I have the AE bug!

Originally Posted by asdf

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+1 I have two of each and my AE's are superior in every way
Mostly +1. I have a few pairs of MII RL shoes at the ~500-550 pricepoint, and a few pairs of AEs. The RLs are a bit sleeker, being Italian, and on the surface seem to be of better quality (channeled soles, beveled waist on some, brass nail details). However, I've had numerous problems on the RLs including: leather lining inside the shoe coming undone at the heel multiple times and having to be super-glued, wearing through the heels in 2-3 weeks on regular rotation (worn 1 or 2 times a week), wearing through non-topyed soles in about 4 months of regular rotation (worn 1 or 2 times a week), and generally poor durability. My two tan calf RL loafers, however, have excellent leater uppers. AEs on the other hand, if less glamorous, are incomparably more durable, with uppers of equal or better leather quality. On the extreme end, I have one pair of AEs that has been worn, on average, between 2 and 5 times a week (I traveled to Europe with them) for the last three years that has had exactly one re-heel as far as maintenance--original sole still going strong, and uppers look awesome. For less than $150, that is extreme value, and RL MII (nor most other, more expensive makers) doesn't hold a candle to that.

Originally Posted by bananananana

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Not saying you're right or wrong in your tastes, but I think a lot of people would choose 5-6 EGs over 42 AEs, which is the real comparison, and not the 1 to 1+$1000 you're describing.

Oh, I've heard that argument many times. It doesn't wash with me. I have A-Es for weddings and funerals and other solemn and formal occasions. I have A-Es for the office. I have A-Es for going to the bank and the market on weekends, and I have A-Es for mucking about in the yard and walking the dog. Am I going to get that kind of versatility (and the ability to stand up to hard use) from 5 or 6 pairs of EGs? I think not. Anyway, for what I paid for my A-Es, I think I could maybe get four pairs of Eddie Greens at today's prices, not five or six.

Originally Posted by polar-lemon

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(channeled soles, beveled waist on some, brass nail details).
I have a pair of Polo Italian boots. Yes, there is no stitching on the bottom, but they're blake stitched. Is that truly channelled soles? I would put the attention to detail above my couple pairs of AE, but the quality of materials seem to be in AE's favor. The leather on these seem rather cheap. And these were supposed to retail for $800.

yeah but your concept of shoe wearing doesnt wash with alot of us too.

some , like me, would rather have the 3-4 pairs of EG/JL dress shoes, which can comprise of wear over a whole spectrum of occasions like you mention. funeral, interview, office, church, museum , and so forth. you dont need 48 different pairs.
i mean if you need a separate pair of shoes for the bank and another for the market on the weekends, most of us are screwed.
but fortunately, Shoes Are Versatile.

for walking the dog and just kicking around and picnics? well, we dont wear EGs like you wear AEs everywhere. we wear sneakers.
just different philosophies.

(also i cant imagine wearing dress shoes , or even casual shoes from AE or EG , 24 /7. AE is just not that comfortable, of course you will say they are THE most comfortable, but i m sure many will agree with me they arent. )

agree with not having a lot of stuff, as said above. when I want something comfortable, I wear sneakers. if it's raining heavily or snowing, I wear my pair of boots. in the summer I often wear flip flops.

otherwise, I could easily put together a collection of 5 or 6 "dress" shoes to get me through all occasions.

I just wish AE made better looking chukkas and boots. as stated above, if you just go with

Park Avenue
Macneil
Leeds
a versatile chukka
a versatile chelsea
a nice suede loafer

I don't know what else non suit wearers really need

Originally Posted by sho'nuff

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yeah but your concept of shoe wearing doesnt wash with alot of us too.

some , like me, would rather have the 3-4 pairs of EG/JL dress shoes, which can comprise of wear over a whole spectrum of occasions like you mention. funeral, interview, office, church, museum , and so forth. you dont need 48 different pairs.
i mean if you need a separate pair of shoes for the bank and another for the market on the weekends, most of us are screwed.
but fortunately, Shoes Are Versatile.

Actually, I lumped going to the bank and the market together. The major point I tried to make is that with my A-Es I can cover the full spectrum of activities except for vigorous athletic and outdoor pursuits.

for walking the dog and just kicking around and picnics? well, we dont wear EGs like you wear AEs everywhere. we wear sneakers.
just different philosophies.

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I think some of this may be generational. Most younger fellows don't seem so attuned to the concept of casual elegance. They either dress "up" or they dress down--ultra-casual. My stepson is certainly that way. So, your EGs are marginally more elegant than my A-Es when we dress up, but my A-Es Dress Casuals and Casuals are certainly going to be vastly more elegant than your sneakers or, Lord knows, the flip-flops mentioned by another poster.

(also i cant imagine wearing dress shoes , or even casual shoes from AE or EG , 24 /7. AE is just not that comfortable, of course you will say they are THE most comfortable, but i m sure many will agree with me they arent. )

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Most of my A-E Casuals and Dress Casuals are about as comfortable as any footgear I have ever worn--of course, I can only speak from my own experience.

Good points about the casual elegance.

Originally Posted by JLibourel

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Most of my A-E Casuals and Dress Casuals are about as comfortable as any footgear I have ever worn--of course, I can only speak from my own experience.

I agree with all you have said except this.

Leather soled shoes are comfortable if you get the right size. I own plenty of shoes and I agree with this. However, they will never be as comfortable as a pair of sneakers.

Originally Posted by JLibourel

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I think some of this may be generational. Most younger fellows don't seem so attuned to the concept of casual elegance. They either dress "up" or they dress down--ultra-casual. My stepson is certainly that way. So, your EGs are marginally more elegant than my A-Es when we dress up, but my A-Es Dress Casuals and Casuals are certainly going to be vastly more elegant than your sneakers or, Lord knows, the flip-flops mentioned by another poster.



i do agree with you about the generational difference in being attuned to 'casual elegance' you and i know well enough in orange county, you'll get sandals, dirty toenails, and sweatpants they just woke up from, to go to church. now that is just unacceptable. no respect.

however, im not sure if you know about some streetwear trends, that you can still achieve that casual elegance (not sure if it qualifies as elegance ,but it is being well-dressed as a category) through some pieces that hit up that urban , 'street' look.. margiela sneakers, some Common project shoes, a few boots hiking or military style, etc, along with eco fabric slubby v necks and jeans and field jackets that are truly considered being well-dressed in that generational spectrum that you (and perhaps i as well soon) dont come out of.
i hope you understand what i m saying here. but yeah, flip flops and torn up shorts are bad , both looked down upon your generation and this streetwear crowd

flip flops...are bad

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flip flops to me are as integral as black cap toes, or running sneakers, or snow shoveling boots. they are all so much better then any other alternative at 1 particular task that I can't imagine doing without them. when it is 80 degrees out and sunny and I'm wearing shorts, there is nothing more comfortable and cool than a well broken in pair of rainbows

Originally Posted by JLibourel

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Bottom line is that hardly anybody except a shoe geek is going to bother noticing the difference between a well-polished well maintained pair of A-Es and a pair of EGs in any event.

I agree wholeheartedly.

of course no one is going to notice. a black captoe park avenue wearer and a black captoe JL prestige wearer both would look the same at any event. but we dont buy (most of us at least ) on that premise.
it is the joy of wearing the JL. yeah, im sure the AE wearer enjoys his too. but that is why every person has their different tastes and different capacities. such is life

Originally Posted by glowell222

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Funny, but my shoes that get the most complements? My AE Greenwich wholecuts. I bought them on SF B&S for $110.00 in a horrifying light tan color. Ron Rider expertly antiqued them a nice dark reddish-brown (harder to see the ridiculous hole-punching). They are the perfect casually elegant shoes. Below is a pic of the original awful color.

I love that tan color. Cognac. Long live AE

Originally Posted by sho'nuff

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of course no one is going to notice. a black captoe park avenue wearer and a black captoe JL prestige wearer both would look the same at any event. but we dont buy (most of us at least ) on that premise.
it is the joy of wearing the JL. yeah, im sure the AE wearer enjoys his too. but that is why every person has their different tastes and different capacities. such is life

Thats exactly it, if you're dressing for other people you're going to have a struggle trying to impress them with $1000 shoes because most people dont know or care. If they find out you're wearing $1000 shoes they're more likely to think you have a screw loose then to appreciate your good taste.

Some do however appreciate good taste, but they're probably equally impressed by AE's and to be quite honest I'm impressed if I see someone who cares enough to wear AE's. I wear AE's often, but i usually wear them in situations where I expect my shoes my take a beating or I dont want to look too sleek like an interview.

I recently bought a new pair of AE Leeds in black shell with the commando leather/rubber sole. I was pleasantly suprised to see that they were well put together and that the black leather insole is much improved from the initial grade of leather. The reverse welt is still leather and had a nice wheeling detail.

For $167 I am very satisfied!

Allen Edmonds are the only pair of nice dress shoes I own. I own a moderate looking black Floresheim pair, but the AE look noticeably nicer. That said Im looking at C&J for my next pair, (Belgrave specifically), however no stores around here carry them. The nice thing about AE vs. Alden or any other luxury shoe brand is that most Nordstroms carry them. I can go in, try them on and pick which ones I want. I wish I could say that for Alden, C&J etc.. Hell my Neiman Marcus here in San Diego carries jack all, they have Gucci and Prada.