Allen Edmonds Walnut vs Brandy?

[Fenster]

Greetings everyone. My first post here, and it is a quick question. I am just getting a walnut mcalister, and I've been told that AE's own walnut polish is a little darker than the walnut color of the shoe, and that if I want to preserve the shoe color in the long run, I should go for a lighter or neutral polish!

While I don't necessarily agree with all that above, I do like to go with the conventional wisdom of buying polish that is half a shade lighter than the shoe. In any case, I have been looking at pictures online and it seems to me like AE's brandy is like a 1/4 shade lighter than the walnut and might just be perfect.

Can anyone who owns shoes in both colors (or has personally compared the two colors in the past side by side) comment on the color difference between brandy and walnut in the AE lineup?

Thanks!

 

[MyOtherLife]

I never use polish in the AE Walnut finishes. It really doesn't need it. After a days wearing, wipe with a damp cloth, let dry, brush & buff. Once a moneth or two, sparingly apply laether lotion to them, let dry, brush & buff. Accept your lifes journey adding the occasional ding to the leather as character. Welcome to Styleforum Fenster.

 

[Fenster]

Thanks for the welcome, Man of Lint! Nice handle by the way.

I've never not used polish on my shoes so this is new to me! Apart from the obvious problem with the lack of protection, wouldn't no polish mean that it will take longer to get the patina?

 

[Fenster]

Thanks for the welcome, Man of Lint! Nice handle by the way.

I've never not used polish on my shoes so this is new to me! Apart from the obvious problem with the lack of protection, wouldn't no polish mean that it will take longer to get the patina?

 

[MyOtherLife]

As I say, this is my own personal preference to not apply polish to this particular finish. The natural grain and colour of the leather gives its own beauty and polish only mucks it up. Why rush the patina? It will come naturally with age and wear anyway. Enjoy them new, and enjoy them as they age. To each their own preference ofcourse.

 

[msulinski]

I seem to remember a sales associate telling me to go with Cognac instead of Walnut. I didn't know there was a Brandy. I actually can't find either on the website anymore.

 

[Fenster]

As I say, this is my own personal preference to not apply polish to this particular finish. The natural grain and colour of the leather gives its own beauty and polish only mucks it up. Why rush the patina? It will come naturally with age and wear anyway. Enjoy them new, and enjoy them as they age. To each their own preference ofcourse.

After some (much) deliberation, I've decided to go this way as well. Thanks.

 

[Fenster]

One addendum the though. Based on AE's recommendation for dress call skins, I'm going with leather cleaner/conditioner instead of the leather lotion which they say is for more casual leathers.