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

[naspratt]



Yep.   I don't know which corresponds to the Kent.  You could try looking through the old Allen Edmonds catalogs. 


https://issuu.com/allenedmonds

If you do, get ready to trip balls.

Some of the boots they used to have were amazing. I wonder if anyone, during the heights of the old MTO program, took Paul up on his initial offer to remake old patterns.

 

[middlepP]

Hey all, I'm thinking of getting a casual Friday/weekend loafer. Do you guys think a kirkwood or a sea island would do the trick in blue?

I have 3 pairs of the Kirkwood, including the navy color. Great shoe (and way more versatile than say the Maritime) with shorts or pants!

I'm wanting a blue sea island to wear on casual Friday or dressier weekend wear - as I feel the white sole of the Kirks are a little too casual sometimes. And that suede is oh so soft!

If it helps with fit:
I own the Kirkwood in both 9B (in attempt to control the volume) and 9D (my 5-last size). Tried on the Sea Island in store; 9D was definitely too short and 9.5D had too much volume. I needed a 9.5 or even 10 in a narrower width, which they don't make. Keep in mind, I have flat feet, so controlling for volume is my biggest issue with regards to fit. The manager did mentioned the possibility of the shoe coming out in full run at the end of the summer or fall (which makes zero business sense, but oh well).

 

[phsiao08]

Thanks for the fit clues! I have a weird foot - normally a 11.5B on most lasts (65, 201, you name it) but the 10.5 D seems to fit me the best here.

Maybe I'll opt for Kirkwood based on the rubber sole....plan to wear this to beach/boat etc.

 

[middlepP]

AE.com got back to me about my damaged Shannon Drives I posted about earlier. Offered no concessions, just a straight up exchanged by emailing me a prepaid label. I'm a bit disappointed they didn't offer to expedite me another replacement pair while I send these ones back, but I'm not surprised.

While it doesn't sound like what you were wanting, I think sending you a free shipping label and offering to exchange the shoes (worn shoes at that?) is at least some concession. Yes, expediting others would be nice. So would sending a gift card for the troubles. But... I'm not sure any of this, return label included, would happen with other companies.

 

[middlepP]

Thanks for the fit clues! I have a weird foot - normally a 11.5B on most lasts (65, 201, you name it) but the 10.5 D seems to fit me the best here.

Maybe I'll opt for Kirkwood based on the rubber sole....plan to wear this to beach/boat etc.

I will say this. The CXL is soft, flexible and accommodating without stretching out. And pretty damn indestructible! Wore my brown pair on vacation a few weeks ago, went everywhere from beach to sightseeing to fancy dinners with ease.

 

[BG 7]

The Larchmonts arrived over the weekend. Tried them on briefly last night and this morning around the house. I am not quite feeling them and leaning toward returning them. They do seem to have a little heel slippage, so I'm thinking they are slightly big for me, but even besides that, the look just doesn't seem like it hits its mark for me. I know they have the boxy cut at the toes and therefore it gives a slight European look, but it almost feels like it tries to stay with the AE feel and go Euro without really doing either.

I'm really looking for one pair of black shoes that I can be pretty flexible for business. For $157 from the Shoe Bank it is hard to complain too much, but I think that money will be better spent toward a pair I am sold on. I've been looking at the McAllister or Strand in black, and I've seen both on eBay in my size for a reasonable price that would almost make it an even swap for the Larchmont.

I'm not 100% sure about having two of the same shoe, especially since my rotation is pretty thin right now, but I absolutely love the Strand in walnut, so I am leaning toward getting it in black too.

Sorry for the poor picture quality, I was in a rush and had to switch shoes. If anyone is interested in what these look like, I can take more pictures this afternoon.

 

[3lilnags]

It always Wednesday somewhere, or it will be soon. Breaking in my new $160 carlyles today. No watch, no coffee, as all money was spent on shoes. 2 carlyles, strandmok, and Mcallister from Bloomingdales, Dainite chili fifth from the anniversary sale last week. No more denying that it has become an addiction.

During the holiday season I started my collection with seconds - BB fifth (black), BB Warwick (black) and BB strand (walnut) during the $100 flash sale, then bourbon strand during the bourbon clearance.

So for the immediate future I will be on the sidelines, watching the rest of you spend money while I look for spare change in gutters and vending machines.

 

[MattRiv]

The Larchmonts arrived over the weekend. Tried them on briefly last night and this morning around the house. I am not quite feeling them and leaning toward returning them. They do seem to have a little heel slippage, so I'm thinking they are slightly big for me, but even besides that, the look just doesn't seem like it hits its mark for me. I know they have the boxy cut at the toes and therefore it gives a slight European look, but it almost feels like it tries to stay with the AE feel and go Euro without really doing either.

I'm really looking for one pair of black shoes that I can be pretty flexible for business. For $157 from the Shoe Bank it is hard to complain too much, but I think that money will be better spent toward a pair I am sold on. I've been looking at the McAllister or Strand in black, and I've seen both on eBay in my size for a reasonable price that would almost make it an even swap for the Larchmont.

I'm not 100% sure about having two of the same shoe, especially since my rotation is pretty thin right now, but I absolutely love the Strand in walnut, so I am leaning toward getting it in black too.

Sorry for the poor picture quality, I was in a rush and had to switch shoes. If anyone is interested in what these look like, I can take more pictures this afternoon.

The heel slip will dissipate as the sole breaks in, but if you aren't sold on the style, then I'd say return them. I think you are on the right track for the McAllister or the Strand in black. If you don't want to double up, definitely do the McAllister. I have them in bourbon and love them.

 

[tmchow]



Quote:
While it doesn't sound like what you were wanting, I think sending you a free shipping label and offering to exchange the shoes (worn shoes at that?) is at least some concession. Yes, expediting others would be nice. So would sending a gift card for the troubles. But... I'm not sure any of this, return label included, would happen with other companies.

Not sure I agree. They are unworn and giving free return shipping is tablestakes these days (think Amazon, Nordstrom, zappos). But regardless, I'm not complaining.

 

[smfdoc]

I decided to do a size related post for those people who have my fit issues. While I love AE shoes, I have a very high instep that prevents me from wearing nearly all balmoral AE offerings. The 65 last has all of these wonderful balmoral shoes that just do not fit. Those that do fit in the vamp after a stretching at the cobbler leave me with an unacceptably wide V so it is always back to the bluchers I must go. I then stumbled into Alden shoes in the hopes their EEEE offerings would provide the answer. Incredibly, this was not needed and the EEE in the Hampton last worked well. The side walls of the toe box are higher and this results in more room across the ever tight vamp. Whether this affects the V closure of the laces or if they use more leather is unknown, but I just know that the V is now what it should be for my odd feet. The Alden cost more than the AE line, but it is nothing compared to the cost I was encountering for a bespoke shoe that I was considering as my only option. For those who wish to see non-AE content, I include my #8 shell cap toe balmorals for their first day at the office.

 

[BG 7]



The heel slip will dissipate as the sole breaks in, but if you aren't sold on the style, then I'd say return them.  I think you are on the right track for the McAllister or the Strand in black.  If you don't want to double up, definitely do the McAllister.  I have them in bourbon and love them.

Thanks, that is good to know on both counts.

Thoughts on if the creasing is too much on these? Looks like the soles were just replaced which is a plus. Either that or new shoes that were not the right fit, in which case the creasing would be a negative I'm assuming.

https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/222090177581

 

[MattRiv]

Thanks, that is good to know on both counts.

Thoughts on if the creasing is too much on these? Looks like the soles were just replaced which is a plus. Either that or new shoes that were not the right fit, in which case the creasing would be a negative I'm assuming.

https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/222090177581

I don't think that the creasing is too bad, mainly because it's something that all shoes will develop with time and these have been worn enough to justify a recraft (assume this is the first). I think that's a hell of a deal for a great looking shoe.

 

[MattRiv]

Merlot Monday with some Hopkinsons.

 

[BG 7]

I don't think that the creasing is too bad, mainly because it's something that all shoes will develop with time and these have been worn enough to justify a recraft (assume this is the first). I think that's a hell of a deal for a great looking shoe.

Thanks for the advice. Then the decision is made. Just purchased these, and I will return the Larchmonts. That means another $60-70 to go toward another pair, a new watch, or saving up for some shell cordovans.

 

[Neo1]

@ace13x The 2592 is sort of tricky - what specifically did you have in mind? And let's see some Ridgeway to get me jealous