Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - reviews, pictures, sizing, etc...

awww man, I was planning on going up to the shoe bank after the 15th... I might have to bump that trip up!

I have a question about fitting a pair of park aves or strands. Theres that awesome b&s thread selling new AE shoes but I can't seem to find any places locally to try them on. Is there a good way to determine which size would fit best for me?

Im normally an 8D on most AE. I bought a AE Park Ave (narrow and long) 7E and it was too tight. only size down 0.5 size length and up one width for the #5 last.

8D = 7.5E for Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue (anything on #5)

Originally Posted by Tano

Click to expand...

Im normally an 8D on most AE. I bought a AE Park Ave (narrow and long) 7E and it was too tight. only size down 0.5 size length and up one width for the #5 last. 8D = 7.5E for Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue (anything on #5)
Having been through numerous pairs of AE looking for the right size, do whatever you can to try them on first. If trying one on isn't an option, try to find someone who has years of experience sizing people for shoes. Have them determine the following measurements (generally with a brannock): 1) heel to ball 2) heel to toe 3) width Assuming you don't have a compromised fit they should be able to give you a decent gauge for the right size. If you do have a compromised fit, there's no substitute for trying it on. Once you have your size, call the folks at AE and ask them for sizing recommendations. They will know the shoe/last well enough to suggest a size. For those of us with oddly shaped feet, AE's free shipping is helpful considering the number of times it can take to get the fit right (albeit this comes with a modest increase in cost for shipping incorrect sizes back). Time and experience with the various lasts will reduce the number of exchanges. Best of luck

Originally Posted by granjamo

Click to expand...

Having been through numerous pairs of AE looking for the right size, do whatever you can to try them on first. If trying one on isn't an option, try to find someone who has years of experience sizing people for shoes. Have them determine the following measurements (generally with a brannock): 1) heel to ball 2) heel to toe 3) width Assuming you don't have a compromised fit they should be able to give you a decent gauge for the right size. If you do have a compromised fit, there's no substitute for trying it on. For those of us with oddly shaped feet, AE's free shipping is helpful considering the number of times it can take to get the fit right (albeit this comes with a modest increase in cost for shipping incorrect sizes back). Time and experience with the various lasts will reduce the number of exchanges. Best of luck
This is good advice. I have a pair of Cliftons and a pair of MacNeils, and they are different sizes. Don't assume that the same size in different lasts will fit your feet.

Here is the best info on AEs lasts.
http://www.allenedmonds.com/webapp/w...d=-1&storeId=1
The best AE shoes (Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Strand, Elgin, Cambridge, McAllister,...) are on the 5 last which is best for long and narrow feet.

Turns out they have a pair of burgundy Bradley in shell cordovan in my size. I am not crazy about them but shell cordovan for $100? I might have to kop. Opinions?

Originally Posted by Ace_Face

Click to expand...

Turns out they have a pair of burgundy Bradley in shell cordovan in my size. I am not crazy about them but shell cordovan for $100? I might have to kop. Opinions?

KOP KOP KOP

I'm not crazy about split-toes but would have a hard time passing those up for a $100 in my size.

Originally Posted by Tano

Click to expand...

Im normally an 8D on most AE. I bought a AE Park Ave (narrow and long) 7E and it was too tight. only size down 0.5 size length and up one width for the #5 last.

8D = 7.5E for Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue (anything on #5)
For the record, I wear a 12C in the #5 last - which is true to width and length. Had it fitted at the AE store in Minneapolis and fits perfectly. To each their own.

Order the shoes on Zappos and try them on. If you like them in that last, keep them from Zappos because they're a great company and get another shoe on that same last from the FS thread.

Originally Posted by granjamo

Click to expand...

Even with the reissue AE did not reissue the merlot/burgundy color. Congrats!
Thanks! Every day since finding them has been something of a letdown. I may have to pull a J.D. Salinger and go out on top!

Well, I ordered the Bradley shell cordovan. They only had them in my size (8D) and in something like 13EEE. I figure if I don't like them I can sell them on B&S for at least $150 and maybe more since AE shell retails for over $500. These are seconds, but I have a closet full of AE seconds and have never been quite sure what made most of them unfit for full retail.

So I was told these are available in my size range. Any suggestions from anyone?
Also, any information on which lasts these are all made on? I wear a 7.5D on #5 lasts (Park Aves/Fifth Aves).


Burbank - Black
Burbank - Saddle Brn
Leyland - Black/Black
Clifton - Chestnut
Augusta Walnut Calf - Walnut
Bel Air - Black
Bel Air - Chocolate
Weybridge - Chili (5958)
Weybridge - Chili (5958S) (whats the difference??)
Winhall - Black/Black
Winhall - Chili
Malone - Brown
Shelton - Black/Burgundy
Macneil Navy Calf - Navy
Macneil Burgundy Grain - Burgundy


Thanks in advance!

I don't worry that much about the lasts. As far as what shoe to choose, I guess it depends on what you need. Clifton is a good basic captoe, Bel Air is a nice sleek wingtip dress shoe (I have these) and MacNeil is good if you are looking for some gunboats.

I just ordered a pair of cliftons in chestnut and macneils in brown burnished calf from the shoebank for the 2 for $200 sale. Both shoes were first quality. Pretty excited about adding these to the rotation.