Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews
  • Forum

Win it: Allen Edmonds Shell Cordovan Strand Oxfords

August 13, 2013 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

Reader Appreciation Week: Shell Cordovan Strands – $595

Consider this week five days of saying thank you. Without your readership, your emails, your terrific comments, and your willingness to spread the word, Dappered wouldn’t exist. The collection of good guys who frequent this corner of the internet is by far the greatest achievement of this website. And to say thank you, we’ve put together five, splurge-worthy giveaways that’ll hopefully express our gratitude. Welcome to Dappered’s Reader Appreciation Week. Good luck, and thanks a million.

Cordovan Leather was a space age material lonnng before there was a space age. Hyper-durable, wildly smooth, and visually deep, it takes six months to transform a horse hide to this finished leather. The material itself is a piece of natural art. The master of Cordovan is the Chicago based Horween Leather Company. Cut and sew Horween’s top of the line product into the flagship dress shoe of the American Shoemaker Allen Edmonds, and you get a stunner of a combination.

Cordovan Strands from Allen Edmonds

A classic dress shoe with just enough flash, the Allen Edmonds Strand (especially in cordovan) is the holy grail of men’s footwear to plenty. They’re a half brogue with plenty of perforations and pinked edges, but the non-porous, glass smooth nature of the Cordovan gets shown off on the panels that are left free of those details. Wingtips are great, but when you’ve got leather like this, it’s easy to over-clutter with all those edges, stitching, and lines.

The step-by-step Horween Cordovan process.

Built on the Goodyear Welted 5-65 last, Strands are slightly elongated, but nowhere close to the foot-spears some European (or European styled) shoe brands crank out. The toe is a perfectly rounded off point. No chisel, not stubby, just right. The silhouette isn’t elderly and it certainly isn’t trying too hard.

Cordovan leather close

Cordovan is as non-porous as leather gets. So a high shine sticks around.

The current shade of Cordovan is the epitome of versatile. Deep brown with some reddish tones, it hits the sweet spot for pairing with almost any color of suit or trousers. That Cordovan shine is going to grab some eyes, but the color isn’t trendy, and they’re deep enough to wear with darker shades (lighter brown shoes can clash with darker clothes).

Cordovan Sole

Word is Allen Edmonds is working on a new shade of Cordovan leather for a web-gem run starting sometime in September. Don’t worry, this current standard Brown Shell Cordovan isn’t going anywhere. The new shade will be an addition to their lineup. Expect an in-person review of that new shade in the coming months. But points to Allen Edmonds for trying something new, especially when this classic Brown Cordovan pair proves, without a doubt, they certainly don’t need to.

Enter here to win (update, entries are closed) a pair of Allen Edmonds Brown Shell Cordovan Strands in your size. One entry per person. Deadline for entry is 11:59 pm ET 8/14/13. Thanks to Allen Edmonds for providing not just Strands, but Cordovan Strands for Reader Appreciation Week.

Update: Congrats to Brian S. of Denver who won the random drawing for the Cordovan Strands. Once again, can’t thank Allen Edmonds enough for providing a pair of their flagship shoe in Cordovan for reader appreciation week.

Filed Under: Shoes Tagged With: Cordovan, Cordovan Strand, Reader Appreciation Week 2013, Strand

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or start a discussion on Dappered Threads, our forum!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

Steal Alert: Nordstrom Extra 25% off Sale Items Clearance Blowout

Steal Alert: Nordstrom Extra 25% off Sale Items Clearance Blowout

Uncle Nordy wants this stuff gone. Cashmere sweaters. Lots of chukkas. Plenty of Bonobos.

Best Posts of 2020: Thanks to our Contributors

Best Posts of 2020: Thanks to our Contributors

A thanks to all the guys that help us out.

Best Posts of 2020: A lot of watches, some shoes, and being a stylish dad

Best Posts of 2020: A lot of watches, some shoes, and being a stylish dad

Look out watch snobs, quartz is coming for you.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Comments

  1. Jason M says

    August 13, 2013 at 4:16 AM

    Wow, Beautiful!

  2. Brailleyard says

    August 13, 2013 at 4:20 AM

    Agreed. I’m….not sure I deserve these
    *clicks sweepstakes frantically*

  3. bennynojets says

    August 13, 2013 at 4:33 AM

    speechless

  4. Mike says

    August 13, 2013 at 5:04 AM

    The. Perfect. Shoe. Should be in the Smithsonian.

  5. brockab says

    August 13, 2013 at 5:11 AM

    Wow that is great looking and would really make my first new suit pop! Crossing my fingers

  6. Geoff says

    August 13, 2013 at 5:18 AM

    The great thing about Allen Edmonds is that they charge for Horween Cordovan and a goodyear welt the same as some well-known European brands charge for leather and an unknown sole bond. The transparency on the lasts is also unheard of.
    It’s nice to know that Americans produce some of the best product at some of the best values.

  7. David E. says

    August 13, 2013 at 5:55 AM

    These will go perfect with my walnut Strands I picked up during the anniversary sale a few weeks ago!

  8. southy says

    August 13, 2013 at 5:57 AM

    wowzers

  9. Soulblues says

    August 13, 2013 at 5:57 AM

    Excuse me while I drool…

  10. Saad Ghazipura says

    August 13, 2013 at 6:10 AM

    I think the winner should be required to post a pic of them wearing it. You know for closure for the rest who don’t win.

  11. Mike N says

    August 13, 2013 at 6:15 AM

    Wow.

  12. tdig says

    August 13, 2013 at 6:17 AM

    Holy moly!! These are beautiful!

  13. Judson M says

    August 13, 2013 at 6:27 AM

    Great googelymoogely….It’s going to be a good week!!

  14. Marshall Lilly says

    August 13, 2013 at 6:30 AM

    Having a pair of shoes this nice absolutely demands they be taken care of properly. For me, it would mean taking them to my cobbler before the first wear to have sole savers put on.

  15. OC says

    August 13, 2013 at 6:30 AM

    Awesome give away! I recently got a pair of Strands in walnut, but this Cordovan is even more beautiful.

  16. Dismally Scientific says

    August 13, 2013 at 6:33 AM

    So you brought enough to share, right?

  17. IronRinn says

    August 13, 2013 at 6:52 AM

    Ye fucking gods…

  18. Ryan Shelby says

    August 13, 2013 at 7:00 AM

    This shoe is so amazing: good for business and great play!!

  19. Rob says

    August 13, 2013 at 7:07 AM

    You guys really aren’t holding back.

  20. Dominic says

    August 13, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    Drool!

  21. Prayer Police says

    August 13, 2013 at 7:37 AM

    I wahnt dat

  22. Queequeg says

    August 13, 2013 at 7:40 AM

    Some lucky son of a bitch…

  23. Seth Pollins says

    August 13, 2013 at 7:47 AM

    These look awesome. I just bought the walnut Strands. I tried them on at the store in the morning–they fit well. I tried them on again in the late afternoon–and, well, they didn’t fit so well. I’ve been told not to make this mistake. What do you guys think? Should I exchange for a larger size (currently 9D)? Or should I just wear them–break them in, so to speak? I’ve also been told that shoes like this should fit perfectly out of the box.

    Also, if you don’t mind answering this question: Do all shoe manufacturers share the same lasts? Or do different shoe manufacturers make different lasts? Thanks!

  24. Jonathan N. Seabolt says

    August 13, 2013 at 7:51 AM

    Holy Mother of Pearl. #Cordovaning

  25. Matt Lane says

    August 13, 2013 at 7:52 AM

    Gimme, Gimme, Gimme. I want, I want, I want. I need, I need, I need!

  26. Adam says

    August 13, 2013 at 8:01 AM

    I’m in to win!

  27. zaphod beeblebrox says

    August 13, 2013 at 8:03 AM

    I check dappered daily, great advice, thanks for putting this week together~

  28. mmac says

    August 13, 2013 at 8:04 AM

    Don’t get me wrong, those shoes are stunning, but good to keep in mind a Goodyear welt isn’t the end all, be all of welting. It’s been morphed into a marketing tool more than anything; plenty of bespoke, hand welted shoes that don’t carry the name brand of Goodyear, which is really just a machining process.

  29. PSR says

    August 13, 2013 at 8:09 AM

    I just cordovanned in my pants…

  30. Jonathan N. Seabolt says

    August 13, 2013 at 8:15 AM

    I typically size down one-half size for my AE’s to fit perfect. What size do you normally wear in dress shoes? It could also be that your feet swelled throughout the day and there is certainly a bit of a break in period for the leather.

  31. Dominick C says

    August 13, 2013 at 8:21 AM

    Sharp Looking Shoe

  32. DXLi says

    August 13, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    It’s… so… BEAUTIFUL!

  33. Josh says

    August 13, 2013 at 8:42 AM

    Damn you, Dappered. 6 months ago, I would not have ever swooned for a pair of shoes, let alone ones so dressy. MUST.HAVE.

  34. kryogenix says

    August 13, 2013 at 8:44 AM

    LMAO @ “foot-spears”

  35. auronblue says

    August 13, 2013 at 8:56 AM

    Too..beautiful..for words. Should…have..sent…a..poet.

  36. Luis says

    August 13, 2013 at 9:19 AM

    Well this is very exciting. I am lucky enough to own a pair of Allen Edmonds and always get compliments on them. But this, this is something else. Good luck to everyone.

  37. A. Ali says

    August 13, 2013 at 9:34 AM

    I bought that allen edmonds manistee belt during the Nordstroms sale specifically for this!

  38. Samuel says

    August 13, 2013 at 9:49 AM

    ^^Broke law student. I’ll get a lifetime of use out of these!

  39. Seth Pollins says

    August 13, 2013 at 10:11 AM

    Hi, Jonathan! Thanks. This is the first dress shoes I’ve bought–at least for a number of years. I never had a need for them. I do think my feet swelled. I guess I just need to figure out whether I can break this in, or if they’re just too small…

  40. drocpsu says

    August 13, 2013 at 10:29 AM

    Holy crap, I want to win this. Beautiful shoes.

  41. Sigtweed & Corduroy says

    August 13, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    Doozy!

  42. Phil Hamilton says

    August 13, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    Those are gorgeous, not sure my feet are worthy but I’d love to win them!

  43. Dreadpiratehurley says

    August 13, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    I don’t really get the preoccupation this site has with watches. This shoe porn, on the other hand, is something I can get behind.

  44. aps2012 says

    August 13, 2013 at 10:44 AM

    The 5 last of the strand is quite long and narrow. I tend to size down a half and go one width up (to an E). It obviously depends on where its tight, but that might help.

  45. Nikhil Sharma says

    August 13, 2013 at 10:46 AM

    Speechless! As good as it gets.

  46. Brian says

    August 13, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    Holy crap is that shoe BEAUTIFUL!!!

  47. Bruschetta says

    August 13, 2013 at 11:05 AM

    Meh, nothing special here. No reason for all of you to enter.

    …

    Joe, these look incredible. My dog chewed up my calf strands a few years ago, but they were my second favorite shoes from AE after the McAllisters. They really nailed the proportions on this one.

  48. rnjbond says

    August 13, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    A man can dream, can’t he?

  49. Jano says

    August 13, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    I need these shoes in my life!

  50. Moses Operandi says

    August 13, 2013 at 11:23 AM

    I cannot believe what a beautiful shoe that is. What boggles my mind is that you can no doubt buy haute couture men’s shoes for much, much more than $600. But why would you? Would they be cordovan leather? Made in the USA? With the perfect profile? C’est impossible!

    This is the perfect shoe.

  51. leidage says

    August 13, 2013 at 12:20 PM

    must have!!!!!

  52. Jose says

    August 13, 2013 at 12:54 PM

    Good luck to everyone (especially me!!!) … these are real beauties

  53. Seth Pollins says

    August 13, 2013 at 12:55 PM

    I think that might be a good option. I tried the E at the store, but I wasn’t exactly taken with how the extra bit of width looked. I suppose that’s better than discomfort, though. Thanks!

  54. Cody Demuytere says

    August 13, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    Crying that none of your contests are EU-eligible

  55. pierrot says

    August 13, 2013 at 2:07 PM

    Damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

  56. drocpsu says

    August 13, 2013 at 2:13 PM

    I had the same problem when I first bought my Strands. Tried them on in the store, seemed a bit snug but figured they’d be ok after they broke in/stretched a bit. After getting them home, I realized that I wouldnt be able to make it through a day with them. My problem was that the nearest store was 1+ hour away from me, so it was a bit of a lengthy process to find the size that fit me just right. First just got 1 size up (length), which was still too narrow. So I ended up going back down to the original size, but up a width, which did the trick. They really dont change much once they break in, I’ve found. If they feel too snug now, I’d exchange them for a larger size.

  57. Bruschetta says

    August 13, 2013 at 2:13 PM

    From an observer’s point of view, it’s impossible to tell if you’re wearing a D width or an E width. You’re the only one who will know or notice.

  58. Alex says

    August 13, 2013 at 3:12 PM

    wow wow wow

  59. Peter says

    August 13, 2013 at 4:44 PM

    Now that is a handsome pair of shoes.

  60. Matt M says

    August 13, 2013 at 5:30 PM

    wowza!

  61. The New Century Man says

    August 13, 2013 at 7:02 PM

    I just bought my first pair of AE suede wingtip shoes. I think they will last quite a long time.

  62. Benjamin Weiss says

    August 13, 2013 at 7:34 PM

    Strand in calfskin…how does it get better than this. Strand in shell…it just did

  63. jump says

    August 13, 2013 at 8:37 PM

    Have the walnut, which I love. But I also love the slight reddish tint to these – been wanting a shoe leaning towards this color, but most burgundy just come in too reddish. This one seems to toe the line quite superbly.

  64. Alleben says

    August 13, 2013 at 8:54 PM

    Such a nice shoe!

  65. kevin319 says

    August 13, 2013 at 9:18 PM

    wow!

  66. Thomas says

    August 14, 2013 at 1:58 AM

    Such a beautiful shoe. I WILL own a pair of Allen Edmonds sometime in my life.

  67. fatals says

    August 14, 2013 at 5:18 AM

    amazing!

  68. Seth Pollins says

    August 14, 2013 at 6:18 AM

    That’s good to hear that you wore them around the house and that you were still able to return. I’ve thought of trying them out around the house, too, but I was worried I wouldn’t be able to return. Thanks!

  69. Seth Pollins says

    August 14, 2013 at 6:33 AM

    That’s a good point, my friend, although with clothes, as I often tell my wife, “It’s all about how I feel.” I’ll get a stain, and she’ll say, “No one can see that!”, and I’ll say, “But I can!”

  70. Skyler G. says

    August 14, 2013 at 10:02 AM

    One day I will win one of these drawings

  71. wcz1219 says

    August 14, 2013 at 11:19 AM

    these are gorgeous.

  72. Mike Z says

    August 14, 2013 at 11:47 AM

    Never thought that a shoe could be that sexy

  73. Andrew H says

    August 14, 2013 at 3:44 PM

    These are some good lookin’ shoes.

  74. Syed Ali says

    August 14, 2013 at 3:53 PM

    Thank you for letting Canadians get in on the contests!

  75. dankburps says

    August 14, 2013 at 7:15 PM

    These look amazing.

  76. Leroy Hall says

    August 15, 2013 at 1:17 PM

    congrats Brian!

  77. drocpsu says

    August 15, 2013 at 2:50 PM

    I’m so envious of Brian S. 🙁 Congrats to him though.

  78. Samuel says

    August 16, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    I hate Brian S.

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
Continue the discussion at Dappered Threads.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

Connect with Dappered

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Kent Wang Shoe Clearance, Slipper Boot Restock, & More
  • adidas End of Season, Allen Edmonds Warehouse Sale, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • Steal Alert: Nordstrom Extra 25% off Sale Items Clearance Blowout
  • Best Posts of 2020: A lot of watches, some shoes, and being a stylish dad
  • Best Posts of 2020: Cool Weather and Welcome Warmth
  • Best Posts of 2020: Adapting, Getting Dressed, and Home Offices

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

RSS Latest on Dappered Threads

  • AE Dalton too stiff
  • SuitSupply Linen Tuxedo
  • hiking shoes for AE dress shoe dress boot guy.
  • Blazer aaaand...
  • Remember when people used to post things here?

Copyright © 2021 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.