ALLEN EDMONDS APPRECIATION THREAD EDITION 2O22

[Shoenut]

I can't claim to be an expert on the sizing of all AE loafers, but have you tried the Wooster St? I returned the McGraw because it was way too small in my standard 9 eee size. Then bought a Wooster St (pretty much perfect fit). My other data points are the Cavanaugh (still a little tight in the toes and loose in the heel) and Sea Island (fits but feels short and my wide feet bulge out the sides, probably should have tried a size or 2 up), but they both fit well enough that I bought them.

There is a new suede Italian penny that is a very good fit if you are closer to C than D width. I tried them on the other day and so much better than any Luca. I can’t remember the name at the moment.

 

[Genericuser1]

I can't claim to be an expert on the sizing of all AE loafers, but have you tried the Wooster St? I returned the McGraw because it was way too small in my standard 9 eee size. Then bought a Wooster St (pretty much perfect fit). My other data points are the Cavanaugh (still a little tight in the toes and loose in the heel) and Sea Island (fits but feels short and my wide feet bulge out the sides, probably should have tried a size or 2 up), but they both fit well enough that I bought them.

I haven't tried the Wooster St. I have two Sea Islands and an Acheson that I'll eventually sell. The Sea Islands are 9.5 EEE and all have some sort of vamp, heel or narrowness issue.

With my feet I'm just not sure if I can do a shoe without some sort of lacing system.

 

[blewnote1]

I haven't tried the Wooster St. I have two Sea Islands and an Acheson that I'll eventually sell. The Sea Islands are 9.5 EEE and all have some sort of vamp, heel or narrowness issue.

With my feet I'm just not sure if I can do a shoe without some sort of lacing system.

Yeah, the Sea Islands' sole feels oddly narrow to me. Almost like the shoe has the volume for a wide foot, but the sole is a normal width.

 

[bluejazzmonkey]

My Jazz music Lovers ---
For the first part of my life, I wore a cowboy belt with a belt buckle (They were always purchased from Mexico).
Later, I lowered my standards and began buying plastic dress belts from Kohls.
I just ordered a dress belt from AE. It may be my first sexy dress belt. We will see....

 

[AEfaninTampa]

June 9th, 2022
National Seersucker Day.
Mark your calendar.
Full participation is expected!
😊

 

[audog]

I haven't tried the Wooster St. I have two Sea Islands and an Acheson that I'll eventually sell. The Sea Islands are 9.5 EEE and all have some sort of vamp, heel or narrowness issue.

With my feet I'm just not sure if I can do a shoe without some sort of lacing system.

Sea Islands are my go to the pool and/or beach footwear.

 

[Southwick]

Sea Islands are my go to the pool and/or beach footwear.

How do they handle water and sand? I use Boulders for beach and pool and they are incredibly resilient and easy to clean. Do you have any cleanup problems with the Sea Islands?

 

[Shoenut]

Yeah, the Sea Islands' sole feels oddly narrow to me. Almost like the shoe has the volume for a wide foot, but the sole is a normal width.

This stupid dot Sea Island caused me to buy other Sea Islands and none of the others fit at all.

 

[Neo1]

I haven't tried the Wooster St. I have two Sea Islands and an Acheson that I'll eventually sell. The Sea Islands are 9.5 EEE and all have some sort of vamp, heel or narrowness issue.

With my feet I'm just not sure if I can do a shoe without some sort of lacing system.

I do claim to be an expert in this area 😆

The wooster st is a very standard fitting loafer, as close to the 65 last shape as I've come across. The toe, heel etc are all what I'd call average. Normally if someone had trouble fitting into lots of stuff I'd say go there. But if the macrae works, I'm speculating the wooster wouldn't.

Interesting on the McGraw - the McGraw is like a really wide Grayson- the trouble is the taper is still there, so if you're a true EEE, chances are this will be trouble. Could work, but not sure.

Cavanaugh I'd throw out the window - it's a binary type of fit. If you luck out and you're a totally average fit (instep, heel, width) and you usually go tts, this will work, otherwise they'll be a boatload of trouble.

The Sea Island feels like the Cavanaugh but with a slight reduction in length and slight increase in toebox room. To me, I find that the 555 last is among the worst for instep. Saving grace here would be the soft, flexible unlined suede vamp.

So what would I suggest?

1. Any of the "longer" Italian builds long discontinued - Fiesole, Firenze, Capri, Positano etc. Things longer than tts, with soft flexible vamps.
2. Arezzo in EEE. Worth a try.
3. The original Lucca in suede.
4. Might try the Mercer St - kind of an oddball.

You're basically looking for a high, soft vamp with some elongation. Should be doable.

I agree with your earlier assessment though - I find the GS traveler vamp tougher than the Leo, I can't see that one working. Maybe suede if EEE was available.

One of my first AE SAs actually said I wasn't cut out to wear loafers....I bet I probably own more than anyone would own in a lifetime.

 

[audog]

How do they handle water and sand? I use Boulders for beach and pool and they are incredibly resilient and easy to clean. Do you have any cleanup problems with the Sea Islands?

No problems, I just let them go

 

[dc_slicker]

Sea Islands are my go to the pool and/or beach footwear.

How do they handle water and sand? I use Boulders for beach and pool and they are incredibly resilient and easy to clean. Do you have any cleanup problems with the Sea Islands?

No problems, I just let them go

I was just going to ask the same thing! I love my sea islands, but i dont seem them in the sand with some sea water... i do love my Eastport Boat Shoes they handle like tanks

 

[Southwick]

I was just going to ask the same thing! I love my sea islands, but i dont seem them in the sand with some sea water... i do love my Eastport Boat Shoes they handle like tanks

I feel the same way. Those Boulders are indestructible. Tanks is a good description. I'm a little nervous about wrecking the Sea Islands with sand, salt, and water. But @audog speaks from experience. So what do I know?

 

[dc_slicker]

I feel the same way. Those Boulders are indestructible. Tanks is a good description. I'm a little nervous about wrecking the Sea Islands with sand, salt, and water. But @audog speaks from experience. So what do I know?

I like mine too much to trust @audog 😂

 

[Shoenut]

I like mine too much to trust @audog 😂

Mine have actually been on the beach, at pools, nature trails, and a run in with an errant open mustard packet. No bad effects.

 

[Shoenut]

Now, I know why I am on retainer. 10 new installations in the next three months. People think my shoes are way to nice to be at a Factory equipment installation. Lol. They are just Neumoks.