcrest... and maybe a loafer (either a penny loafer or tassel loafer).



Pastor said:

Does anybody have shipping confirmation on their cordovan dalton boots yet? If they are going to be here by Christmas they have to ship put today or tomorrow.

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I have not yet received shipping confirmation on my Walnut Shell Strands either. Maybe they plan to overnight our shoes via Santa?



althanis said:

I need some advice regarding my next shoe purchase.
I currently have a burnished brown Fifth Avenue, and a walnut McAllister. I don't really like black shoes, but they're a necessary evil I think; I have a patent leather Kenneth Cole, which is a pretty crappy shoe.
My question is, should I get the black Park Avenue, just so I can have a good pair of black shoes? Or should I still use the KC as my black shoe, and explore another options, perhaps a walnut Strand?
I'm waiting on the Nordstrom sale to pick up another pair.

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If you can afford shell cordovan, I think a Cambridge in burgundy shell or a MacNeil in the same would add a versatile element to your wardrobe. Both have double soles and plenty of brogueing, so would look good for business casual. Would go well with your black pants, too.

Every man should have a formal shoe in black calf or shell or burgundy shell. It doesn't HAVE to be a balmoral/oxford, but if it isn't, it had better be sleek and lack any decoration. If not balmoral, then a plain toe blucher, I think, and on a sleek last.

If you can afford it, a custom-made Park Avenue in burgundy shell might fit the bill nicely. Too formal for tieless business casual, but it's a highly versatile shoe for wear with suits or blazer and tie. Put a double leather sole on it and it'll be just a touch less formal and better for walking. You can wear it in perfect taste to job interviews, funerals, suited presentations, suit-or-blazer social, etc. Plus, burgundy shell goes well with pretty much all trouser colors, from black to cream, except maybe dead white and ivory. Looks equally good in day and evening. Burgundy shell is more versatile than black calf or black shell, in my opinion. Worth looking at the Alden 9070 if you go this route.



viator said:

What shoe is that in the picture? C&J?

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Don't know. The Gentleman's Corner blog I grabbed the photo from claims it was sold by Lodger.

I know everyone talks of "building" their AE collection, but as a young man with a few pairs, I feel too impatient to wait! I just wish I could grab like 4 more pair right now. Anyone want to donate?

LOL I hear you. I went from 1 to 14 in the past 12 months. My recommendation is to get a list together of what you really want, then work the sales and outlets.

Wow 14! Yeah all of mine are either through Nordstrom sale or outlets. Even at a good price, its still an investment that would require patience on my part.

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bucksfan said:

LOL I hear you. I went from 1 to 14 in the past 12 months. My recommendation is to get a list together of what you really want, then work the sales and outlets.

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I bought 2 in a month, and I'm fighting the urge to not buy 2 more when the Nordstrom sale comes around.

Althanis, I am definitely thinking the same thing-I already have a long list!! But I think it will actually be easier to decide because ill buy seconds instead in a couple of months at the next big sale (just got at the 2 for $300 sale-split it with a buddy). I'll make my decision based on what the offerings are.

Bucksfan, just out of curiosity, what does your AE stock consist of? How did you decide what shoes to buy?



rmspawn said:

I have not yet received shipping confirmation on my Walnut Shell Strands either. Maybe they plan to overnight our shoes via Santa?

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I have some info - my local store told me this evening that my Daltons were in final stage of construction and are due the 22nd or 23rd. Cutting it close....

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blsing said:

Bucksfan, just out of curiosity, what does your AE stock consist of? How did you decide what shoes to buy?

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I mostly built my collection around what my local outlet had in my size, when the sales happen. I also scour ebay for new pair in my size, of something I want. I keep a list of things on my "wish list" - currently I'd like a pair of AE Cambridge / Brooks Bros cordovan shortwings / RL marlow short wings... and a pair of shell penny loafers: AE Kenwood / Brooks Bros / Alden LHS... we'll see which one comes up first on sale.

My current collection has:

Calf:
Black Park Avenue
Black Grayson
Walnut grain Macneil
Walnut Dalton boot
Walnut (chestnut?) Clifton

Burgundy Shell Cordovan:
Macneil
Bradley
Grayson
Randolph
Leeds

Black Shell Cordovan:
Leeds

Brown Shell Cordovan
Strand

Other than Allen Edmonds:
Alden for J. Crew captoe boot in #8 shell cordovan
Ralph Lauren Marlow Plain Toe Blucher in brown shell cordovan

I also had 4 pair I offloaded on Ebay: 2 pair of AE executive collection that didn't end up fitting, AE cole penny loafer that was slightly too long for my foot, and a pair of New Orleans that I didn't end up liking.

I really like the look of the Player's and Lombard in brown and will consider purchasing them during the next Nordstrom's sale. Do you guys think they would work well with jeans and chinos? I'm just wondering if they look too 'dressy' to be worn in this context or if I should elsewhere for a wingtip to wear casually.



bossman08 said:

I really like the look of the Player's and Lombard in brown and will consider purchasing them during the next Nordstrom's sale. Do you guys think they would work well with jeans and chinos? I'm just wondering if they look too 'dressy' to be worn in this context or if I should elsewhere for a wingtip to wear casually.

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Either shoe will go perfectly with denim or chinos.



Man Of Lint said:

Either shoe will go perfectly with denim or chinos.

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Agreed. I wear my chocolate suede Players shoe in chinos and suits. Very versatile shoe.