Help on choosing which Allen Edmonds to get

[cluelessdude]

I already have the Allen Edmonds Strand in Walnut color but I also need something that goes with black. Reason is because my coat for winter is black so I could never wear my Strand shoes. Anyways, I need shoes that go with business casual wear, meaning slacks and a dress shirt.

I have two dilemmas: which shoe to get and which color. I will go with either black or burgundy. Remember I only have a walnut pair of dress shoes so far. To me it doesn't make sense to have a walnut and a burgundy but not a black. But I dont know...

So far I am thinking:

- Del ray in black: Just not sure about the split toe.
- Fifth avenue in black: Might be too formal and remember I only need it for slacks and a dress shirt.
- Park Avenue in burgundy: Again might be too formal, even more so than the Fifth Avenue.
- Mcallister in burgundy: Might be too similar of a shoe to the Strand.

If there are others you feel I should consider then by all means let me know.

I have gotten to this stage thanks to help on styleforum but I still need more advise. I'm just really confused if I should go with black or burgundy and also which style will work well with slacks and a dress shirt.

 

[blantyre]

You might also consider the Grayson in black - a nice smart but casual shoe.

 

[professorchaos]

The Fifth Avenue is a little less dressy than the Park Avenue thanks to the punching along the cap. I have the Park in burgundy and wear them with jeans regularly. Looks great dressed down and dresses up very well.

 

[moshulu]

The Wilbert is my everyday shoe. Very comfortable and casually elegant. I have both brown and black. Only problem is, I have to apply shoe cream every 1-2 weeks, otherwise the silly white stitching starts to show.

 

[Trouthunter]

My two bits: I find comfort in black (versatile, familiar), however, after 20 years focusing heavily on black I have recently changed my go-to shoe to Mcallister in burgundy shell cordovan. I love the look and feel, and regularly receive compliments on these which I never otherwise receive. I would be inclined to recommend burgundy, and I can appreciate the predictability of black.

Frankly, the Grayson in black has been a solid performer for me for many, many years (same pair - 15 years of solid service with one recrafting). This shoe in burgundy is a great look - and I might suggest Cordovan burgundy if you can swing it.

 

[Trouthunter]

Also - I bought a pair of AE in black - I really think these are great. Nice contrasting stitch, Chili sole and edge (nice change from just boring black). I wear these with everything but a suit and they look great - and are REALLY comfortable!

 

[nole1]

If you're looking for something less formal you could always consider some Cliftons. They don't have them on the AE site anymore but you can still get them through retailers like Nordstrom or the Shoe Bank if you don't mind that route.

 

[gaseousclay]

I've never been a fan of AE, so take my advice with a grain of salt. Are you looking for something more formal or informal? Perforated cap toe? plain balmoral? captoe balmoral? Blucher? I was checking the AE site yesterday and came across their Independence Collection and actually thought the Rutledge in burnished calf looked halfway decent. I had been looking for a brown shoe since I already own a pair of black shell cordovans, and I wanted something with some flair. However, the Independence Collection is slightly more expensive, so depending on your budget this may limit your choices.

Have you considered Alden?

 

[Rivguy]

I am a big fan of AE shoes and have been for many years. I have found that the Leeds is a shoe that looks great dressed up or down. I have them in Burgundy and Black Shell Cordovan and calf in brown. My favorite Wingtip is The MacNeil. While I have both black and burgundy I find that for most occasions they can be worn interchangeably. The burgundy is more versatile in my view and can be worn with many different colors so you may consider it a better all around choice as you build your shoe collection. The New Haven and Ithaca are very smart looking and worth consideration.

Regards,

Doug

 

[blantyre]

Frankly, the Grayson in black has been a solid performer for me for many, many years (same pair - 15 years of solid service with one recrafting). This shoe in burgundy is a great look - and I might suggest Cordovan burgundy if you can swing it.

+1 on the style - I have the Alden version of this in color 8 shell that's faded out to a nice deep brown - it's a fine shoe. Very elegant and mildly decadent - just right for the many occasions that demand "authoritative quality".

 

[closer]

I picked up a pair of Montgomery in black a couple of years ago. Can be dressed up or down. Has a rubber sole and can be recrafted.

 

[Doc4]

I have (a) dilemma: ... which color. I will go with either black or burgundy. Remember I only have a walnut pair of dress shoes so far. To me it doesn't make sense to have a walnut and a burgundy but not a black. But I dont know...

Black.

You need one pair of black shoes ... I'd go with ones that are a bit dressier than you think you need, as shoes of this quality are an investment, and ten years from now you will need a good pair of formal shoes.

 

[cluelessdude]

Black.

You need one pair of black shoes ... I'd go with ones that are a bit dressier than you think you need, as shoes of this quality are an investment, and ten years from now you will need a good pair of formal shoes.

This is what I'm thinking. However, can Park Avenues or Fifth Avenues also be worn with slacks and a dress shirt?

 

[Doc4]

can Park Avenues or Fifth Avenues also be worn with slacks and a dress shirt?

Yes.

... as you build a larger collection of dress shoes (and assuming that you do, of course), you may want to get a slightly more casual pair of dress shoes (McAllister, Neumora, &c) in black as well, but that's not really all that necessary.

 

[Trouthunter]

Sorry - my iPad deleted model name before I posted: AE McTavish in black. Nice contrast stitch - I think they are a very versatile black option with all but a suit.