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

[RTD1]

Greetings everyone. First post and I wanted to get some opinions regarding the Annual Sale if you all don't mind. I've had my eye on some strands for a while but seeing the McAllister on sale I'm wondering if I should just pull the trigger on those in either dark chili or merlot. Current AE shoes consist of Park Ave (in Brown Antibe, Black, Oxblood), 5th Ave (in Bourbon), and McTavish (dark brown though they aren't exactly dark). Based on what I already own what do you all think? Wait for the RDA sale in October and hope for strands to hit sale or get McAllister now at $295? I prefer the strands but maybe I'm too conservative here and should branch out into the wingtip world (McTavish aside as I use them on the casual side of things with jeans/chinos). Thanks!

I currently have two pairs of Strands - Dark Chili Burnished (it was a Nordstrom exclusive color when I got it) and Oxblood. I also have Fifth Aves in Black (my suit shoes for interviews, first time client meets, etc.) and Aschers in Bourbon. IMO, the Strand is one of the most versatile shoes AE makes - works with suits, odd jacket and trousers, and chinos/twills/cords. I probably wouldn't wear it with jeans, but I've seen people pull it off. I don't presently own any wingtips, but I am strongly considering getting a pair of Brown McAllisters during this sale. Almost certainly getting a pair of Lake Forests in Black to round out my slip ons. I guess my short answer is - why not get the McAllisters now and the Strands at the RDA (when everything is on sale)?

 

[Neo1]

@M2511Ick...so much 65. I'd probably pick up the McAllister if you really want it now. Usually the Rda features a few things but if the McAllister isn't one of them, the discount won't be that great.

surprised no one commented on the fact that the anniversary & rda are now 1sts only. Believe I haven't seen that before.

 

[FaRKle]

Wait for the RDA sale in October and hope for strands to hit sale or get McAllister now at $295? I prefer the strands but maybe I'm too conservative here and should branch out into the wingtip world (McTavish aside as I use them on the casual side of things with jeans/chinos). Thanks!

I guess my short answer is - why not get the McAllisters now and the Strands at the RDA (when everything is on sale)?

+1 to RTD1. Grab the McAllisters now and Strands when they go on sale later. Good time to get a Merlot combo sole model too (get the combo sole for free)!

 

[barto78]

Shell Strands shipped yesterday, so excited to receive them. Going to pick up the Chili Carlyle's this weekend and also pick up a couple belts during the anniversary sale.

Anyone know what AE polish i should purchase for my Ralph Lauren (made by AE) burnished dark brown loafers?

 

[M2511]

+1 to RTD1. Grab the McAllisters now and Strands when they go on sale later. Good time to get a Merlot combo sole model too (get the combo sole for free)!

I don't have any with the combo tap sole. What is your experience with them? (All of mine are just leather bottom no dainite either)

I guess my short answer is - why not get the McAllisters now and the Strands at the RDA (when everything is on sale)?

Well that is a fair point. Perhaps I will!

@Neo1 Yea I quite like the 65 last though I'm also considering the 201 namely the Warwick and Rogue. I like the Warwick but I don't know when I'd wear them.

 

[NorseHorse]

Chili Macs today, love the insoles on these bad boys. I could walk a couple miles easily.

 

[RTD1]

Shell Strands shipped yesterday, so excited to receive them. Going to pick up the Chili Carlyle's this weekend and also pick up a couple belts during the anniversary sale.

Anyone know what AE polish i should purchase for my Ralph Lauren (made by AE) burnished dark brown loafers?

Be careful when polishing burnished shoes, especially with things like the AE shoe cream. I learned this the hard way with my Aschers. The polish can remove the burnishing. Although with dark brown shoes like yours you'd probably be safe with any standard brown polish.

 

[RTD1]

Since the previous poster brought up polishing, I figured I'd post this here to see if maybe someone has some ideas.

I bought the Aschers not long ago. Wore them a few times. As with most AEs, they're shipped relatively dry and dull and after a few wearings had some scuffs, so I decided to polish them. I used the AE light brown shoe creme and started on the vamps of the one shoe. Something didn't look right so I immediately removed the polish. Now the vamp on that shoe is way lighter than the rest of the shoe or the other shoe. Then in a panic I used some darker brown polish which, well, turned it dark brown. I then tried to remove that with cleaner/conditioner and then with rubbing alcohol. Anyway, the net result is that the toe box now has a quite rich color which I kinda like more than the factory bourbon though it doesn't match the other shoe, but there are also two dark lines that I can't seem to get rid of.

Comparison:

Zoom on the dark lines:

I'm hoping I didn't wear through the finish (holding it at an angle I don't see any irregularities in the reflection so I think that's a good sign). But assuming I can't correct it exactly, I'm thinking about using it to create a sort of patina effect and then trying to replicate on the other shoe. Though I'm open to other ideas.

Thoughts?

 

[FaRKle]

I don't have any with the combo tap sole. What is your experience with them? (All of mine are just leather bottom no dainite either)

The combo tap sole is great IMO. It's very thin so unless you're up close and looking for it it doesn't really add any bulkiness to the look of the sole. It's also more comfortable than a dainite sole paired with leather insole, which I find harder than the usual leather insole with leather outsole (dainite plus poron insole is a good combo though). If the combo tap sole was a free option on all models, I'd probably take it.

 

[barto78]

Be careful when polishing burnished shoes, especially with things like the AE shoe cream. I learned this the hard way with my Aschers. The polish can remove the burnishing. Although with dark brown shoes like yours you'd probably be safe with any standard brown polish.

I guess i can just use VSC and then brush them up really well. Thanks for the advise on polishing burnished shoes. I'm a newbie when it comes to stuff like that.

 

[SLCRich]

Really eyeing the Grayson for this current sale. Anyone have it and can compare to other slip ons? Patriot, Ascher, Mora, Warwick...please tell me it's a horrible fit so my wallet still loves me

 

[RichieP]

Greetings everyone. First post and I wanted to get some opinions regarding the Annual Sale if you all don't mind. I've had my eye on some strands for a while but seeing the McAllister on sale I'm wondering if I should just pull the trigger on those in either dark chili or merlot. Current AE shoes consist of Park Ave (in Brown Antibe, Black, Oxblood), 5th Ave (in Bourbon), and McTavish (dark brown though they aren't exactly dark). Based on what I already own what do you all think? Wait for the RDA sale in October and hope for strands to hit sale or get McAllister now at $295? I prefer the strands but maybe I'm too conservative here and should branch out into the wingtip world (McTavish aside as I use them on the casual side of things with jeans/chinos). Thanks!

Were you wanting a Strand in chili or merlot? Besides the RDA sale, Nordstrom usually has the walnut Strand on sale in June, and then there's the AE Tent Sale in June or July where lots of seconds go on sale, and you'd have a wider choice of Strand colors, most likely.

Otherwise, wingtips are nice to have in the rotation. Sometimes I lean towards PTB too. Depends on my mood.

 

[naspratt]



I like the Warwick but I don't know when I'd wear them.

Any time you want to be the sexiest beast in whatever room you're in. At least for oxblood. Walnut isn't quite as sexy, but you'll still be sexier than anyone not wearing oxblood Warwicks. Fancy dinners, evenings out; the Warwick can do anything and go anywhere you don't need a tux or a dark suit.

 

[Buster Brown]



The combo tap sole is great IMO. It's very thin so unless you're up close and looking for it it doesn't really add any bulkiness to the look of the sole. It's also more comfortable than a dainite sole paired with leather insole, which I find harder than the usual leather insole with leather outsole (dainite plus poron insole is a good combo though). If the combo tap sole was a free option on all models, I'd probably take it.

+1. I have combination tap soles on my Bleecker Street and Portland boots. The soles look no different than traditional leather soles at eye level and the added grip on wet surfaces is great. I tried getting combo soles on a recent recraft but they claimed it couldn't be done. Not sure I believe/understand that but I would definitely take them whenever offered.

 

[M2511]

Were you wanting a Strand in chili or merlot? Besides the RDA sale, Nordstrom usually has the walnut Strand on sale in June, and then there's the AE Tent Sale in June or July where lots of seconds go on sale, and you'd have a wider choice of Strand colors, most likely.

Otherwise, wingtips are nice to have in the rotation. Sometimes I lean towards PTB too. Depends on my mood.

Walnut is probably last on my color list to add but if I pick up these McAllister in merlot I would probably be looking next to walnut. I had not considered Nordstroms sale. Tent Sale isn't a bad idea either assuming I can snag decent seconds. Thanks for the advice

Any time you want to be the sexiest beast in whatever room you're in. At least for oxblood. Walnut isn't quite as sexy, but you'll still be sexier than anyone not wearing oxblood Warwicks. Fancy dinners, evenings out; the Warwick can do anything and go anywhere you don't need a tux or a dark suit.

That is quite the endorsement for oxblood warwick. I may have to reconsider my stance haha.