ALLEN EDMONDS APPRECIATION THREAD EDITION 2O22

[Vincent George]

Those don’t have a reverse/storm welt, do they?
EDIT: Nevermind. I see that you already answered that question.

Ya. Here we go. Either a story about bad quality control or just a fussy Ferragamo named George:

TS 2020 allowed for welt choices. I originally ordered these with a flat welt, but AE messed up and sent with split. I kept them--for a while. After 2 wears, I noticed the lining wasn't stitched. Sent back to AE expecting a repair, but they re-made the boot (with correct welt). The new boots had an unsightly stripe; I was not convinced that these were first quality and returned them (my SA agreed and was very cool). Well, months later, I spoke with Ashley when "a pair of green Higgins Mills" appeared in Charleston and I re-bought them as factory seconds for $279.30 because I am shameless pig. I still think that quality control was lacking, but I admit that I may have over-reacted. If I could go back, I might have paid a local cobbler to stitch the lining...

I seriously thought about trying again this year, but, ultimately am going to scratch the green itch with Strands.

 

[Vincent George]

Blake stitch is not really inferior. Some prefer it, IIRC.



Looks to be available in four different widths, from B to EE. I personally don't like the medallion. Grant Stone uses great medallions. Also the AE Rogue had an excellent one IMO.

I keep scoping ebay and poshmark for rogues in 10eee...such an underrated shoe.

 

[Vincent George]

Blake stitch is not really inferior. Some prefer it, IIRC.



Looks to be available in four different widths, from B to EE. I personally don't like the medallion. Grant Stone uses great medallions. Also the AE Rogue had an excellent one IMO.

Oh, wow. I'm stupid and didn't see that. I'm a eee, but maybe that ee could work...

 

[audog]

Think so. It’s funny to me—this whole points thing feels very cheap. Famous Footwear does this stuff and, of course, Caleres owns both FF and AE. Am I excited to use the Edmonds Bucks? Sure, though.

Only a matter of time.....AE at FF stores

 

[Vincent George]

Only a matter of time.....AE at FF stores

100% (at least the Dominican Made stuff or discount models like the old "AE by Allen Edmonds" Nordstrom Rack jobs...)

 

[mreams99]

Ya. Here we go. Either a story about bad quality control or just a fussy Ferragamo named George:

TS 2020 allowed for welt choices. I originally ordered these with a flat welt, but AE messed up and sent with split. I kept them--for a while. After 2 wears, I noticed the lining wasn't stitched. Sent back to AE expecting a repair, but they re-made the boot (with correct welt). The new boots had an unsightly stripe; I was not convinced that these were first quality and returned them (my SA agreed and was very cool). Well, months later, I spoke with Ashley when "a pair of green Higgins Mills" appeared in Charleston and I re-bought them as factory seconds for $279.30 because I am shameless pig. I still think that quality control was lacking, but I admit that I may have over-reacted. If I could go back, I might have paid a local cobbler to stitch the lining...

I seriously thought about trying again this year, but, ultimately am going to scratch the green itch with Strands.

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My most-worn Higgins Mill boots have a similar story. I ordered the tumbled brown grain HMs with the commando sole (when that technically wasn’t an option) and contrast stitching on the welt. The order got held up for about three months due to some changes in the production system. When they finally got made, they got delayed again because they didn’t meet QC standards. After my boots finally arrived, they looked perfect.

But then I had an idea. I called Charleston and tracked down the pair of factory seconds. I bought those and immediately dyed the back/top half black. And for some reason these have become my most worn pair of AEs.

 

[audog]

100% (at least the Dominican Made stuff or discount models like the old "AE by Allen Edmonds" Nordstrom Rack jobs...)

Funny, but I have actually been to the DR AE "factory" great people, who do take pride in their work and are hoping to get to USA at some time due to their work....DR is one of my favorite countries, people are wonderful, and OMG the food......

 

[Hisheirness23]

I decided to do a shoe inventory from my closet to see how much room I have for acquisitions. This inventory doesn't include 2 athletic shoes, 2 show-shoveling boots, 2 pairs of birkenstock sandals, and 1 pair of water shoes. I also included in the pictures my side of the closet and a close up of my suits. The burgundy suit some asked about is also there.

Shelves:
The top four shelves are for boots, but I have storage items currently on the topmost shelf. The next highest shelf isn't yet full. Below the shelves are sliding shoe storage. Each drawer can fit 5 pairs, but they aren't full yet. It appears I have 13 pairs of boots here and 36 pairs of shoes. I seem to have enough room for 2 more pairs of boots (7 if i use the top shelf) and 14 more shoes if I don't remove any of these.

Top shelf: Tan Nubuck Park City, Marbled Black Shell Landon, Brown Shell HM
Middle shelf: Burgundy Shell 1K Mile, Burgundy Shell First Ave, Navy Shell Dalton, Black Shark/Burgundy Shell Landon, Chili Shell Fifth Street
Bottom shelf: Blue Suede Nomad Chukka, Tan Dublin Stirling, Chocolate Suede Nomad Chelsea, Brown Nomad Chelsea, Gray Suede Hamilton

Top-left drawer: Dark Brown Park Ave, Oxblood Fifth Ave, Black Cobbler Union Miquel, Navy Fifth Ave
Top-right drawer: Chili Park Ave Sneaker, Carbon Strand Sneaker, Natural Shell Park Ave Sneaker, Dark Marbled Cognac Shell Sneaker
2nd-left drawer: Black Shell Cambridge, Black Whitney Wingtip, Brown/White Cobbler Union Spectator, Navy/White Broadstreet
2nd-right drawer: Museum Cognac Cobbler Union Uno, Navy Cobbler Union Uno, Candy Cane Strand Sneaker, Tan suede/Linen McAllister Sneaker
3rd-left drawer: Acorn Hilfire Nubuck Neumok, Bone Strandmok, Denim Suede Neumok, Cherry Suede Neumok
3rd-right drawer: Burgundy Suede MacNeil, Walnut McGregor, Cherry Red Cobbler Union Alex, Natural Shell MacNeil
4th-left drawer: New Balance Trainers, Blue Suede Cooper, Bone Suede MassDrop Chukka, Brown Cole Haan Sneaker
4th-right drawer: Cigar Strand, Tinsel Ave Strand, White Nubuck Spiaggia, Green Shell Strand
Bottom-right drawer: Extra sneakers for my oldest son someday and a bunch of orthotics
Bottom-left drawer: Taupe Suede Strand, Slate Suede Barrett, Loden Suede Strand, Walnut Strand Weave

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Love the closet layout! Would be interested in seeing how other people store their shoes/boots.

 

[aero25]

I just checked the spreadsheet...I see ZERO purchases of black shell, only one Park Sneaker (mine), just a single purchase of burgundy shell, and only 2 purchases of brown shell.

That's a shame. Brown and burgundy shell are outstanding.

 

[Vincent George]

That's a shame. Brown and burgundy shell are outstanding.
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Love AE brown shell.

 

[EZB]

Love AE brown shell.
View attachment 1838175

Those look like they need to be worn!

 

[smfdoc]

I wanted to do a short follow-up on my request for a replacement source of the alabaster laces AE used to sell, along with other colors. Colors are needed and they currently only offer brown and black. I ended up at shoelacesexpress.com and they had a wide array of colors, which is important for the current group of people ordering shell in blue, green, chili and other colors. I was pleased with my tan laces, but they also offer similar colors such as light brown and cognac if I chose to dial it in a little closer. The last BIG difference is that the company has standard and optional metal ends for their laces and allow you to order custom lengths in case your fit is not standard and you want a little longer or shorter. Cost for two pairs of 30" standard laces is $10.48.

 

[FatTuesday]

Can't argue about AE brown & burgundy shell being great standards...

 

[EZB]

Took the Stirlings today to drop off the little one at nursery school. It’s definitely boot season.

 

[donkeyhoatie]

Another pair that the wear tracker said I hadn't yet worn in 2022. These oxblood Strands have mostly been relegated to wedding duty and any other rare time I might have to wear a suit. But, I'm well outside the window where friends are getting married and I'm probably another 5 years until my friends' kids are having their own weddings. And, my friends who are hitting their second marriages tend to do more low-key affairs the second go-round. Plus, nobody really wants me at a wedding because they know I'll drink ALL the gin and do something stupid (besides drink all the gin).

Long story short, no wedding invites + no formal occasions = Donkey's Strands languish.

Giving them a quick run today in some selvedge because a little dissonance makes life far more interesting. Love the color of oxblood on these, as it's darker than normal. Not burgundy, but a far cry from the pale oxblood that AE cranks out from time-to-time.