Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread 2020 - News, Pictures, Clothing, Accessories, etc.

[pbrandes]

During this 30% off sale, my inner weasel compelled me to try the Ketchup derby (come on, AE must have known that was coming when they named it Kitsap). At only $125, why not? Since it is an obscure Nordy model I'm posting some photos of the unboxing.

Based on the label, not seconds but first quality on clearance:

They came with two——count 'em TWO——shoe bags! One more than each of my TS custom suede and shell models.

The finish is soft nubuck though burnishing gives the toes a smoother/shinier feel and adds some character. However, there's also some weird burnishing in random spots, including along part of the left toe cap broguing, and a black dot on the right toe that's more annoying in close up than from normal wearing height. Another odd choice is the single exposed brass eyelet - if I keep them I'll be putting those on all the eyelets.

The single brass eyelet and hybrid rubber/leather sole construction puts this squarely in the Bainbridge family (any comments from Bainbridge owners on fit, durability etc. are welcome!):

I wouldn't exactly call it a precision reverse welt:

Though the specs say its on the 222 last, I can easily get my feet in and out of them, which I've never experienced on that last, maybe it's the open lacing? Footbed seems wider as well.

In any case, I'm on the fence about keeping. For $125, seems like a decent casual knockabout/beater. Any thoughts or opinions?

 

[NYCTechNerd]

That's funny. My number one girl (my daughter) says the same thing about my shoes and watches (They are all exactly the same). Love is powerful and you defiantly have the dance moves! The Coffee and Dark Chili are fantastic.Bravo

I have posted about her/us on SF before. We have known each other for just about 30 years, been married for just about 20 years, and laugh all the time. While others may perceive this as a fight, we were giggling at each other the entire time.

If I had to choose one I'd choose the mahogany. Coffee really is a boring color and I see why they are getting rid of it.

Coffee is basically medium brown (which some might find too boring). Dark Chili has some really nice red tones. Mahogany IMHO is an ever darker and more brown version of Dark Chili and another good option. I was tempted to keep two of them but I really think the Dark chili could work in place of all three because it is literally "in the middle" colorwise.

2 months ago: boy I should really follow that seven shoe wardrobe rule
now: all these fifth avenues count as one pair, right?

I may have posted about a 7 shoe wardrobe but I never said I "would" follow it. The truth is, I thought I might keep 2 of them but since no local stores had all three colors, I ordered them online to compare and contrast. As mentioned above, Dark Chili may stand alone as the winner.

she called you old? add ageism to sexism!

To clarify, I am in pre-early-retirement. I am a young (as is she) to retire but am able too. She is not ready so I may work for a few more years until she is ready. She is a HS Principal and loves her work.

****************************************************************************************
And, she hasn't even seen the box from Grant Stone. Stay tuned for an update tomorrow in the GS thread.

 

[Shoenut]

It's never a good day when both you and your spouse/partner/etc. work from home and a big box of shoes arrives. The conversation when something like this:

Her: What did you order now?
Me: Shoes.
Her: Of course you did.
Me: Let me show them to you.

I open them up, put them out, and display them nicely.

Her: Why did you buy three of the exact same thing?
Me: They are different colors.
Her: Really? They are not that different.
Me: I can match them to my outfits.
Her: Okay, Imelda.
Me: How many black dresses and black shoes do you own?
Her: I'm a woman.
Me: That's sexist.
Her: No it isn't because I am a woman and I said it.
Me: Reverse sexism?
Her: Is that really how you want to play this one?
Me: Yes.
Her: I really don't care if you keep them all or none as long as we can end this conversation now.
Me: Really?
Her: Yes, but DO NOT EVER ask about my clothes, shoes, or bags ever again.
Me: Well played.
Her: You didn't marry a dummy.
Me: Seriously, please tell me which ones you like.
Her: Don't Like (Coffee), Great color (Dark Chili), Like this one too but not as much as the other (Mahogany).
Me: So, what about the style?
Her: Too formal, you are pre-retired and need more causal shoes.
Me: So what should I do?
Her: Return them and find a casual shoe in the color I like.
Me: But they were $199 each which is 50% off.
Her: Is this the Price Is Right?
Me: No.
Her: Then don't ask for my opinion if you are going to ignore it.
Me: I'm not ignoring it, I am not agreeing with it.
Her: Whatever.
Me: I love you.
Her: Me too, Can we please now do something that would actually be fun for me?
Me: Yes, dear!
Her: Well played.

View attachment 1504803

Really? You showed your wife naked shoes? My wife would never go for that.

 

[dc_slicker]

Coffee is basically medium brown (which some might find too boring). Dark Chili has some really nice red tones. Mahogany IMHO is an ever darker and more brown version of Dark Chili and another good option. I was tempted to keep two of them but I really think the Dark chili could work in place of all three because it is literally "in the middle" colorwise.

So you going to keep only one in Dark Chilli?

 

[NYCTechNerd]

So you going to keep only one in Dark Chilli?

Not sure yet. Coffee is definitely a return. See Grant Stone comment above (late edit).

 

[NYCTechNerd]

Really? You showed your wife naked shoes? My wife would never go for that.

I pre-gamed her. I knew the AE box was arriving today so I sent her 4 links of sale shoes on the Carmina site she would definitely like:

HANDSEWN IN PYTHON 1468

HANDSEWN MOC IN PYTHON LEATHER WHITE...

www.carminashoemaker.com

PYTHON PENNY LOAFERS 1617 OBLADA

· Oblada Last· Mustard python· Leather sole...

www.carminashoemaker.com

WOMEN SLIPPERS 1663

WOMEN SLIPPERS IN PONY CALF LEOPARD...

www.carminashoemaker.com

WOMEN SLIPPERS 1663

WOMEN SLIPPERS IN BLACK PONY CALF...

www.carminashoemaker.com

 

[dc_slicker]

Not sure yet. Coffee is definitely a return. See Grant Stone comment above (late edit).

agree on coffee being a return, not a fan.
Dark Chilli is def a winner

at 199, consider keeping Mahogany as I never seen 1st to go for this low...

 

[NYCTechNerd]

agree on coffee being a return, not a fan.
Dark Chilli is def a winner

at 199, consider keeping Mahogany as I never seen 1st to go for this low...

Maybe. It is more about room (small apartment living by choice) than the money. And the main reason why I started that 7 shoe collection post in both the AE and Alden threads.

As I transition my wardrobe and shoes to more casual, I need to be very careful with my choices based on the limited space I/we have to store everything. I have already gotten rid of most of my suits and sports jackets. I have kept the following, for now, but may pare down even more:

• Navy suit
• Dark grey suit
• Navy blazer
• Brown tweed sport jacket
• 5 wool trousers
• Tux

I think the Dark Chili might be the most flexible with what is listed here (as well as black oxfords).

 

[audog]

Maybe. It is more about room (small apartment living by choice) than the money. And the main reason why I started that 7 shoe collection post in both the AE and Alden threads.

As I transition my wardrobe and shoes to more casual, I need to be very careful with my choices based on the limited space I/we have to store everything. I have already gotten rid of most of my suits and sports jackets. I have kept the following, for now, but may pare down even more:

• Navy suit
• Dark grey suit
• Navy blazer
• Brown tweed sport jacket
• 5 wool trousers
• Tux

I think the Dark Chili might be the most flexible with what is listed here (as well as black oxfords).

Keep the tux!

 

[PANJ]

During this 30% off sale, my inner weasel compelled me to try the Ketchup derby (come on, AE must have known that was coming when they named it Kitsap). At only $125, why not? Since it is an obscure Nordy model I'm posting some photos of the unboxing.

Based on the label, not seconds but first quality on clearance:

View attachment 1504812


They came with two——count 'em TWO——shoe bags! One more than each of my TS custom suede and shell models.

View attachment 1504813

The finish is soft nubuck though burnishing gives the toes a smoother/shinier feel and adds some character. However, there's also some weird burnishing in random spots, including along part of the left toe cap broguing, and a black dot on the right toe that's more annoying in close up than from normal wearing height. Another odd choice is the single exposed brass eyelet - if I keep them I'll be putting those on all the eyelets.

View attachment 1504814

The single brass eyelet and hybrid rubber/leather sole construction puts this squarely in the Bainbridge family (any comments from Bainbridge owners on fit, durability etc. are welcome!):

View attachment 1504822

I wouldn't exactly call it a precision reverse welt:

View attachment 1504826

Though the specs say its on the 222 last, I can easily get my feet in and out of them, which I've never experienced on that last, maybe it's the open lacing? Footbed seems wider as well.

In any case, I'm on the fence about keeping. For $125, seems like a decent casual knockabout/beater. Any thoughts or opinions?

For $125 how can you go wrong? Makes me wish I had picked up a pair as well (I probably would've if I knew they were nubuck). I even like the eyelets. I say keep'em.

 

[Shoenut]

Strange that these are $279.

 

[stook1]

During this 30% off sale, my inner weasel compelled me to try the Ketchup derby (come on, AE must have known that was coming when they named it Kitsap). At only $125, why not? Since it is an obscure Nordy model I'm posting some photos of the unboxing.

Based on the label, not seconds but first quality on clearance:

View attachment 1504812


They came with two——count 'em TWO——shoe bags! One more than each of my TS custom suede and shell models.

View attachment 1504813

The finish is soft nubuck though burnishing gives the toes a smoother/shinier feel and adds some character. However, there's also some weird burnishing in random spots, including along part of the left toe cap broguing, and a black dot on the right toe that's more annoying in close up than from normal wearing height. Another odd choice is the single exposed brass eyelet - if I keep them I'll be putting those on all the eyelets.

View attachment 1504814

The single brass eyelet and hybrid rubber/leather sole construction puts this squarely in the Bainbridge family (any comments from Bainbridge owners on fit, durability etc. are welcome!):

View attachment 1504822

I wouldn't exactly call it a precision reverse welt:

View attachment 1504826

Though the specs say its on the 222 last, I can easily get my feet in and out of them, which I've never experienced on that last, maybe it's the open lacing? Footbed seems wider as well.

In any case, I'm on the fence about keeping. For $125, seems like a decent casual knockabout/beater. Any thoughts or opinions?

Only commenting since you asked for feedback. First, it's cool to see these with real pics and it's also nice that they are nubuck. That makes them more compelling to me. But in the end, I don't really care for the shoe and I am not sure that it's that great a value once you are putting in more eyelets (which I would for sure want as well.. who does unmatched eyelets???). To my eye they lack refinement even for a casual shoe. The shape of the quarters, design of the heel non-counter counters, the brogue implementation that feels unbalanced, and the roughness of the neck design. For me, it's just a shoe that looks off. But --- that's me. There's a foot for every shoe and if you like em then you should rock em proudly.

 

[backofthenet]

Only commenting since you asked for feedback.

I'll sort of second this opinion. I'm just some random guy on the internet but I would personally return these and use the money saved on something better. Olive strand weaves come to mind, those were what, $150?

 

[Shoenut]

I can’t get excited about this recent sale and it is mostly my fault. When I put my size in the filter the only thing that comes up are things that I already own. Although I was able to pick up the PA sneaker. If the fit was not a compromise, I would have gotten the sneaker in Shell. Even the Shoebank does not have the gems that it once had. Probably a lot better for AE though.

 

[NYCTechNerd]

Strange that these are $279.
View attachment 1504943

Exactly. It appears they are trying to get rid of this one as well so not sure why it isn't also $199. I would have liked this one over the other three I got and maybe I should have just spent the extra $80 to get it.