Allen Edmonds

Allen Edmonds

From loafers to Oxfords and wingtips, each pair of men's shoes from Allen Edmonds has a design inspiration based on Old World European style. Whether worn daily for business or once in a while for special events, Allen Edmonds makes shoes for the occasion.

Since their inception in 1922, the Allen Edmonds company has made their shoes in the United States. It's one of the few American men's shoe companies that still manufactures in the U.S. However, since 2006, the uppers of some models are hand-sewn at their factory in the Dominican Republic and shipped back to the U.S. for assembly and finishing at their Wisconsin plant.

The demand for these shoes began after Allen Edmonds outfitted the U.S. armed forces during WWII. This inspired the company to branch out after the war, when they were marketed to professionals. The styles range from business dress to weekend casual, and the collections include:

• Formal shoes
• Dress/casual
• Sandals and sneakers
• Loafers and slip-ons
• Golf shoes
• Dress and casual ankle boots

All shoes from Allen Edmonds are machine-cut and hand-sewn from leather shells supplied by the Horween Leather Company. Several colors of leather are available, including brown, black, gray, and white. They are crafted with the aim of lasting a lifetime, with most owners choosing recrafting service from Allen Edmonds rather than replacing a favorite pair. The soles are made from a combination of leather and rubber with a cork base and strip. All models have soles that can be upgraded to include special texturing, treads, or even golf spikes.

Care is important to ensure that Allen Edmonds footwear looks and fits well. Natural-grain leather can be wiped clean of any dirt, brushing it off first, then going over it with a slightly damp cloth. Allow the shoes to dry naturally away from direct heat or sunlight. Oiled leather shouldn't be exposed to water, but otherwise, the same procedure applies. After cleaning, polish with a cream polish; it will leave less color than a liquid. An edge dressing can be used to freshen the heels. Allen Edmonds footwear shouldn't be polished with paste wax. For weather-proofing, use a silicone-based repellent spray made especially for fine leather.