Allen Edmonds Park Avenue vs Strand

[Broadus]

I have the PA in black and Lombard in burgundy. I intend for the walnut Strand to be my next shoe. It seems to be a great all-round shoe.

 

[southbound35]

Originally Posted by deveandepot1

I don't think you can really dress down with Strands. IMO they will never work with jeans.

+1. The Strand is more versatile than the Park Avenue, but it doesn't jive with jeans or chinos.

Other than maybe a chelsea boot, there aren't many shoes that can bridge the casual/dressy divide and do it well.

 

[Matt S]

I prefer the PA. The Strand's brogueing is too large. The English make much more elegant semi-brogues.

 

[aravenel]

Originally Posted by TedW

What about Fifth Avenue in brown or walnut...? Compromise between Strand and PA.

+1, I have the Fifth Avenue in walnut and wear it more than any other shoe.

 

[axedatta]

+1 to the strands.

 

[pudman43]

https://picasaweb.google.com/1043061...55656473374642

Another vote here for the Strand/Walnut, very versatile!

 

[simon8783]

Has anyone tried the walnut Fifth Avenues with slim jeans or chinos? I'm looking to maybe get them to wear with officewear but if I can get them to work with black/dark blue jeans or olive chinos it'd really seal the deal for me.

I know jeans would usually work best with a blucher style or something with more broguing (ie Strand) but I really like the look of the walnut Fifth aves. Anyone tried this? Can't find any examples on the forum or google...

 

[Recoil]

I'm debating between these two as well for next pair of shoes but the Strands don't come in the merlot colour; black is just to plain for navy and gray suits and walnut is too light.

 

[herid]

Originally Posted by Recoil

I'm debating between these two as well for next pair of shoes but the Strands don't come in the merlot colour; black is just to plain for navy and gray suits and walnut is too light.

You can use the custom ordering process on the AE website to order the strand in merlot. It costs a bit more, but it could be worth it to you. You might also consider the dark burnished brown calf which is a standard color it can be ordered in. It's gorgeous in that color.

As for walnu being too light for navy and gray suits, let's agree to disagree.

 

[aravenel]

Originally Posted by Recoil

I'm debating between these two as well for next pair of shoes but the Strands don't come in the merlot colour; black is just to plain for navy and gray suits and walnut is too light.

They can make a pair custom: http://www.allenedmonds.com/webapp/w...0000000001_-1?

 

[phxlawstudent]

Originally Posted by Recoil

I'm debating between these two as well for next pair of shoes but the Strands don't come in the merlot colour; black is just to plain for navy and gray suits and walnut is too light.

I don't think the strand looks good in anything other than walnut. The brown looks okay, but not really my cup of tea. That said, I'll never comment negatively if I see one in the wild in merlot.

 

[Recoil]

Originally Posted by aravenel

They can make a pair custom: http://www.allenedmonds.com/webapp/w...0000000001_-1?

Yes, I wanted to do this to some 5th Aves to get them in merlot but it jumps the price up substantially

 

[Storm33]

Originally Posted by phxlawstudent

I don't think the strand looks good in anything other than walnut. The brown looks okay, but not really my cup of tea.

I'm seriously thinking of ordering them in dark brown suede.

 

[phxlawstudent]

Originally Posted by Storm33

I'm seriously thinking of ordering them in dark brown suede.

You know, that would probably work. Good choice!

 

[talldesk]

Strand in merlot is beautiful.