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

[JRC]

I hope people are up for another version of "What would you choose and why?"
(I wish there was a way to put a poll in an existing thread)

If you could only have 2 Allen Edmonds dress shoes that needed to cover all of your dress-up wardrobe occasions (tux, suit, sport coat and tie for work, weddings, funerals, etc.) what would they be?

The first shoe is a given: black Park Avenue

What is your second shoe, in what color, and why that one?:

• Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Strand
• Cigar, Coffee, Dark Chili, Mahogany, Oxblood, Walnut

Personally, I am very torn. Limited to 2 shoes Walnut is out immediately because it is the least versatile color IMHO. I really like Oxblood but think it may be more limited than Chili or Mahogany or even Coffee so its a pass as well. I like the Strand but it is too casual if I can only have 2 dress shoes. Maybe a Fifth Avenue when I am only wearing a sport coat (or when I am not wearing a navy or gray suit). My choices would be:

Safe choice:

• Park Avenue - black
• Park Avenue - coffee

Not as safe choice:

• Park Avenue - black
• Fifth Avenue - dark chili

Fun choice

• Park Avenue - black
• Strand - Cigar

I prefer the Carlye in black and the strand in oxblood. Both of which I currently own.

 

[NYCTechNerd]

F2 White suede Leeds: Yes or No?
I love the idea of it but in the Northeast I would have a very limited window of opportunity to wear it.

 

[madhat]

I’d be tempted to skip black altogether (I have absolutely worn navy wholecuts with a tux), but a black PA is not my style.
1. Black Rutledge
2. Strand in burgundy shell (burg / chili goes with everything)

I also would skip black if I only had two shoes. A dark brown Strand and a burgundy (darkest option available) PA. Why not a dark brown PA? Well, I don’t like the idea of the oxblood Strand much and don’t want two dark brown shoes.

As a funny happenstance, I have an oxblood PA and a dark brown shell Strand already...

 

[madhat]

F2 White suede Leeds: Yes or No?
I love the idea of it but in the Northeast I would have a very limited window of opportunity to wear it.

View attachment 1508104

Great summer shoe, but if you don’t wear much bright summer oranges/blues/reds as linen/seersucker/etc then don’t buy something you won’t wear. I have a Nomad, but would prefer the Leeds for sole and fit.

 

[HCapLonghorn]

I hope people are up for another version of "What would you choose and why?"
(I wish there was a way to put a poll in an existing thread)

If you could only have 2 Allen Edmonds dress shoes that needed to cover all of your dress-up wardrobe occasions (tux, suit, sport coat and tie for work, weddings, funerals, etc.) what would they be?

The first shoe is a given: black Park Avenue

What is your second shoe, in what color, and why that one?:

• Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Strand
• Cigar, Coffee, Dark Chili, Mahogany, Oxblood, Walnut

Personally, I am very torn. Limited to 2 shoes Walnut is out immediately because it is the least versatile color IMHO. I really like Oxblood but think it may be more limited than Chili or Mahogany or even Coffee so its a pass as well. I like the Strand but it is too casual if I can only have 2 dress shoes. Maybe a Fifth Avenue when I am only wearing a sport coat (or when I am not wearing a navy or gray suit). My choices would be:

Safe choice:

• Park Avenue - black
• Park Avenue - coffee

Not as safe choice:

• Park Avenue - black
• Fifth Avenue - dark chili

Fun choice

• Park Avenue - black
• Strand - Cigar

Oxblood Strands for me. i don't find burgundy limiting. Fifth Avenue is a substitute for Parks imo.

 

[NYCTechNerd]

Great summer shoe, but if you don’t wear much bright summer oranges/blues/reds as linen/seersucker/etc then don’t buy something you won’t wear. I have a Nomad, but would prefer the Leeds for sole and fit.

When not in a suit or a tux...

In the late spring/summer:
I wear lots of khaki/stone*/british-tan* chinos with navy/light blue/light pink/forest green/white polo shirts.

Other times:
I wear lots of navy/olive/british-tan* chinos with white/blue/blue stripe/pink button down dress shirts.

So, I would probably not have many occasions to wear a white suede Leeds.

I have this image of myself in clothes (very dapper) and then the current reality (boring but classic). When I was younger, 20s and 30s, working in Advertising Corporate IT wearing suits or jacket/tie most days, I was a very smart dresser and often complimented on my suit/shirt/tie/shoe pairings. Since most work environments went (business) casual, I went more boring and classic. For me, I simply can't pair a dress shoe (i.e. PA, 5A, Strand) with chinos because IMHO they should be worn with wool trousers.


* I have no idea why a chino lighter in color than khaki is called stone or why there is a color called british-tan when khaki was worn by the British military but that is a conversation for another day.

 

[tcbinnc]

Ah the Walton reminds me of my wife. Long split toe (big nose) short apron (small boobs) tight instep (thin waist) all on a solid base (muy bien nalgas y piernas). And that is why I love both.
View attachment 1508003

How'd that shoe suddenly become sexy to me?

 

[matwa]

F2 White suede Leeds: Yes or No?
I love the idea of it but in the Northeast I would have a very limited window of opportunity to wear it.

< $200 = Yes

 

[madhat]

When not in a suit or a tux...

In the late spring/summer:
I wear lots of khaki/stone*/british-tan* chinos with navy/light blue/light pink/forest green/white polo shirts.

Other times:
I wear lots of navy/olive/british-tan* chinos with white/blue/blue stripe/pink button down dress shirts.

So, I would probably not have many occasions to wear a white suede Leeds.

I have this image of myself in clothes (very dapper) and then the current reality (boring but classic). When I was younger, 20s and 30s, working in Advertising Corporate IT wearing suits or jacket/tie most days, I was a very smart dresser and often complimented on my suit/shirt/tie/shoe pairings. Since most work environments went business casual, I went more boring and classic. For me, I simply can't pair a dress shoe (i.e. PA. 5A, Strand) with chinos because IMHO they should be worn with wool trousers.


* I have no idea why a chino lighter in color than khaki is called stone or why there is a color called british-tan when khaki was worn by the British military but that is a conversation for another day.

Yeah, unless you’re looking for a conversation piece, I don’t think there’s a huge use in your life for them then. The tans could be used with them, but honestly I think they’re better suited to summer colors. The tan for me is better suited to mid-light browns, greens, blues than stark white suede.
if you did, definitely going with an equally bright top would at least pull them into the outfit.

definitely a sub $100 buy only in your case I think.

 

[milktoast]

I highly recommend you call your favorite SA at an AE outlet store and see what they have. If you don’t have a favorite SA, (shame on you ) then reach out to RJ or Jason in South Charleston or Karina in Paramus. They often have stellar deals on belts. I even think South Charleston has a stash of sub $100 belts.

Happy hunting!

I'll surely have to get acquainted as, again, I'm fairly new to AE and formalwear generally. Good to hear that some folks at the outlet stores may be able to assist. Cheers.

perfect match

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071RTCF43/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Wonderful price, though I'm sure the product won't be without fault. Will continue hunting for something that may be a "tier" about this.
Appreciate the assistance.

 

[PANJ]

I hope people are up for another version of "What would you choose and why?"
(I wish there was a way to put a poll in an existing thread)

If you could only have 2 Allen Edmonds dress shoes that needed to cover all of your dress-up wardrobe occasions (tux, suit, sport coat and tie for work, weddings, funerals, etc.) what would they be?

The first shoe is a given: black Park Avenue

What is your second shoe, in what color, and why that one?:

• Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Strand
• Cigar, Coffee, Dark Chili, Mahogany, Oxblood, Walnut

Personally, I am very torn. Limited to 2 shoes Walnut is out immediately because it is the least versatile color IMHO. I really like Oxblood but think it may be more limited than Chili or Mahogany or even Coffee so its a pass as well. I like the Strand but it is too casual if I can only have 2 dress shoes. Maybe a Fifth Avenue when I am only wearing a sport coat (or when I am not wearing a navy or gray suit). My choices would be:

Safe choice:

• Park Avenue - black
• Park Avenue - coffee

Not as safe choice:

• Park Avenue - black
• Fifth Avenue - dark chili

Fun choice

• Park Avenue - black
• Strand - Cigar

Merlot McCallister

 

[NYCTechNerd]

Yeah, unless you’re looking for a conversation piece, I don’t think there’s a huge use in your life for them then. The tans could be used with them, but honestly I think they’re better suited to summer colors. The tan for me is better suited to mid-light browns, greens, blues than stark white suede.
if you did, definitely going with an equally bright top would at least pull them into the outfit.

definitely a sub $100 buy only in your case I think.

If I was younger/hipper, I would wear white suede Leeds with shorts and no-show socks in the summer. Although, my wife keeps reminding me that as a cyclist, I have fantastic legs, so there's that to be happy about.

 

[woofmang]

More moleskin; these from S&M and paired with Surrey Chukkas:

 

[milktoast]

If I was younger/hipper, I would wear white suede Leeds with shorts and no-show socks in the summer. Although, my wife keeps reminding me that as a cyclist, I have fantastic legs, so there's that to be happy about.

Youth is in the mind, mate! Hop on an e-bike and you'll feel a few years younger.

 

[NYCTechNerd]

Youth is in the mind, mate! Hop on an e-bike and you'll feel a few years younger.

Don't need one of those yet.
I can still easily bang out 60-80 miles on a Saturday (or Sunday) ride with my Seven Cycles Axiom SL.