Allen Edmonds Clearance – Prices good through 1/13/13.
You got socks didn’t you. Thrilling stuff. But socks will only get you so far. Your local 7/11 doesn’t proclaim “No shirt, no socks, no service” on the door. Shoes. You need em’. And Allen Edmonds is trying to help you get over that threshold, into the land of slurpees and infinity hot dog grills, by way of their own clearance sale as well as some markdowns via Lands’ End.
Free shipping & returns is the norm through Allen Edmonds, but it looks like you’ll need to use the code SNOWFALL and pin 2030 to get free shipping through Lands’ End (extra % off discounts never apply to Allen Edmonds there).
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Fifth Street – $247.00 ($350)
At the top and for good reason. Heavens to Betsy that’s a boot. Absolutely suit worthy. Still quite a load on the wallet, but mid $200s for the 4×4 version of the Fifth Ave is a very nice price. Unlike the Fifth Ave, the Fifth Street Boot picks up a medallion on the toe for that half brogue look. Available in brown or black.
Strand (via Lands’ End) – $239.99
($325)
Lands’ End just doesn’t put their selection of Allen Edmonds on sale all that often. The walnut shade is pretty short on sizes, but they do carry the standard brown burnished as well (too bad it ain’t the Bourbon). Is this the best price that Strands have ever gone for? No. Is it still a good deal? Sure thing.
Yuma Bison Leather Work Boots (via Lands’ End) – $114.99 ($199)
The weather stinks right now. Sloppy, but you don’t want to walk around on your downtime in a pair of Sorels. You want a pair of boots that can handle some muck, but don’t need to get you to the south pole on an expedition. These’ll work. Especially at $115. Bison leather. Not made in the USA though. Pretty sure these are made in the Dominican?
Sanford Cap Toe in Walnut or Black – $227.00 ($335)
Sanford*? Looks a little bit like a derby (open lacing) version of the oxford Strand. A little less imposing compared to the Strand though, and they’re built on different lasts (5 for Strand, 7 for the Sanford). A closeout style. Seen at the top of the page. *Sidenote: This Quincy Jones composed song is actually called “The Streetbeater“. Makes a terrific appearance on 30 Rock too.
Eagle Country in Grey – $167.00 ($350)
Here’s a mini “would you wear it?” Appears to be an attempt by Allen Edmonds to channel some Red-Wing-ish classic rugged style. The grey leather? Not so classic. But don’t count it out. Grey is versatile, especially since you’d wear these plenty with jeans. A lot of us have a pair of go-to boots we wear in fall, winter, and early spring that fall short of gore-tex lined hikers on the technical side, but are tough and look better than good. These might fit in that category for a great price when you consider the construction and quality. Also available in black as well as tan, with the tan running a steep $279. Also might want to read the one, disappointing review for the black pair. UPDATE: There were a boatload of sizes in the grey yesterday, but they seem to have disappeared from the Allen Edmonds site for the time being?
Positano Loafer – $149.00 ($325)
And on the opposite end of the casual spectrum from the Eagle Country boots would be these. An elegant, Italian made (and influenced in design) loafer. You have to be the type who can’t wait to wear a linen suit once the weather warms up. Requires a bit of confidence to pull off. Bologna construction, so they’re lightweight, flexible, but still re-craftable. A warning, seems like these might run a little large.
MacNeil Wingtips (via Lands’ End) – $249.99
($335)
Longwing classics. Classic enough that you’d think they’d be able to sneak into a fourth of July parade between the 57 Chevy’s and the Model Ts.
Dornoch in brown grain or wax infused leather – $197.00 ($295)
If the Positano is Italy, these are Midwest through and through. Basic shape, tough looking leathers, and the expected Goodyear welted sole. The no nonsense, casual man’s footwear splurge.
The after-holiday clearance prices at Allen Edmonds expire on 1/13/13. The code SNOWFALL and pin 2030 (good for free shipping and some gift card promo thing) seems to expire today, 1/3.
MacNeils are great shoes.
AGHHHH why won’t Land’s End put the stupid blue suede Stewart on sale again????
I’ve looked at that Fifth Street but I just can’t justify spending so much money on a boot I can’t wear in ice and snow. The leather sole is a dealbreaker for me… I’d much prefer low-profile rubber.
It’s hard to find a good, practical dress boot. The dressy ones have leather soles, the practical ones go overboard with the brogueing and country details. Alas.
Ben, I second everything that you wrote. If I’m going to wear a boot then it had better have a nice storm welt and a Dainite rubber sole. I can only think of two exceptions to this: I would probably be fine with a leather sole on a chelsea or jodhpur boot.
If you’re okay with a more budget-friendly option, I just picked up the Steve Madden Evander 2, which is a nice wingtip boot with a low profile, hidden-lug rubber sole (the sole has a small lug to it, but the bottom of the boot is sort of convex so the lug isn’t noticeable from the side). Leather is decent, fit is exact to size (maybe a little wide). $115 from Piperlime, under $70 on Ebay.
I’ve actually been lusting over the Positanos for a while now. They’re discontinued (IIRC) so $150 seems to be their new permanent price. At least, they’ve been that price since before Thanksgiving so I don’t know why they would bring it back up now.
FWIW, I can certainly see the value of a Fifth Street, but ONLY after you’ve secured a pair of balmorals and a pair of “proper” boots. At that point, it’s a splurge to fill in an admittedly small hole, but I can still see a use for them if someone were inclined to buy them.
In agreeance to what you said, though, the Fifth Street is far from a magic bullet.
No cowboy boots for you? 😀
That SM looks nice. Are you in a very snowy/wet area of the country?
Not concerned about the soles. More concerned about my ass – which I WILL fall on if I try walking on snow and ice with leather-soled shoes. Trust me, I’ve been there.
I love those Sanfords. Wish I had the money to buy them in black.
It’s not as dressy, but for a great rubber soled dress boot check out the Bexley Enfield. I got them in chocolate and they have a lot of traction in ice and snow.
Allen Edmonds are good shoes. I stick to English shoes these days (Church’s, Cheaney, Loakes, etc…) but my Strands (black and walnut) and Fairfax are excellent go-to shoes. I’ve had my eye on the Fifth Streets and maybe this is the time to splurge.
I also wanted to give you folks kudos for your outstanding work bringing style back into focus (especially affordable style).
So I work for a place that sells a LOT of AE’s on eBay, and to give my
own person opinion- don’t buy shoes directly from the AE site, or a big
name store. You can get some DEALS on eBay if you watch it right. I got a
pair of Neumoks and the beloved Dalton’s for less than the Neumoks go
retail. Shop around men. There are better deals than these sales. Good day
The area isn’t too wet, but I’ve walked around in light snow and rain in them without a problem. I haven’t even waterproofed them yet, though I should probably do that asap.
I own the Dornoch’s in Dark Brown. Picked them up two months ago and they’ve quickly become my “go to” loafer. Very comfortable, looks great with dark jeans and chinos.
Width runs true to size. I recommend sizing length down half a size.