Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread 2017- News, Pictures, Clothing, accessories, etc.

[Weathered]

Question for everyone regarding the Leiden fit:

I'm finding myself increasingly tempted by the mixed-media Leidens (either navy suede/calf or the black grain/fabric) as a shoe with a bit more panache than my usual suspects. I started my AE journey thinking that I needed 9E shoes due to a high instep, but after further exploration, I've been moving more toward 9.5D (brannock is 9.75D/E). Do the Leidens fit fairly TTS? I found that the MacNeils I tried on over the holidays fit wonderfully in a 9.5D, so that's always an option as well, but the BB tartan/black MacNeils aren't available in my size currently.

 

[M2511]

Question for everyone regarding the Leiden fit:

I'm finding myself increasingly tempted by the mixed-media Leidens (either navy suede/calf or the black grain/fabric) as a shoe with a bit more panache than my usual suspects. I started my AE journey thinking that I needed 9E shoes due to a high instep, but after further exploration, I've been moving more toward 9.5D (brannock is 9.75D/E). Do the Leidens fit fairly TTS? I found that the MacNeils I tried on over the holidays fit wonderfully in a 9.5D, so that's always an option as well, but the BB tartan/black MacNeils aren't available in my size currently.

Ideal fit for me on 65 is 8.5EE though often I wear 9E. For the leiden I got 9E. 8.5 was too short. Hope that helps.

 

[Shoes4play]

Is anyone familiar with the Allen Edmonds Stougton loafer?

I ask because I just received a used pair and I'm wondering if it's worth it to have them recrafted. The uppers look good, except for a quarter-inch scratch on each toe. The soles, on the other hand, are completely shot.

Is it worth it to spend $125 to repair a shoe that might not be worth that much?

 

[Lmrjfud]

Walnut wingtip Wednesday.

I could wear these shoes forever, they are that comfortable.

 

[ace13x]

Concerning the C&J GMTO "Brexit", I have a feeling there is more at work than just douchebaggery on the part of participants attempting to get discounts. I don't think its pure coincidence this came just a few days after a speech by British PM Theresa May on Brexit (actual Brexit) and just prior to a referendum on Brexit in March. Couple this with the drop in the GBP and rise of the dollar (and consequently Horween shell) and I can see them temporarily wanting to reevaluate the program.

Not to say that douchebaggery did not happen, I'm sure there was some of that was going particularly with quite a few of the more recent makeups being based on the lighter colored Whiskey shell which is more prone to variance in color. It seems to me they had a supply of that on hand and could to an extent ignore the acquisition costs mentioned above, but moving forward that may not be the case.

I have a feeling it will return. Likely in a modified form at a higher price.

Likewise if AE should indeed go forward with a trunk show of some kind, I expect there to be strict rules as to what will constitute a defect.

 

[DustinM]

That is odd. Mine don't have that. Can you use a suede brush?

It's weird, I can rub the suede a little bit and it will disappear slightly but then re-appear under different lighting. I can't figure out if it's the geometry of the shoe or just me being too focused on details.

 

[Moose22]

But I actually really like Bourbon

That's totally fair.

Bourbon -- when done well, to the color AE uses in their pictures -- goes with damned near EVERYTHING. That's it's magic. It is flashy like walnut, but the lighter shades of walnut don't automagically go with every pair of pants you'll wear. Walnut and the grey trousers a friend wore for a wedding last year didn't go at all, for example, but the bourbon was awesome.

Same with Dark Chili. There is nothing it doesn't match.

They're both neutral colors, but attractive finishes.

These burgundy gunboats I'm wearing have some purple in 'em. More than the pics show. They aren't a universal color, though I like them, personally, and expect they'll go well with navy trousers when next I wear them, so they've got a place for me. The dark brown would be almost universal, but I paid so little for these I'm not at all worried I didn't get a choice.

 

[garland]

Concerning the C&J GMTO "Brexit", I have a feeling there is more at work than just douchebaggery on the part of participants attempting to get discounts. I don't think its pure coincidence this came just a few days after a speech by British PM Theresa May on Brexit (actual Brexit) and just prior to a referendum on Brexit in March. Couple this with the drop in the GBP and rise of the dollar (and consequently Horween shell) and I can see them temporarily wanting to reevaluate the program.

Not to say that douchebaggery did not happen, I'm sure there was some of that was going particularly with quite a few of the more recent makeups being based on the lighter colored Whiskey shell which is more prone to variance in color. It seems to me they had a supply of that on hand and could to an extent ignore the acquisition costs mentioned above, but moving forward that may not be the case.

I have a feeling it will return. Likely in a modified form at a higher price.

Likewise if AE should indeed go forward with a trunk show of some kind, I expect there to be strict rules as to what will constitute a defect.

When the GMTO and SMU program was suspended by AE, part of what was inferred(can't remember if it was said outright or not), was that those programs actually ended up costing the company money. Not even from remakes or douchbaggery(not that anyone here would do that), although that didn't help, but the simple interruption of the production line, having to change thread colors, leathers, soles, etc, caused such a disruption in the planning and production scheduling that the programs were deemed more trouble than they were worth.

 

[DRJames]

I've experienced the lump of a shoe that is too short heel-to-ball. What's funny is I had multiple SAs fit me and hear me attempt to describe the feeling of a lump at the ball of my feet. None of them caught on. It was only later when the manager at the Austin store assisted me, did we determine the issue.

That said, I have definitely experienced the AE random lumpy footbed - on multiple occasions. I was always told it would go away with wear. One pair had to go back because it hurt so bad. Others have been immediate exchanges because I didn't want to hassle with it. My Freiburg had the opposite, basically a divot where my big toe ran. That worked itself out after about 5 wears.

I'd suggest calling your local store, telling them the issue, and asking them to order in 2 or 3 pairs of the shoe. Might sound like a pain, but dialing in your fit early on is very important. Was the 9.5 you mentioned your brannock or 65 size? If 65, maybe have them bring in a 10B or C also.

Yeah it's strange, I don't feel the lump in the 9.5D when I'm in the store, but I've had it twice now for orders online. I think I'm going to return and repurchase the Mcallister again and see if I can get one without any lumps in the sole. I'm not really fussed about cosmetic issues on factory seconds, but I don't consider an insole issue to be cosmetic in nature. I've been working with a good customer service rep, so i'll try again to see if we can get it right.

In terms of fit, I'm actually thinking of trying a 9.5E. Two full days of wear in my 9.5D Fifth Aves and the width of the right foot is uncomfortable. I really think I have different width feet, but I'm trying to find a sizing option that works for both and allows me to take advantage of good deals (like the shoebank) without having to order different sizes for my feet. I may swing by my local store this weekend and see if they have anything in a 10B or 10C, but i'm a tad worried about the 10 being way too long. Figuring out sizing has been much more of a pain than I expected, even when I've gone in the store to try on different sizes. I don't seem to know how a shoe is going to fit until I really wear it a few times and then I'm stuck with a chunk of cash sunk into a shoe that ultimately doesn't fit right. It's getting frustrating.

I

 

[ace13x]

When the GMTO and SMU program was suspended by AE, part of what was inferred(can't remember if it was said outright or not), was that those programs actually ended up costing the company money. Not even from remakes or douchbaggery(not that anyone here would do that), although that didn't help, but the simple interruption of the production line, having to change thread colors, leathers, soles, etc, caused such a disruption in the planning and production scheduling that the programs were deemed more trouble than they were worth.

True. But I don't think those production issues are in play with C&J. From my lurking on the thread, they seem pretty strict on what is allowed and when production will be scheduled. There is also a 12 shoe minimum which was not the case with the AE SMU program.

All in all I think AE would be open to a GMTO of sufficient size. Not sure if if would have to be of the Mass Drop Chukka size or something more akin to the AE x SF Badlands GTMO.

Coincidently see my next post.

 

[ace13x]

Resolution Day 25: AE x StyleForum Badland GTMO

 

[Shoes4play]

Resolution Day 25: AE x StyleForum Badland GTMO

Gee do I love these.

Just love 'em.

 

[ace13x]

Gee do I love these.

Just love 'em.

They are SO much better than my crappy pictures. Search the AE-MTO thread for some nicer shots taken by others.

 

[M2511]

True. But I don't think those production issues are in play with C&J. From my lurking on the thread, they seem pretty strict on what is allowed and when production will be scheduled. There is also a 12 shoe minimum which was not the case with the AE SMU program.

All in all I think AE would be open to a GMTO of sufficient size. Not sure if if would have to be of the Mass Drop Chukka size or something more akin to the AE x SF Badlands GTMO.

Coincidently see my next post.

12 Shoe minimum would probably be welcome by most members here. Certainly better than the alternate option of none. If it is on the scale of 500 orders then that doesn't seem particularly useful.

 

[mreams99]



TTS for Cronmok.

I wear the same size in the Cronmok as I do in my other 65-last shoes also.
I have noticed some variation in shoes built on the same last, even within the same model of shoe.