Allen Edmonds - best alternative?

[zerostyle]

Hi all,

Styleforum influenced me to go try on some Allen Edmonds shoes because they are known to be very well made, stylish, and reasonably priced when on sale.

Well, I tried. Many sizes (9D, 9.5D, 9E). Many lasts. They just don't fit me.

So, now I am at a loss for a good alternative. What would be my best option for a similar shoe that's also not terribly overpriced? Would like to keep them under $200 if possible, definitely under $300.

I'm willing to look around for deals, use coupons, etc, but I need ideas for which brands might work.

I tried on the Bruno Magli's at Nordstroms and they fit really well. However, I wasn't inclined to spend $400 on them, as I heard they don't hold up too well.

Any other ideas? I tend to prefer fairly plain shoes - looking for these styles most likely:
- black cap toe
- dark brown cap toe
- plain toe blucher for casual wear
- maybe a burgundy color something?

(* if anyone is looking for 9.5D's, PM me as I have a few pair that I need to sell that don't fit! ugh ( Strands, Leeds, Sutter )

 

[voxsartoria]

Since you sound American, try Aldens various lasts and swallow the marginally greater cost by getting one fewer pair of shoes.

If you can't find AEs that fit, I feel you might be a poor candidate for mail order experimentation with the less expensive English shoes. Go to a store that stocks Aldens or to a Brooks Brothers that carries their branded version of Aldens so you can try them on before buying.

- B

 

[Harold falcon]

What is it about the AE that isn't fitting you?

 

[zerostyle]

Here are my notes on the fit:

Size 9D: The correct length, but my pinky toe and big toe would rub terribly in the toe-box area

Size 9.5D: Toes feel great, but the length is just too long. My heel slips out and the shoe creases a lot because of the length.

Size 9E: Again, correct length. This time my pinky toe was fine, but my big toe still rubbed oddly. Additionally, I'm not really a wide, so my heel was slipping out. Other than the heel, this was the closest to fitting me properly.

So, overall, I would say that the toe-box area of AE's was just too narrow for me by maybe 0.25-0.5"

Oh, and yes, I'm in the USA - located in DC.

 

[archetypal_yuppie]

For what it's worth, I've owned several bruno magli shoes and they've held up just fine. Maybe not as well as AE might have (I had no control sample), but fine.

As for your dilemma, I don't know how you find AE at $200 in the first place, everywhere I've seen them they've been in the $4-$500 range. But then again I mostly pay attention to $1K shoes at this point, ridiculous as it may be.

 

[gladhands]

This may be a stupid question, but were all of the AEs you tried the same model? That may just be a bad last for you.

 

[zerostyle]

Originally Posted by gladhands

This may be a stupid question, but were all of the AEs you tried the same model? That may just be a bad last for you.
Nah, I tried several lasts. I stopped by the AE store and tried on a Park Avenue, a Strand, a McCalister, and another I think - covered around 3 lasts at least.

 

[Jay Gatsby]

I'd take Crocs over AEs. Do what Vox said and swallow the small margin between AE and Alden. If you try them on at Brooks Brothers' make sure you're trying on Alden and not a shoe from a different manufacturer. As I understand it BB gets their stuff from various places...

 

[pebblegrain]

Most AEs don't fit me that well either, but not uncomfortable.

There really isn't much in the $200 range which is readily available, goodyear welted, US-made, etc.

Some possible alternatives:
Magnanni on sale or at the Rack
Brooks Brothers clearance (various english and US makes)
ebay for English brands
Johnston & Murphy Crown Aristocraft on sale or ebay
vintage Florsheim
Alden

 

[makewayhomer]

Originally Posted by archetypal_yuppie

For what it's worth, I've owned several bruno magli shoes and they've held up just fine. Maybe not as well as AE might have (I had no control sample), but fine.

As for your dilemma, I don't know how you find AE at $200 in the first place, everywhere I've seen them they've been in the $4-$500 range. But then again I mostly pay attention to $1K shoes at this point, ridiculous as it may be.

the only AE's above $325 list price are the shell models and maybe some of the weird Italian ones. but even $325 is full retail and are often discounted in various places, for instance Nordtrom had the Park Avenue's and Strands for like $185 a few weeks ago

 

[MyOtherLife]

Originally Posted by Jay Gatsby

I'd take Crocs over AEs.

So stop whining and just do it. We await the photos.

 

[Geoff Gander]

Originally Posted by zerostyle

Nah, I tried several lasts. I stopped by the AE store and tried on a Park Avenue, a Strand, a McCalister, and another I think - covered around 3 lasts at least.
The PA, Strand, and McAllister are all on the 5 last, which is long and narrow for its size. You've basically tried on the same shoe. The 0 and 8 lasts are more forgiving in the toebox. 0 last shoes include: Boston monk shoe Augusta 8 last shoes include: Weybridge - a popular model. Parliament I'd suggest you try one of each of those, and see if it works out for you.

 

[zerostyle]

I've also tried on the Leeds, which is the 1 last, and has a "more rounded, fuller toe".
Also, the Clifton, which was on the 8 last.

So, 1,8,5 are out. Would any others have a wider toe?

 

[Harold falcon]

Originally Posted by Jay Gatsby

I'd take Crocs over AEs.

Would you?

 

[scurvyfreedman]

Originally Posted by zerostyle

Oh, and yes, I'm in the USA - located in DC.

Try Sky Valet in Georgetown. http://www.skyvalet1.com/

They have EG, C&J, and Alden, plus some less expensive English Brands to try their lasts like Loake 1800, Alfred Sargent, and a couple of others.