So I've been fortunate to line up a few interviews, and as a result I've been shopping around for some new dress shoes (my old ones are way too cheap).
The 5th Ave line is 230 right now on AE, and a pretty good deal. It looks just like the Park Ave, but with a little decoration on the cap.
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF5705_1_40000000001_-1
I was going to buy it, but I was talking to an analyst friend from Qatalyst who told me to stick with Park Aves and avoid anything flashy at all. He told me a dick associate gave him shit for it, and that it's better to go as conservative as possible.
Was he just unlucky to have somebody nitpick it, or is it common for this type of stuff to happen (dressing above your position)? What other shoes for $250 and under do you guys recommend?
Nice Dress Shoes for Men
Allen Edmonds shoes are generally considered to be a good shoe brand for young and experienced professionals alike. While you likely can't go wrong between the two different options discussed in this thread (the Park Avenue and the Fifth Avenue lines) our users shared their thoughts between the two different types of Allen Edmonds shoes.
Just get the Park Aves. It's only 50 bucks more and they can last a long time with some proper care/resoling.If you feel like going through a hassle to save money, look for some pre-owned Park Aves or something on ebay and then take them to a cobbler to get them resoled/primmed up.
There are some decent options under 200 or so, but Allen Edmonds is probably the most convenient way to get quality leather, goodyear welted cap toe oxfords. In many regards, it's an "entry level" shoe when it comes to nice ones. There's a marked drop in quality once you get to Johnson/Murphy, Bostonian, or Cole Haan.
There are smaller European companies that rival it in both quality/cost, but they're harder to get a hold of.
Just got the Park Avenues in Boston. They fit great, and every day I have worn them they have gotten more and more comfortable. I was going to get them off the internet but the sizes are a lot different, I'd go to a store and try them on before you buy them.
You can see a picture of the two different shoes below.
Park Avenue Cap Toe Shoes
You can find these shoes on the Allen Edmonds website.
Fifth Avenue Cap Toe Shoes
You can find these shoes on the Allen Edmonds website.
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Just get the Park Aves. It's only 50 bucks more and they can last a long time with some proper care/resoling.
If you feel like going through a hassle to save money, look for some pre-owned Park Aves or something on ebay and then take them to a cobbler to get them resoled/primmed up.
There are some decent options under 200 or so, but Allen Edmonds is probably the most convenient way to get quality leather, goodyear welted cap toe oxfords. In many regards, it's an "entry level" shoe when it comes to nice ones. There's a marked drop in quality once you get to Johnson/Murphy, Bostonian, or Cole Haan.
There are smaller european companies that rival it in both quality/cost, but they're harder to get a hold of.
Dude, just buy the shoes. If someone gives you shit (who the fuck would give anyone shit over these shoes) just say you bought them online and wanted to save money.
Your buddies associate is a dick and just breaking balls. Tell your friend to chalk it up to working for a clown and move on.
AE's are great shoes and will last forever. You can pay more, but the marginal benefit diminishes pretty significantly, IMO.
Thanks for posting this BTW. I am going to snag a pair myself as I have too many loafers and this will round out my lace up collection.
I love the 5th Aves.
If you really want to save...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALLEN-EDMONDS-PARK-AVENUE-OXFORD-BLACK-10-D-MED…
dude the park aves are on sale for $200 at AE shoe bank (they are factory 2nds but cant tell diff at all)
BTW amazon has the AE shoes now for either $50 or 20% off.
Get some Cortlands at Nordstrom Rack. $200.
Wait, just to clarify, are those little details on the cap toe REALLY enough to warrant a switch to Park Aves instead? I barely notice them, but do they make the shoe "flashy"? I mean, they're both normally priced at 330ish, and I think they're the EXACT SAME quality shoe with the difference being the little cap toe details (those little circles).
I'm no shoe expert though, so is there anybody willing to explain why Park Aves (besides its conservatism) are the staple starter shoe over all other same tier / different design Allen-Edmond shoes?
No one will even notice but if this is truly a cause for concern for you, even if you know deep down that it isn't rational, it's probably better to spend the extra 50 or so dollars and not spend your time worrying about it.
Your friend is probably A. Lying, B. unable to recognize a joke or C. overly nervous/an easy target
Funny how we consider a $330 dollar pair of shoes "starter" shoes. Fuck it, YOLO.
what is the European version of 5th Ave's because these shoes look ... mehh.. in my opinion
I got a pair of lodings in England:
http://www.loding.fr/en_16_shoes_richelieus_nevisa-black-box__353nevisa…
Very similar to the Park Ave but just a bit sleeker; slightly elongated with a narrower cap toe.
Churches is usually considered a notch above AEs:
http://www.barneys.com/Church%27s-Edgeware-Balmoral/00505012453665,defa…
And it too is a bit sleeker.
Had good experiences with Crockett & Jones recently
I have the Park Aves great shoes - but I really like the cap on the 5th. Plus, with the sale go for them
Just buy whatever you want. Nobody really cares.
this.
The fact that you had to make this thread means that you should probably suck it up and spend and extra $50 on the park aves because otherwise you will always be insecure/wondering about what people think about your 5th aves. Whether that's rational or not doesn't matter. Consider the fact that these shoes last 10+ years.
Just got the Park Avenues in Boston. They fit great, and every day I have worn them they have gotten more and more comfortable. I was going to get them off the internet but the sizes are a lot different, I'd go to a store and try them on before you buy them.
Not that it really matters, but apparently every president since Reagan has worn them on their Inauguration day... Pretty cool. Best shoe you can buy for the money by far.
When you guys talk about taking care of them, what all does that entail? Just polishing them yourself every couple of weeks and keeping them on a cedar tree?
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