Allen Edmonds 91st Anniversary Sale – 4/15 – 4/29
First, the bad news. This is a “select items” sale. And there’s only 14 styles set aside for the discounts. But the good news is that Allen Edmonds set aside some real winners here. And the sale isn’t just limited to shoes either. Remember, everything ships and returns free with Allen Edmonds as long as it’s a domestic order. No minimums either. Rankings are based on style and savings.
1. McAllister in Bourbon w/ combination tap sole – $249.00 ($345)
This shade of leather nails the Goldilocks-Porridge-Effect. Not too light, not too dark… just right. The standard Allen Edmonds brown is fantastic. As is the eye popping light walnut shade. But the introduction of their bourbon shade was an incredible addition. The McAllister is built on the 5 last which is the same chassis the Strand is built on. It’s a longer last, so while the toe is traditional, it’s far from stumpy. Bourbon shade is only available with the combination tap sole, but that v-shaped pattern is anything but a clunky rubber slab that you’d find on cheap dress shoes. Almost one hundred dollars off. Same goes for the leather sole version, but there’s no Bourbon available there. Wear em’ with everything from jeans to suits.
2. Franciscan in Walnut – $249 ($345)
Yowza. Just got the review/giveaway treatment over here. A lot going on, but pretty impressive.
3. Franciscan in Black – $249 ($345)
Black shoes never fell out of favor the way black suits did, but brown shoes have certainly been the choice for most these last few years. But don’t underestimate a pair of mean, black shoes. Especially some with a little flash like the Franciscan. Would make a pretty good pairing when going tieless with a suit.
4. Strandmok in Tan Suede/Nubuck – $199.00 ($260)
Now just under $200, but still a splurge for a lighter colored summer /dressed up casual. Unique without getting neon sole crazy. Unstructured interior, soft nubuck uppers, a contrast midsole, and the styling details of the Strand. Also comes with two pairs of colored laces. Could absolutely wear these to dress down/keep a summer suit looking real casual/fun.
5. Magnetic Money Clip – $12.00 ($15) | 6. Pebble Magnetic Money Clip – $12.00 ($15)
Knocking the flash down on your money clip is a good idea in the spring and summer. Head somewhere for a late afternoon cocktail and you might blind the person sitting across from you when the check comes. Simple, made in the USA, and they ship free.
7. Allen Edmonds Sedona Penny Loafer – $149.00 ($195)
Let’s say you don’t spend a lot of time in dress shoes during the warmer months, and your work place is ultra-casual. You want something other than boat shoes, and you want a pair that can take a beating. There are cheaper options out there, but these come in a variety of colors (you want red? They can do red) and theyshould be built to last. Red, Vibram rubber sole. Made in the Dominican Republic.
8. Flannel Shoe Bags – $8.50 ($10) | 9. Combination Shoe Trees – $19.99 ($24.95)
Shoe-overflow syndrome is defined by having a small closet and a lot of shoes. Those afflicted can’t fit all of their shoes in the closet, and they often get stacked outside that confined space on shoe racks. And then the dust starts to settle. A sure sign that you’re lucky-as-hell is having a favorite pair of shoes actually gather dust between wearings (because you’re wearing other well loved pairs) and you have to Swiffer
10. Allen Edmonds Birch Creek Belt – $49.00 ($68)
An investment for a summer belt, but just right for the types who don’t want to wrap some brightly colored stripey thing around their waist. Still plenty summery, made in the USA, and made from linen with leather accents.
Thoughts on the Strandmok? Do you wish Allen Edmonds would make much more of their line in that Bourbon shade of leather? Leave your take in the comments. The Allen Edmonds 91st Anniversary Sale runs clear through Mon. April 29th.
McAllisters…
My paycheck…
Arrgghh…..
Meanest pilgram . . . I’m dying hahaha
Quick story: About 2 weeks ago, I sent my Mcallisters (Walnut) into AE for an inspection of the right sole, which had a huge hole in the bottom. This was likely due to my neglect and wearing them in the rain but I’d only had them 1 year at this point and I’d heard AE had great customer service. I was not disappointed. They warranted me the full $150 recrafting service for free and covered shipping both ways. Best customer service I have encountered in a very long time from a great American company. So if you have any hesitations about getting the above pair, I would highly recommend you get them. And don’t be stupid like me; don’t wear them in the rain/snow.
And with every new pair, take them to your cobbler before you wear them the first time to put sole-savers on them. It’s absolutely worth it and will extend the life of your shoes by years.
Wish I would have known this before I wore them out on the town last night. Do they have to be brand new for sole-savers to be applied?
No…thankfully they don’t. I was surprised how fast I ended up with a hole in my first pair, so it’s pretty much a necessity for me.
Bye bye tax refund. We had so little time together.
Rapid City (not featured in this article on but on the AE website) would be a great transitional wardrobe foundation shoe for those building the base…
Uh oh. Maybe give this a read? http://dappered.com/2012/06/when-not-to-buy-it/
Do I pop for the McAllisters or hold out for the Strands?
my wallet…..
If the Strands are what you REALLY have eyes on, I would wait. I had the same debate but waited and couldn’t be happier.
The strandmok needs to come in more colors, a snuff suede version would be awesome 🙂
What option would you suggest for those with AE taste on a very non AE budget?
eBay.
DO NOT GET THE SEDONAS. I really advise against these shoes.
I bought a pair in red last season. They ran large and wide, which makes them very hard to size accurately for a loafer. Mine are falling off my feet. More importantly, the quality on these shoes is really mediocre for the price. Bonded rubber sole, made in the Dominican Republic, not eligible for AE recrafting.
The color options are nice and if you can get a pair that fits right they might make a nice “beater” shoe to compete with the likes of Sperry, Sebago, or Eastlands. But for $150? ON SALE? “No thank you.”
I own 5+ pairs of Allen Edmonds. I like the company. (I have a pair of McAllisters, btw, and they’re great.) But I feel like they’re really missing the mark on the casual loafer, boat shoe, and camp/ranger moc market these days. I feel like there are better options to be had from Rancourt, Quoddy, and Oak Street Bootmakers.
Stocked up on shoe care stuff.
JCP Stafford line has a few gems that *look* the AE part. The *Ashton* wingtip oxford in particular *looks* VERY McAllister-ish, and can be had at regular price for $60; on sale for usually $48, and possibly even on clearance for $20 (I’ve seen a couple of the Staffords that low, but not the Ashton personally on clearance). It’s a fabulous shoe for the money, but keep in mind it is rubber sole, glued, etc. But for the look, on a budget, I think it’s the nicest option out there right now. It’s been heralded here on Dappered numerous times, both on the main site here by Joe, as well as throughout the threads/forum. I love mine!
It’s a bigger/fuller shoe (on the 1-last, which is the fit that is best for my fl-l-l-l-lat feet) than most of the popular AE staples – almost Bass-like in shape. But I think you’re right – it would probably be a nice dip-yer-toe-in-the-AE-waters option – one that could get much wear, more on the casual side of things, but still. On sale now for $199.
Good call, Joe – I just did. There are at least 3 reasons on that list that are telling me I should probably return the McAllisters, which I bought yesterday, later this week. They *did* feel pretty decent on, in the store. SWEAR! Well, at least better than other 5-last options do on me (Kenilworth, Park, Strand.. I’m looking at you). But after *auditioning* them at home on the carpet last night, they sadly seem to be falling into the “AE models which my feet/(non-)arches despise” category. Ugh. Damn, they look so good too – snagged them in Merlot – one of my favorite footwear color choices.
Ninnily, I am going to give them some more foot time today, just to be sure – working from home today. I really wanted these to work. I think I’d better keep your “when NOT to buy” list up in a tab here all day, to keep reminding me. LOL
ebay^2, 1. find a style you like. 2 hit ebay hard looking for that style (be patient). 3. order a pair that are NOT cracked. 4. when they arrive, inspect for cracks in the leather. 5. take to a cobbler for a refinish and new heel. 6 wear and enjoy **7 when you get more free $, send them to AE for recrafting… be stunned by the end result.
I got my first wave of AEs from ebay. paid between $30 and $70 each.
before the discounts, the strands are $229 as seconds. call the AE shoebank 262-284-7158. they will take care of you. and you can get shoe horns, and care items for as low as $1. you’ll end up with a box full of shoe porn! i love AE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love those Strandmoks, but I’ve already got a pair of Neumoks in navy that I also love. Might be a bit redundant to own both. But on the other hand, it might be worth it to own a lighter colored shoe.
Does anyone else have any experience with the Sedonas?
Joe,
Would you say the McAllisters in walnut paired with a navy suit would be too informal for an interview in a fairly conservative business setting? Just trying to gauge the versatility of these.
Thanks, love the site!
Agreed – I’m not completely in love with the shape but this is a good one to consider if you’re just starting out. Gotta eaaaase some dudes into dressing better.
Marshall, thanks for the tip! I went up to my local shoe store and they added some rubber sole savers for $20 in a day. Hopefully that will slow the wear.
I would also check salvation army, thrift shops, etc. I’ve found a few great pairs there but the sizes are hit or miss.
yeah, multiple pairs. i paid $36 for my first pair of 5th avenues. people don’t know what they have sometimes or are in a rough patch. you never know. don’t look for anything thing in super fine condition, they can be rehabbed… as long as the leather is not jacked up (cracks from poor care, gashes, and stuff like that).
proof of the pudding: http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/showthread.php?108296-i-have-questions-about-shoes
Tony was cvaria, now he’s from Miami.
Huzzah! If you’re already making the investment of such nice shoes, it makes no sense to not do all you can to take care of them. Glad it worked out!
Really wish Neumoks were on sale. I already own a sand suede chukka and a gray suede plain toe blucher so a sand suede Strandmok would be redundant. What I don’t have is a casual leather (brown or navy) shoe.
ok soooo i need help. Im gonna buy either the mcallisters in burgundy (dont have any red type shoes), or the franciscans in walnut (i have a couple ae’s in walnut already), but im so attracted to the franciscans!!!! I need some reassurance that the Mcallisters look beautiful in red, and in person!
Can’t say, but I can tell you their beauties in bourbon. Course, I’m not much of a fan of red shoes…