ALLEN EDMONDS APPRECIATION THREAD 2021: News, pictures, clothing, accessories, etc.

[BFT9000]

Does the FR stamped on the sole stand for Factory Reject, Factory Recraft, or something else?

Allen Edmonds Winchester zipper boots in 9476 Burgundy Polished Calf (not cobbler) from 1985. These boots fit very well and get a lot of attention. Since it's been rainy/snowy weather for a few weeks now I've been wearing these a lot more. The pictures were taken when the weather was nicer.
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The date code suggests these were made on October 3rd 1985.
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Beautiful! I own a pair of mid-80s Strands in the same leather and that shoe is just as eye poppingly red in person.

 

[savvysartorial]

My first pair of shell cordovan shoes, my first pair of JR Rendenbach soles and the most expensive shoes I’ve ever purchased ($695), and I naturally wanted to wear them all the time. I got caught in the Vancouver rain on several occasions and they developed a white crust, almost like dried mayonnaise, on the shell just above the welt. I thought about posting pics but didn’t, I can only assume it was an accumulation of the oils that often come to the surface, and in this case caused by constant exposure to moisture. When I wiped the white crust off the shoes it left a black staining, which I really don’t care for on a new pair of shoes. From everything I’ve read shell is resilient and with wear will naturally change color, so I am endeavouring to not rotate my shoes but wear these all through the winter to see what happens. Obviously they are maintained with cedar shoe trees and brushed weekly with occasional Saphir cordovan cream. I am particularly curious if the black staining will fade. Sort of a mission to test the durability of shell and JR Rendenbach soles. My shoes don’t really get exposed to much, just 1.2 km (.75 miles) walk to work then I’m in my office all day. No snow or salt just a lot of rain. So let’s see what happens, my understanding is shell is long lasting and low maintenance and the Mac Neil obviously has a reputation for their sturdiness.

Thanks for the nice write up.

Shell is a killer material, but even with the shoe-treeing every evening, the shoes won't properly dry between wearings.


I for one will be curious to see what happens after all that wear so quickly. What is oft recommended for heavy wear is at the very least alternate shoes between days. You could do the experiment 2 pairs of shoes.


What I mean: MacNeil on Monday, X (other shoe) Tuesday, MacNeil Wednesday, X Thursday and on and on. That way you will still get very heavy wear quickly, but you let the shoes, lining, etc all rest and dry full between wearings.

You could pick up a cheap pair of AE calfskin shoes to alternate if you wanted so you don't have to SHELL (hehe) out more $$$ for the X/off day shoes.


Cheers

 

[savvysartorial]

Does the FR stamped on the sole stand for Factory Reject, Factory Recraft, or something else?

Allen Edmonds Winchester zipper boots in 9476 Burgundy Polished Calf (not cobbler) from 1985. These boots fit very well and get a lot of attention. Since it's been rainy/snowy weather for a few weeks now I've been wearing these a lot more. The pictures were taken when the weather was nicer.
View attachment 1711659
View attachment 1711660
View attachment 1711661
The date code suggests these were made on October 3rd 1985.
View attachment 1711662
View attachment 1711663

Those are big pimping! All we need are the rest of the Beatles and you can rock out!

Chili Mac Monday View attachment 1711748 View attachment 1711749 View attachment 1711750 View attachment 1711751

Killer shoes and makeup!

 

[Ashley_S]

Hope you get them soon, which model did you get?
But for AE to declare 25% off site wide and then remove all shell is disingenuous.

I get where you're all coming from, and I'll pass your notes along regarding the verbiage that you aren't loving. There isn't anything nefarious going on here though, and I want to point that out. Horween limits the amount we can discount shell cordovan, which is why you never see it discounted below a certain threshold. Removing it from the site temporarily makes it easier for us to execute a blanket 25% off, and was ultimately in efforts to avoid messaging confusion. We haven't stopped making shell shoes, and you can still certainly order them through a store during the sale, but the 25% off won't be applied. Thanks for the feedback, guys.

 

[FatTuesday]

Today is nippy, so moleskin and

AE Dundee chukkas in chili shell cordovan on double JR soles...

...with AE socks and belt.

 

[MrOxford]

I get where you're all coming from, and I'll pass your notes along regarding the verbiage that you aren't loving. There isn't anything nefarious going on here though, and I want to point that out. Horween limits the amount we can discount shell cordovan, which is why you never see it discounted below a certain threshold. Removing it from the site temporarily makes it easier for us to execute a blanket 25% off, and was ultimately in efforts to avoid messaging confusion. We haven't stopped making shell shoes, and you can still certainly order them through a store during the sale, but the 25% off won't be applied. Thanks for the feedback, guys.

Just a few thoughts.

1. Why not import shell cordovan from other tanneries? Viberg is importing shell cordovan from other tanneries in Europe.

2. Can you expand your customization options? LEED and MacTavish models with better selection of leather? Work out the price you can live with.

3. How about a monthly made to order for shoes enthusiasts? Again work out a price you can live with.

 

[up1911fan]

Just listed a 9D chocolate suede Higgins Mill from the trunk show in the BST thread if anyone's interested.

 

[middlepP]

With talk of TS shoes and boots arriving sooner than later, what are the best options for a natty (-ish) belt? TIA.

 

[dpgaloot]

Happy Monday!

Back to work today. Camel Strandmoks.

 

[AEfaninTampa]

With talk of TS shoes and boots arriving sooner than later, what are the best options for a natty (-ish) belt? TIA.

Would a whisky work for you?

Shout out to our friends at Ealdwine in Raleigh!

Ealdwine Shell Cordovan Belts — Ealdwine Raleigh

Ealdwine Horween Shell Cordovan Tab belts made from heirloom quality Horween Shell Cordovan Leather. Width - 35mm *Buckle changes and custom sizing available on request Made in USA

www.ealdwineraleigh.com

 

[MajorDash]

Just a few thoughts.

1. Why not import shell cordovan from other tanneries? Viberg is importing shell cordovan from other tanneries in Europe.

2. Can you expand your customization options? LEED and MacTavish models with better selection of leather? Work out the price you can live with.

3. How about a monthly made to order for shoes enthusiasts? Again work out a price you can live with.

Not all shell cordovan is made equal, in quality and appearance. It is generally accepted that Horween shell is the best out there by a fair margin, but some of the other tanneries have different colors and properties to their shell.

I would also guess that AE has a good contract with Horween and doesn't realistically sell enough shell to pull from a different source for their 4 offered shell colors. Saying that they would sell more if it was discounted more is a really lame excuse as well considering you could be getting an inferior product that ultimately doesn't make AE much money anyway.

 

[Roycru]

Wore the khaki grain McTavishes again today. They are very comfortable to wear when I am going to be walking around a lot.

For fans of "A-E In The Wild" pictures.

For fans of food pictures in shoe threads, took the two iPhones to a cell phone repair kiosk in a mall and had the wrist strap moved to the new iPhone SE and then went to Claudine Kitchen & Bakeshop and had a Boulevard Harvest Cranberry Cobb Salad.

The other side of the salad. (I ate the whole thing.)

For those who want still more food pictures, some of the baked goods at Claudine.

On the off chance anyone wants still more, some more of the baked goods at Claudine.

For those who have scrolled this far and are wondering where the mall Christmas Tree picture is, the Christmas Tree at Westfield Fashion Square.

 

[EdwardWilson]

Wore the khaki grain McTavishes again today. They are very comfortable to wear when I am going to be walking around a lot.

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For fans of "A-E In The Wild" pictures.

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For fans of food pictures in shoe threads, took the two iPhones to a cell phone repair kiosk in a mall and had the wrist strap moved to the new iPhone SE and then went to Claudine Kitchen & Bakeshop and had a Boulevard Harvest Cranberry Cobb Salad.

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The other side of the salad. (I ate the whole thing.)

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For those who want still more food pictures, some of the baked goods at Claudine.

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On the off chance anyone wants still more, some more of the baked goods at Claudine.

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For those who have scrolled this far and are wondering where the mall Christmas Tree picture is, the Christmas Tree at Westfield Fashion Square.

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Great tie, looks like Brooks Brothers.

 

[Ashley_S]

There's just something about a cart full of Natty Strands, fresh from the line that makes me smile. What about you guys?

 

[ProfilaBinding]

The one with the red tag must belong to Strand King.