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

[fiestaplatypus]

So I called a local outlet store yesterday to exchange my brown Jefferson 2nd's for Brown Cordovan Strand 2nd's, while the $299 sale was still going on. Today, while looking around at the Amazon shoe sale, I picked up 1st quality Shell Cordovan Strands in Brown (via Shoebuy) for $335! Mostly odd sizes available (see below), but they had my somewhat normal 13D size. Not a bad deal for $35 more, especially if my 2nd's don't look so great when they come in.

If you're any of the following sizes and have interest, you may want to check the site out, immediately...

http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds...sr=8-1&keywords=allen+edmonds+strand+cordovan

6.5E
8B
9.5E
10B
12 AA
13D
14A


They also have the Elgin (through Amazon) for $175 today, using code: 12SUMMER

 

[Winston S.]



So I called a local outlet store yesterday to exchange my brown Jefferson 2nd's for Brown Cordovan Strand 2nd's, while the $299 sale was still going on. Today, while looking around at the Amazon shoe sale, I picked up 1st quality Shell Cordovan Strands in Brown (via Shoebuy) for $335! Mostly odd sizes available (see below), but they had my somewhat normal 13D size. Not a bad deal for $35 more, especially if my 2nd's don't look so great when they come in.
If you're any of the following sizes and have interest, you may want to check the site out, immediately...
http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds...sr=8-1&keywords=allen+edmonds+strand+cordovan
6.5E
8B
9.5E
10B
12 AA
13D
14A
They also have the Elgin (through Amazon) for $175 today, using code: 12SUMMER

Great price for a 1st.

 

[imatlas]



They also have the Elgin (through Amazon) for $175 today, using code: 12SUMMER

Soooooo tempted...

 

[lastdonb]

Just ordered 5 pair of cedar shoe trees and two cedar shoe racks. Used the FATW10 code for $10 off $50. Free shipping code would not work.

Great heads up!!!!!!!!

http://www.josbank.com/menswear/shop/Product_11001_10050_101593

 

[deveandepot1]



Both are on clearance on the AE site right now. (Only chocolate suede for Amok). Free shipping. Or are available colors not what you want?

Both are the versions I don't want. The Yumas are two tone and the Amoks are distressed.

Nordstrom has the two versions I want.

 

[halgrind]

They also have the Elgin (through Amazon) for $175 today, using code: 12SUMMER

Shame they don't have my size.

They do, however, have the walnut strands for just under $295. Less the 20% off using that code puts it at $236, slightly cheaper than Nordstrom's sale price after tax. Another 3% off if you use an Amazon card and it comes to just under $230. Not bad.

 

[New Shoes1]

I always keep an eye on Amazon for these random, unannounced discounts. I've seen AE belts for $60 and got my Malverns for $189 on Amazon. The other trick is that the AE stores will price match Amazon.

 

[MarioImpemba]

So I called a local outlet store yesterday to exchange my brown Jefferson 2nd's for Brown Cordovan Strand 2nd's, while the $299 sale was still going on. Today, while looking around at the Amazon shoe sale, I picked up 1st quality Shell Cordovan Strands in Brown (via Shoebuy) for $335! Mostly odd sizes available (see below), but they had my somewhat normal 13D size. Not a bad deal for $35 more, especially if my 2nd's don't look so great when they come in.
If you're any of the following sizes and have interest, you may want to check the site out, immediately...
http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds...sr=8-1&keywords=allen+edmonds+strand+cordovan
6.5E
8B
9.5E
10B
12 AA
13D
14A
They also have the Elgin (through Amazon) for $175 today, using code: 12SUMMER

Only the 8B and 10B are left with discounts.

Thank goodness... saved me some money, haha.

 

[seven7seven]

I am shopping for some Fifth Avenues/Park Avenues and I am having sizing difficulties. The 11.5D is a good width, tad loose in heel, and tad long, and the 11D is too tight on one foot in the middle.

I just received a pair of 11Es in the mail, fit is great everywhere EXCEPT the heel is far too lose. I can nearly pull my foot out of the shoe with them laced up.

So I think my three options now are

1) heel insert on the 11E (anyone do this?)

2) have a pair of 11Ds stretched by a professional (anyone do this?)

3) Try a different last/brand --- None of the other shoes AE look appealing to me (looking for black oxford), Alden is too expensive, any other ideas?


Thanks in advance for any tips

 

[PhiPsi32]

I am shopping for some Fifth Avenues/Park Avenues and I am having sizing difficulties. The 11.5D is a good width, tad loose in heel, and tad long, and the 11D is too tight on one foot in the middle.
I just received a pair of 11Es in the mail, fit is great everywhere EXCEPT the heel is far too lose. I can nearly pull my foot out of the shoe with them laced up.
So I think my three options now are
1) heel insert on the 11E (anyone do this?)
2) have a pair of 11Ds stretched by a professional (anyone do this?)
3) Try a different last/brand --- None of the other shoes AE look appealing to me (looking for black oxford), Alden is too expensive, any other ideas?
Thanks in advance for any tips

Welcome to the club! Have you measured your fit? And if so, what is your measured size?

My suggestion is to try an 11.5C. I know everyone says the #5 last runs long, but I went up a half size and down one width. It's worked very well (the differencein length between sizes is about 1/5 of an inch).

 

[AE_afficionado]

Just today I received a pair of Dark brown Stands I ordered from Amazon. I love these shoes; the styling and color are out of sight. However, on the inside front quarters of the right shoe, there is this "wrinkling" of the leather. AE customer service says this is not a defect

I'm not sure I should let this bother me. I would love some opinions and reaction to this and also whether any other AE Strands in the wild exhibit something similar.

 

[seven7seven]



Welcome to the club!  Have you measured your fit?  And if so, what is your measured size?

My suggestion is to try an 11.5C.  I know everyone says the #5 last runs long, but I went up a half size and down one width.  It's worked very well (the differencein length between sizes is about 1/5 of an inch).

You would suggest that even if the 11 is perfectly adequate in length, if not a bit too long even?

 

[RossPirelli]

Would like input from Styleforum members on this one. I recently purchased a pair of AE Walnut Calf Strands. Last week I got a chance to visit an AE factory outlet store. Picked up a pair of Brown Brooks Brothers 5th Ave's for $169 and there were no defects. I was looking to pick up a pair of Black Park Ave's during the Nordstrom Anny Sale for $220. However, I noticed the Bruno Magli Maioco oxfords are on sale for $279. I'm going to pull the trigger on one of the two. I've trolled the forums as much as I can, but I get varying opinions on both. Your thoughts and input would be greatly appreciated. FYI, I work in K-12 public education as a business administrator. My office setting is business casual; but for state, regional, and national meetings I'm dressed like a Wall Street Exec.

 

[AE_afficionado]

Your thoughts on the "wrinkles" on the front quarters of these Dark Brown Burnished Strands that just came in today? AE customer service didnt really think anything of them. Would you return them?

 

[PhiPsi32]

You would suggest that even if the 11 is perfectly adequate in length, if not a bit too long even?

If you have access to the shoes locally, then absolutely. If you have an AE store, they will order and hold two or three sizes for you to try on in store.

From your comments, the 11D is too tight over the instep and the 11E is too loose in the heel. So you can see there how changing one width size can dramatically alter the fit of the shoe. In terms of size equivalency, the 10.5E/11D/11.5C will be the most similar in fit (the primary difference being the length). So if the 11D is just a bit tight, then the 11.5C will more closely retain the heel fit while still giving you some extra volume in the box. At least it will give you a point of reference to the 11E. Then you can choose between the two.

-Inserts to correct the fit can be problematic and should be avoided when possible. However, tongue pads can be very useful for taking up excess volume and tightening the heel.

-Stretching is also problematic as the degree of stretch is limited. I have tried stretching at home and at the cobbler shop. It works for some, but not for me.

-You can find a #5 last that fits. It takes time and patience. I must have tried eight different sizes before settling. Even then, you should remember that calf fits a bit differently than shell cordovan and the waxy leathers such as those found on the "Rough" line.

Best of luck.