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

[M635Guy]

Quote:
I think many who talk "5-last" are often primarily talking about the Strand. My best-fitting pair of AE's (and among my top 3 overall) shoes is the McT in 11.5D. Fits and wears awesome. But I absolutely can't size into a Strand or and of the derivatives with a flat welt (e.g. my loved-but-recently-sold Rust Streets). The pattern/cut on the Strand is very tight, and something about 5-last+tight cut+high-instep+bal closure+cap toe = wrong for my foot. I've Tried every variation of 11.5 (D/E/EE/EEE) and 12 (same range of widths) and none of them fit me, much less feel like my McT's. The good news is I recently discovered that the Alden Hampton last used for their captoe bals fits me great in the 11.5E, so I'll probably pick up one or two pairs of those at some point... Strangely enough, I tried on the StrandMok when I was in DC the other day, and it felt like it might work - the 11.5D felt pretty good, and I was guessing an 11.5E would be perfect. The SA theorized that the split reverse welt opened up some room in the shoe that penalized me with the standard welt. Unfortunately they didn't have that size in the store. Will try one next time I get the chance - the brown leather model looks awfully good if you can get one without the strange light spots in the leather. I'm all for the "rough leather" approach (hence my McT collection...), but the pair I saw in DC was consistently brown across the shoe and looked fantastic.

 

[ProfilaBinding]

I think with the 65, if you can achive a "good" fit, that's enough. A lot of people will never get a perfect fit due the low instep design. I normally wear 8 D, but the Park Ave I wear 8.5 D. It fits me pretty good. A little long, but no heel slip, and very comforable. I could probably wear 7.5 E, and I may try this size if I order a walnut Strand someday. My best last is the 108, but the 65 isn't bad for me.

I didn't realize Monday's were for merlot. Wearing these makes my day better. Definitely in my top 3 at the moment.

 

[ace13x]

Quote:
This is a known fact. Working on obtaining my 4th pair.

But... "HEY! Lets can the McTavish, take the piping off our some of our dress shoes, then they'll be more casual. We're geniuses!!"

Not.

Do I sense a group MTO in the works?

I would be SO down for that.

 

[ProfilaBinding]

This is a known fact. Working on obtaining my 4th pair.

But... "HEY! Lets can the McTavish, take the piping off our some of our dress shoes, then they'll be more casual. We're geniuses!!"

Not.

Yeah, I'm pretty bothered about the new Carlyle's piping. Apparently the black leather insoles were so unpopular that AE had to change them. If enough people complain, they will listen.

I'm sure some on here think I'm overeacting to the piping, but it is like they built 95% of the shoe and then didn't finish the job.

 

[ace13x]

@ace13x , here's a picture of the MTO McAllisters (I call them McGillicuddys, which was Lucy Ricardo's maiden name) next to McTavishes. (These are both the same size and same last.) As you can see, there are differences in the toe caps, and McAllisters have finished edges unlike the McTavishes, which don't........



@Count de Monet Thank you. I use Allen-Edmonds leather lotion (the stuff in the black plastic bottle) and Allen-Edmonds neutral shoe polish (the stuff in the squeeze tubes, but I unscrew the top and squeeze the polish out onto a rag to apply it). This has changed the color of the shoe slightly, as you can see by comparing the tongue to the rest of the shoe.

Old enough to remember I Love Lucy (in dazzling black and white) and also her maiden name (because I know god awful amounts of trivia).

Yes, right of course on the edges (I wouldn't cry if my McT's had it), but I'm not sure what you mean by the caps, other than on mine the McA has a higher puff than the McT. I dig the flat laces with the brass. Sharp as always, Roycru.

Edit @Count de Monet wouldn't mind a pair of your MacNeil make-up either.

 

[redmusic1]

One other question - would i be right to assume that merlot is too red/purple to be nearly as versatile as either chili or oxblood? Just wondering if I should consider merlot in either the Strand or McAllister given the merlot sale. Thanks.

Versatility is relative to your wardrobe and what personal values you want to portray with your attire.

First, why would you think a red shoe (oxblood) would be more versatile than a shoe with both red and blue in it (Merlot)? In my opinion Oxblood just stands out more, it isn't more or less versatile than Merlot. Merlot works best with navies and grays, but not at all with browns. I can't see oxblood being worn with browns either. I'm sure some people do, but I can't condone it. Both colors come with black soles for a reason. Merlot is the dressier color, so in a sense of formality, it may be less versatile; but again, I remind you that oxblood has a black sole. It is meant to be a more formal color as well.

Chili is technically the most "versatile" color of the three. However, it is severely stunted when worn with navy IMO, and I don't think it looks stellar with browns either. It really only pops with med-light grays (I don't like chili with charcoal), while also looking nice and conservative with tans. When I consider how amazing Merlot looks with every shade of gray and with navy, it becomes a better option than chili, even if not as technically "versatile." Don't get me wrong, I love dark chili and wore it today with navy trousers. Just pointing out that versatility is really only something to be considered when 1. a wardrobe is not built around grays and navies 2. you only want two pairs of dress shoes to rotate or 3. you aren't planning on buying any more shoes from AE.

Bottom line, get the Merlot Strand or McAllister and wear them with your gray and navy trousers.

 

[ace13x]

One other question - would i be right to assume that merlot is too red/purple to be nearly as versatile as either chili or oxblood? Just wondering if I should consider merlot in either the Strand or McAllister given the merlot sale. Thanks.

Here is a side by side of my Merlot and Walnut Strands (color accuracy in this pic is pretty good). I'm pretty sure someone posted a side by side of Merlot and Oxblood but I can't seem to find it now.



Edit: Indoor lighting.

 

[robster35]



@robster35 Smart move not keeping a pair that's too short. Couldn't you just explain the sizing issue with the CS and ask to get a replacement at the sale price? It isn't your fault you have to order stuff without trying it.

I have some slight bowing on the Kirkwood but none on the northland.

i didnt buy them from the AE sale i got em on ebay. for significantly less than the AE sale price, but i like em enough ill probably go on and pay retail and get a larger pair on the way. was mainly concerned about that slight bowing on the sides

 

[Neo1]

I hate it when it rains and I didn't plan for it...


yeah, forget that.



Not really part of my summer line-up...plus the alignment on the eyelets is way too horrible for most people around here....



Yeah, not mad about that v-gap, damn high instep


These again?! I'm gonna wear these things out, but they're so comfortable. I'll have to go with these.

 

[naspratt]

@Neo1, I have a similar though process going on today, trying to decide which of my too few rubber-soled shoes to wear with strong chances of afternoon thunderstorms. Just wore Fifth Aves yesterday, do I really want to wear them (albeit in a different color) today? Or I could wear my Lexingtons, but then I need to choose whether to suit or odd jacket... Women don't know from getting ready.

 

[amphillips79]

My thought process for the day went something like "Oh, production issue at work starting at 4:30am? I'll wear my Merlot McAllisters today since I can't drink real Merlot until I get home from work around 7pm."

 

[M635Guy]

This is a known fact. Working on obtaining my 4th pair.

But... "HEY! Lets can the McTavish, take the piping off our some of our dress shoes, then they'll be more casual. We're geniuses!!"

Not.


I would be SO down for that.

That pic and this conversation have inspired me, and I know what I'm going to do with my Tan McT's when it is time for a resole. They are so close to my "Mistake McT's" that I'd like to create some separation. So I'm thinking exposed agatine or antique copper eyelets and a slightly darker sole treatment (and JR soles), but still more on the natural side.

Just thinking about it makes me want to wear them out faster...

 

[styleaudit91]



Yeah, I'm pretty bothered about the new Carlyle's piping.   Apparently the black leather insoles were so unpopular that AE had to change them.  If enough people complain, they will listen.  

I'm sure some on here think I'm overeacting to the piping, but it is like they built 95% of the shoe and then didn't finish the job. 

Yea I don't mind how it looks out of the box. It looks better with piping. But where I have already seen the ill effects is from wear. Worn my carlyles about 8 times so far and starting to see the leather looking rougher on the edge now. At some point it could look really Gnarly.

 

[sruchris]

Received my clearance merlot strands yesterday. Maiden voyage today! My office is semi-casual so I'm attempting to dress them down a bit.

 

[orange fury]

Yesterday for "Monkstrap Monday", bourbon Mora 2.0's:


Today, navy Cornwallis: