My new brogues

**Mael Coluim** · 5th May 11, 09:31 PM

As so many threads on XMarks are this too has been a real education. My trusty Florsheims that have served me well for a many of year when needed to be replaced will be by Allen Edmonds. Of course when I bought mine they were made in the USA. Excellent suggestion MoR “that you have your local shoe repair shop put a thin rubber sole over the leather soles.”

**longhuntr74** · 23rd May 11, 07:08 PM

I promised to post pics of the new shoes nearly three weeks ago...so here they are. I apologize, but I'm wearing pants and not a kilt. I have not yet worn these with a kilt, but they've adorned my feet at work/school 1-2 days per week every week since I received them. They are absolutely fabulous...but I need to do without them for about a week so I can get them to the shoe place and get the rubber outsole added. Anyways, without further ado:

and another view:

**MacMillans son** · 23rd May 11, 08:07 PM

OOOOOOOOOOOh, those are nice Jeff!

I ordered a pair of the AE Strands in dark brown burnished but the fit is just not right. Its not the size, but the shape that doesn't work for my foot. The Macallister and the Strand are made on the AE # 5 last, which is for long narrow feet, but that is not my shape. I tried a narrower and a wider size at the local Nordstoms before I ordered mine so thought I had got it right, but unfortunately not. I really love the look of both of those models, but alas, they're not for me.

I have a pair of black Johnston Murphy Waverlys that I really like, but they don't have a brown version. I'm checking the selection of brown brogues at Herring and found a couple that look great and hopefully one will work.

Thanks for FINALLY posting the photos! They look great!!

Enjoy,
Brooke

**longhuntr74** · 23rd May 11, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan's son

OOOOOOOOOOOh, those are nice Jeff!

I ordered a pair of the AE Strands in dark brown burnished but the fit is just not right. Its not the size, but the shape that doesn't work for my foot. The Macallister and the Strand are made on the AE # 5 last, which is for long narrow feet, but that is not my shape. I tried a narrower and a wider size at the local Nordstoms before I ordered mine so thought I had got it right, but unfortunately not. I really love the look of both of those models, but alas, they're not for me.

I have a pair of black Johnston Murphy Waverlys that I really like, but they don't have a brown version. I'm checking the selection of brown brogues at Herring and found a couple that look great and hopefully one will work.

Thanks for FINALLY posting the photos! They look great!!

Enjoy,
Brooke

Brooke and Scott...thanks for the compliments. I truly love them...the color and the fit.

To Brooke...sorry that your venture did not work out for you. Yes, Herring's looked like a great alternative for numerous brands (Herring's, Church's, Loake, etc). They all come it at relatively the same price that I paid...$250-325 range. All will be well built shoes, to be certain!

**MacMillans son** · 23rd May 11, 08:54 PM

Thanks for your support and confidence Jeff.

I'm looking at these two models:

http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/produc...electedFitID=0

And:

http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/produc...electedFitID=0

I agree with you, I am sure all are quality shoes, and once I make a decision, its just hope for a proper fit. I am going to contact them tomorrow to see if these specific lasts are better suited to one shape of foot vs. another which should increase the odds in my favor a bit.

Am I correct in assuming I will see you at the Watsonville games?

'till the next time,

Brooke

**longhuntr74** · 23rd May 11, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by artificer

Those are splendid! I really love the walnut leather.

How is the fit on those? I've got feet like a duck's, not QUITE an E, but close enough to go with either a D or an E width (especially in kilt hose).

ith:

Scott - I would call the Allen Edmonds D more of a C in most other shoes. If you normally wear a D, I'd highly recommend an E (see Brooke's comments about the last that they use). If you're on the high side of D, I think you can probably still get away with the E.

I wore the E for a day with dress socks and no insoles whatsoever. They were comfortable, but there was a little more play in the ball of the foot and and instep areas than I prefer. I added a pair of the Dr. Scholl's charcoal type insoles (a relatively thin layer) and they now fit perfect with dress socks...with a little room, but not sloppy. I haven't yet worn them with kilt hose, but my hunch is that they might feel a bit tight...in which case I'll simply remove the insole and they will probably fit about the same as they currently do with thinner dress socks.

Originally Posted by MacMillan's son

Am I correct in assuming I will see you at the Watsonville games?

'till the next time,

Brooke

Watsonville? Wasn't tracking those...when are they? I'm definitely attending the Monterey and Pleasanton games...I just found out about the Modesto games...not sure if I'll make those or not...it's not quite as far of a drive as Sacramento was, but I think they might be smaller games as well. Do you know anything about them?

**MacMillans son** · 23rd May 11, 10:10 PM

Jeff,

Here's the link to the Watsonville event.

http://scottishrenaissancefestival.org/

I haven't been before, but it should be a good time. It will be different than Woodland for sure, as it has both Scottish Ren and Highland games. I'd say be prepared for anything!

Modesto in the summer is not the first place I'd want to be (HOT!) but weather permitting....ahh what the heck.

Artificer,

For my shape of foot, not quite the duck you describe but not narrow at all, the #5 last did not work. With the proper length shoe, when I went wide enough not to have cramped toes the arch area was too wide, when I got that part right the toes were cramped. If you have a Nordstroms near you, you can try them on before you buy. I"m sure other retailers carry them as well. You can check the AE website to see which shoes are built on that last so that even if they don't have that model you can try on a shoe that will fit the same.

Hope that helps.

Regards,
Brooke

**Calico** · 27th May 11, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by longhuntr74

Long overdue...and only a partial answer

longhuntr74, why only a partial answer?

**longhuntr74** · 27th May 11, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by Calico

longhuntr74, why only a partial answer?

Calico...I have yet to wear the brogues with my kilt. I've only worn my kilt twice since receiving them. The first time was to a highland games where I opted to wear boots (in part because I didn't have the rubber sole installed on the brogues yet...and because they were sooooo new. The second time I wore my kilt was today...and I didn't wear them today because I dropped the shoes off at the shoe repair while I was running my errands (didn't want to walk out of the repair shop in my hose only!).

**Highlander31** · 27th May 11, 05:33 PM

Very nice.

Originally Posted by longhuntr74

...They are absolutely fabulous...but I need to do without them for about a week so I can get them to the shoe place and get the rubber outsole added....

I have those rubber soles on my shoes. Here's a couple of photos of those soles on a pair of shoes I purchased in 1990. As you can see in the close up, the original leather sole is now starting to show its age. I may have to have them replaced the next time I have the Vibrams put on.