Allen Edmonds Rediscover America Sale 10/6 – 10/21
It’s an annual tradition. Ranking the best of the yearly AE Rediscover America Sale. What went into the rankings? It’s not as straightforward as the level of discount. Their entire lineup is on sale, but some shoes are only 15% off, while others get 30% or 35%. Just depends on which model. A deeper discount is obviously a strength, but overall style, desirability, versatility, etc, also come into play. Of their 170 options, here’s one argument for the top 10 if they were to be put head to head, or foot to foot. Factory 2nds quality shoes are also getting an extra markdown during the sale. If there’s a less expensive Factory 2nds option available? You’ll see those prices under the breakdown for each shoe.
UPDATE: In regards to the Shoebank’s factory 2nds prices, it appears there’s some odd price fluctuations going on. i.e. prices seem to have gone up since yesterday on some styles? See the comments.
#1. Fifth Avenue – $279.00
($385)
Not the largest % off cut of the sale (this works out to about 28% off) but at more than a hundred bucks off, with a timeless style, and a wide variety of leather shades available… they gotta be #1. A well balanced attack. Not all flash like the strand, or 3 yards and a cloud of dust grind-it-out looks like the Park Ave. A true pro-style. Now available in the new “Bob’s Chili” shade of leather.
Factory 2nds Price: $219 (looks like they have all shades available in most sizes, including a “dark chili” which looks to be close, if not the exact same as “Bob’s Chili”?)
#2. Bleecker Street Dress Boots – $299 ($395)
Whoa. A bit of a surprise, and a newcomer. Based on the winner of this year’s Parsons Student Design contest, this is one fast lookin’ boot. A quarter brogue chukka with some perforations and pinked edges that sweep down the side. Standard V-tread rubber sole. Pretty much what you want on your feet when the weather is iffy, but you still want to look sharp in a suit or something else that’s tailored. Built on the same last as the Park Ave., Fifth Ave., and Strand.
Factory 2nds Price: N/A. These are brand new. UPDATE: $254.15. Looks like these were just added.
#3. Dalton Wingtip Boots – $361.25 ($425)
*cough* Today’s the last day to get entered. Pricey, for sure, but equal parts strength and style. Which is perfect for the upcoming season. And don’t sleep on the dark chocolate calf option. Talk about standing out quietly.
Factory 2nds Price: $269. Walnut, Bourbon, and Black seem to be scattered depending on size. Not a lot of dark chocolate calf options on the shoebank site? If any?
#4. Franciscan Single Monk Straps – $327.50 ($385)
One less buckle than the Mora 2.0, but a lot more brogue. They are “hot-fire-good-golly-damn!” in person. The cap toe & medallion are fantastic, and one less buckle means a bit less metallic flash. They ARE built on the slight chisel 333 last, so know that ahead of time. Available in black, walnut, or the new Bob’s Chili shade. RIP the deeper darker “Merlot”… A bit higher in the poll than some would expect, but these don’t seem to go on sale (especially through other retailers) all that often. The Franciscan appears to be one of the more rare Allen Edmonds styles.
Factory 2nds Price: $254.15. Including the standard brown-burnished shade (depending on size), which they don’t seem to offer on the main site.
#5. McAllister w/ Combination Tap Sole – $327.25 ($385)
“RIP the deeper darker Merlot”… or not? Between the inky, deep-crimson hue, and that pavement grabbing sole, these things were made for fall. Think flannel suiting (maybe the JCF Thompson in navy?), cords, maybe even jeans, and a tweed blazer?
Factory 2nds Price: $254.15. But the Merlot leather seems to be scattered depending on size/width, especially if you’re looking for that v-tread sole.
#6. Jefferson Wingtip Oxford – $349 ($495)
And for an extra $22, you could upgrade from the McAllister to the Jefferson. Basically a McAllister with the too-sexy package. There’s a bit more open-space leather on the vamp, a little less broguing, a two-tone sole, and a few other details you don’t get on the McCallister. No merlot leather here. Black, Brown, or walnut. Spendy. But looks terrific. And that markdown to $345, from almost half a grand, is substantial.
Factory 2nds Price: $299. Seems like they have all three colors in most sizes.
#7. Allen Edmonds Strand – $327.25 ($385)
A legend, but gets only the minimum discount for this sale. No “Bob’s Chili” shade available here. Walnut (shown), Bourbon, Brown, and Black. If you want a combination tap sole? No extra charge, as long as you want Walnut…
Factory 2nds Price: $249. Less if you’re looking for suede ($179)
#8. Mora 2.0 Double Monk Strap – $327.25 ($385)
After seeing pushback on the chisel toe Neumora, Allen Edmonds brought back their rounded toe Mora in the form of the 2.0. Mixed reviews due to creasing (but… well). Like a squad who’s not a member of the ol’ boys club, has had success, and their fans now have unrealistic expectations.
Factory 2nds Price: $245. Brown, black, and bourbon seem to be the most common colors available, with a few chili shades thrown in there depending on the size and width.
#9. Strand Oxfords in Brown Shell Cordovan – $552.50 ($650)
So much going for em’. But that price of admission. Even with the sale. Yowza. Out of range, financially, for many. A little like a smaller private school that still excels in athletics. Not a huge population walking around in this stuff, but they stack up well against anybody.
Factory 2nds Price: ??? Doesn’t appear to be any 2nds available in common sizes?
#10. Lexington Cap Toe – $249 ($385)
Look up the word “shoe” in the dictionary, and you’ll probably see one of these. Strange that Allen Edmonds is calling them an “oxford”. Hefty discount here. Consistent. The side that always makes a bowl game, sometimes it’s a big one, sometimes it’s the Weed-Eater bowl.
Factory 2nds Price: $199 – $254. Walnut 2nds are coming up $254 at post time. Which is interesting, since firsts are now $249?
Your turn guys. Any disputes with these “Rankings”? Were you hoping for a bigger discount on a style that didn’t get it? Are you sticking to the factory 2nds sales? Leave that in the comments below. Meanwhile, the Allen Edmonds Rediscover America Sale runs through 10/21.