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rumjt

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Anyone on here have Bourbon Carlyles? I'm curious how it looks in real world photos.
 

M2511

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Well, I gone and did it. Sealed the deal on those OG Black Jeffersons and Bourbon Daltons plus four pairs of shoe trees since I was already a couple short. Now, I'm just over four bills poorer. Doing the old ship to my office scheme. Going to have to sneak these babies in and also lay low for a while... hopefully until the Anniversary sale.

Side note, apparently there hasn't been any internal communication about the price hike, so I couldn't get the skinny on how seconds prices will be affected. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

You won't regret them. I also don't think you will last to the Anniversary sale but I salute you for hoping you can make it haha.

The price hike is sad though. Did operating/material costs jump 3.8% in the last year or are we simply looking for greater profit margins here. There is basically no chance I'd buy anything not on sale with exception of SMU shell without SMU fees.
 

St Hubbins

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Quote: I've added three pair(s) in 2017 already. I know that's small potatoes by thread standards, but for me... whoa. Right now my consolation is that I'm lowering my average price-per-pair. For me, the worst part is after I've charged the credit card and before the shoes are in my hands (or on my feet). And, I'm with you. No way in heck I'm paying full price for AEs.
 

dfwcowboy

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I'm of the opinion that if you only have one 'suit shoe,' it should be a black cap toe balmoral (e.g. Park Avenue). It's the right shoe for funerals, weddings and interviews and it won't be out of place whenever else you choose to wear a suit. The second pair (or in the case of this forum, next 20+ pairs) can be more reflective of your lifestyle. In your case, I'd suggest something in oxblood. Perhaps a wingtip (McAllister or MacNeil) to complement the patch pockets.

Agreed. If you only have one dress shoe, it should be that one.
 

peppercorn78

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There's a lot of talk about TX bbqin this thread today. Drive 90 minutes south to Leon Springs and check Rudy's. The greatest smoked turkey on the planet!
 

dfwcowboy

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Anyone on here have Bourbon Carlyles? I'm curious how it looks in real world photos.

I can't speak to the bourbon color in particular as I have them in black, but what I can say is the pictures don't do justice to the shape of the Carlyle. I'm wearing them right now and try to work them into my rotation once per week.

 

kammerer66

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I'm of the opinion that if you only have one 'suit shoe,' it should be a black cap toe balmoral (e.g. Park Avenue). It's the right shoe for funerals, weddings and interviews and it won't be out of place whenever else you choose to wear a suit. The second pair (or in the case of this forum, next 20+ pairs) can be more reflective of your lifestyle. In your case, I'd suggest something in oxblood. Perhaps a wingtip (McAllister or MacNeil) to complement the patch pockets.

Agreed. If you only have one dress shoe, it should be that one.

Out of curiosity, what makes the cap toe balmoral the "right shoe", as opposed to, say, the Carlyle below, or Cornwallis?


I can't speak to the bourbon color in particular as I have them in black, but what I can say is the pictures don't do justice to the shape of the Carlyle. I'm wearing them right now and try to work them into my rotation once per week.

 

Weathered

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Just a quick PSA - a pair of Merlot Strands in 9.5D appeared on the main AE clearance site at $237. If I didn't already have 2 pairs in the mail, I'd drop the hammer, but I need to implement some austerity measures based on current purchasing patterns.
 

dfwcowboy

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Out of curiosity, what makes the cap toe balmoral the "right shoe", as opposed to, say, the Carlyle below, or Cornwallis?

Mostly because it's the safest choice in many formal settings. Most people would not know the difference, but those who do would never question the choice of a black cap toe oxford at a wedding, funeral, or pretty much any formal business setting, including job interviews. That's not to say any other shoe wouldn't work in like situations, but no other is going to be as universally accepted. As such it gives you the confidence of knowing you have made the right choice in footwear for those situations regardless of what your sartorial knowledge is. It's kinda like owning a black or charcoal suit or a navy blazer. It's just one of those essentials that forms the foundation of a proper wardrobe.
 

Buster Brown

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Out of curiosity, what makes the cap toe balmoral the "right shoe", as opposed to, say, the Carlyle below, or Cornwallis?


The general rule is, the less adorned the shoe is, the more formal it is. So, the brogueing on the Cornwallis makes it less formal than the Park Avenue. But wait, you say, the Carlyle has no cap, so doesn't that make it more formal than the Park Avenue? Fair question. Look in any reputable source of men's style guidance and you'll see the cap toe balmoral recommended as the go to 'formal' suit shoe. I'm guessing here but think a cap toe may have filled that niche to differentiate it from the whole cuts you would be more likely to see with true formal wear (e.g. opera pumps with a tux). Could you wear an un-brogued calf whole cut in lieu of a cap toe balmoral? Sure. And you'd still be within the bounds of good taste if a bit affectatious.
 

dfwcowboy

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One thing I forgot to mention is my recent procurement of a couple of sets of AE Dawhyde waxed replacement laces. They are pictured on my black Carlyles upthread. If you like thin round laces, these are the ones to get. They are heavily waxed and do a great job of lacing up tightly and remaining that way. They seem to work quite well with the Carlyle.
 

orange fury

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Warwicks for Valentines Day. I would've actually worn my Grayson's had I not been dodging tornadoes this morning:


Regarding the conversation a few pages back on work attire/judginess: Im in leadership at a financial services firm that has a coat/tie policy (preferrably suit) 5 days/week. I'll definitely judge a little bit based on what someone is wearing (though to be fair, I've complimented on a coworker's well shined/well taken care of walnut J&M brogued captoes.
 

narcosis219

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This is my formality ranking of the AE classics:

Carlyle > Park Ave > Cornwallis = Fifth Ave > Strand = Mcallister

Carlyle can barely pass for black tie (you technically need tuxedo pumps for that, but a Carlyle is good).

Park Ave and Carlyle are good for most business formal, weddings, funerals, etc. Hard to dress down with jeans but the Park Ave is a bit easier to dress down.

Cornwallis and Fifth Ave are good for banker business casual in the strictest places, and if you're not in a super conservative industry (basically everywhere but banking in England), then strand and mcallister are great for business casual.

Of course these are only guidelines. No one will kill you if you wear a pair of Strands as business formal in conservative industries, but there are those who may look down on you for it.
 

Count de Monet

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As the 2017 Great "Bluchers with a Suit?" Debate winds down, I have a confession to make. (Looking nervously over shoulder)

Once, at a wedding, I paired with a dark gray suit with a pair of vintage #8 shell @#$%& gunboats. Double soles, storm welt, the whole nine yards.

And I liked it. (cue Katy Perry music)

It was a one time indiscretion and my wife and I have agreed to never speak of it again. But I do recall it fondly.
 
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