I haven't watched this yet, but I plan to very shortly. I am very excited about it. I just ordered some Navy shell cordovan Cornwallis. Navy is incredibly versatile.
For me the fact that it isn't your typical dark brown or black is what makes it appealing. Works well with gray pants and a sport coat or chinos. I'd say the color lends itself better to a Strand or McAllister but I think it looks fine on the PA.
That was my thought as well - these would work great with gray, navy or black slacks. If worn with a blue shirt, tie, sweater or jacket, these shoes would pair especially well. They add a little extra color, interest, and flair while still being understated.
Honestly nobody should be buying AEs at their full retail, 425 or 395. They run sales so often that with a little planning you can easily save some not insignificant amount of change.
Where would you put something like a dark navy (perhaps a bit darker than the ones shown) on the formality scale? I know I have heard it said, and written, that in the past men would wear navy shoes with navy suits.... I know I have a pair of dark navy whole cuts (they're clearly navy in sunlight, but in the office most people confuse them for black) that I wear with navy, and some grey suits, but I was just wondering what your thoughts are since it's not a color that is seen often.
The dark chili shoes in the video look browner than mine. I just received some dark chili that look more red than I was expecting. Do you use a polish on your dark chilis that has made them more brown?
Kirby can you make a video showing how to get saphir wax to stay in the shoe. My Allen Edmonds are not getting the wax properly and it leaves a area where wax is not getting shine. Very frustrating. I conditioned the shoe and used the saphir polish as well. What can I do thanks
Hi Kirby, I wanted to ask whether you'd recommend Allen Edmonds as a first pair of good quality shoes for people outside the USA (I live in South East Asia: Sri Lanka).
Kirby, I loved this review. I'd like to point out that Allen Edmonds recently lowered their regular retail pricing on all of their Heritage Collection shoes, including the Park Avenue, to $395. You mentioned the old price of $425 in this video. You mentioned that it could be interchangeably worn where one may where a black shoe in some cases. Which specific circumstances would that be? I read someplace that it used to be de rigueur for one to wear navy shoes with a navy suit. Would that still be acceptable to do so? Would wearing this midnight navy Park Avenue be appropriate to wear with a mid-gray suit?
Ethan Baker Resuming an exchange you and I had earlier: You shared a nice link (can’t find it now) about pairing shoe and trouser colors. That post suggests that navy mainly looks bad with black and blue denim. Other than that it works with a lot of colors. Given that blue is a dominant color for clothing that goes with a lot of things, it makes sense that blue shoes would generally go with most things. I disagree with Kirby that blue is a straight replacement for black. You shouldn’t wear navy shoes with your black suit to a funeral. Also, if you wear slightly more casual clothes, black shoes are not really versatile as they create a severe clash of formality. By contrast, dark blue, because of the special properties of that color, makes those shoes work with a lot of more casual outfits even as they work with a lot of suits. Thoughts?
The link was from bespokeunit.com in their trouser/shoe matching guide. I know we agree on the black formality thing, but I was thinking of blue shoes with a grey suit. On the surface, that should work--as oxblood does. Would there be some reason it doesn't though? I was curious on Kriby's take on that. I know he is very tradition, which is why he said he would never have a navy shoe in his wardrobe, but I was very surprised that he did say it can take the place of black in the same way an oxblood can. It seemed like he put a dark navy shoe in the same category as an oxblood in formality.
I think he’s just making a general comment about where midnight blue falls on the spectrum of AE shoe colors, not that it’s totally interchangeable. I think the navy would harmonize with mid gray, but that it might seem unusual in a conservative setting in which that color is not usually worn.
I don't necessarily see the value in Allen edmonds anymore. All pairs I've had have had quality issues. The heel always cracks a little between welt and heal. My Liverpool Chelsea's, 5th avenues, and Cavanaughs have all done it. My 5th avenues also have stitching issues on the back seam and near the base of the lace tabs. They should be around 300 instead of 425, especially with other brands making more solid shoes for less money. It's really unfortunate
Saphir is really good, but it's not so good that it would be worth the cost to import it. It's already expensive for us who can get it! Allen Edmonds makes a nice midnight navy shoe cream that matches their leather. It's pretty good.
Very interesting as I never considered a dress shoe in that color. My usually preference for black shoes that are not cap toe is black leather with a navy wax polish for a nice subtle blue sheen in the light.
I honestly don't get the hype around Allen Edmonds. I think the shape is very ugly and bulky and the color looks fake. Also, the soles look cheap. I don't have a pair of AEs, but after reading that even the quality control is weak I don't think this is a good place at all to start a shoe collection. Especially considering the price.
I haven't watched this yet, but I plan to very shortly. I am very excited about it. I just ordered some Navy shell cordovan Cornwallis. Navy is incredibly versatile.
Will you ever feature Allen Edmonds boot collection?
For me the fact that it isn't your typical dark brown or black is what makes it appealing. Works well with gray pants and a sport coat or chinos. I'd say the color lends itself better to a Strand or McAllister but I think it looks fine on the PA.
That was my thought as well - these would work great with gray, navy or black slacks. If worn with a blue shirt, tie, sweater or jacket, these shoes would pair especially well. They add a little extra color, interest, and flair while still being understated.
Hello Kirby, how would you handle a blue burnished pair of shoes? How can you take care of the shoes without ruining a handmade burnished effect?
Do you recommend polishing cordovan shoes before wearing? And if so, what is the procedure?
Thank you,
TMS
Honestly nobody should be buying AEs at their full retail, 425 or 395. They run sales so often that with a little planning you can easily save some not insignificant amount of change.
Great video Would be cool if you could recommend outfits for this shoe
Nice! Nice! Blue ones, sound interesting!
Where would you put something like a dark navy (perhaps a bit darker than the ones shown) on the formality scale? I know I have heard it said, and written, that in the past men would wear navy shoes with navy suits....
I know I have a pair of dark navy whole cuts (they're clearly navy in sunlight, but in the office most people confuse them for black) that I wear with navy, and some grey suits, but I was just wondering what your thoughts are since it's not a color that is seen often.
The dark chili shoes in the video look browner than mine. I just received some dark chili that look more red than I was expecting. Do you use a polish on your dark chilis that has made them more brown?
Kirby can you make a video showing how to get saphir wax to stay in the shoe. My Allen Edmonds are not getting the wax properly and it leaves a area where wax is not getting shine. Very frustrating. I conditioned the shoe and used the saphir polish as well. What can I do thanks
Hi Kirby, I wanted to ask whether you'd recommend Allen Edmonds as a first pair of good quality shoes for people outside the USA (I live in South East Asia: Sri Lanka).
Kirby, I loved this review. I'd like to point out that Allen Edmonds recently lowered their regular retail pricing on all of their Heritage Collection shoes, including the Park Avenue, to $395. You mentioned the old price of $425 in this video. You mentioned that it could be interchangeably worn where one may where a black shoe in some cases. Which specific circumstances would that be? I read someplace that it used to be de rigueur for one to wear navy shoes with a navy suit. Would that still be acceptable to do so? Would wearing this midnight navy Park Avenue be appropriate to wear with a mid-gray suit?
Ethan Baker Resuming an exchange you and I had earlier: You shared a nice link (can’t find it now) about pairing shoe and trouser colors. That post suggests that navy mainly looks bad with black and blue denim. Other than that it works with a lot of colors. Given that blue is a dominant color for clothing that goes with a lot of things, it makes sense that blue shoes would generally go with most things. I disagree with Kirby that blue is a straight replacement for black. You shouldn’t wear navy shoes with your black suit to a funeral. Also, if you wear slightly more casual clothes, black shoes are not really versatile as they create a severe clash of formality. By contrast, dark blue, because of the special properties of that color, makes those shoes work with a lot of more casual outfits even as they work with a lot of suits. Thoughts?
The link was from bespokeunit.com in their trouser/shoe matching guide. I know we agree on the black formality thing, but I was thinking of blue shoes with a grey suit. On the surface, that should work--as oxblood does. Would there be some reason it doesn't though? I was curious on Kriby's take on that. I know he is very tradition, which is why he said he would never have a navy shoe in his wardrobe, but I was very surprised that he did say it can take the place of black in the same way an oxblood can. It seemed like he put a dark navy shoe in the same category as an oxblood in formality.
I think he’s just making a general comment about where midnight blue falls on the spectrum of AE shoe colors, not that it’s totally interchangeable. I think the navy would harmonize with mid gray, but that it might seem unusual in a conservative setting in which that color is not usually worn.
I don't necessarily see the value in Allen edmonds anymore. All pairs I've had have had quality issues. The heel always cracks a little between welt and heal. My Liverpool Chelsea's, 5th avenues, and Cavanaughs have all done it. My 5th avenues also have stitching issues on the back seam and near the base of the lace tabs. They should be around 300 instead of 425, especially with other brands making more solid shoes for less money. It's really unfortunate
What shoe brands do you recommend that are better than A.E.?
Hello Kirby Allison Sir i have a question about sapphire polish is not available Pakistan how can i get sir tell me
Saphir is really good, but it's not so good that it would be worth the cost to import it. It's already expensive for us who can get it! Allen Edmonds makes a nice midnight navy shoe cream that matches their leather. It's pretty good.
As a self acclaimed Hipster, I approve of these shoes.
This color is not available anymore. Will they come back？
Those bad boys look so beautiful but I dont think they would fit me personally
Very interesting as I never considered a dress shoe in that color. My usually preference for black shoes that are not cap toe is black leather with a navy wax polish for a nice subtle blue sheen in the light.
that's very interesting.. a navy wax polish. I'll have to try that. Thanks for sharing!
@@EZBISME My pleasure, it is always fun to experiment especially when it is with things that are inexpensive and easy to undo.
AE has had WAAAY to many quality control issues lately. If they fix that I will be a customer again, but right now, not buying anything from them.
Kirby...those are beautiful...you really would not wear them?
First
Where are they made?
Buy english quality shoes.
Church's, C&J, Cheaney, Tricker's. Not this.
I honestly don't get the hype around Allen Edmonds. I think the shape is very ugly and bulky and the color looks fake. Also, the soles look cheap. I don't have a pair of AEs, but after reading that even the quality control is weak I don't think this is a good place at all to start a shoe collection. Especially considering the price.
considering you can get factory second AE's (new) for literally 100 and some change, they're perfect to start.