The 2023 Allen Edmonds (AE) Appreciation Thread

[middlepP]

A company AE's size should certainly have the resources to pump out some short youtube videos to highlight things like the trunk show or football grain releases.

Nailed it. My first thought - does AE want the TS to be successful? Are these events more of an obligation to make a small group of enthusiasts happy, and Caleres knows that people will put up with FB only viewing options, announcements that are weeks out from the event start date, and limited or no online sales options? If they keep things smaller does it disrupt production less? Represent less need for remakes?

Really trying to figure this out. Surely marketing practices of the last decade could help TS sales.

 

[donkeyhoatie]

I'm generally against blue and green together, but this works for me because one of the colors (green) is much lighter. If they were forest green pants I'd say no-go.

I think one of the reasons I'm generally wary of these sorts of "rules" and adages is that they're definitely farther from iron-clad as some people seem to think. There's an element of art to cultivating a personal style, and these rules tend to make it feel more formulaic and scientific. I prefer the weird boundary areas between art and science (or form and function, if you want to think about it that sense). That's where the interesting things live.

The right blue and the right green can work together, with nothing in between. The same way that you can also choose wrong shades of any colors that usually work well together. If you wear a lot of blue pants or green pants in general and abide by these types of rules, you may shy away from blue or green shoes, and that's a shame. Colors are fun as hell and having footwear in some non-standard colors can really open up the versatility of a number of different pieces in a wardrobe.

Oxfords and chinos giving me these vibes:

(Go ahead, wear them, it looks great. Although in this case, I'd have gone with dressier chinos with a cuff.)

Yeah, that's not going to happen. I get that's the direction that you'd want to go, given that you prefer things more in the CM spectrum. To me, dressier chinos, and especially cuffed chinos, are a style choice I'd never make given how much more casual my wardrobe skews.

I actually think the Strand can work well with pants on the more casual end of the spectrum, especially in the lighter colors. Sure, the closed lacing is a more formal detail, but the brogueing is more casual. I think they're totally fine with pants that aren't formal so long as the rest of the outfit isn't completely casual.

100% agree.

I was trying to think of another sacred cow to go after today, but time got the better of me. So, decided to forgo the cow and go for the horse instead. Shell and selvedge today. Nothing controversial at all with that route. I'll try to do more needling in the future.

 

[ProfilaBinding]

You don't have to go full Kirby...

This made me grin. For real, if I can make videos, AE should at least be able to.

I went with some poron today. University in dark chili. Another pair that Ashley and team tracked down for me.

 

[Duke Santos]

The on-sale streak ends at 10 pairs. I just bought a pair of burgundy football grain sneakers at full price.

 

[TheLawBeard]

Nailed it. My first thought - does AE want the TS to be successful? Are these events more of an obligation to make a small group of enthusiasts happy, and Caleres knows that people will put up with FB only viewing options, announcements that are weeks out from the event start date, and limited or no online sales options? If they keep things smaller does it disrupt production less? Represent less need for remakes?

Really trying to figure this out. Surely marketing practices of the last decade could help TS sales.

They are 1000% trying to disrupt production less and have less remakes. The "you get this welt in this color" is evidence of that. They've incrementally reduced the amount of allowed customization over the last few trunk shows. Would not be surprised if, within the next two years, they designate a sole for each available model and have an upcharge for switching to a different sole.

 

[Vincent George]

Loafing

 

[Hisheirness23]

Nailed it. My first thought - does AE want the TS to be successful? Are these events more of an obligation to make a small group of enthusiasts happy, and Caleres knows that people will put up with FB only viewing options, announcements that are weeks out from the event start date, and limited or no online sales options? If they keep things smaller does it disrupt production less? Represent less need for remakes?

Really trying to figure this out. Surely marketing practices of the last decade could help TS sales.

Both Ashley and Lauren were very transparent that AE was no longer willing to support SF and figure that investing their time/resources in the FB group was best. Ultimately, I believe that the TS takes considerable amount of planning and effort to pull off, however, the marketing team either gets involved too late, or they strategically wait til the last minute to provide the most accurate information as possible as opposed to publishing something then later retracting it.

 

[Moeck14]

They are 1000% trying to disrupt production less and have less remakes. The "you get this welt in this color" is evidence of that. They've incrementally reduced the amount of allowed customization over the last few trunk shows. Would not be surprised if, within the next two years, they designate a sole for each available model and have an upcharge for switching to a different sole.

I believe if you order online there is an upcharge for sole swaps. I could be wrong but I thought it was only waived in-store/over phone last year

 

[JFWR]

Both Ashley and Lauren were very transparent that AE was no longer willing to support SF and figure that investing their time/resources in the FB group was best. Ultimately, I believe that the TS takes considerable amount of planning and effort to pull off, however, the marketing team either gets involved too late, or they strategically wait til the last minute to provide the most accurate information as possible as opposed to publishing something then later retracting it.

It's sad that AE basically abandoned us on this thread, but such is the way of things.

 

[Hisheirness23]

It's sad that AE basically abandoned us on this thread, but such is the way of things.

AE may have, but Ashley is always on here and posts from time to time. Was nice having her as an ally for us.

 

[JFWR]

AE may have, but Ashley is always on here and posts from time to time. Was nice having her as an ally for us.

I certainly agree.

I really enjoyed having someone that was a reliable go-between for us.

 

[MajorDash]

I believe if you order online there is an upcharge for sole swaps. I could be wrong but I thought it was only waived in-store/over phone last year

This is accurate.

 

[middlepP]

I believe if you order online there is an upcharge for sole swaps.

This is accurate.

If you think about it, not a bad way to generate traffic to the retail stores.

Still, can you imagine a version of their online custom shop for the TS? Would deplete my bank account.

 

[Hisheirness23]

Does anyone know if the TS purchases will qualify for the 2x Collectors Rewards Points? Says purchases until 9/25 qualify.

 

[PANJ]

Waxed suede today. Becoming a big fan of this leather. Hope AE does more with it in future.