AE or Alden shoe types

[johnapril]

The park avenue in that color looks like a beautiful shoe.

Park Avenue. Â Why Park Avenue? Â Sounds like a Buick.

 

[Stu]

What exactly is a shoe last?

You might want to check out the glossary of terms thread in this forum. It's about the third from the top, and is pinned there. All these terms are discussed and defined there verbatim.

 

[Mr Checks]

I always had a problem with the Park Avenue owing to its rather smallish cap. I think it looks disproportional. Anybody agrees?

I thought so too, until I put them on my feet, and then thought it looked fine, with the pant covering most of the shoe.

 

[Teacher]

The Park Avenue's cap is smaller than some others', but I've never felt it was too small. At least, I've never been self-conscious about this before.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I always had a problem with the Park Avenue owing to its rather smallish cap. I think it looks disproportional. Anybody agrees?

I dislike the combination of the small cap and the overall chunkiness of the Park Avenue.  Compare it to the Brooks Brothers Peal cap toe, which in my opinion is much better proportioned.

 

[yanks2182]

Does Alden have any sleek/professional shoes?

 

[NoVaguy]

Depends on what you think sleek should be.  Most people wouldn't use sleek in conjunction with either Alden or Allen Edmonds, although they're certainly a lot sleeker than the clunky square toed shoes favored by the 20-something set. In any event, you can check them out yourself. Alden's home site is www.aldenshoe.com and Allen Edmonds is www.allenedmonds.com. You can also see specially made Alden shoes at www.alden-of-carmel.com.

 

[AlanC]

I'd say the Alden of Carmel fan shoes linked above would be the closest to 'sleek'.

 

[Teacher]

"Sleek" and "professional" can be two very different things. Neither company has Italian-style sleek shoes (except, of course, for AE's Italian slip-ons, but they're not terribly dressy). Both companies' offerings are, however, very professional looking. Check them out and see what you like.

 

[yanks2182]

I know Alden and AE certainly measure up to high standards as far as professionalism, which is what I'm looking for. By sleek I mean something that isn't as clunky as a square toe shoe.

 

[Associate]

Notwithstanding my problem with the small cap, based on my limited experience, the Park Avenue is the default choice for American, no-nonsense, professional/executive dress shoe. To wit: my uncle, the CEO of a Fortune 500 company and his cronies wear nothing but. So you can never get in trouble for sporting it.

 

[cpac]

I know Alden and AE certainly measure up to high standards as far as professionalism, which is what I'm looking for.  By sleek I mean something that isn't as clunky as a square toe shoe.

thankfully, neither really have much in the way of square-toed shoes.

 

[JBZ]

For a "sleek" choice from Alden, check out the top row of boots on this page from The Shoe Mart website. Much more of a chiseled toe than I'm used to seeing from Alden (at least based on this picture). It appears that these boots have been made exclusively for The Shoe Mart - probably not the best choice for conservative business attire, however. As an aside, I recently purchased a pair of shell cordovan "irregulars" from The Shoe Mart. As far as I know, this is the only retailer that deals in Alden "irregulars" (I guess there is some sort of minute defect with regard to the shoes I purchased, but I can't find it). Great service and a great price. Highly recommended.

 

[AlanC]

No generally you get a soft, rounded toe. Of course that means nothing like the more stylish chiseled toe of many of the English makers. Some of the Alden of Carmel Shoes are a bit more chiseled, but no square end Kenneth Cole styles in the bunch. If by clunky you mean KC clunky, you don't need to worry about Alden or Allen Edmonds.