ALLEN EDMONDS APPRECIATION THREAD EDITION 2O22

[smfdoc]

What last was used on the courtside?

 

[Peitron]

Please allow me to speak freely....
When you discuss dress sneakers, you guys stimulate my rectum.
The dress sneaker from Allen Edmonds has brought more compliments than any other shoe in the world (from all races and all generations).

Yep, same here. PA and Strand Sneakers have grown on me, specially when paired with colorful laces, just to take a bit of the seriousness away from them and make them more relaxed looking. I'm still not one to advocate in favor of sneakers with suits or for more formal office settings, but around the house and on weekends they are great to have in the rotation.

 

[audog]

So yesterday during my travels I stopped by the Chicago store on LaSalle. Great time talking with the salesman there who said something interesting:

His Gen-Z (ugh, I hate that term, but bear with me) co-worker indicated he thinks dress-sneakers are for "old people".

I don't know how common this sentiment is, but apparently Gen-Z likes the boots way more than the sneaker options, and thinks the sneakers look dated and old.

He indicated that the sneakers are kind of more millennial oriented, which means now mid-30s. Of course, I vehemently disagree, as I'd rather kill myself than buy a dress sneaker (though then again, I'm not your average 30 year old).

Also, for the small cadre of central Illinois/University of Illinois friends here: We won't be getting an Allen Edmonds store anytime soon. He's like, "Nope, no one would even wear our shoes there. No one even wears dress shoes down there, and definitely not our price point." Which is true, as I think @audog and I might be the only two men with multiple pairs of Allen Edmonds for 3 counties.

You may very well be correct, however I know a few others who have multiple pairs of AE, but are not "shoe" people, just have them because 1) they look nice 2) they are "high-end" and 3) are a form of status symbol in the industry those people are part of

 

[audog]

Fall is the best season.

I know, boots and sweaters........

 

[audog]

So yesterday during my travels I stopped by the Chicago store on LaSalle. Great time talking with the salesman there who said something interesting:

His Gen-Z (ugh, I hate that term, but bear with me) co-worker indicated he thinks dress-sneakers are for "old people".

I don't know how common this sentiment is, but apparently Gen-Z likes the boots way more than the sneaker options, and thinks the sneakers look dated and old.

He indicated that the sneakers are kind of more millennial oriented, which means now mid-30s. Of course, I vehemently disagree, as I'd rather kill myself than buy a dress sneaker (though then again, I'm not your average 30 year old).

Also, for the small cadre of central Illinois/University of Illinois friends here: We won't be getting an Allen Edmonds store anytime soon. He's like, "Nope, no one would even wear our shoes there. No one even wears dress shoes down there, and definitely not our price point." Which is true, as I think @audog and I might be the only two men with multiple pairs of Allen Edmonds for 3 counties.

I'm an official "Old People" and the concept of a dress sneaker is just abhorrent to me....Either wear a sneaker, no problems with that, or a dress shoe, there are no "dress sneakers" just butchered dress shoes that a company wants to try and sell to open a new market...

 

[bluejazzmonkey]

I'm an official "Old People" and the concept of a dress sneaker is just abhorrent to me....Either wear a sneaker, no problems with that, or a dress shoe, there are no "dress sneakers" just butchered dress shoes that a company wants to try and sell to open a new market...

I agree that you fall into the extremely old people bracket.
There are many types of sneakers. When we care for people that are dying from cancer, we wear running shoes.
When we want to be comfortable and casual, we wear dress sneakers.
Have you ever owned a pair of Allen Edmonds dress sneakers??

 

[EdwardWilson]

I'm an official "Old People" and the concept of a dress sneaker is just abhorrent to me....Either wear a sneaker, no problems with that, or a dress shoe, there are no "dress sneakers" just butchered dress shoes that a company wants to try and sell to open a new market...

Absolutely abhorrent. My father wore a tie and dress shoes every weekday, and occasionally on weekends. I carry that same torch. Formal dress, especially dress shoes,
should not go the way of the dodo.

I remember as a child watching old movies and thinking, "one day, I want to dress like those gentlemen".

 

[AEfaninTampa]

I know, boots and sweaters........

I thought it was boots and pants…

 

[Vincent George]

I'm an official "Old People" and the concept of a dress sneaker is just abhorrent to me....Either wear a sneaker, no problems with that, or a dress shoe, there are no "dress sneakers" just butchered dress shoes that a company wants to try and sell to open a new market...

…also…they’re not made in USA

 

[Baz72]

I am gen X. Born in 72. I live in tthe Nashville area and I see so many men wearing dress shirts and pants with dress sneakers. I can't do it. It's horrid. It just looks like you gave up halfway through dressing.

 

[JFWR]

…also…they’re not made in USA

Another big reason not to buy.

1. Franken shoe.
2. Not stylish.
3. Not miusa

 

[JFWR]

I think the millennials like dress sneakers comes from a misapprehension that dress shoes are uncomfortable. Maybe as a kid your nice shoes didn't fit for church, graduation, or you never broke in your shoes. So something that looks like a Nike seems more comfortable.

Lots of my friends think I must be in pain all the time. I'm like: bro, I walked ten miles in my strandmoks, 6 miles daily in my Bradleys and c and js, danced all night in parks, Chesters, and Hanovers. Dress shoes actually help me with pain.

Shoes that fit don't hurt after break ins.

 

[ProfilaBinding]

Well, I stepped into an entertaining discussion tonight.

I don't know how common this sentiment is, but apparently Gen-Z likes the boots way more than the sneaker options, and thinks the sneakers look dated and old.

He indicated that the sneakers are kind of more millennial oriented, which means now mid-30s. Of course, I vehemently disagree, as I'd rather kill myself than buy a dress sneaker (though then again, I'm not your average 30 year old).

I actually like hearing this. I personally love boots and never was a fan of the dress sneakers. My only AE sneaker is the OG Cheetah in gray. I still use it occasionally and I don't mind that it's just a normal sneaker (and not a dress sneaker). I'm a millennial technically, but at the very last year of what is considered one.

 

[Vincent George]

I think the millennials like dress sneakers comes from a misapprehension that dress shoes are uncomfortable. Maybe as a kid your nice shoes didn't fit for church, graduation, or you never broke in your shoes. So something that looks like a Nike seems more comfortable.

Lots of my friends think I must be in pain all the time. I'm like: bro, I walked ten miles in my strandmoks, 6 miles daily in my Bradleys and c and js, danced all night in parks, Chesters, and Hanovers. Dress shoes actually help me with pain.

Shoes that fit don't hurt after break ins.

I’m at the point where my sneakers (MIU New Balance, or so they say) are nowhere near as comfortable to me as a sturdy dress shoe or boot.

 

[EdwardWilson]

I think the millennials like dress sneakers comes from a misapprehension that dress shoes are uncomfortable. Maybe as a kid your nice shoes didn't fit for church, graduation, or you never broke in your shoes. So something that looks like a Nike seems more comfortable.

Lots of my friends think I must be in pain all the time. I'm like: bro, I walked ten miles in my strandmoks, 6 miles daily in my Bradleys and c and js, danced all night in parks, Chesters, and Hanovers. Dress shoes actually help me with pain.

Shoes that fit don't hurt after break ins.

My friends, we do not talk about the Chester enough. We are failing as AE enthusiasts.