Allen edmonds Strand Black or Bourbon

[Biman]

Any suggestion black vs bourbon? It will be for buisness and casual.

 

[Duke63]

I think walnut is the best color offered for the Strand but if you're stuck between those two colors alone, I'll say bourbon.

 

[YRR92]

Black with dark conservative suits. Dark brown with anything. Bourbon with anything except a dark, conservative suit. Walnut with a light-colored suit, or in a 2008 issue of GQ.

Really, if biz cas is no jacket or tie, then you might want to look at a different style of shoe. I have them in dark brown, but I only wear them when I'm in at least a sportcoat, and more often then not a tie.

 

[VinnyMac]

All of the broguing on those shoes makes them look a bit fancy, so if they're your only pair of shoes, I'd go with black to tone them down a bit. If you already have a good pair of black shoes, then definitely go with bourbon. Bourbon AE's are GREAT.

 

[Veremund]



If you already have a good pair of black shoes, then definitely go with bourbon. Bourbon AE's are GREAT.

+1!

 

[bearback]



All of the broguing on those shoes makes them look a bit fancy, so if they're your only pair of shoes, I'd go with black to tone them down a bit. If you already have a good pair of black shoes, then definitely go with bourbon. Bourbon AE's are GREAT.

fancy compared to what? I thought broguing meant more casual? In terms of AE, formality goes from Park Ave > 5th Ave > Strand

Black to tone them down? I thought the formality in color went Black > Dark Brown > Burgundy > Bourbon > Walnut

 

[YRR92]

fancy compared to what? I thought broguing meant more casual? In terms of AE, formality goes from Park Ave > 5th Ave > Strand

Black to tone them down? I thought the formality in color went Black > Dark Brown > Burgundy > Bourbon > Walnut

Brown, brogued shoes stand out a bit more, though. There's formality, and there's notability. Having a pair of shoes that disappears under the hem of your suit is a good thing.

It's a balance. My dark brown Strands are my only AEs -- shoes I can wear for something serious, but which are still an elegant choice with a sportcoat. I bought them with confidence -- because I have uninspiring plain black captoes for when I need them. If I didn't have a pair of conservative black shoes, then I might have gone for PAs (even though I'm not a big fan of the PA).

 

[TonyThe Tailor]

Go with the Bourbon, it is my largest selling style in the shop, 2nd is the Strand in Walnut. For a black shoe, look at the Larchmont.