Where does everyone get their dress shoes?

[Bean]

Originally Posted by Swarez

Each happens once a year, you buy in US dollars, but no duty as they are made in the US.

You're right about not having to pay duty for the shoes. On my last order Fedex sent me a bill after the fact burning me for $30 for 'handling' and $10 for fronting the handling fee. Not impressed with FedEx but still a great deal overall.


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[worth]

Just FYI on size, AE makes a plethora of different lasts. Read about them here:

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline...Id=40000000001

If they size you for a Park Avenue 10D, this does not necessarily mean your optimal fit in any AE shoe or boot in 10D since the last changes from shoe to shoe. You may fit better in a 10E on a 1 last, and the only way to know that is to size your foot for the specific shoe you are buying. O'Connors is good at this.

That being said, I have multiple AE's in the same size and don't really have a problem, but when you are sizing, you really need to get your foot width, not just the length.

[Bean]

Very coincidental timing but Allen Edmonds is having an additional 20% off clearance sale on right now.

Woot!

[Coach]

Winners baby.

[troutman]

A. Where we get our sweat pants.

Sincerely,
Edmonton

[manwiches]

In the States, or if they're on sale here. If I buy here, I used to go to Browns as they were the only place that sold Cole Haans.

States, I go to a handful including Cole Haan and Salvatore Ferragamo. But they are literally 50% or more of the price they sell in Canada.

I stick to buying expensive shoes (200 - 450 range), as they last forever for me. I found years ago that shoes from Aldo or like stores that are below 100-150 break down within half a year, whereas I still have Cole Haans that I've had for 5 years that still look brand new.

[kevman]

Has anyone that's gone into a store to try on shoes (or anything really) only to buy them online opened with the following line? "Hi, I'm going to buy some shoes online but want to make sure they fit first. Can you help me?"

I have nothing against internet shopping but wasting peoples time when you know you're not going to spend a penny in their shop is not cool. At least let them know you have zero intent on buying from them so you get the level of service you deserve, which is none.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Bean

Very coincidental timing but Allen Edmonds is having an additional 20% off clearance sale on right now.

I just came in to post this. The 20% is in addition to the sale prices. I was browsing their site and ended up buying 5 pairs for $956 total. That's slightly more than buying two pairs at Harry Rosen. I picked up shoe trees for them as well.

Originally Posted by kevman

Has anyone that's gone into a store to try on shoes (or anything really) only to buy them online opened with the following line? "Hi, I'm going to buy some shoes online but want to make sure they fit first. Can you help me?"

I have nothing against internet shopping but wasting peoples time when you know you're not going to spend a penny in their shop is not cool. At least let them know you have zero intent on buying from them so you get the level of service you deserve, which is none.

I went into Harry Rosen about 15 minutes ago, and told the salesman all I wanted to do was get my correct size in this style of shoe. He was very nice, helped me ensure the size was correct and I went on my way. It helps that I shop there often, and there wasn't anyone else in the department looking for help.

It's these type of salesmen that keep me coming back. There are many of the ones who can't see future benefits to helping people now, and only will help you if you look rich or are buying today. Salesmen, whether they are in clothes, cars, houses, even restaurants, etc. do much better when they aren't expecting to make immediate cash from each potential customer. They also need to realize a lot of their money will come from repeat sales. The ones that don't, usually aren't successful.

[worth]

Good point in there about shoe trees squigs. For anyone buying their first pair of AE's, you need shoe trees and you need to use them.

Shoe trees remove moisture and keep the cap of the shoe from deforming. You should also rotate your shoes by not wearing them two days in a row. If you do this, your AE's will essentially last forever with resoling.

[GP_Matt]

Thanks to this thread I went out today and was sold on a pair of AE (can I call them that now, I won a pair?).
I am not yet sure if that is a good thing or not.
Either way, thanks.

[19Yzerman19]

Originally Posted by strombad

All this talk about Allen Edmonds... is there anywhere aside from Holt or HR that have them? Ideally in the NW?

That eBay page makes them look VERY affordable, I just need to figure out my size.

The ebay page doesn't reflect MSRP especially in Canada. Also, O'Connors has them. Not sure of anywhere else.

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

So, as it happens I am in town tomorrow and have some free time in the morning downtown and a need for a new pair of dress shoes. Is O'Connors the go to place? I am not looking to break the bank but will pay $200 if it is something that will look good and last.

You won't, for $200 at a brick and mortar retail outlet. Honestly if you're paying retail you're wasting money. It costs 350 plus tax, roughly, for a pair of Allen Edmonds. You could be buying Aldens for that kind of money.

Originally Posted by worth

Just FYI on size, AE makes a plethora of different lasts. Read about them here:
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline...Id=40000000001
If they size you for a Park Avenue 10D, this does not necessarily mean your optimal fit in any AE shoe or boot in 10D since the last changes from shoe to shoe.

This is true, but a) the PA is on the #5 last, which is generally considered the smallest (though some of the lesser-used and newer lasts are weird). If you fit a 10D in a PA, you're probably okay with a 10D in most other models of AE. Always best to try on, but it's not going to screw you if you ballpark it.

Originally Posted by worth

Good point in there about shoe trees squigs. For anyone buying their first pair of AE's, you need shoe trees and you need to use them. Shoe trees remove moisture and keep the cap of the shoe from deforming. You should also rotate your shoes by not wearing them two days in a row. If you do this, your AE's will essentially last forever with resoling.

I use trees in my shoes, and yeah it's advisable to do so, but it's not going to cause the things to shrivel and die if you don't. Stick a pair of balled up socks in them and the cap is fine.

People reading this who are suddenly really interested in Allen Edmonds need to recognize that they're really an entry level dress shoe. They're basically super utilitarian. You get a pair and you can beat the hell out of them for years without them exploding on you, because they're 360 degree welted and built like tanks. They're generally not particularly attractive, though. It's sort of like the dress shoe equivalent of a good pair of work boots. In other words, what you're paying for is the difference between eating at McDonalds (Aldo or whatever) and eating at Earls. Teatro is still a ways off.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

Would someone actually want a shoe to last 10+ years? You know, with changing styles, age, job position, taste, etc.

if you buy a classic shoe, they don't go out of style.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

I am serious, I have a pair of those Skechers shoes in black and brown. In my opinion they Wouk with jeans, dockers and slacks.

I do see where some would find them too casual though......I sure hope that nobody is promoting those elf shoes with the long narrow toe.......

I wore Skechers for a while in the same manner, but they were really crappy and wore out fast. Right now, I am wearing Merrells that have lasted quite a while, and will probably get more in the future. The Jungle Moc slip on line are fairly dressy for sneakers.



That said, I wouldn't wear them for anything where I actually have to have a shirt and tie/suit for. I have a pair of Joseph Abboud Oxfords that I have worn at least once a week for the past 7 or 8 years. Very similar to, if not this exact pair.

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

to the mens shoes - whats with the military style soles on all of them. Maybe if someone wants a more expensive shoe AND one where you should never have to resole them!

I bought Docs about 4 years ago, thinking the same thing, since I am terrible on the sole of my right shoe due to a knee injury. The soles wore out faster than any other shoe I have owned. I think they actually cracked across the bottom, IIRC. Would never go back.

[Bean]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

People reading this who are suddenly really interested in Allen Edmonds need to recognize that they're really an entry level dress shoe. They're basically super utilitarian. You get a pair and you can beat the hell out of them for years without them exploding on you, because they're 360 degree welted and built like tanks. They're generally not particularly attractive, though. It's sort of like the dress shoe equivalent of a good pair of work boots. In other words, what you're paying for is the difference between eating at McDonalds (Aldo or whatever) and eating at Earls. Teatro is still a ways off.

What other brands do you like that are in the same class or better to Allen Edmonds?

The majority of us don't have access (or funds) to get Lobb shoes, but what can you recommend?

[giantreign]

Check out the new hush puppies brogue:

http://www.hushpuppies.com/US/en-us/...2?galleryKey=0

Picked up a black and brown pair. Took about a week to break in. Very comfortable. Great price. And they are a rebuildable shoe. Good customer service from Montreal, and free shipping.

[19Yzerman19]

Originally Posted by Bean

What other brands do you like that are in the same class or better to Allen Edmonds?

The majority of us don't have access (or funds) to get Lobb shoes, but what can you recommend?

Yeah I don't have the money for $1500 bespoke stuff either. And for me, honestly it's unnecessary.

Basically what you're talking about is the sub-$1000 shoe market.

Nearly all of my shoes are Aldens. They are slightly more expensive than AE, but not in the same range as Lobbs. These would be a better option than AE - better made, but sort of the same style. The only other large scale classic American maker still doing well for themselves, really. And probably the best place to get into shell cordovan shoes - incidentally, all the shell cordovan shoes sold by Brooks Brothers are made by Alden (though BB have decided to stop selling shell shoes).


A great alternative would be Crockett & Jones, which is an English maker. Still pretty conservative and classic, but a bit less utilitarian and a bit more elegant in shape.


If you don't like the more traditional style and want something a bit more aggressive, while they retail for more, you can often get Salvatore Ferragamo's "Tramezza" line of shoes for low to mid hundreds. They're nowhere near as indestructible as the above shoes, but the fit and finish on them is fantastic. Some of the styles are pretty sleek - too sleek for me, though I have one pair of a more conservative offering.


There are other options. If you want to buy locally, a lot of the non-shell Brooks Brothers offerings are made by Alfred Sargent or Loake which are decent makers. But if you can figure out your size in whatever you're looking at (or if you have a decent return ability) it's so much better to buy online. People have gotten pretty savvy at translating sizing, too, which is another reason to figure out what size you are in AE and Alden. Pretty much anyone who cares about shoes, it seems like, knows what size they are in a Park Avenue and an Alden Barrie last, so if you're buying something from someone and say "I'm a size 11EEE in a PA, size 10D in the Barrie last", often people will be able to tell you what will fit and what won't.

[bomber317]

Some Alden Shoe Porn for you Yzerman.

http://leathersoulhawaii.com/category/brands/alden/

I was bummed i missed this store when I was down there for my Honeymoon. Will have to hit it up if I'm ever back there.

[19Yzerman19]

Yup, leather soul is one of the main sources of Alden shoes. They do a lot of collaborations with Alden (that is, they come up with a shoe they want, like, say, a longwing blucher in blue suede) and order a full size run. A lot of those collabs get sold out long before Alden's finished making them. Leffot http://leffot.com/ does the same. You're paying full retail for those, though.

There are a lot of Alden collabs now, even J.Crew has its own run of Indy boots (for the uninitiated, the Indy was originally the Alden 405 boot until Harrison Ford wore his, which he'd had since he'd worked as a carpenter in his youth, for all 3 Indiana Jones movies - Alden renamed the boot accordingly).

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by me_dennis

I only wear my dress shoes indoors. I wear my sneakers while commuting into work, and change into my dress shoes when I get in. This helps keep the shoes in good condition. I do wear them outside the odd time when I need to go to a different building for meetings, or going for lunch. My shoes get the most wear in the soles, which can be replaced for a reasonable price.

This. I don't spend much on shoes but they last a long time if you only wear them indoors (i.e. in the office). Rotate between 2-3 pairs so you're not wearing the same ones day in and day out.

Can't imagine spending $300+ on shoes and then wearing them outside in the snow/rain/mud/gravel that Calgary gets 8 months a year...

[19Yzerman19]

I don't get people who are squeamish about their nice shoes. I mean, sure, polish them, tree them, take care of them, but don't hide them. I keep mine under my desk at work but they're gonna get salt and crap on them in this city, it's inevitable. A well made, well cared for shoe laughs at that kind of "abuse". They're shoes, you don't need to baby them, and the fact that they're built to withstand whatever comes their way is part of the reason they cost hundreds of dollars in the first place.