Dress shoes

[Matt Deckard]

Allen Edmonds and Alden are the two brands of Dress shoes I like, does anybody know any other good dress shoe companies?

 

[Andykev]

I have

A pair of Johnson & Murphy's...they are good quality, but I am an Allen Edmonds person.

I found a pair of two tone oxfords, the chesnut brown /white saddles...no longer made. I'll post a photo .......

These were made for the Olympic team in what was it? The XXV Olymics Barcelona 1992 designed for the U.S. Team "America's Best" by Henry Grethel Made In USA is written inside the shoes.

 

[Sergei]

Yeah, Johnston & Murphy is another great American shoemaker. That is the brand I wore prior to Allen Edmonds.

My boss and me frequently get into debates on who is better. I think at one time J&M was better, but in my opinion the AE shoes are better. The AE shoes fit better and last longer given my experience with these two brands. But J&M is not chopped liver. Very good set of shoes to have in your stable.

http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/

-Sergei

 

[Matt Deckard]

I'd like to try Church's shoes, they have some great leather colors and a good reputation from people I have talked to who have worn them.

Too bad There are no stores near me that carry Church's. I'd like to try them out for size

www.churchsshoes.com

 

[fedoralover]

I bought a pair of cap toe Stetson shoes that were new old stock. I'm pretty sure they don't make shoes anymore. they are the most comfortable dress shoe I have. I do have a pair of Allen Edmonds and a pair of Hickey Freemans which are excellent too. While not as classy looking, Mephisto makes a very comfortable shoe, I have several pair of the cap toe variety and wear them both for dress and casual.

fedoralover

 

[Pyroxene]

Here's some welted shoe makers to research. I pulled them from my book on Grooming & Style. Some have already been mentioned.

Church's http://www.churchsshoes.com/
Allen-Edmonds http://www.allenedmonds.com/
Alden http://www.aldenshoe.com
Tricker's http://www.shoesinternational.co.uk/compinfo.cfm?manID=18
Foster & Son
Edward Green http://www.edwardgreen.co.uk/index.htm
John Lobb Paris
Ludwig Reiter http://www.ludwig-reiter.com.sg/
Crockett & Jones
Cheaney
Lotusse

Italy
Gucci
Moreschi http://www.moreschi.it/eng/new_home.htm
Gravati http://www.gravati.it/
Fratelli Rosetti http://www.rossetti.it/
J. P. Tod's

Regional
J. B. Weston in France
Wildsmith in England
Harai in Germany

Others
Sebago http://www.sebago.com/

 

[Matt Deckard]

Those are some great links, Trickers has some nice looking wingtip boots. http://www.trickers.com/

I used to wear a pair of brown wingtips daily, they were my signature shoe, Allen Edmonds Fairhaven wingtips in Chili. Those are no longer in production, though I think I am looking for a change as it is.

I think I'll go for some dark Brown Alden wingtips next time, unless I find a place where I can try on different pairs of Church's.

Too bad Fredrick's is no longer in service. He tought me to buy my shoes shorter and wider, I am addicted to my Alden style 86 boots because of the fit... I really need a good pair of brown wingtips that fit.

 

[Pyroxene]

I just ordered the Alden Wing Tip Blucher Oxford in Burnished Tan Calfskin #966.

I just love the color. The CEO and some of the upper brass wear similar colored shoes and they look nice.

I too have a pair of 86's. Very nice boots. I get them shined at a shoe clinic near me and they make look like military dress.

 

[Matt Deckard]

I still have a pair of those same wingtips from Alden, I used to wear them swing dancing all the time.

they are a 10 1/5 e. I should sell 'em

I wear a 10 ee now and but I have not bought a new pair becuase I want a darker brown and preffer closed lacing.

They were a bit long on me it made me a bit off balance dancing.

Here is another book I own that has alot of good info on shoes, unfortunately it is out of print.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/3895089281/103-9642082-9823049?v=glance

This is a company that sells deadstock vintage shoes, they primarily have womens shoes, but if you tell the owner your size he'll go in back and pull out what he has from the 30's and 40's. It is luck of the draw regarding what he has at any particular time. You see alot of swing dancers wearing vintage shoes from Remix. http://remixvintageshoes.com/

 

[Matt Deckard]

Just bought myself a pair of these Allen Edmonds in Chili color 9 1/2 eee.

been wearing them for a few days and I love the fit. Great for swing dancing.

anybody else here polish their shoes?

 

[Pyroxene]

Those are my next pair. There are a few on Ebay right now.

Good choice

 

[Ken]

James Bond 007 wore Church shoes if I recall correctly. Cant think of anyone who epitomises contempary style better than that!

Ken

 

[Scandinavia Jones]

James Bond 007 wore Church shoes if I recall correctly. Cant think of anyone who epitomises contempary style better than that!

True, but word has it that since Church were bought by Prada, they now sell sub-standard products with the Church logo on'em...
Word's pal, rumor, has it that the clerks at Church's London shop protested against the Prada overtake by starting to wear Crockett & Jones shoes at work! A subtle, yet straightforward protest (also very British...)

Hi there folks, my first post btw... from Sweden, art historian specializing in historical/vintage clothing... when I found this forum, I was happy as ever... at last a group of people with thorough understanding of the word style!

/M

 

[Matt Deckard]

Welcome to the lounge Madhatter.

 

[AlanC]

Thanks to Matt Deckard who invited folks from the AskAndy forum to come over.

Speaking to men's shoes, I would recommend taking a look at the AskAndy site where there are a seemingly endless number of threads discussing them.

I'm not a particular expert myself, but Allen Edmonds and Alden are universally recognized as the top manufacturers of shoes in the US, with a slight nod going to Alden over AE. Church's is generally viewed to rely mainly on reputation and is not a particularly quality product these days. Most endorse Crockett & Jones, particularly the Handgrade line, as the English shoe of choice before you start getting into "real" money with Edward Green, Lobb, etc. C&J Handgrade would generally be a tad more expensive than Alden or AE. BenSilver.com has a nice selection of both Alden and C&J, although perhaps not the best place to buy price wise.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Welcom to the lounge Alan.

I just bought this pair of AE shoes. in black from the AE company store in Burlington NC. They are factory seconds so I paid $222.00 for them.

I needed a good pair of black dress shoes. I usually wear Alden style 86 boots. I needed variety.

 

[AlanC]

Those AE's are nice. I've seen pics of them before, and admired them. Which are the Alden 86? Is it a chukka?

I'm starting to build a quality shoe wardrobe. I have a pair of black Alden captoe dress shoes. I'm about to shoot the moon and buy some Crockett & Jones Handgrade brown dress shoes. I've been saving for these and expect them to be a long term investment.

Another shoe that I recently tried is Trask. They make casual/dress casual shoes mainly out of bison. I like the pair I have and they run cheaper than AEs. Take a look at Sierra Trading Post's website, which often has AEs, Trask and sometimes Alden on closeout.

I'm pondering some AE tan bucs down the road.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Here is the Alden 86. It is a 1920's style ankle boot that has very close lacing. Only available in black. It is one of there orthopedic styles and feels good on my feet.

Lately I have been wanting to show off my socks.

Do you have any Crocket & Jones shoes?

 

[Nathan Flowers]

Woah, the AE store is in Burlington, NC? That's like 1.5 hours from my house. I sense a trip in the near future. If any of you guys are interested, I'll take my digital camer and snap some pictures.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Allen Edmonds Company store
Burlington Manufacturers Outlet Center
1238 Plaza Drive
Burlington NC 27215

I dealt with a Lisa Kelly. I don't know if it would be to exciting, I think it is one of many outlet stores.
If you go do take pics, and try on many sizes... they will have the right fit for you.

I wear a 9 1/5 eee, in Allen Edmonds. It took me alot of wrong sizes before I learned, and different AE styles fit differently so pick what feels right off the bat.

If you are not planning on buying right away, have fun finding your size and Say high to Lisa. They have sales every so often and sometimes you can get a real deal.