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

[Hisheirness23]

Thoughts on the weatherproof offerings from AE? Would like to know if those are worth the purchase or if I can use calf skin or shell in the elements? I won't be drudging through rain or snow, but if I have to walk around in the rain, will the investment in the weatherproof model be worth it? I have read mixed reviews with shell handling rain.

 

[OldTown]

Thoughts on the weatherproof offerings from AE? Would like to know if those are worth the purchase or if I can use calf skin or shell in the elements? I won't be drudging through rain or snow, but if I have to walk around in the rain, will the investment in the weatherproof model be worth it? I have read mixed reviews with shell handling rain.

Just make sure to use wax.

 

[Count de Monet]

Back in the day shell was mostly used on workboots and "country" shoes so if they saw some water and developed welts/bumps, etc. (sometimes they go away and sometimes not) it was no big deal. If my Wolverines Ashley found for me get wet, no big deal.

Over time, folks started doing dress shoes in shell so folks are understandably reluctant to take the risk.

If uber casual, something like a boot in Dublin or CXL is good, at least for me. Ditto a grain leather.

If dressy, I have an old pair of black shell Alden punchcaps I'm trying to kill but they won't die so they are my suit rain shoe.

I would not put a waterproofing agent on any good calf dress shoe. I don't trust the stuff long term.

 

[Lionel Hutz]

Whelp I picked up a pair of chili shell Landon on double JR ... and the same scarf @sterlingindigo posted (because even though I don't wear scarfs I am highly vulnerable being weaseled)

this will be my second pair of Landons so I sure hope they fit.

Also my navy shell strands from the TS were waiting at the store, so that was nice. I've purchased navy, chili and #8 strands so far this year ... but I think @BFT9000 is safe for now because I think I'm done until I can buy natty

 

[ProfilaBinding]

I love looking at vintage AE shoes from the 1980s or 1990s. I hope one day I'll be lucky enough to find something on Ebay in my size.

 

[sterlingindigo]

Whelp I picked up a pair of chili shell Landon on double JR ... and the same scarf @sterlingindigo posted.

this will be my second pair of Landons so I sure hope they fit.

Also my navy shell strands from the TS were waiting at the store, so that was nice. I've purchased navy, chili and #8 strands so far this year ... but I think @BFT9000 is safe for now because I think I'm done until I can buy natty

Enjoy the scarf and wear it in good health! Those Landon’s will take care of you for a long time coming.

 

[Jimmy R]

On second thought, maybe I should have sized down a half size with the shoes? Should the crease be farther back? This is with my foot bent like I’m pushing off, by the way.

 

[audog]

Thoughts on the weatherproof offerings from AE? Would like to know if those are worth the purchase or if I can use calf skin or shell in the elements? I won't be drudging through rain or snow, but if I have to walk around in the rain, will the investment in the weatherproof model be worth it? I have read mixed reviews with shell handling rain.

I have the Alpine cap toe boots, which are "waterproof", they do keep out snow and rain, but the leather is rather "wimpy" feeling. The Arctic lug sole is to die for in winter however. ONE CAN NOT SLIP, the colder it gets, the more the sole grips. I don't find them particularly warm boots in winter, would be better if shearling lined, but the grip makes it all worth while. Oh and the feet do stay dry so the waterproof membrane must work. Unless you go in over the ankle puddles, then all bets are off.

 

[BFT9000]

Whelp I picked up a pair of chili shell Landon on double JR ... and the same scarf @sterlingindigo posted.

this will be my second pair of Landons so I sure hope they fit.

Also my navy shell strands from the TS were waiting at the store, so that was nice. I've purchased navy, chili and #8 strands so far this year ... but I think @BFT9000 is safe for now because I think I'm done until I can buy natty

No bourbon or green?? Not even brown!?

 

[Lionel Hutz]

No bourbon or green?? Not even brown!?

I own two pair of brown shell already (and Bartlett in walnut). I'm just not a fan of bourbon. Sometimes I think it looks great but I often think it has a yellowish tint. Maybe I'll get green someday and I will certainly buy natty if it is ever available again

Spoiler

do I own more brown shell strands than you? Does that bother you?

 

[Jimmy R]

I own two pair of brown shell already (and hopkinson in walnut). I'm just not a fan of bourbon. Sometimes I think it looks great but I often think it has a yellowish tint. Maybe I'll get green someday and I will certainly buy natty if it is ever available again

Spoiler

do I own more brown shell strands than you? Does that bother you?

Every time I read your posts, I hear them in Lionel Hutz's voice.

 

[ProfilaBinding]

I think the interesting thing about bourbon calf is that it can look amazingly beautiful or disgustingly ugly depending on how it was done.

@Lionel Hutz Are those AE laces on your Higgins or did you get those from GG?

 

[FatTuesday]

The Tale of 3 Dundees...
I cleaned & brushed my Chili shell Dundees tonight for duty tomorrow. I find myself wearing these pretty regularly. Anyway, I pulled my Natty shell Dundees and my Burgundy shell pair for comparison photos.

Photos in shade

Natty (l), Chili (m) & Burgundy (r).

Natty & chili (Eastports down below)

Photos in filtered daylight

Chili (l) & Natty (r)

The Natty has darkened significantly over the years. And the Burgundy has lightened.

Spoiler: Young Natural shell cordovan

I think this exercise proves that all shell colors migrate toward a medium tone over time.

 

[WithBBQSauce]

Shoe repair question -- I bought a pair of new black PAs off of eBay. I already have a pair of black PAs but they don't fit me as well because I got them before I got properly fitted (my PAs are 11D but it turned out I wear a 10EEE in the 65 last). Regardless, I found these new in box PAs on eBay and got them for a great price ($110 plus shipping), but when they arrived I noticed both have some defects. The one shoe has 3 light cuts on the toe; they appear to be actual cuts (instead of scratches) but are not deep -- still in the dyed leather.

The other shoe has on the heel counter what appears to be some scraped up leather. Again it is still black.

My gut is that I can (or my cobbler can) carefully shave off the scraped up leather and fill both that and the light cuts with some repair cream and a good polish and you can never tell the difference. Am I missing something? The seller has offered me a refund if I am unhappy with the shoes. My gut says that with $15 in repair cream these things will look darn near perfect. With the price I got these at even with repairs I am still way ahead of Nordstrom's anniversary sale or factory seconds.

FYI the shoes do not appear to have been worn previously. The listing didn't mention or show the defects but as I mentioned the seller is standing behind the sale so I don't have a complaint there.

I just don't want to end up with something that will stick out like a sore thumb.

 

[Lionel Hutz]

I think the interesting thing about bourbon calf is that it can look amazingly beautiful or disgustingly ugly depending on how it was done.

@Lionel Hutz Are those AE laces on your Higgins or did you get those from GG?

Guarded Goods on all 3