Allen Edmonds 2011 Fall Style Guide

STYLE GUIDE

Recommended Shoe Portfolios for Every Stage of a Man’s Career Throughout the Style Guide, Mark McNeill, the Director of New Product Development for Allen Edmonds, offers insightful commentary on dressing for each phase. Mark has spent 30+ years in the menswear industry, working as a buyer, merchandiser and a men’s wardrobe specialist. This experience makes him an expert on fashion trends and providing sound advice on how men can use thoughtful dressing to make powerful impressions in their professional worlds.

PHASE I

STYLE NOTES FROM MARK Breaking Fashion Rules in a Classic Way “Menswear used to be all about matching your suit to your shoes and NEVER pairing brown shoes with a black suit. But men’s fashion rules are changing, and there’s much more flexibility in how men dress. I’ve seen a trend emerge in the past season that has put the antiquated notion to rest that men can’t wear brown shoes with black. Brown IS the new black. The reason the brown Kenilworth works with this classic black two-button suit has to do with the rich burnishing on the toe of the Kenilworth. The burnishing gives the shoe almost an ombré effect where the color graduates to a deep brown, almost black, shade on the toe which ties into the color of the suit. A standard white spread collar shirt and a simple black and white striped tie complete this timeless ensemble. The look is sophisticated yet classic; a must-have for any man’s beginning professional wardrobe.

SHOES Kenilworth in Brown Burnished Calf

BELT Dress Bridle Belt in Brown Calf

In addition to a timeless plain-toe lace-up like the Kenilworth, I would suggest that a man just starting off in the professional world also invest in a pair of classic black cap-toes like the Park Avenue, a lace-up cap-toe with brogue detail in a burnished walnut color such as the Strand, and a more ruggedly versatile style that works in the office or on a night out like the McTavish from the Rough Collection. These four shoes will build a nice foundation of styles to serve as a springboard for cultivating the ultimate Allen Edmonds portfolio.”

Establishing Your Quality Standards For recent college graduates just beginning their careers, knowing what shoes are needed is critical to making a strong first impression at interviews, networking events and in the office.

The old adage, “dress for the job you want; not the job you have� still rings true. It is important to establish high standards of quality early on in your career. Phase I recommends a portfolio of shoes to get a head start in dressing for the job you want with a focus on classic, yet versatile, styles that will work in a variety of environments, from the office to the weekend.

Strand in Walnut

Park Avenue

Kenilworth

Strand

McTavish

PHASE II

STYLE NOTES FROM MARK Stepping It Up to the Next Level “The man in Phase I of his career has a nice foundation of clothes and basic shoes, but the man in Phase II has a personal style that is a bit more established.

He has a clearer vision for the impression he wants to make and how he wants others to perceive him. This is the phase where he can really start expressing his own personal style and begin curating a more well-defined collection of clothes and shoes. Luckily, at Allen Edmonds we have a great range of shoes that fit all kinds of styles and can help a man bring his personal image to the next level.

BELT Manistee in Black Calf

SHOES Sanford in Black Custom Calf

In this look, I’ve taken a classic black cap-toe blucher, the Sanford, with the matching Manistee belt and paired it with a gray pinstripe wool suit, light blue spread collar shirt and a silver paisley tie. This look says “polished, elegant and sophisticated” and will give off the right impression in the office.

Other executive appropriate styles that I would recommend for Phase II would be the LaSalle, which is an Algonquin split-toe blucher, and the Norwich, a gorgeous monk strap with rich burnishing and a split-reverse welt that is classic Americana. Outside of the office, the Hillsborough slip-on has doubleside gore and a rubber sole for comfort and durability. The Black Hills and Big Sur, both from the Rough Collection, would round out this portfolio with a couple of good relaxed, casual options for the weekend.”

Developing Your Image By now, you’ve set the stage for how you want to be perceived professionally. As you progress in your career, your shoe collection should expand with your wardrobe.

In addition to the classic business shoes featured in Phase I, you should add business and casual styles to match your tastes. Phase II offers a host of styles for further developing your professional and personal image so people see you as you wish to be seen.

Black Hills in Walnut

PHASE II

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...in addition to your Phase I portfolio, the man in Phase II should add these styles to enhance his wardrobe...

Sanford

Norwich

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He has a clearer vision for the impression he wants to make...

LaSalle

PHASE II

Black Hills

Hillsborough

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...the man in Phase II has a personal style that is a bit more established.

This is the phase where he can really start expressing his own personal style.

Big Sur

PHASE III STYLE NOTES FROM MARK Showing ‘em How It’s Done “At this point in a man’s career, it’s all about coming to work and making a ‘wow’ statement amongst your co-workers. Whether consciously or unconsciously, your colleagues are taking cues from everything you do; how you spend your free time, what philanthropic efforts you support, what kind of car you drive, and how you dress.

The Independence Collection was practically made for the man at the peak of his career. He’s already got the power suit with the power tie, and here comes the ultimate collection of power shoes. In this look, I’ve paired a long wingtip style, the Williams, in brown with a two-button, solid gray flannel suit. A khaki spread collar shirt and BELT walnut colored tie with subtle graphical Wide Basic Dress Belt in accents finish off this Dark Brown commanding outfit.

Burnished Calf SHOES Beyond the styles that Williams belong to the uber-elegant in Brown Independence Collection, Burnished Calf all of which work in an office, boardroom or any formal type of environment, the Seasoned Professional can afford to be a bit more audacious with his shoe portfolio. The Elgin cap-toe from the Rough Collection would be perfect for a Friday; refined enough to maintain your authoritative status but with a casual edge appropriate for Friday. The Naples, a tasseled handsewn loafer, and Positano, an Italian embossed woven loafer, are classic slip-ons for a laidback look. And three boots, the Dalton, Cascade and Katmai range from dressy to casual to fit your daily life, Monday through Sunday.”

Seasoned Professional You’ve reached the pinnacle of your career and are now a seasoned professional. You have built your clothing wardrobe to complement all the different roles you play, which should also include a more comprehensive shoe wardrobe. At this point in your career, you’re “showing ‘em how it’s done,” so to speak, and setting the tone in the office. Your peers look to you for guidance on how to dress. Phase III shows you how to add to your shoe portfolio in a way that authenticates your personal style in an aspirational way.

Williams in Brown

PHASE III

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Phase III shows you how to add to your shoe portfolio in a way that authenticates your personal style in an aspirational way.

Williams

Jefferson

Rush

Adams

Elgin

PHASE III

Dalton

Cascade

Naples

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Positano

...it’s all about coming to work and making a ‘wow’ statement amongst your co-workers.

Katmai

Lubbock in Chestnut

McTavish in Tan