10 pairs of Allen Edmonds..excessive?

Originally Posted by The Deacon

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I had ten AEs that I wore and have sold eight of them off. The other two are beaten up and buried in a closet for the last two years. Among other shoes, I'm onto Alden and have 4 pair of shells from ebay and SF at much less than retail. There are some new cap toe AEs that look magnificent but for me to buy more shoes at this time would be collecting and I can't justify the purchase.

Completely agree with you on the collectiong part Deacon.
I had shoes that just collected dust and weren't even worn.

I'm going your route and selling off 80% of them...

Originally Posted by mishon

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Paul Smith?

P.S. I may be one of the very few people on this board who finds Allen Edmonds shoes old-fashioned and not for anyone below 40.

Classic taste is never old fashioned or out of style. Yes, I'm 44 but have been wearing A-E (read afford) since my mid-thirties. I'm currently serving in the Balkans as an Army officer and the men in Europe mostly wear those ridiculous looking Italian square toe shoes that could double for kicking field goals. Rarely do men in Europe, outside the UK, wear classic shoes like A-E or Brooks Brothers.

To be fair, I can't imagine needing more than ten shoes. I have maybe five or six shoes in rotation and that seems more than enough to me. I've bought maybe one or two nice pairs a year over the past three years.

Originally Posted by 35DIVG2

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Classic taste is never old fashioned or out of style. Yes, I'm 44 but have been wearing A-E (read afford) since my mid-thirties. I'm currently serving in the Balkans as an Army officer and the men in Europe mostly wear those ridiculous looking Italian square toe shoes that could double for kicking field goals. Rarely do men in Europe, outside the UK, wear classic shoes like A-E or Brooks Brothers.

There are lots of classic shoes that aren't Allen-Edmonds. And there are lots of classic shoes that are more refined and more elegantly shaped while using better materials.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

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To be fair, I can't imagine needing more than ten shoes.

I find this post offensive. How do I report this to the mods?

40% of my shoes are Zegna. I won't tell you the number.

Originally Posted by Eustace Tilley

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I find this post offensive. How do I report this to the mods?

I also think a man should be able to make do with three pocket squares--at most.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

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To be fair, I can't imagine needing more than ten shoes.

You just made aportnoy cry! In all seriouness, I agree with you (my limit is 15 though). I think many on this forum just like to collect shoes and rarely, if ever, actually wear them.

I'd hate to think how many pairs I've got, but I'm happy to have most of them. There are some I haven't worn -- either because I already have something similar in the rotation or because of hesitation because of fit/style/etc. I buy and sell regularly, so if something doesn't work for me, it eventually hits the auction block. It's a good way to subsidize future purchases, I've found. I have a couple pairs of unworn EGs that may go soon.

For the most part, though, I'm very happy to have a nice selection. I rarely wear bals with sportcoats, or bluchers with suits, and so that automatically ups the number in my rotation. I also like seasonal shoes, so that adds a few more. Factor in the black bals I rarely need, my love affair with boots, unusual specimens that strike my fancy ... these things add up quickly.

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

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I buy and sell regularly, so if something doesn't work for me, it eventually hits the auction block. It's a good way to subsidize future purchases, I've found. I have a couple pairs of unworn EGs that may go soon.

Don't you lose a lot of money on resale? I have a pair of unworn Lobbs I'm reluctant to get rid of because I bought them at full retail.

Originally Posted by nmoraitis

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You just made aportnoy cry! In all seriouness, I agree with you (my limit is 15 though). I think many on this forum just like to collect shoes and rarely, if ever, actually wear them.

I wear all of mine; I keep a rotation list. Admittedly, some get worn more than others because they are more "standard" in style; I have lots of occasional shoes that get worn less, but they all get their turn.

As for "quality" issues -- you know, for many of us out here in Middle America, AE satisfies our needs pretty well in terms of quality, styling, and price. I won't turn down more "exclusive" shoes if I don't have to pay full-price, but $400.00/pair is about my outer limit (if we're not talking exotics). Not begrudging those of you who have the budget and (as important) the inclination to purchase high-end and custom-made items, but you are a minority among a minority.

I probably have 8 pairs of AEs - but I've paid as little as $40 for a pair while never spending more than $120 (all new or almost new)...well, except for the Bancrofts in black shell for which I paid around $240.

As far as "better made" shoes, I do have CJs, Tramezza's and one pair of EG's which may be more stylish, but I don't think the AE's will fall apart on me any sooner then the aforementioned brands...

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

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I'd hate to think how many pairs I've got, but I'm happy to have most of them. There are some I haven't worn -- either because I already have something similar in the rotation or because of hesitation because of fit/style/etc. I buy and sell regularly, so if something doesn't work for me, it eventually hits the auction block. It's a good way to subsidize future purchases, I've found. I have a couple pairs of unworn EGs that may go soon.

For the most part, though, I'm very happy to have a nice selection. I rarely wear bals with sportcoats, or bluchers with suits, and so that automatically ups the number in my rotation. I also like seasonal shoes, so that adds a few more. Factor in the black bals I rarely need, my love affair with boots, unusual specimens that strike my fancy ... these things add up quickly.

I apologize if I came across as being opposed to having a large shoe collection. I generally wear 6 in my rotation but I have more shoes that are seasonal. I'm all for whatever makes sense for anyone else. It's just that, my situation dictates an increased level of restraint (from my former buying habits) and maybe even austerity for the next few years.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

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Don't you lose a lot of money on resale? I have a pair of unworn Lobbs I'm reluctant to get rid of because I bought them at full retail.

No, I only buy at good prices. Usually it turns a nice profit.

Originally Posted by The Deacon

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I apologize if I came across as being opposed to having a large shoe collection. I generally wear 6 in my rotation but I have more shoes that are seasonal. I'm all for whatever makes sense for anyone else. It's just that, my situation dictates an increased level of restraint (from my former buying habits) and maybe even austerity for the next few years.

Oh, no reason to apologize. I was just sharing a differing viewpoint. I've been thinking of trimming down the ol' collection myself, just for manageability.