First Pair Allen Edmonds!

[guynamedsean]

Before finding styleforum, I used to buy colehaans. Then I saw the quality of colehaans get lower and lower. So then I moved to certain Johnston Murphys that were labled "made in italy". After that, I bought a couple of Bally's, a pair from Gucci, etc. I really havent been impresssed with any of them.

After all I read about Allen Edmonds here, I started my quest. A month ago I found some at DSW but they were all wides and narrows. I immediately recognized the quality. So the quest continued. I went back to all the DSWs in Houston every week for a month. I never found any in my size, and if I did they were not a dress oxford, bultcher, balmoral style. Everytime I went in there and found nothing, my girlfriend found a RL Collection shoe that she liked and I liked too. So I bought half a dozen shoes for her.

So I started thinking and I said to myself, "Sean (thats my name btw), You make enough money to buy these at retail. They are an excellent value even at 305.00. So just do it and quit trying save a 100.00?"

Well right when I was about to give in. My girlfreind convinced me to go into a DSW again, and I found the most attractive Allen Edmonds shoe that I have ever seen in the exact right size for 140.00! I haven't worn them yet, becuase we have had bad weather all week in Houston.

The model is the Troy. I don,t know how to describe them other than they rea like a plain lace up, but have a line of little holes across the toe that gives it the illusion of looking like a cap toe. then their is more brogue detailing on the sides that I really like.

Can some of the experts please tell me what last these are constructed on???? Now that I know my size, I want to order some online whenever they pop up.

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by guynamedsean

Can some of the experts please tell me what last these are constructed on???? Now that I know my size, I want to order some online whenever they pop up.

there should be a 4 digit number in the shoe. the last number of that 4 digit number is the last.

 

[guynamedsean]

thnxs

So I guess its a 9004?

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by guynamedsean

thnxs

So I guess its a 9004?

sounds like the 4 last..... which kind of sucks, because my understanding is that AE is slowly phasing it out. It should be very similar to the 1 and the 7 last, though.

however, the good news then is that a number of the shoes should be immediately available on discount due to their recently discontinued status.

i think the hillcrest is also on the 4 last, and is an example of a more fashion forward shoe. there should be a number of them at dsw. the byron is on the 4 last as well, and it would be a more sedate and traditional shoe.

 

[Thurston]

The Troy is, indeed, on the 4 last. I own them in black, where the side perforations are nearly invisible (v chili) to the casual observer. I find them to be an extremely comfortable shoe for a typical 13 hour workday wearing. If you find that this last works well for you, look for the Byron at deep discount in the very near future. They are a notch or notch and a half dressier and are also built on the 4 last.

 

[guynamedsean]

Thanks No Vayguy and Thursten. I wish I gad found this forum years ago

 

[DocHolliday]

Congratulations on the purchase, gns. I like the Troy, and think you made a good purchase. Hope they give you many years of faithful service.

 

[Holstein Bilter]

Excellent choice. Congratulations on your purchase. Regards.

 

[riveroaks]

Sean,
Hello, fellow Houstonian. If you get the rubber soles put on, then you don't have to worry about the bad weather as much. These shoes are designed to take a beating and keep on ticking, with or without the rubbers soles, because they can also be re-soled though the rubber extends their life.

There were numerous Allen Edmonds of various sizes at DSW - I saw the Hillcrest, Fairfax, Holt, etc. Nordstrom also has a good selection. And if you venture up 45, Dallas has a couple of AE company stores.

Welcome to the AE Aficionados' Association and StyleForvm.

 

[2.mark]

Sean: Other places to buy Allen Edmonds at a discount in Houston:
Syms - Westheimer at Walnut Bend
Marshall's try the River Oaks and Meyerland plaza stores.

..Mark

 

[JLibourel]

I have the Troy in chestnut. It is indeed a nice shoe. Congratulations in getting started on building a quality shoe wardrobe, but I would caution that it can get very addictive--I bought my first A-Es 3 1/2 years ago, and I'm up to 34 pairs...plus four for my stepson.

There is a DSW near my office. I have been in there perhaps three times, and I have never seen anything I'd give house room to!

 

[wgiceman]

Originally Posted by riveroaks

Sean,
Hello, fellow Houstonian. If you get the rubber soles put on, then you don't have to worry about the bad weather as much. These shoes are designed to take a beating and keep on ticking, with or without the rubbers soles, because they can also be re-soled though the rubber extends their life.

There were numerous Allen Edmonds of various sizes at DSW - I saw the Hillcrest, Fairfax, Holt, etc. Nordstrom also has a good selection. And if you venture up 45, Dallas has a couple of AE company stores.

Welcome to the AE Aficionados' Association and StyleForvm.

I see that there are several Houstonians on the forum. I hope to get by the DSW this weekend and perhaps I can find the Fairfax in my size.

 

[Jsoftz]

At last check of the Galleria location, I didn't see any Fairfaxes there.. but perhaps they got some in now.

 

[norcaltransplant]

Welcome to the darkside...

To further the sickness, I might recommend visiting Harold in the Heights. They stock both Santoni and Allen Edmonds, and are currently hosting a sale. You might get lucky with another pair of discounted shoes.

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by NoVaguy

i think the hillcrest is also on the 4 last, and is an example of a more fashion forward shoe. there should be a number of them at dsw. the byron is on the 4 last as well, and it would be a more sedate and traditional shoe.
Interesting that you describe the Hillcrest as "fashion forward": that's also what I've heard non-SF people call it, but here it seems that bicycle toes get so little love.