In Person: Allen Edmonds Franciscan – $345.00
As the monkstrap trend continues to advance towards mainstay territory, clothing companies keep rolling out more and more variations. With their new Franciscan, Allen Edmonds pushes their brand a bit more modern and a bit younger without sacrificing tradition.
A companion shoe to the double monk Neumora, the Franciscan has one less strap but a lot more flash. The Franciscan feels like a fine dress shoe, but unlike a conservative lace-up, it leans less serious thanks to brogueing, a perforated cap-toe, and goodyear welted combination rubber/leather sole. The silver buckle looks great on the walnut but really pops against the black leather.
Made on the 333 last, the Franciscan has an elongated profile and slight chisel toe. Compared to something like the more rounded Strand, the narrower toe of the Franciscan caused a little rubbing on my little toe while walking, but it’s nothing that I think would cause pain or blisters. Overall, it is a true-to-size, generally comfortable fit similar to other dress shoes from Allen Edmonds.
The quality is what we’ve come to expect from Allen Edmonds. The materials and craftsmanship are excellent. I did have a noticeable creaking sound while walking in them, which appears to be from the friction caused by the tongue and the strap rubbing. I assume that would go away over time as they break in.
This is a shoe that can easily go from the office to the bar. Both the black calf and walnut calf work well with grey trousers, and for the jeans addicts dark denim works too. Don’t be afraid of wearing the black with a navy suit either. Currently available in these two shades, and it’d be really nice if Allen Edmonds made the move to produce the Franciscan in a darker brown, or their popular (and limited) bourbon shade.
Not everybody wants a pair of monkstraps in their wardrobe, but with a pair this nice you might be surprised how often you start wearing them. If you’re going to invest this much, might as well use them. Right?
Enter here to win a pair of Franciscans in your size, in either black or walnut. Choice is up to you. One entry per person. Deadline is 11:59 pm ET on 4/11/13.
UPDATE: Congrats to Jim P. who won a pair of Allen Edmonds Franciscan monk straps in his size. Thanks to Allen Edmonds for providing our winner with his choice of black or walnut Franciscans. Thanks to all who entered!
Ben is an Artist and writer, who when not writing for Dappered, has been known to paint pictures of clothing and food. He sometimes wears or eats his subjects… if appropriate. You can follow him on twitter @benmadeska.