ISU Wingtips?

Has AE jumped the shark?

I haven't been impressed with AE's quality, which is supposed to be amazing. I bought a pair of cap-toes, wore them 2-3 times a week in pretty mild weather, and the soles were worn out with massive holes within 6 months. The heels (which appeared to be glued on) were pulling off within weeks. I sent them back to AE for recrafting, and the same thing happened the second time around. I took them to a local cobbler who used his preferred leather and nailed the heels on, and they're still in great shape almost 2 years later.

My pair of Alden's, on the other hand, are still looking great after several years. They were a little more expensive upfront, but I haven't had to spend a dime on recrafting. I'm through with AE after this pair finally bites the dust.
 
Has AE jumped the shark?

I haven't been impressed with AE's quality, which is supposed to be amazing. I bought a pair of cap-toes, wore them 2-3 times a week in pretty mild weather, and the soles were worn out with massive holes within 6 months. The heels (which appeared to be glued on) were pulling off within weeks. I sent them back to AE for recrafting, and the same thing happened the second time around. I took them to a local cobbler who used his preferred leather and nailed the heels on, and they're still in great shape almost 2 years later.

My pair of Alden's, on the other hand, are still looking great after several years. They were a little more expensive upfront, but I haven't had to spend a dime on recrafting. I'm through with AE after this pair finally bites the dust.

Let me get this straight: you have a cobbler?
 
I wear my AE's every day when weather permits. I have four pair and have never had a problem with any of them. My McAlisters get so many compliments I'm thinking about buying a pair with rubber sole for wintertime.

Not sure if we've had a dressy thread but it may be a good time for an update.

Edit - I have no problem dropping $200 on custom ISU shoes. Which is better...
View attachment 17898

actually, these might be better in the long run
 
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Let me get this straight: you have a cobbler?


This is becoming more and more common again. We have been such a throw-away type society when all we need is a stitch or rework on a shoe and various other clothes. Its much cheaper than buying new if you dont absolutely have to.
 
This is becoming more and more common again. We have been such a throw-away type society when all we need is a stitch or rework on a shoe and various other clothes. Its much cheaper than buying new if you dont absolutely have to.

I think it's always been pretty common, at least in cities large enough to support it; the guy I take mine to has been around since the 60s. The first time I saw a cobbler, though, I admit that my thought was "WTF, why do we still have cobblers in this day and age", haha.

Leather-soled shoes are designed to be refurbished like this. The uppers can last for 10-20 years and are made so that a new sole can be added when it's worn out. There's a higher up-front cost for shoes like this, but they can actually be cheaper in the long-run, if properly cared for (and they look a hell of a lot better).
 
Let me get this straight: you have a cobbler?

You aren't a man unless you have a cobbler.

Also, disappointed. The shoes on this site only go up to size 14, so I guess I won't be getting anything there. The shoes look pretty good.
 
You aren't a man unless you have a cobbler.

Also, disappointed. The shoes on this site only go up to size 14, so I guess I won't be getting anything there. The shoes look pretty good.

and a tailor.

I work at a chemical plant. Which means my employer provides my clothing (NOMEX) and footwear (steel toe boots). I have no use for either a tailor or a cobbler.


Unless it's peach cobbler.
 
Ctown you never go to weddings or funerals? What about an anniversary dinner, etc?

Hell, it sounds like he never leaves the factory. Ctown, you don't live in there do you? I never realized the life of a chemical engineer was so ******. :jimlad:
 
FYI, here's a set of before-and-after photographs of my Allen Edmonds when I got them re-crafted (they do this as part of the service). It only took 6 months for them to get in this condition.

Well at least you kept a shoe tree in there

makes me sad when i see nice shoes go without any care
 
Well at least you kept a shoe tree in there

makes me sad when i see nice shoes go without any care

Yeah, the uppers are in great shape. They must really use some ****** leather for the soles on this model or something, since my Alden's and the soles I had replaced by the cobbler have held up great. It really pisses me off that AE glues their heels on, too.
 

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