The only respectable AE last?

[grimslade]

I don't like the 0 last. It's inauthentic. Give me the old 0 or the 5 any day.

 

[fcuknu]

please elaborate on that.

 

[dk123]

Originally Posted by embowafa

I have the Evanston. Like the picture, there are angles where the last looks 'elegant' and others where the shoe still looks like a loaf of bread.

Whatever last the Bel Air is on is my fave. AE Seven lasts are pretty nice, too.

The Bel Air is on the 0, and I think it's my favorite as well. It's really pretty damn nice. I don't like the ones with the punching, but the Soho is really quite nice. The 0 also fits me very well.

 

[card_richelieu]

Originally Posted by Style Pontifex

Yeah, but aren't you splitting hairs at some point? Would you be more pleased if the punching were situated lower in the vamp?

Good point - I find it interesting that regardless of the object, there does seem to be a fairly consistent narrow range where people find the proportions to be aesthetically pleasing. It must be in our DNA. Just think of the cap toe placement - it can only fall within a specific range, otherwise it just looks wrong.

 

[holymadness]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

It's about the proportions. These are all way too snouty. The captoes looks like a regular pair of shoes reflected in a fun house mirror.

The punching on the other too only adds insult to injury.
This is a great observation. Between this thread and the other about legacy watches, you're on fire tonight.

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by fcuknu

please elaborate on that.

I think the new 0 is one of those cases of AE trying to hard, and I don't think it does it convincingly. It's better off in its comfort zone, with fairly frumpy lasts. IMO. If I want "modern," and "up-to-date," I'll buy something Italian. From AE, I want chicken soup.

 

[tps16]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

It's about the proportions. These are all way too snouty. The captoes looks like a regular pair of shoes reflected in a fun house mirror.

The punching on the other too only adds insult to injury.

+1

The back of the shoe looks like a normal AE, while the toes look super stretched and distorted. I like the Park Avenue much better.

 

[jcc123]

I just picked up a pair of the Manhattan in black on sale for $180. They don't look bad in the black as you don't really see the holes with the pants drape over them. They're definitely American trying to be Italian shoes. But you know what? For that price I can use it as a beater.

 

[maufic]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

It's about the proportions. These are all way too snouty. The captoes looks like a regular pair of shoes reflected in a fun house mirror.

The punching on the other too only adds insult to injury.

I really don't see this at all. As far as the punching, I guess that's personal preference. I think the manhattans look much nicer in black and I really like the look of the soho.

 

[grimslade]

They are unbalanced. For once, Foofie is right.

 

[polar-lemon]

I much prefer the #8 last, I think it's a good combination of sleekness and AE-ness.

 

[grimslade]

8 is ok, but it doesn't fit me particularly well. I have one pair, bancrofts, on the 8, but my 5s and old 0s fit better.

 

[holymadness]

I have to wear thicker socks for my #8s to be truly snug, but they work with Pantherellas, even if they're a bit wiggly. They're not so loose that they chafe, which is the important thing.

 

[polar-lemon]

Originally Posted by grimslade

8 is ok, but it doesn't fit me particularly well. I have one pair, bancrofts, on the 8, but my 5s and old 0s fit better.

Would you agree that in terms of pure aesthetics, it's nicer than the 0?

 

[polar-lemon]

Originally Posted by holymadness

I have to wear thicker socks for my #8s to be truly snug, but they work with Pantherellas, even if they're a bit wiggly. They're not so loose that they chafe, which is the important thing.

I had this problem before the shoes broke in, but after that they fit nicely with any type of sock.