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AE MacNeil LWB vs. JCrew Alden LWB - Page 2

post #16 of 25
3/6/10 at 12:08am
IMO old Kenmoors fit true to size. Perhaps just a hair looser to accommodate woolish socks.
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post #17 of 25
3/6/10 at 12:44am
^Cool. The search for a 9.5 continues...
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post #18 of 25
3/6/10 at 1:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by greekgeek View Post
MacNeil in shell is very nice. The stitching is more robust on the AE's than the Alden's, more stitches per inch and doubled.

That said I don't think you could go wrong with either pair, but if you can wait hunt for the real deal Kenmoors.

Are Kenmoors and Imperials the same? I assume you are talking about vintage.
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post #19 of 25
3/6/10 at 1:49am
As far as i can tell Kenmoor means "top of the line" in old Florsheim speak. Most often associated with the longwing style, the name Kenmoor predates the Imperial label. That said Kenmoors are often labelled as such in addition to the label Imperial and/or Royal Imperial.



I am talking strictly vintage, I wouldn't buy the new Kenmoors.
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post #20 of 25
3/6/10 at 7:54pm
Any chance someone has a Florsheim timeline. That is, of the vintage longwings, when did they start doing the V Cleat and five nails in the waist? When did they stop? What other branding can help give the age of them. I was going to start a thread about this, and I still may, but thought I would ask here since it came up.
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post #21 of 25
3/14/10 at 2:26pm
Here is a link to the definitive comparison of the 2 shoes. See Crownship's post halfway down the first page.

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...ad.php?t=92600
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post #22 of 25
3/29/12 at 1:34pm
Sorry for excavating an old thread -- but this is my dilemma right now.

I'd like a pair of longwings, but I'm dithering between a pair of AE MacNeils -- can get for anywhere from $250 to $365 (for the AE x Freemans pebble grain) vs. Alden LWB's, which start at around $515...so, really, what is the qualitative difference?

The argument higher up in the thread (Alden medallion and wing are higher on the vamp) is more of a style preference, I think -- but is there something about Alden construction/materials that elevates them over the AE's by a wide margin?

(In general I think Alden's are flat-out better looking than AE and come in more pleasing makeups, but the LWB/MacNeil seems to be a fair comparison. I'd be getting black calf to wear with charcoal/blue suits/slacks)
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post #23 of 25
3/29/12 at 7:22pm

Resurrecting and old thread just means that the search function is working and you used it. That's not a bad start.  I'm relatively new to AE and Alden though I own shoes from both.  I generally find Alden to be a better fit for me and more comfortable (hence worth the extra $$$$$).  I attribute this in part to their use of combination lasts which lets you get a bigger toe box with a smaller heel.  The problem is that Alden has a limited retail network (i.e. brick and mortar stores to try on shoes).  It's much easier for me to go to Nordstrom and try on a pair of AEs. 

 

AE also sells custom and MTO shoes directly to the consumer.  If you want mismatched sizes or suede MacNeil, you can call AE anytime and order them (for an up charge).  The only way to get a MTO Alden is by chasing the special make ups offered by an Alden retailer like Leffot or Leather Soul.

 

Overall, I put Alden ahead of AE for fit and quality.  For price and convenience, AE wins hands down.

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post #24 of 25
3/29/12 at 8:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by balaskonis View Post

Wanted to get the dark brown LWB...originally looked at Alden Cigar Shell and RL Darlton, but guys, too expensive at >$600. What is the take on these two shoes (MacNeil and Alden Jcrew) ? Does anyone have any pics of the Dark Brown Alden JCrew Longwing? Of course on J Crew's site it's just one angle. Any comments on last? They really do look very similar. Thanks,Paul


http://www.styleforum.net/t/146975/a-tale-of-two-cordovan-derbies-ae-alden
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post #25 of 25
3/30/12 at 10:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhiPsi32 View Post

Resurrecting and old thread just means that the search function is working and you used it. That's not a bad start.  I'm relatively new to AE and Alden though I own shoes from both.  I generally find Alden to be a better fit for me and more comfortable (hence worth the extra $$$$$).  I attribute this in part to their use of combination lasts which lets you get a bigger toe box with a smaller heel.  The problem is that Alden has a limited retail network (i.e. brick and mortar stores to try on shoes).  It's much easier for me to go to Nordstrom and try on a pair of AEs. 

AE also sells custom and MTO shoes directly to the consumer.  If you want mismatched sizes or suede MacNeil, you can call AE anytime and order them (for an up charge).  The only way to get a MTO Alden is by chasing the special make ups offered by an Alden retailer like Leffot or Leather Soul.

Overall, I put Alden ahead of AE for fit and quality.  For price and convenience, AE wins hands down.

Thanks from a fellow Phi Psi! (Virginia Alpha...pretty long time ago...)

I think I'll go with better fit...the $150 difference is pretty major but if, say, the Alden's don't fit quite so well, that's money not well spent, and the converse, of course! And good to know about the MTO program.
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