10 pairs of Allen Edmonds..excessive?

[Sator]

Originally Posted by khaki sack

One thing about Allen Edmonds that turns me off, is that the company seems to focus mainly on the more unconventional styles, IMO. "Sophisticated styling," I think they call it.

They take a perfectly normal brogue or oxford, and f*ck around with it a little, so that it looks "off", to my eyes at least.

You could say exactly the same thing about John Lobb Paris eg the Beaufort:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/...0a9f00.jpg?v=0

The only company 95% of whose RTW offerings are in perfectly wearable and tasteful styles is Edward Green. I would only wear about 10-15% of the offerings of other companies including both John Lobb Paris and Allen Edmonds. I would wear about 70% of Vass' and C&J offerings.

 

[khaki sack]

Originally Posted by Sator

You could say exactly the same thing about John Lobb Paris eg the Beaufort:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/...0a9f00.jpg?v=0

The only company 95% of whose RTW offerings are in perfectly wearable and tasteful styles is Edward Green. I would only wear about 10-15% of the offerings of other companies including both John Lobb Paris and Allen Edmonds. I would wear about 70% of Vass' and C&J offerings.

I totally agree. That's how I think about it too. If only EG prices were more AE-style though.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by Sator

You could say exactly the same thing about John Lobb Paris eg the Beaufort:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/...0a9f00.jpg?v=0

The only company 95% of whose RTW offerings are in perfectly wearable and tasteful styles is Edward Green. I would only wear about 10-15% of the offerings of other companies including both John Lobb Paris and Allen Edmonds.

I tend to agree with you, in principal. EG puts out a lot of stuff I wouldn't wear, but their hit ratio is much better than Lobb. It's a fine line between innovation and gimmickry, and I often find Lobb on the wrong side of it.

To be far, there are few companies out there that produce more than a handful of styles that interest me.

 

[izach]

I own 4 AE and 4 Alden. have owned in the past both. I'd like to submit that Alden is still superior to AE.

 

[Sator]

Originally Posted by izach

I own 4 AE and 4 Alden. have owned in the past both. I'd like to submit that Alden is still superior to AE.

Alden cost more. For most here that is sufficient evidence that Aldens are "better".

 

[seok]

my Grensons from 04-06 makes up my core collection. couldn't be happier with the price-quality balance, at $150-250 on sale back in the days.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Sator

Alden cost more. For most here that is sufficient evidence that Aldens are "better".

I couldn't say which are 'better' in terms of craftsmanship, but I do think Aldens have more character (even if you hate the result) and stick to more classic styling. Also, the leather seems nicer to me.

 

[Sator]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

I couldn't say which are 'better' in terms of craftsmanship, but I do think Aldens have more character (even if you hate the result) and stick to more classic styling. Also, the leather seems nicer to me.

Alden lasts are definitely blobbier than AE ones and in that sense are more "characterful". Otherwise, I fear that the "character" thing translates more into more expensive, and a bit more exclusive. That plus the New England thing gives it more snob appeal. I own both Alden and AE but feel the leather quality is about the same.

One thing I do admit is that Aldens all have the wheeling around where the welt shows. AEs USED to have it and if you ever see an older pair you will still see it. Somewhere along the way, AE stopped doing it. None of their current production models have it.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Sator

Alden lasts are definitely blobbier than AE ones and in that sense are more "characterful". Otherwise, I fear that the "character" thing translates more into more expensive, and a bit more exclusive. That plus the New England thing gives it more snob appeal. I own both Alden and AE but feel the leather quality is about the same.

Aww come on, you gotta love the blobby! Why else would you want 'murican shoes?

 

[Sator]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Aww come on, you gotta love the blobby! Why else would you want 'murican shoes?

But I thought you found AEs to be sufficiently blobby for your needs?

Seriously though, I do know what you mean by Aldens having a more old world feel to them. No doubt about it. And YES I do like and appreciate that. On the other hand when you look at some Leathersoul special make ups from Alden you can be really surprised at how elegant Aldens can be.

It is just that they generally don't strive to be sleek and suave.

The only trouble is that AE lasts just fit my feet so much better and that to me ends up being a more important consideration.

 

[fritzl]

Originally Posted by Sator

The only company 95% of whose RTW offerings are in perfectly wearable and tasteful styles is Edward Green.

My percentage wouldn't be that high, cause I skip on most of the English lasts. But this nonsense takes away another 5%. WTF is this?

EG Fairfax

I would wear about 70% of Vass' and C&J offerings.

Vass could be higher. Can live w/o the U

I especially like what C&J produces for "Alt Wien".

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/...0a9f00.jpg?v=0

Not a "daily driver", but this JLP is growing on me.

 

[TheFoo]

^^^ That Fairfax is funky, and not in a good way. Not all of John Lobb's more contemporarily-styled shoes are appealing to me, but they are usually coherent designs and look a hell of a lot better than that Edward Green. Blegh.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

^^^ That Fairfax is funky, and not in a good way. Not all of John Lobb's more contemporarily-styled shoes are appealing to me, but they are usually coherent designs and look a hell of a lot better than that Edward Green. Blegh.
I'm a fan of John Lobb but not of everything they make. The Fairfax is a good example of a shoe that's too odd for me. However, I find more from Lobb that I like than EG.

 

[Sator]

OK here is my pick of the AE crop. I think it pays to be selective and to cherry pick just a few select styles.

Firstly here are a couple of styles in shell cordovan:

I like they way they do the woven leather:

The Mora is a classic double monk and as such great value:

The Ramsey however, is probably my favourite:

 

[JayJay]

Sator, these are great to see. I especially like the shells and the Mora.