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Allen Edmonds / Bruno Magli quality getting worse...

ShoeMeister

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This is my first thread, so please be gentle :) I am a fan of AE and Bruno Magli (not all styles). I have noticed without doubt that the quality of the leather and the attention to detail on the sole is much, much cheaper-looking and feeling. I have a few pairs of AE from about 5 years ago and several Brunos from 5-10 years ago. And when I saw them at L&T and Nordstroms it greatly disappointed me. The leather felt like plastic, the soles felt like lightweight "cork material" and it just looked sloppy all-around. Now, this is not to say that all models of both brands are so much worse, but I am certain now that many or I dare say most models of both brands are considerably worse quality (and no, I do not refer to BM low-end China-made models). I know it is a sacrilege to mention AE with Bruno, but in terms of leather quality Bruno was superior, and in terms of construction AE was better primarily due to goodyear welting. And it may shock some AE loyalists, but there are many models of BM which are finer shoes than AE ever made (like the Rabus and Burg, both $1000 models and both priced correctly for quality). That said, both brands are suffering a major drop in quality and I wanted to know if the aficionados in this forum agree with me... thoughts? Thanks.
 
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suited

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My experience has been the same, at least with the last 2 pairs I purchased. I've moved on to other brands.
 

Quadcammer

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nope I disagree. i would say quality control is less stringent, letting more seconds slip through as firsts, but a true AE first has the same quality i've seen for years.

As for BM, I wouldn't buy that trash, so I don't know.
 

Magnanimist

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I've experienced no quality issues with AE shoes and I have several pairs. They fit me well, wear well, and look great.
 

ShoeMeister

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Interesting- "letting more seconds slip through as firsts" ... sounds to me like another way of saying exactly what I was saying, but in a more positive way :) But even that doesn't explain why the leather feels like plastic now, and the soles have a lightweight corky material now. I won't address the BM trash remark. Italian shoes and English/US shoes are simply different. English shoes typically feel like walking with cinder blocks on your feet (yes, I am referring to EG and Lobb) and Italian are more stylish but more flimsy. Both have their place. I probably prefer English shoes, but it depends on your age, clothes, and the occasion :)
 

Quadcammer

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Interesting- "letting more seconds slip through as firsts" ... sounds to me like another way of saying exactly what I was saying, but in a more positive way :)  But even that doesn't explain why the leather feels like plastic now, and the soles have a lightweight corky material now.  


actually, i don't think it is.

Quality control and outright quality are different. A true first quality shoe is made as well and with as good materials as it always was. On occasion, you get something that should be a second...which you then return.

What I was getting at is that I, having owned nearly a dozen AEs over the years, have not seen any shoes, new or old, having plastic feeling leather or lightweight soles.
 

ShoeMeister

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"Over the years" is the key point.. AE has been great over the years. I was referring to at present, perhaps the last year or two. The same goes for BM. I wore my 5yo BM Riskors when I tried on 3 different $500 pairs of BM. They all felt lightweight and cheap. And that's when I also tried on several AEs. They felt lightweight and dinky, remembering how nice my AEs at home are. But if you don't agree, I guess that's why we have a divided government :)
 

eith

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can someone recommend
 
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eith

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Can someone recommend other brands to look at? I have a pair of AE (lasalle) and have been pleased with them. Needed a black pair for my suits and got the BM but wasn't pleased with the leather so i returned them. I was looking around $350 or so but would spend upwards of $600 if the value was there. Something available in the Atlanta market.

Thanks.
 

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