Allen edmunds shoes

I like the AE chili color.  In fact, I am really enamored with their Kingsley shoe in that color. http://www.amazon.com/exec....ZJMNLQK I am thinking this might be a great all-purpose shoe working with everything from jeans to suits.  Any comments? Scott

not with jeans.

There has been some confusion,because some manufacturers use the term "cordovan" as a color,to mean a burgundy to black cherry color. True shell cordovan shoes are made from horsehide,and come in many different colors. For example, These,from Allen-Edmonds: or these,from Alden: or these,also from Alden:

Scott, I'm with Freakseam. I like those shoes too, but wouldn't pair them with jeans. I would pair them with a more casual suit, i.e. a cashmere and cotton tan summer suit, for example.

I'd wear them with jeans... Mitch: Love those Alden saddles. From Adam at Alden of Carmel? Steve

Steve, Yes.. You certainly have an astute eye for fine footwear.

re: chili color that is essentially a dark brown, so it is versatile as you describe, can be worn with just about anything. notable exception: black suit. re: cordovan http://www.aldenshop.com/cordovan.asp my comment 'not with jeans' refers to scottmag's post and is based on the shoe style (namely, the perforation detail), not color.

Forgive me,if I chose to concentrate on the latter part of your request first. I got distracted by the thought of posting those stunning shell cordovans. As to the first part of your question,IMO,chili -- a reddish brown,if my browser is representing correctly -- For example,these A-E Ashtons: certainly could be worn with a navy suit,brown belt,and red-toned tie,for a more European/Fashion Forward look,as well as khaki and other earth toned suits.

The AE chili shoes look great with a gray suit. Personally, I'm not comfortable wearing them with blue or black, but I've seen many men wearing this color with dark suits, and I must admit that it is a sharp look.

Most people would call the Allen-Edmonds chili color cognac or British tan. It's a medium brown with a heavy red component. That particular color is extremely versatile: I'd wear it with navy, charcoal, khaki -- pretty much anything except black.

IMO, the AE chili would not be described as a British Tan. It has far too much red in it for that. The British Tan color is much more of a medium brown, with much less reddish tone. I would describe the chili as somewhere between a "cordovan" (the color, not the leather) and a brown, but tending toward the cordovan. I would say the two-tone Alden bluchers shown above are much more of a British Tan; note how different in color these are from the AE's shown. This color looks nice with most pants, if you are willing to wear brown tones with blue and/or gray -- some traditionalists will only wear black with these colors. I have a pair of the AE Ashtons in Chili, and I wear them when travelling with jeans, khakis, and cords -- I think the shoes are a good travelling shoe because they are light, comfortable, and a pretty good compromise between a more formal look and a more casual style.

there is an interesting article on allen-edmonds in the latest issue of harry magazine from the harry rosen men's store in canada

Any chance of a recap?