You can tell AE pretty easily from the other three on stitch density aloneI think this line of thinking is the path to madness. All three of these make essentially an equivalent product from a technical standpoint unless you really want to split hairs. I have shoes from all three and if you didn't tell me who had made what, I probably wouldn't be able to tell just from looking at the stitching, leather, etc. Probably better to just go with the one that comes in a last that fits you, and in a design that you like. I like to recommend CU to people because they 1. make a few classic styles on multiple lasts so that my friends are more likely to find a good fit in a good style, 2. have a lot of stuff in museum calf which I personally like, and 3. have as part of their lineup the Robert, a true Balmoral style oxford for us purists, which hardly anyone makes RTW.
Beautiful pair! I’m a little more partial to their City and Louvre lasts because I’m a bit of a sucker for the beveled waist even though it serves no functional purpose! I wish it were a more standard feature across all their leather bottomed shoes.
City is the best last I think. I love louvre, but city is just so nice. I can't wait for my MTO Alex to come in on city.