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AE Strand E vs EEE

post #1 of 11
2/1/12 at 5:48am
Thread Starter 

Hello,

 

Long time lurker - but had a question I could not find by searching.

 

I'm going to be purchasing my first pair of Allen Edmonds bigstar[1].gif, (the strand).  My foot is a bit on the wide side and I cannot try a pair of these on anywhere - the closest thing would be the park ave's in 11D at the local Nordstrom, but I'm not sure if that will help my ultimate question - is there a big difference between the e and eee?  I would normally just try the e, but endless only has them in eee.  I know this last is narrow, so maybe the 3e would be ok, but if anyone with experience could chime in I would appreciate it.  Also - does anyone have any pictures of the strands in 3e?  I don't want to look like I'm wearing clown shoes...

 

Thanks!

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post #2 of 11
2/1/12 at 5:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by asalerno View Post

Hello,

 

Long time lurker - but had a question I could not find by searching.

 

I'm going to be purchasing my first pair of Allen Edmonds bigstar[1].gif, (the strand).  My foot is a bit on the wide side and I cannot try a pair of these on anywhere - the closest thing would be the park ave's in 11D at the local Nordstrom, but I'm not sure if that will help my ultimate question - is there a big difference between the e and eee?  I would normally just try the e, but endless only has them in eee.  I know this last is narrow, so maybe the 3e would be ok, but if anyone with experience could chime in I would appreciate it.  Also - does anyone have any pictures of the strands in 3e?  I don't want to look like I'm wearing clown shoes...

 

Thanks!



Nordstrom also sells AE Strands and can order them for you if you want to try them on.  To answer your question, though, I have Park Avenues and Strands (which use the same last) and find that they fit roughly the same.

 

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post #3 of 11
2/1/12 at 5:56am

I also would buy the shoes in the right size.  If you buy a size too large simply because that's what Endless has, you'll end up wasting your money on a shoe that does not fit right and gets shoved to the back of the closet.  If buying based on price, Nordstrom typically sells Strands for $200ish during its Anniversary sale in July.  I picked up a pair last July for $199.

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post #4 of 11
2/1/12 at 5:58am
It depends on wide your foot is. The only way to be sure is to try it as the above post says. I wear a 11.5 E for my slight wide foot and find it comfortable in the ballarea though a tad loose around the throat.
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post #5 of 11
2/1/12 at 6:22am
Thread Starter 

thanks for all the quick responses guys.  Good point made on getting the right size, I guess saving $65 won't make sense if the shoe is too wide.  I was thinking that maybe I could pull off a 3e because the last is narrow to begin with, but I'll go to Nordstrom and try on the PA's and see what I think.

 

I won't be able to wait for July to buy them, as the pair of black shoes I have now is done, but do you think the Strand sale will definitely be a yearly occurrence at the Nord half yearly ?  This past sale (after xmas) they had the leather players (which i think is exclusive to them) for 2 and change.  

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post #6 of 11
2/1/12 at 6:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by asalerno View Post

thanks for all the quick responses guys.  Good point made on getting the right size, I guess saving $65 won't make sense if the shoe is too wide.  I was thinking that maybe I could pull off a 3e because the last is narrow to begin with, but I'll go to Nordstrom and try on the PA's and see what I think.

 

I won't be able to wait for July to buy them, as the pair of black shoes I have now is done, but do you think the Strand sale will definitely be a yearly occurrence at the Nord half yearly ?  This past sale (after xmas) they had the leather players (which i think is exclusive to them) for 2 and change.  


For the last several years, Nordstrom has sold Park Avenues in black and Strands in walnut for $200ish during the anniversary sale.  No guarantee this will continue, but no reason to believe otherwise either.  If you have a more pressing need, AE will have a sale on seconds beginning February 7th.  I would imagine you could get a pair of seconds for somewhere around $200.
 

 

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post #7 of 11
2/1/12 at 6:43am
Endless has free shipping and free returns. I've returned several things before and they have always been prompt with a refund. If you don't have access to a store that carries different AE widths, just order the EEE Strands and another shoe on the 5 last (such as Park Avenue) that Endless carries in an E. Compare the fit and return the Park Aves regardless. If the EEE fits better keep it. If not, return it and find a place that carries an E.

Also, if you are used to wearing a D, you may find you can go down a 1/2 size in AE when you get the width right. Or not, but it's something to consider if you're getting your first pair of AEs. The first pair I bought (Park Ave) was a 1/2 size too big because I had been wearing 10.5D my whole adult life and didn't realize in AE I am a 10E. If you order from a place with free shipping and free returns you might want to experiment with a 1/2 size down too if you are getting a wider shoe for the first time. Obviously, the ideal thing to do would be go to a store that carries them and get fitted but if you're set on doing it online, these are just a couple things to consider.

Also, once you know your AE size you might want to get on the AE Shoebank mailing list. They have sales and specials frequently and can email you a list of what they have in your size. I just picked up a pair of Fifth Street boots for $139 that retail for $350 for example.

Hope this helps!
Fred
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post #8 of 11
2/1/12 at 6:49am
Thread Starter 

that's fantastic on both the Nordstrom sale and the seconds sale.  Thank you very much.  If I can figure out my size by the 7th, i will certainly get a pair of seconds - I've heard nothing but good things.  

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post #9 of 11
2/1/12 at 7:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by asalerno View Post

is there a big difference between the e and eee?  I would normally just try the e, but endless only has them in eee.  I know this last is narrow, so maybe the 3e would be ok, but if anyone with experience could chime in I would appreciate it.  Also - does anyone have any pictures of the strands in 3e?  I don't want to look like I'm wearing clown shoes...
Visually there is no significant difference IMHO. Fit-wise though, depending on the last, an E vs a EEE could be a deal breaker. I found this true even on one of the most blobby AE lasts.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred G. Unn View Post

Also, if you are used to wearing a D, you may find you can go down a 1/2 size in AE when you get the width right. Or not, but it's something to consider if you're getting your first pair of AEs. The first pair I bought (Park Ave) was a 1/2 size too big because I had been wearing 10.5D my whole adult life and didn't realize in AE I am a 10E. I
This was exactly my experience as well (right down to the size).
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post #10 of 11
2/9/12 at 6:58am
Thread Starter 

Just wanted to follow up.  After getting fitted at Nordstrom, the 11D fit perfectly.  I'm surprised as I'm a borderline wide, and this is a narrow last, but the shoe is comfortable and looks good. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

Next up is trying to figure out what shoe care I need before I wear these out... (I'm sure i'll be able to find more than enough info on these forums)

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post #11 of 11
2/9/12 at 7:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by asalerno View Post

Just wanted to follow up.  After getting fitted at Nordstrom, the 11D fit perfectly.  I'm surprised as I'm a borderline wide, and this is a narrow last, but the shoe is comfortable and looks good. Thanks for everyone's help.

Next up is trying to figure out what shoe care I need before I wear these out... (I'm sure i'll be able to find more than enough info on these forums)

good, that you found your size, I use AE polishes, creams and love them...
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