Allen Edmond Shoe Advice

[Zmitchem]

I am a 25-year-old university student wanting to up my style game. I am married with 2 little boys and am on track to apply to PA school next year. I recently received a gift card to Allen Edmonds (I currently have 2 pairs, Higgin Mills, and Alumnus) and need help deciding what to get. I mostly wear jeans, polos, button downs, shorts, I do have khaki's/slacks but wear them much less often. My wardrobe is definitely above average for a 25-year-old but not by much. So my question is should I go with these leather sneakers (or maybe some boat shoes/loafers) to have the ability to wear them with shorts and jeans? Or should I up my collection with these double monks? Any help is appreciated! Also here is a picture of my current shoe collection, minus my workout shoes as they don't make it into daily wear.

 

[breakaway01]

If you're applying to PA school then consider a pair of shoes for interviews. Although you may not wear them very often, there is sometimes no substitute for a pair of black (or dark brown) captoe oxfords.
Personally not at all a fan of the sneakers. I am not a huge fan of monks (single or double) personally but that's just me.

 

[Zmitchem]

If you're applying to PA school then consider a pair of shoes for interviews. Although you may not wear them very often, there is sometimes no substitute for a pair of black (or dark brown) captoe oxfords.
Personally not at all a fan of the sneakers. I am not a huge fan of monks (single or double) personally but that's just me.

Thank you, I didn’t really think about interviews. I have slacks and my Wingtips but I don’t have a well cut suit (used to before I started weightlifting competitively), really I just need to get it tailored, so I may need to look into that and for some shoes to go with it.

 

[Veremund]

Definitely use the gift certificate for a pair of black cap toe oxfords like the Park Avenues. You may not use them often, but every grown man needs a pair for important occasions. It’s a matter of when, not if.

https://global.allenedmonds.com/sho...ord/SF270.html?dwvar_SF270_color=5615#start=1

 

[Zmitchem]

So I went an got "sized" at the Allen Edmonds store in SLC. We ended up purchasing me a pair of Strands in Walnut (so beautiful!)... I still have a pair to get from my father-in-law but I am not sure what. I am leaning towards a pair of Corwallis or Fifth Ave in Dark Chili but I am not sure. I want a pair that I can wear with a suit (for Graduate School Interviews), but also more business casual for when I am working as a PA.

Veremund you have a good point with that but I just don't wear black as much anymore. All growing up I literally wore oversized skater clothes that were black, grey or white. Since getting some browns in I LOVE how they look on me and just can't get myself to like having blacks in there as I don't feel they look nearly as good with my complexion. I know that for formal events black is the only acceptable option, but I would rather rent a pair of shoes if need be as I have not been to an event where formal dress was needed for over a decade. Is there a less formal but still acceptable option in brown/burgundy/oxblood ect?

 

[Veremund]

So I went an got "sized" at the Allen Edmonds store in SLC. We ended up purchasing me a pair of Strands in Walnut (so beautiful!)... I still have a pair to get from my father-in-law but I am not sure what. I am leaning towards a pair of Corwallis or Fifth Ave in Dark Chili but I am not sure. I want a pair that I can wear with a suit (for Graduate School Interviews), but also more business casual for when I am working as a PA.

That is a gorgeous shoe and will be extremely useful for you!

Get black when you turn 30.

 

[Veremund]

For the record, the 5th Aves are great, especially in dark chili.

For the record #2, never rent shoes. If you really, really needed a pair of right away, then you should spend the money on black AE Park Aves. I know you don’t, which is all good. But when the day comes that you do, and it will come, buy your Park Aves then. They’ll last you the rest of your life.

Oh, and you did buy shoes trees for your new AEs, right???

 

[Zmitchem]

For the record, the 5th Aves are great, especially in dark chili.

For the record #2, never rent shoes. If you really, really needed a pair of right away, then you should spend the money on black AE Park Aves. I know you don’t, which is all good. But when the day comes that you do, and it will come, buy your Park Aves then. They’ll last you the rest of your life.

Oh, and you did buy shoes trees for your new AES, right???

I will remember that and I do I really like those! Would you purchase the Fifth’s over the Cornwallis?

I did not purchase a set. I have two sets of shoe trees and 4 pairs of leather dress shoes (one is a very casual pair of Timberland Wodehouse derby’s) but I suppose you are going to recommend I have a pair of trees for every pair of shoes?

 

[breakaway01]

I would pick the 5th Aves over the Cornwallis, especially as an interview shoe. The punch captoe is more conservative. It's okay to rotate the shoe trees out after a day or two.

 

[Veremund]

I will remember that and I do I really like those! Would you purchase the Fifth’s over the Cornwallis?

I did not purchase a set. I have two sets of shoe trees and 4 pairs of leather dress shoes (one is a very casual pair of Timberland Wodehouse derby’s) but I suppose you are going to recommend I have a pair of trees for every pair of shoes?

Dude, if we’re gonna drop hundreds of dollars on a pair of dress shoes, you betcha backside they’re getting their very own pair of trees. With them, they’ll last for decades. Without them, you’re needlessly shortening their lifespan and appearance. Learn now not to cut corners when it comes to your quality purchases.

Definitely prefer the 5th Aves over the Cornies.

 

[Zmitchem]

Dude, if we’re gonna drop hundreds of dollars on a pair of dress shoes, you betcha backside they’re getting their very own pair of trees. With them, they’ll last for decades. Without them, you’re needlessly shortening their lifespan and appearance. Learn now not to cut corners when it comes to your quality purchases.

Definitely prefer the 5th Aves over the Cornies.

Haha I figured well 60 seconds after reading that I order a pair, thank you Amazon and AE for selling on Prime!

And thank you both I will go with the Fifths!

Question I hear that Cordovan seconds are going to be going on sale. Is it worth it to get a pair if they were $270-$360 (not sure if my student discount will apply)? Or are they that much better? I could get Fifth seconds for $187 with my discount so I am not sure if they are worth double the price?

 

[breakaway01]

I don't own any shell cordovan shoes but in my mind the way they roll (rather than crease) is better suited to more casual shoes/boots. So shell is great for longwing bluchers, loafers, plaintoe bluchers...but not so much for captoe oxfords.