Many years ago I lived in Minneapolis. I was working retail on thin carpeted concrete floors. The job required dress shoes and long hours. I have platypus feet, wide with high arches. The selection was thin for my size foot. I looked around and found AE. I got my first pair of AE shoes at Nordstrom’s. They were expensive but fit. I literally wore them out and had them re-crafted. After break in they felt so good. Especially after so many years of ill fitting other brands.
My next move was to Wisconsin. There they had AE stores that had seconds. Shoe Utopia.
They have an a lot of sizes made on different lasts in different colors.
If you can find a place that sells the seconds they are better than some companies firsts. I have sent different pairs in to be re-crafted after being worn down. They came back in great shape. I was never disappointed.

Personally if the shoes hurt and you had to “ break them in” you bought the wrong size. Shoes should never have to “break in” if they don’t feel right when you first put them on they are wrong.
I have a single pair of Allen Edmonds and while you won’t mistake them for fuzzy slippers felt fine from day one

I sort of agree with the post above but rather than say wrong size, I would say wrong last. Read up on the last then buy the last that best fits your foot shape.

I have three pair of AE 12, 9, and 7 years old. All have been recrafted. I wouldn't buy any other shoes.

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:
Personally if the shoes hurt and you had to “ break them in” you bought the wrong size. Shoes should never have to “break in” if they don’t feel right when you first put them on they are wrong.
I have a single pair of Allen Edmonds and while you won’t mistake them for fuzzy slippers felt fine from day one

This is a semi-accurate statement.

Depends on the welt, the last, and the sensitivity if the owners foot.
If you wore Vietnam era combat boots, Goodyear welted leather dress shoes will be comfy.
If you grew up wearing Nike’s, those same shoes will have a pretty good break in period.

It’s not if the size is off. It’s about the softening of the leather. Allen Edmonds are notorious for having a tough break in. They have a 360 degree Goodyear welt and a thick leather sole. Those two things combined, make for a rough time.

I'm a big guy with plantars fasciitis, AE'sv were the first dress shoes that I ever felt were worth what they charge

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Unfortunately J&M shoes aren't as good any more. I have a 30 year old pair of J&M that are American made and are excellent. But they aren't made by hand anymore and are just ordinary factory-made shoes made in Asia.
.

I've also been a long-time J&M buyer... but I've come to the same conclusion as you. The quality has fallen off a cliff and now I am looking for new dress shoes, but not in a Johnston-Murphy store.

I'm not familiar with the Allan Edmonds line. A few years ago, at the recommendation of a friend, I purchased a couple pair of Mephisto shoes, reported to be some of the finest walking shoes in the world. As a runner (with some very gnarly feet), and as someone who rarely has to dress up, most of the time I wear good running shoes (Brooks fit me best). I might try some AEs if I can find some locally. I absolutely cannot buy shoes online.

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Originally posted by Beancooker:

Scarpe Di Bianco, my favorite, second to my Bestetti's.

Those shoes look REALLY Nice!

What type of leather is that?

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Originally posted by nhracecraft:

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:

Scarpe Di Bianco, my favorite, second to my Bestetti's.

Those shoes look REALLY Nice!

What type of leather is that?

It’s Scotch grain cowhide. To be specific, it’s Hermann Oak tanned leather.

Those of you who have had the re-crafting done, what is the average turn around time? My black pair that I bought a few years ago based on forum recommendations has a small hole that is getting bigger.

I bought 4 pairs after that first pair! I love them, although I wish they would bring back the old website.

Depends on how busy the cobbler is. If there are no shoes ahead of yours, and he starts work when you drop them off Monday morning, you should be able to pick up Wednesday, assuming there is adhesive used that needs to cure.

No adhesives, same day.

That said, there is no cobbler that has a schedule that open. Expect a week or two.

I have had two pair that had to be sent back for defects. They were good about swapping them quickly. One had rubber soles cut terribly on the edges and sides that were kind of warped. Another had a crease in the leather lining at the heal.

Other than that, the ones I have bought and kept have been top notch if made in the USA. They occasionally partner with other makers - those are not the same.

HUGE fan of Allen Edmonds shoes. My wife got me to buy a pair about 25-30 years ago. I shit you not they were $300. I had never bought a pair more than $100 but she insisted I try them so I bought them. The next week I had a trade show to staff and it amounted to a week of 10 hour days standing on a concrete floor with a carpet laid on top. After a week I thought they were as comfortable as a pair of sneakers. After about 10 years of heavy use I sent them back to have then recrafted for around $100. They came back looking like new and perfectly fitted to my foot since they keep the footbed. I still have them today after sending them back twice. I have saved hundreds of dollars from not buying cheap shoes that fell apart after a year. Today Allen Edmonds and Mephesto are my favorite shoes.

quote:

Originally posted by c1steve:
Any of these quality dress shoes come in an XW width? 4E is what I usually wear.

AE does.

AE has a factory seconds site.....but also this site....same but different? Significant savings over the store/web pricing:

https://www.shoebank.com/

Im an AE whore. Welc9me to the club!

AE whenever possible!!

HK Ag

Just picked up two pairs of AE last week. I have several pairs and will continue to pick up more as the need/desire strikes.

Reading this site costs me money... but makes me happier.

I went down to Greenwich, CT this afternoon and dropped $375 on a pair of Allen Edmonds "Bond" cap toe dress shoes. Mahogany. Apparently, $75 off the list price.

I can already tell they are superior to any J&M shoe I've owned. Here's hoping that first impression is accurate!

I've never tried a pair or even held a pair but there have been numerous threads here about AE shoes. I hope that I get myself in a professional situation where I can get a pair of AE.