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

[CMT1]



What is VSC?

http://www.amazon.com/Fore-Supply-Co-Neutral-Venetian/dp/B00A6GAT0Y

Your writing references shell. Are these shell?
Are these really Walnut? They look darker.

Yep!

Can I get effect with different colors?
If I send my shoes to you, will you send them back looking like these pics? Please?

While you may not get quite the same rich variation, I do see satisfactory results with other colors.

No need to send them to me as the process is very easy.

1. Buy VSC
2. Remove exterior dust, etc with brush or cloth
3. Apply light coat of VSC and let sit for 5-10 minutes
4. Remove, brush, buff with cloth

I apply and remove two very light coats about once year, or when the shoes look like they need it, or if I'm trying to remove a stubborn scuff or mark, etc. Both my walnut and burgundy shell still bloom, so they do not seem to require much of any product, but I do have brown shell Strands that are looking a bit parched these days.

Cambridge from yesterday:

After almost two years of wear they are starting to look really red in the sun, while still burgundy in the shade and almost black in low light. These see the most wear out of all my AEs due to their versatility.

Those shoes are superb. I must own a shell Strand at some point. I am jealous beyond words.

Thanks Matt. I have my brown pair basking in a light coat of VSC right now. I don't think they've ever seen any product at all since picking them up over a year ago, so I'm interested to see how they turn out.

 

[danwatts2005]



http://www.amazon.com/Fore-Supply-Co-Neutral-Venetian/dp/B00A6GAT0Y
Yep!

While you may not get quite the same rich variation, I do see satisfactory results with other colors.

No need to send them to me as the process is very easy.

1. Buy VSC
2. Remove exterior dust, etc with brush or cloth
3. Apply light coat of VSC and let sit for 5-10 minutes
4. Remove, brush, buff with cloth

I apply and remove two very light coats about once year, or when the shoes look like they need it, or if I'm trying to remove a stubborn scuff or mark, etc. Both my walnut and burgundy shell still bloom, so they do not seem to require much of any product, but I do have brown shell Strands that are looking a bit parched these days.

Cambridge from yesterday:

After almost two years of wear they are starting to look really red in the sun, while still burgundy in the shade and almost black in low light. These see the most wear out of all my AEs due to their versatility.
Thanks Matt. I have my brown pair basking in a light coat of VSC right now. I don't think they've ever seen any product at all since picking them up over a year ago, so I'm interested to see how they turn out.

Thanks for the tips! It says that it can be used on CXL and calf, so I'll be trying it, though I don't expect results like yours, since yours are shell. Beautiful shoes on both counts.

 

[CMT1]



Thanks for the tips! It says that it can be used on CXL and calf, so I'll be trying it, though I don't expect results like yours, since yours are shell. Beautiful shoes on both counts.

Thanks Dan! VSC is pretty versatile. I use it on just about any leather product including shoes, boots, bags and belts. Apply it sparingly, and let it sit for at least a few minutes before removing.

For disclosure purposes, some do not prefer to use VSC due to a suspected turpentine content which could degrade the leather over time. I am relatively new to the shoecare game as well, and I have no idea if the turpentine content is true - it sure smells true - and if so just how detrimental its prolonged use can be, however it is a bit of an eyebrow-raiser that bears mentioning here.

I use VSC for my shell because at this point I've tried everything, and I use product so sparingly that the giant Tub-O-VSC will last me a lifetime.

Others may have their own opinions, and they will likely be far more experienced then mine.

 

[smfdoc]

The picture says it all.

 

[mosy]

Are black McGregors suitable to be worn with suits?

 

[SLCRich]

Ok clearly this is the AE thread, and if my post needs to be deleted/moved I understand but I feel like we're all friends here and I value opinions presented by you all (especially since 99% of posters here have more shoe experience than I.) So I just tried these on and it took everything in my power not to throw my credit card at the salesman. They have been theeeee most comfortable loafer I've tried on so far (which isn't that many and fortunately I was able to hide my excitement for the most part and make it out of there unscathed.) The last post in the Santoni thread I found is from 2014, so curious as to how they wear? I loved the color too.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/santoni...ualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=3002

 

[jet-stream]

A couple of months ago, I acquired some Rush Streets in golden brown CXL for an extremely favorable price. They were seconds, with the only issue being purely cosmetic but significant. The camp on the left shoe was a couple of shades lighter than the typical golden brown, while the toe cap was a few shades darker. The right shoe was fine, but it made for an odd-looking pair:

This wouldn't have been a big deal with calf but presented some challenge with CXL. After a few unsuccessful attempts to harmonize the coloring a bit (polish restorer and neutral shoe creams), the color difference was still pretty strong. My cobbler didn't want to try dyes due to the contrast stitching and neutral sole. As a near-last resort, I got some mink oil paste and tried that on the vamp: voila! It made a big difference:

The only real issue remaining is the left toe cap. I frankly don't have the stones to try lightening it with anything that would actually work, so I think it's either go as-is or try to darken the right toe cap a bit to match. The picture above exaggerates the difference just a bit but is a pretty close proxy for the difference IRL.

I'd like to get the opinions of the barn weasels out there: call it a day, or darken the right toe cap a bit? The differences are subtle enough now to wear in public IMO, but could always be better ...
Thanks in advance!

 

[smfdoc]

Ok clearly this is the AE thread, and if my post needs to be deleted/moved I understand but I feel like we're all friends here and I value opinions presented by you all (especially since 99% of posters here have more shoe experience than I.) So I just tried these on and it took everything in my power not to throw my credit card at the salesman. They have been theeeee most comfortable loafer I've tried on so far (which isn't that many and fortunately I was able to hide my excitement for the most part and make it out of there unscathed.) The last post in the Santoni thread I found is from 2014, so curious as to how they wear? I loved the color too.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/santoni...ualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=3002

My only experience with Santoni is in the resale of the shoe. They are certainly a nice shoe and the prices, as you have seen at Nordstrom, are not inexpensive and typically more than AE first quality. Oddly, really nice Santoni shoes, in very good condition, tend to have a very low resale value on Ebay and other sites. In many instances they are less than $100, which strikes me as odd given they are frequently over $500 new. Why? Who knows.

 

[Count de Monet]



Are black McGregors suitable to be worn with suits?

I say "yes." The Macgregor doesn't have all of the elements of a full scale #%^* gunboat, is relatively "sleek" (by AE standards) for a LWB, and comes in black. So, all told, though not exactly conservative business dress, I'd say they are safe to wear with most suits. Of course, others will disagree.

 

[jet-stream]



What can I use to make my Rush Streets a little darker? They are a little too light for my taste. Can I use brown wax or cream?

Please see my post immediately previous (3 posts up) to this one. Mink oil paste worked well for me, and enhances the water resistance that CXL already has, but may be more of a change than you want. The photos in that post should give you an idea - I applied only to the left vamp. You can control be color a bit through how much you apply and how long you let any excess soak in.
The neatsfoot oil note below may be a better place to start, and I would have tried it first had I known that.

My understanding is that Neatsfoot oil will condition and darken them. It is the recommended care product for chromexcel by Nick Horween.

This is good to know! I wish Horween had shared this info with me when I called them and talked to their CXL "expert." Argh. Thanks for sharing, perhaps I'll try that next time...

 

[jet-stream]



Are black McGregors suitable to be worn with suits?

I say "yes." The Macgregor doesn't have all of the elements of a full scale #%^* gunboat, is relatively "sleek" (by AE standards) for a LWB, and comes in black. So, all told, though not exactly conservative business dress, I'd say they are safe to wear with most suits. Of course, others will disagree.

As Count notes, it is not a classically correct use of a LWB. However, I suspec that in most environments, you'll be wearing a "nicer" shoe than pretty much anyone else, and few if any will view as stretching the rules.

Bottom line: you'll probably be fine unless you are attending a SF business meeting. Then maybe go with a PA or Carlyle with a suit.

 

[Count de Monet]



Please see my post immediately previous (3 posts up) to this one. Mink oil paste worked well for me, and enhances the water resistance that CXL already has, but may be more of a change than you want. The photos in that post should give you an idea - I applied only to the left vamp. You can control be color a bit through how much you apply and how long you let any excess soak in.
The neatsfoot oil note below may be a better place to start, and I would have tried it first had I known that.
This is good to know! I wish Horween had shared this info with me when I called them and talked to their CXL "expert." Argh. Thanks for sharing, perhaps I'll try that next time...

It is, perhaps, worth noting that Horween knows quite well how to make their products, including how to treat them for their own purposes and getting said product sold to folks who make shoes.

That doesn't necessarily make them experts at maintaing a pair of shoes for 10-20 years. Thus, my wondering that just because they recommend something because they use it, eg, VSC, that doesn't mean it is good for the product long term.

 

[smfdoc]

Quote: I fully concur with the Count. A proper polish and edge dressing should be a given and you will look better than the majority of the room. Just look around. There are way too many people wearing glue construction, square-toed, rubber soled shoes with suits.

 

[misterellington]

Verona is from the Italian line, right? There's something idiomatically correct about a black bit loafer. Wear it in good health!

I know that loafers with suits is something of a no-no. I adhere to it pretty closely. Bit loafers—especially a black bit loafer is an awesome look with a nice sweater/scarf/light-colored slack combo, or a blazer/polo/chino ensemble. Of course...NOT with a suit. Even though I see it all the time on old money men of means walking around midtown.

But if you're gonna break a rule—“Loafer With A Suit”, you've gotta do it “right”.

You see a movie like “To Catch A Thief” with Cary Grant (a style idol of mine) in a Black Loafer with a suit and it look so sartorially right that it hurts.



WWCD?

(“What Would Cary Do?”)

 

[M635Guy]

This is good to know! I wish Horween had shared this info with me when I called them and talked to their CXL "expert." Argh. Thanks for sharing, perhaps I'll try that next time...

This is the source of that info for me: http://horween.com/101/chromexcel-2/ (toward the bottom)

The darkening info came from posts here on SF in the Shoe Care subforum