BY STEVEN MAY 28, 2023
BY STEVEN MAY 28, 2023
BY STEVEN MAY 28, 2023
BY STEVEN MAY 28, 2023
BY STEVEN MAY 28, 2023
Few shoes in the world of classic men’s dress footwear carry as much heritage, recognition, and staying power as the Allen Edmonds Park Avenue. For decades, this cap toe Oxford has been the go-to shoe for presidents, executives, and discerning professionals across the United States. As a long-time admirer of classic menswear and someone who owns a pair of Park Avenues in both Black and Dark Chili, I’m excited to offer a deep, real-world review of what makes these shoes special—and where their modern value stands.
Founded in 1922 and headquartered in Port Washington, Wisconsin, Allen Edmonds Shoes have become synonymous with American craftsmanship. Known for their Goodyear welt construction, timeless styles, and recraftable build, Allen Edmonds has served as the gold standard of classic dress shoes in the U.S.
In 2016, Allen Edmonds was acquired by Caleres Inc. (formerly Brown Shoe Company) for $255 million. Caleres, a major footwear conglomerate that owns brands like Naturalizer and Famous Footwear, has preserved much of the legacy of Allen Edmonds, while expanding the brand’s reach.
Despite evolving fashion trends, Allen Edmonds has maintained its reputation for creating high quality, American-made footwear. The Park Avenue remains its #1 best-seller, contributing significantly to the brand’s annual revenue, which topped $100 million in the most recently reported fiscal year.
The Allen Edmonds Park Avenue is a cap toe Oxford shoe, meaning it features a sleek, low-profile design with closed lacing and a stitched toe cap. This design makes it an ideal choice for business suits, weddings, and other formal occasions. But don’t be fooled—in Black or Dark Chili, this shoe is incredibly versatile, pairing equally well with navy, charcoal, grey, and even some brown or olive suit colors.
Easy To Wear and Style
Its classic silhouette and subtle design make it a staple in any professional wardrobe. Whether it’s your first pair of Allen Edmonds or your tenth, the Park Avenue shoe never feels outdated.
Allen Edmonds is renowned for its Goodyear welt construction—a method that involves stitching a leather welt to both the upper and the sole of the shoe. This technique results in a more durable, water-resistant build and allows for multiple resoles, extending the life of your shoes by decades.
This type of construction, often referred to as bench welt construction, is more labor-intensive and costly than cemented or glued methods used by many other shoe companies, but it offers a tremendous return on investment in terms of quality and longevity.
With the Park Avenue, you can also send the shoes back to the original factory in Port Washington for their famous Recrafting Service, which will replace the sole, heel, cork footbed, and laces for a fraction of the cost of new shoes.
The leather uppers used on Allen Edmonds dress shoes are typically sourced from high-end tanneries in Europe and the U.S. While the upper of the shoe for some styles (especially more popular or mass-produced options) may be cut in their Dominican Republic facility, the shoes are still assembled and finished in Port Washington.
Leather Sole w/ Goodyear Welt
The quality control and finishing work that happens stateside ensures that the final product lives up to the Allen Edmonds name. The leather itself is supple but sturdy, breaking in nicely after just three wears in most cases—a testament to its good quality.
My Black PA pair has developed a sleek shine with minimal effort, and my Dark Chili pair has patinated beautifully with age.
Versatile Shade Of Brown
I’ve worn both pairs on extensive business trips, during long days on my feet, and in more formal settings like conferences and presentations. What stands out most is the comfort after the break-in period, which is surprisingly short given the firm structure of the shoes.
Thanks to the cork footbed, the shoes mold to your feet over time. After just three wears, both pairs felt like they were custom-made. The leather sole on mine offers that distinct dress shoe click, although you can now purchase them with a rubber sole option for extra grip.
They’re also incredibly consistent in sizing and fit, making it easy to order a second pair if you find a good price point or stumble across factory seconds.
At a retail price of up to $425, the Park Avenue is not a casual investment. In a world where Meermin, BLKBRD Shoemaker, and other upstart brands offer Goodyear welted or even hand-welted shoes at nearly half the price, it’s fair to ask whether Allen Edmonds still offers a good deal.
The short answer is: yes, but only if you buy them strategically.
If you catch the Allen Edmonds Park Avenue during a sale or pick up a lightly marked factory second, you can often get them for under $375. At that point, you’re getting a beautiful shoe with a tremendous legacy and high quality build, crafted (or at least finished) in the United States.
Chilli Paired with Gray
The brand power, history, and recraftability justify the cost. As many business leaders and professionals can attest, these are the shoes our fathers and Ronald Reagan wore—and that says something.
A quick note for those shopping: the Fifth Avenue is a similar model to the Park Avenue, but includes subtle brogueing along the toe cap. If you prefer something with a bit more visual interest but don’t want to stray too far from the formal end, the Fifth Avenue is a best choice alternative.
To get the most out of your pair of Park Avenues or any Allen Edmonds dress shoes, follow these simple care steps:
Use a shoe tree after each wear to absorb moisture and maintain shape.
Apply cream polish every few weeks to keep the leather hydrated and add color.
Use a soft horsehair brush to remove dust and buff the polish.
Avoid wearing them on back-to-back days—rotate with other pairs.
Store in a cool, dry place, ideally in a shoe bag or dust cover.
If you’re a professional looking for your first pair of Allen Edmonds, or want a black shoe or dark brown dress shoe that will last for years, the Park Avenue is a best choice. It offers classic styling, Goodyear welt construction, and American-made credibility that is hard to beat at sale prices.
While the retail price may be steep, there’s a good chance you’ll find a pair of Park Avenues at a discount—and when you do, it’s a great deal.
Whether you’re pairing them with a navy suit for an interview or with slacks and a blazer for everyday business, the Park Avenue delivers reliable, elevated style. And when you lace them up for the first time, you’ll know you’re standing in a piece of American menswear history.
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