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

[woofmang]

It's been one of those weeks and it's only Tuesday...

I know the feeling...

 

[NYCTechNerd]

I know the feeling...

Last night went like this when my wife got home...

Me: Your boots came back from repair.
Wife: Why-TF are you going into my closet?
Me: Remember, your favorite boots that you wore through the sole and almost damaged the welt so I said I was going to send them out for repair?
Wife: No. Again, Why-TF are you going into my closet?
Me: Again, do you not remember we had an entire conversation about this a few weeks ago and I wanted to get them fixed before you start wearing them in the Fall now that you are back at work?
Wife: No.
Me: Well, they upgraded them with new leather soles, GTO sole protectors, and kept everything black just like you wanted them. They should last several more years.
Wife: They look nice.
Me: Great.
Wife: (tries them on) They do not fit, they are too tight. You ruined them.
Me: I did not ruin them. Is it vertically tight or horizontally tight?
Wife: They are just tight.
Me: Do you mean stiff like a new shoe that needs to be broken-in?
Wife: How the heck do I know, did you suddenly become a shoe expert?
Me: Well, I did watch a bunch of YouTube videos about shoes during the initial lock down.
Wife: Not funny.
Me: Give them a few days and see if they loosen up after you wear them. It's like you have a new pair of boots that need to be broken-in. And, I already looked online and will order you a new pair if these really do not work anymore (I actually did this before I sent them out for repair).
Wife: I'll wear them on Friday and we'll see what happens. Please just do not ever mess with my shoes without asking me first.
Me: I did, we had a whole conversation about it. Next time do you need me to have you sign a waiver?
Wife: Really not funny. What's for dinner?
Me: Salad.
Wife: Shoot me now.


In fairness, she is a HS principal who has been working 12 hour days seven days a week since March to help get her school open so she is exhausted all the time. In the past 7 months, she has only had 4 actual days off.

 

[madhat]

Last night went like this when my wife got home...

Me: Your boots came back from repair.
Wife: Why-TF are you going into my closet?
Me: Remember, your favorite boots that you wore through the sole and almost damaged the welt so I said I was going to send them out for repair?
Wife: No. Again, Why-TF are you going into my closet?
Me: Again, do you not remember we had an entire conversation about this a few weeks ago and I wanted to get them fixed before you start wearing them in the Fall now that you are back at work?
Wife: No.
Me: Well, they upgraded them with new leather soles, GTO sole protectors, and kept everything black just like you wanted them. They should last several more years.
Wife: They look nice.
Me: Great.
Wife: (tries them on) They do not fit, they are too tight. You ruined them.
Me: I did not ruin them. Is it vertically tight or horizontally tight?
Wife: They are just tight.
Me: Do you mean stiff like a new shoe that needs to be broken-in?
Wife: How the heck do I know, did you suddenly become a shoe expert?
Me: Well, I did watch a bunch of YouTube videos about shoes during the initial lock down.
Wife: Not funny.
Me: Give them a few days and see if they loosen up after you wear them. It's like you have a new pair of boots that need to be broken-in. And, I already looked online and will order you a new pair if these really do not work anymore (I actually did this before I sent them out for repair).
Wife: I'll wear them on Friday and we'll see what happens. Please just do not ever mess with my shoes without asking me first.
Me: I did, we had a whole conversation about it. Next time do you need me to have you sign a waiver?
Wife: Really not funny. What's for dinner?
Me: Salad.
Wife: Shoot me now.


In fairness, she is a HS principal who has been working 12 hour days seven days a week since March to help get her school open so she is exhausted all the time. In the past 7 months, she has only had 4 actual days off.

As soon as she leaves the room, go in there and flex the soles very firmly to loosen them up. I bet that will make a difference, and maybe make sure she doesn't complain they are stiff when she first starts walking. I mean, you HAVE invaded her closet and all already, might as well go for broke!

 

[stook1]

As soon as she leaves the room, go in there and flex the soles very firmly to loosen them up. I bet that will make a difference, and maybe make sure she doesn't complain they are stiff when she first starts walking. I mean, you HAVE invaded her closet and all already, might as well go for broke!

That's much too nice. Now that he knows the degree of sensitivity on this topic it's fair game for practical jokes.

 

[NYCTechNerd]

As soon as she leaves the room, go in there and flex the soles very firmly to loosen them up. I bet that will make a difference, and maybe make sure she doesn't complain they are stiff when she first starts walking. I mean, you HAVE invaded her closet and all already, might as well go for broke!

29 years we have known each other.
27 years a couple.
19 years married.

This is easy stuff and we get along great but she has had a difficult few months so I just go with the flow.
We were laughing through most of the conversation about her boots.

My guess is they were an original leather sole worn down to almost nothing and now she has a newer thicker leather sole with GTO rubber sole protectors on top so it is going to take some time to loosen up but I'll do some flexing before Friday!

 

[pbrandes]

Today's personalized trunk show delivery, chili/antique Cambridge w/double JR. Laces swapped for a princely $4 or so. Turned out better than I'd even hoped. One down, one to go...

 

[madhat]

29 years we have known each other.
27 years a couple.
19 years married.

This is easy stuff and we get along great but she has had a difficult few months so I just go with the flow.
We were laughing through most of the conversation about her boots.

My guess is they were an original leather sole worn down to almost nothing and now she has a newer thicker leather sole with GTO rubber sole protectors on top so it is going to take some time to loosen up but I'll do some flexing before Friday!

I genuinely do flex my soles before I put shoes into rotation; also reduces the early on excessive sole toe tip wear.
Shell I do go ahead and set rolls beforehand though

 

[VeritasAequitas]

Today's personalized trunk show delivery, chili/antique Cambridge w/double JR. Laces swapped for a princely $4 or so. Turned out better than I'd even hoped. One down, one to go...

View attachment 1481021

View attachment 1481022

View attachment 1481023

Absolutely stunning.

 

[JFWR]

IMHO leather grain and a natural welt does not equal "formal". I would personally consider those a "casual" boot that would not be worn with formal/business attire.

Similarly, I would not consider that all black HM boot "formal".

Or did I miss the memo on what constitutes a formal boot?

I agree with you Tech. Neither of these are very formal boots. They could all be worn with sports coats, but I wouldn't pair any of them with a three piece suit (at least once you're at work/social gathering - you might be able to wear them in bad weather TO the place).

Grained calf is more casual and open lacing, especially with flat shoe laces, are definitely less formal than closed lacing (oxford) with round, waxed laces. Plus, the latter is a plain toe, and plain toe is less formal than cap toe.

The most formal boot is the button boot. This is acceptable with black tie (but no one owns them anymore). There are dress boots now that look fine with suits as well. Is it calf? Is it an oxford or chelsea boot? Does it have a cap toe? Ask yourself these questions to determine the degree of formality.

 

[JFWR]

29 years we have known each other.
27 years a couple.
19 years married.

This is easy stuff and we get along great but she has had a difficult few months so I just go with the flow.
We were laughing through most of the conversation about her boots.

My guess is they were an original leather sole worn down to almost nothing and now she has a newer thicker leather sole with GTO rubber sole protectors on top so it is going to take some time to loosen up but I'll do some flexing before Friday!

I've noticed that women really don't know much about shoes in general. This is because ladies shoes are made like crap compared to men's shoes. Women's boots can be quite well made, but women don't realize that once you get something recrafted you'll have to break them in some. They aren't "ruined" - they just need to be worn again. Your foot has to mold it once more and the leather has to break down a bit.

I am not saying this is some sort of gender-based thing inherently, but it is because of style differences. Women wear shoes that aren't like what men wear.

 

[NYCTechNerd]

not sure what happened here so moderators delete if possible.

 

[ProfilaBinding]

I've noticed that women really don't know much about shoes in general. This is because ladies shoes are made like crap compared to men's shoes. Women's boots can be quite well made, but women don't realize that once you get something recrafted you'll have to break them in some. They aren't "ruined" - they just need to be worn again. Your foot has to mold it once more and the leather has to break down a bit.

I am not saying this is some sort of gender-based thing inherently, but it is because of style differences. Women wear shoes that aren't like what men wear.

They always have the Dalton available for them.

 

[JFWR]

They always have the Dalton available for them.

You're about to catch these hands.

 

[madhat]

You're about to catch these hands.

View attachment 1481040

Your wife’s boots look great!

 

[JFWR]

Your wife’s boots look great!