Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - reviews, pictures, sizing, etc...

[kpag]

Hey guys, I know all of this has probably been discussed ad nauseum on here, but can anyone give me some pointers on caring for the cognac McTavish? What color edge dressing should I apply? Also, what products do people use for the upper? I know what AE says, but I'm wondering if I can get some better advice here. Thanks!

 

[bucksfan]

Excellent collection, and they appear well maintained as others have pointed out. Depending on climate, perhaps another rubber soled shoe/boot? Or maybe a light brown loafer for summer/sockless wear?

Thanks! I appreciate the input. I really don't walk outside all that much during my daily commute, and if/when I do in bad weather, I've been known to use tingley overshoes. I do have my eye on a nice casual penny loafer.



Burgundy shell leeds today:

 

[Papa Doble]



Thanks! I appreciate the input. I really don't walk outside all that much during my daily commute, and if/when I do in bad weather, I've been known to use tingley overshoes. I do have my eye on a nice casual penny loafer.

Yeah, if you do overshoes, then you likely don't need another rubber soled option.

Burgundy shell leeds today:

Nice combo.

 

[dancingbear]

Has anyone ever had the Allen Edmonds retail store stretch a loafer before? The Patriots are really tight across the vamp for me and they want to try stretching them out. I have never had a shoe stretched before. Any thoughts?

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

Has anyone ever had the Allen Edmonds retail store stretch a loafer before? The Patriots are really tight across the vamp for me and they want to try stretching them out. I have never had a shoe stretched before. Any thoughts?

Is it too late to return them? Have you exhausted all size combinations to make sure there isn't a better fitting size? If you are stuck with a pair that you can't return and you consider them to be un-wearable without stretching, then go for it. Otherwise, I would be afraid of causing permanent distortion to the shoe, which is a bit of a gamble since it still may not be quite what you are looking for.

 

[dancingbear]

Is it too late to return them? Have you exhausted all size combinations to make sure there isn't a better fitting size? If you are stuck with a pair that you can't return and you consider them to be un-wearable without stretching, then go for it. Otherwise, I would be afraid of causing permanent distortion to the shoe, which is a bit of a gamble since it still may not be quite what you are looking for.

I haven't worn them outside so I could return them. But I do have a size problem. I am a 14/15 with a narrow heel. I cannot find a quality loafer that fits me well. I get heel slippage on most AE loafers. I really would like a shell loafer and am thinking that a 15 calf stretched might be close to the sizing on a shell Patriot. A bit of an experiment.

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

I haven't worn them outside so I could return them. But I do have a size problem. I am a 14/15 with a narrow heel. I cannot find a quality loafer that fits me well. I get heel slippage on most AE loafers. I really would like a shell loafer and am thinking that a 15 calf stretched might be close to the sizing on a shell Patriot. A bit of an experiment.

Gotcha. Any chance that the AE store is willing to take the blame if the shoe still doesn't fit properly? If not that may be an expensive experiment.

 

[0ShinAkuma0]

I need some help, I'm looking for a pair of boots that is like ones in the below picture
Burgundy (or dark brown, I can't really tell), sleek, lace up, captoe or plaintoe (no chukkas). AE unfortunately doesn't offer this.
So if possible, could you suggest me something like this boot? Thanks!

 

[Claghorn]

I've read a couple of reviews complaining that the heels on Park Avenues have a tendency to fall off. I think this is happening to mine. Not quite sure what I should do about it. Wait for it to become even more undone then take it to a cobbler? Take it to a cobbler now (and with both, how good does the cobbler need to be)? Pull it off (is that even possible) and reattach it with some special shoe glue?

Beyond the basic shoe care, I know nothing of shoes. I posted here instead of the shoe care thread because I figured you guys have more experience with AE's.

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

I need some help, I'm looking for a pair of boots that is like ones in the below picture
Burgundy (or dark brown, I can't really tell), sleek, lace up, captoe or plaintoe (no chukkas). AE unfortunately doesn't offer this.
So if possible, could you suggest me something like this boot? Thanks!

Hard to tell since the picture won't get any bigger and there isn't any detail, but they look like they could be a Color #8 plain-toe or cap-toe boot offered by Alden to me.

 

[dancingbear]

Gotcha. Any chance that the AE store is willing to take the blame if the shoe still doesn't fit properly? If not that may be an expensive experiment.

Good thought. I will ask them.

What kind of damage could stretching do? I am just not familiar with the process.

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

Good thought. I will ask them.

What kind of damage could stretching do? I am just not familiar with the process.

It is essentially using a wooden form to force the leather to stretch beyond what your foot would otherwise be able to do. In other words, the shoe is formed to it's shape on a specific last, and then it conforms to your foot to a certain degree through wear. The stretching form will force the leather to go beyond the original last size. The problem is that stretchers are not last or foot specific, so there can't be a guarantee that the area stretched will be the best area that you need it stretched. It is kinda like forcing an oversized shoe tree into your shoe. It may or may not have the effect that you want. Once the shoe is stretched, it can't be shrunk back. Also, during recrafting down the road, they re-last the shoe while replacing the welt, cork, sole, and heel. The shoe will be larger than the last after stretching, so part of the re-crafting process will not be quite as effective.

 

[Michael Haines]



I need some help, I'm looking for a pair of boots that is like ones in the below picture 
Burgundy (or dark brown, I can't really tell), sleek, lace up, captoe or plaintoe (no chukkas). AE unfortunately doesn't offer this.
So if possible, could you suggest me something like this boot? Thanks!

Hard to tell but would a shell Burgandy dalton not work

 

[dancingbear]

It is essentially using a wooden form to force the leather to stretch beyond what your foot would otherwise be able to do. In other words, the shoe is formed to it's shape on a specific last, and then it conforms to your foot to a certain degree through wear. The stretching form will force the leather to go beyond the original last size. The problem is that stretchers are not last or foot specific, so there can't be a guarantee that the area stretched will be the best area that you need it stretched. It is kinda like forcing an oversized shoe tree into your shoe. It may or may not have the effect that you want. Once the shoe is stretched, it can't be shrunk back. Also, during recrafting down the road, they re-last the shoe while replacing the welt, cork, sole, and heel. The shoe will be larger than the last after stretching, so part of the re-crafting process will not be quite as effective.

Great explanation. Thank you!

 

[VinnyMac]

I've read a couple of reviews complaining that the heels on Park Avenues have a tendency to fall off. I think this is happening to mine. Not quite sure what I should do about it. Wait for it to become even more undone then take it to a cobbler? Take it to a cobbler now (and with both, how good does the cobbler need to be)? Pull it off (is that even possible) and reattach it with some special shoe glue?

Beyond the basic shoe care, I know nothing of shoes. I posted here instead of the shoe care thread because I figured you guys have more experience with AE's.

I vote for the last option. Post pic's of your success.