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

[srlclark]

I get that Walnut is a seasonal color, especially in the Northeast, but that is why a Dark Chili shoe is be great option. Walnut for six months and Dark Chili for the other six months assuming that one has lighter and darker colored wool trousers to match the seasons and the shoes.

I don't like the dress sneaker look. I'm simply saying that if someone put a gun to my head and said I had no choice but to wear one, I would choose a black sole over a white sole. In the real world, I would never wear one as that style is not for me.

I agree that the black sole is an improvement over the white sole, and I know that black accents are a traditional accompaniment to burgundy shoes (e.g. black laces and a black welt), but I think that for a burgundy sneaker, there are sole colors that would be preferable to either black or white. One option would be a burgundy sole so that the shoe is monochrome - this is the equivalent to an all-black sneaker or an all-white sneaker. Another option that I'd have to look at to gauge whether it might work is a brown sole. It'd probably have to be dark brown so that the sole wasn't lighter than the upper, though, and then it might look similar to the upper but not identical. So that option might not work.

 

[srlclark]

I have 3 of those 4 (all but the oxblood 5A), and all are classic AE shoes. My black Parks and Dark Chili McAllisters are my two more frequently worn pairs. That dark chili McA works with a LOT of odd jacket trouser combos. The walnut Strand is a classic also, but for me the color does not work in the dark-cold months, so it is a 6 month shoe. The others are year rounders.

I don't get why they discontinued oxblood for the McAllister but kept it for the Fifth Avenue. I think that the classic AE combination for those styles would be this:

Black PA
Dark brown or dark chili FA
Walnut (or bourbon/copper) Strand
Oxblood or merlot McAllister

Sure, it's not a biggie to switch out the FA and the McAllister, but the most classic option was burgundy for the full brogue, not the quarter-brogue.

 

[suuteebird]

chili shell Dylan

 

[Shoenut]

Is this something you guys want back?

 

[OldTown]

I don't get why they discontinued oxblood for the McAllister but kept it for the Fifth Avenue. I think that the classic AE combination for those styles would be this:

Black PA
Dark brown or dark chili FA
Walnut (or bourbon/copper) Strand
Oxblood or merlot McAllister

Sure, it's not a biggie to switch out the FA and the McAllister, but the most classic option was burgundy for the full brogue, not the quarter-brogue.

Not sure what is the traditional version but oxblood FA are amazing looking.

 

[ProfilaBinding]

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Is the middle boot natural color? It seems VERY lighter shade than the current AE website shows for natural.

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That middle shot is the best natural Higgins photo I've ever seen. I think it was posted by a former member here by the name of middlep or similar. He sure hit the jackpot and the photo was taken perfectly.

There was a lot of variation in the original natural, and that might have something to do with why it's not available at AE and Alden anymore. Here's another shot of a different pair of the original color. Notice how this pair is so dark that they used a dark brown suede tongue instead of beige. These are not mine:

 

[OldTown]

That middle shot is the best natural Higgins photo I've ever seen. I think it was posted by a former member here by the name of middlep or similar. He sure hit the jackpot and the photo was taken perfectly.

There was a lot of variation in the original natural, and that might have something to do with why it's not available at AE and Alden anymore. Here's another shot of a different pair of the original color. Notice how this pair is so dark that they used a dark brown suede tongue instead of beige. These are not mine:

It's interesting how everyone here seems to want the lighter version whereas I am specifically interested in the darker version.

 

[ProfilaBinding]

It's interesting how everyone here seems to want the lighter version whereas I am specifically interested in the darker version.

I think the dark version looks very good. It's just that most are probably used to the old color. I'm considering ordering the new dark version with a black dainite sole. It looks better with black in my eyes than the red.

 

[bluejazzmonkey]

It's interesting how everyone here seems to want the lighter version whereas I am specifically interested in the darker version.

Put me on the same list. I prefer the darker ones.

 

[srlclark]

Not sure what is the traditional version but oxblood FA are amazing looking.

If you ask me, oxblood is going to look better than dark chili on any model.

 

[stook1]

I have 3 of those 4 (all but the oxblood 5A), and all are classic AE shoes. My black Parks and Dark Chili McAllisters are my two more frequently worn pairs. That dark chili McA works with a LOT of odd jacket trouser combos. The walnut Strand is a classic also, but for me the color does not work in the dark-cold months, so it is a 6 month shoe. The others are year rounders.

Yep the middle is original natty, but it darkens quickly to look closer to the last photo, a nice mid-brown. Wearing my OG natty Mills today in fact.


I'm not a dress sneaker guy at all--so take the following for what its worth--and I understand even less the dress sneaker that completely conceals its "sneaker-ness." Unlike its white cup soled brethren, which cannot be mistaken even from a distance, this "sneaker" could pass for a normal dress shoe, unless you look closely. And when you look closely..... If you have to Try Hard to make your sneaker not look like a sneaker, whats the point? Maybe you don't want a sneaker.

If you like the look pictured above ^, a burgundy shell or oxblood Park GYW is the real mccoy and will serve you well for a decade or two at least, unlike that cup soled jobby.

I promise I am not trying to stir the pot here... but I'd love to understand AEs thinking about why they decided to make the PA and Strand sneakers instead of a Leeds sneaker. I feel like a Leeds sneaker would be much less controversial. I probably stil would not buy one because, like you, it's just not really my thing. If I am wearing sneakers I am wearing real sneakers that are light, super flexible, etc. I don't wear sneakers casually. So I'm not really the target market. But I still not get the choice of closed lace sneakers. Another option that might work better is a U-tip blucher. I don't think AE has really a model that's quite what I have in mind but something like that I think would work better as a sneaker also vs. the PA and strand.

 

[suitforcourt]

Never been a huge fan of AE. Most of my collection is vintage like Florsheim and Dacks. Since working from home, I've been phasing out dress shoes and replacing with boots. Most of my boots are Red Wing, Chippewa, and Boulet style.

During the black Friday sale, I snagged 3 pairs of AE boots for 140 each. Shoe bank models - Stirling in tan, Hamiltons in black and cognac.

I ordered through the Charleston store. They inspected each pair, and advised of the minimal issues (some loose grains and inconsistent colours). I will be using these as indoor footwear for now.

Can't wait for these to arrive.

 

[ProfilaBinding]

I promise I am not trying to stir the pot here... but I'd love to understand AEs thinking about why they decided to make the PA and Strand sneakers instead of a Leeds sneaker. I feel like a Leeds sneaker would be much less controversial. I probably stil would not buy one because, like you, it's just not really my thing. If I am wearing sneakers I am wearing real sneakers that are light, super flexible, etc. I don't wear sneakers casually. So I'm not really the target market. But I still not get the choice of closed lace sneakers. Another option that might work better is a U-tip blucher. I don't think AE has really a model that's quite what I have in mind but something like that I think would work better as a sneaker also vs. the PA and strand.

I'd be curious if the Leeds are even selling to younger men these days. Are they seen as too fuddy duddy to them? I say this as a big fan of the Leeds.

 

[stook1]

I'd be curious if the Leeds are even selling to younger men these days. Are they seen as too fuddy duddy to them? I say this as a big fan of the Leeds.

Relative to the PA?

 

[ProfilaBinding]

Relative to the PA?

Got me there.