Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread 2019 - News, Pictures, Clothing, Accessories, etc.

[audog]

Pairs with formal wear????
https://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/shoes/all-shoes/osborn-sneaker/SF2406.html

Only in advertising copy.

 

[JohnPatShop]

I think you guys know I've been with AE for a while now, likely longer than most people on here. Other than a very small handful of things like western boots and my Red Wings, I've been completely exclusive to AE. Over the years I looked into Loake, C&J, Carmina, some others but never anything seriously. I believe I currently own 93 pairs from AE alone (I honestly lost count but I think that's right), including 11-12 shell. I even wrote a fit article to encourage more people to get into the brand that...appears to have quite a few hits on this forum now, lol.

Also over the years, I have seen some things I haven't been too happy about. Fewer new dressier styles. Corners being cut. More cemented Italian. More junk. Layoffs of lots of veteran employees to be replaced with people a lot more clueless and unhelpful, a lot more aloof and disinterested. I asked myself over and over again why stay with AE at this point.

I talked to Kristen over the phone back when she was with Jay at Charleston. I worked with her in Freeport, in my local retail store, and finally when she opened the store in Paramus. I used to drive from my house to Paramus (roughly 3.5 hours each way if I was lucky) just to work with her. She has been nothing but incredible over the years, absolutely the best SA I've ever worked with, forget AE, I'd probably say of any brand. The level of energy an enthusiasm but at the same time incredibly patient and never the least bit pushy. No, her leaving is NOT good at all for this company. I know a lot of you guys speculated a while back on the "demise" once Caleres took over. I honestly don't know what they hell they're doing - custom trunk show shell, cemented Italian, ridiculous looking sneakers - maybe they're just trying anything and everything with a random number generator seeing what sticks? I couldn't tell you, but I can tell you Kristen leaving should be a BIG red flag.

To those at AE who follow this forum, Mr. Neo (the guy who put together a fit article on the brand, who was once called "the godfather of SF" by Ashley) just bought the Indy 403. Have a good day.

Kristen sold me my second pair of AE, a pebble Dundee two years ago when I realized there was an Allen Edmonds right next to my closest Whole Foods and I was still in my almond butter and black rice phase. Shopping with her and her crew has been exactly what shopping is supposed to be. A real connection with a sales team that knows more about shoes than I do.

 

[Shoenut]

Pairs with formal wear????
https://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/shoes/all-shoes/osborn-sneaker/SF2406.html

Only in advertising copy.

I was just at a pest control conference and Osborn like sneakers were paired more often with a tie less suit than even crappy dress shoes. The sky is green apparently.

 

[JohnPatShop]

Sutter vs Higgins mills... what’s the diff?

Gushy lug sole.

 

[Shoenut]

I finally figured out what I like about the Chester.

It really reminds me of my Hanover Masterfex. Same shape and type of creases.

 

[ace13x]

Sutter vs Higgins mills... what’s the diff?

The Sutter sucks, the HM is great.

 

[madhat]

Sutter vs Higgins mills... what’s the diff?

Perfing and sole, among other things like an emblem on shaft

 

[ace13x]

Pairs with formal wear????
https://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/shoes/all-shoes/osborn-sneaker/SF2406.html

But of course:

 

[JohnPatShop]

What are everyone's thoughts on the Cognac Strandmoks? I haven't seen many pictures posted here, I'm strongly considering grabbing a pair while they're $245. I also feel like these are a good bet to be placed on clearance immediately after the Anniversary sale gets over with so maybe I'm better served waiting, ha!

I think the old reverse burnished brown strandmoks are a better match for the semibrogue Oxford designs, and light cognac as a color is nice for chukkas or plain toes. But the cognac leather is great in person, lightly tumbled instead of a coarse pebbling like grain MacNiels or Leeds. Not quite dressy, but I like it, and I think it's bound to be comfy. Go TTS, do not size down even with the unlined quarters.

The strandmok makes a bit more sense to my eyes in solid dark brown or black pebbled leather. The casual leather lightens up the look, but the shoe is still a dark Oxford shoe. In cognac...it's extremely casual. I prefer that cognac leather on loafers (Nomad Penny) or boots (the old Nordstrom Caen.)

At $245 for firsts I'd say buy now and ignore a possible clearance markdown. Just my $0.02. YMMV.

 

[JohnPatShop]

But of course:
View attachment 1160050

@the charcoal slacks and air tie w ugly Dad Sneakers
Ew.

 

[BackInTheJox]

Just wanted to throw this out there before I put them on eBay. I am planning on selling my natural shell Dalton boots in 8.5 E. They are in good shape with 8-10 wears. Have a very small black or dark blue ink spot on the lateral aspect of one of the toeboxes.

Edit: sorry, sold!

 

[tcbinnc]

You know what drives me crazy? When the backs of the brass eyelets (the grommet?) aren't flush and the rough prongs rip through the shoe laces every time you undo them. I hated that on the Sauk Drive....and I hate it all over again on the Rainier.

I had a pull-start lawnmower with that issue. Snapped the line a few times.

 

[sterlingindigo]

I finally figured out what I like about the Chester.
View attachment 1160049 View attachment 1160048
It really reminds me of my Hanover Masterfex. Same shape and type of creases.

What last is it? It’s excellent! Yours and docs gators are always an instalike.

 

[tcbinnc]

Pairs with formal wear????
https://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/shoes/all-shoes/osborn-sneaker/SF2406.html

GQ is advocating sneakers with suits. God help us all.

 

[James1051]

Pairs with formal wear????
https://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/shoes/all-shoes/osborn-sneaker/SF2406.html

Good grief. They look like Sketchers. for little girls.