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Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread 2016 - News, Pictures, Sizing, Accessories, Clothing, etc

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TexasTexter

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Most shell cordovan on shoebank is on sale right now for $399. Also, you can order order for 15% off during a grand opening sale whenever a new AE store opens. I've done both and don't know any other way to get shell at a discount...I've never seen it go on sale.

Yeah, I looked nothing in my size.
angry.gif
 

Indyoshi68

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Gave those vintage Chesters I picked up on eBay a quick shine last night and thought I'd post them. I've been getting some killer deals recently, but these are literally brand new from the mid 80s. You would never know looking at these shoes. Oh ya... I only paid $40 for them.

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These are sick. Love everything about them (color, style, shine job). 30 year old new AE...for $40. Jelly. Wonder how differently (aka much better) they're made than today's product. Incredible cop!
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mreams99

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I just checked to see if nordstrom rack had any price drops from a few days ago and pretty much the entire stock of AE is now gone except for a few belts and one loafer. It looked well stocked 2 days ago. Guess they dumped their stock to a liquidator?

They have moved them all to their Hautelook site.
www.hautelook.com
 

catlettsl

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What's up with this new leather AE is using! Has anyone else noticed? Is it some type of finish that is applied to the leather? Seems kinda plasticky IMO ...


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Yes they use a spray acrylic now instead of wax polish. I'm not a huge fan.

How do we handle the shoes now? Wear them until the acrylic wears off?


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smfdoc

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I watched the video on shell cordovan. (http://putthison.com/post/5219725232/how-leathers-are-made) I know I had a cordovan strap I almost ordered for my Panerai at one time but I didn't realize it was so durable.

Does anyone have any pics they would share on this type of AE shoe? What shoe is the best in this leather of AE offerings? Is it worth the price and why? $650 is a pretty penny. I do realize you get what you pay for however do they ever go on sale?
I asked several of the exact same questions when I first became interested in shoes. In fact, I was inside an actual Allen Edmonds store and I asked the sales associate, "What's the deal with Cordovan?" I really could not understand why such a high price was associated with that particular type of shoe. His reply was not very enlightening. He said, "You either get Cordovan, or you don't." I thought that was rather stupid answer that did not provide any information. His statement was much like saying the same about rap music or modern art. Since that time, with my own investigation and experience, I have grown to love Cordovan leather shoes and am happy to provide a small amount of enlightenment.

From my perspective, Cordovan leather is worth the price. (If you can afford Paneri watches you can afford shell cordovan shoes). The cost is certainly expensive and that is a result of the lengthy production time for the leather, availability and demand. Calf leather requires three months to create while Cordovan leather requires six months. This additional time and steps always will equate to a higher cost. Second, the availability of horse skins continues to decrease because fewer people are eating horse and that is where the skins come from. The largest producer of horse was France where it is becoming less and less common in their diet. These two factors, combined with the demand for the leather for shoes creates high retail prices.

Why is it desirable for shoes? You stated, "I didn't realize it was so durable" and that is part of the answer. Cordovan leather is extremely durable and the shoes are notorious for lasting a very long time. These Florsheim long wings are made of cordovan and were well cared for. They are 26 years old and the shine is mainly from brushing. Use of products on them is very rare. They, unlike calf, also are resistant to sharp folds and cracking. This accounts for the wavy folds seen in the vamp.


Maintenance of the shoe is relatively easy with each wearing ending with a wipe down with a slightly damp cloth and brushing with a horse hair brush. Unlike calf leather, the shoe retains oils that help alleviate most scuffs and scratches with brushing alone and not adding any creams or polishes. I managed to pick up a very noticeable scratch in these #8 color shell shoes recently. You could see and feel the scratch.

With calf, this would require polish to remove. 5 minutes of brushing brought out the oils still in the leather and it vanished. No products were used.

Others are correct when they point towards the shoebank as a source of reduced price and you are fortunate when you find what you want, on sale and in your size. Sorry that I only have one AE shell picture to offer, but others can show theirs. Here is an old AE Fairgate model cap toe blucher.


Until then, here are my several pairs I own and one other long wing in Ravello, owned by @mdubs , that I will happily kill a baby seal to find in my size. Again, sorry for only one AE example, so just consider the others as shoe Appreciation.



 
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aero25

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Newberry

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Bitter chocolate suede Cavanaugh for the fights tonight.
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My foot tan game was on point until I spent 3 days golfing in 115+ degrees so I'm back to square one :(
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I remember one time I found a pair of first chocolate suede Cavanaughs for $150-160 at Nordstrom Rack. I wasn't sure if I should have bought them or not and when I went back a few days later they were gone lol. Moral of this story: Never hesitate when you find a steal on a high quality shoe.
 

mreams99

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I remember one time I found a pair of first chocolate suede Cavanaughs for $150-160 at Nordstrom Rack. I wasn't sure if I should have bought them or not and when I went back a few days later they were gone lol. Moral of this story: Never hesitate when you find a steal on a high quality shoe.

Sometimes you can find a good deal at Nordstrom Rack. I picked up a pair of first quality stone suede Cavanaughs there for $139.
 

Newberry

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Sometimes you can find a good deal at Nordstrom Rack. I picked up a pair of first quality stone suede Cavanaughs there for $139.


Definitely! A few months ago I bought a pair of snuff suede Gobi Chukkas for $150 and I love them.
 

FaRKle

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I watched the video on shell cordovan. (http://putthison.com/post/5219725232/how-leathers-are-made) I know I had a cordovan strap I almost ordered for my Panerai at one time but I didn't realize it was so durable.

Does anyone have any pics they would share on this type of AE shoe? What shoe is the best in this leather of AE offerings? Is it worth the price and why? $650 is a pretty penny. I do realize you get what you pay for however do they ever go on sale?

Only time they go on sale (for firsts, in recent memory) is when a brand new AE store opens and they have a 15% off everything promotion. You can call that store and order. There should be one opening in Palo Alto at the end of the month.
 
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Neo1

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I am not sure what sizes that they have but do you think it's worth $395? It is a marble gray cloud look. Does anyone know if this is a good shoe?

So this is totally a matter of opinion of course....

I tried and passed on the gray PA, Black Hills & McTavish.

1. The gray PA was just plain weird. It looked good on the shelf but when worn, it looked like really faded black shoes. Maybe ok with denim, but now you're talking a closed lace captoe with jeans?
2. The black hills were so-so. Would have been a denim shoe. The walnut or whatever I went with was just way more practical. I don't regret this at all. Smooth shiny gray just didn't work for me.
3. The gray McTavish with the black sole was totally awesome, really unique. What turned me off is the fact that they were quite light (the pictures make them look darker than they are). But these I wish I had gotten.

Hope this helps!
 

Neo1

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It's hard to mention something I have never heard of.

This is actually ironic - you've often complained that AE's wide sizes aren't good enough and that they've driven you to Alden in some cases. The Darmstadt was f-ing large, really wide & roomy in the toe. Half size down for me didn't even work. You might really like this one.
 
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