Plain toe blucher - Beckett Simonon, Allen Edmonds, or Alden?
I’m looking for a pair of plain toe bluchers/derbys, mostly to give myself another smart-casual shoe to carry some Ivy and Ivy-adjacent outfits, as well as do double duty with a suit once in a while.
I’ve looked at the Dunham derby from BS https://www.beckettsimonon.com/products/dunham-derby
The Leeds from AE (seconds) https://www.shoebank.com/product/mens-factory-second-leeds-plain-toe-blucher-dress-shoe-3026044/coffee-ec4500301
or should I just bite the bullet and save a bit more for the Alden PTB’s (these I’d probably try and wait around for a seconds email)?
Obviously the pro of the BS are the price, with the cons being MTO wait time (November) and a lack of reviews to be found online, especially long-term reviews. The AE’s are a decent price (especially seconds), a beloved shoe among online communities, and are available now. Of course, Alden are generally considered the cream of the crop (I have the LHS and love them), and the PTB in color 8 cordovan are gorgeous…but $800+ is a hard pill to swallow when I’m still looking to spend on some wardrobe upgrades as well.
Anyone have experience with any of these and want to weigh in? I think right now I’m leaning toward the AE Leeds in coffee, or possibly burgundy cordovan if I can find seconds. Am I right to skew away from BS? Are the Aldens really worth another ~$400 over the AE’s?
I’ve looked at the Dunham derby from BS https://www.beckettsimonon.com/products/dunham-derby
The Leeds from AE (seconds) https://www.shoebank.com/product/mens-factory-second-leeds-plain-toe-blucher-dress-shoe-3026044/coffee-ec4500301
or should I just bite the bullet and save a bit more for the Alden PTB’s (these I’d probably try and wait around for a seconds email)?
Obviously the pro of the BS are the price, with the cons being MTO wait time (November) and a lack of reviews to be found online, especially long-term reviews. The AE’s are a decent price (especially seconds), a beloved shoe among online communities, and are available now. Of course, Alden are generally considered the cream of the crop (I have the LHS and love them), and the PTB in color 8 cordovan are gorgeous…but $800+ is a hard pill to swallow when I’m still looking to spend on some wardrobe upgrades as well.
Anyone have experience with any of these and want to weigh in? I think right now I’m leaning toward the AE Leeds in coffee, or possibly burgundy cordovan if I can find seconds. Am I right to skew away from BS? Are the Aldens really worth another ~$400 over the AE’s?
Beckett Simonon
Reliable and durable derbies. Familiar, comforting and reliable, wearing a pair of well-crafted Dunham Derbies is like covering yourself in a warm blanket on a cool day. Straightforward with no pretensions, the Dunham Derbies present an uncomplicated profile and let you shine with confidence. You can always depend on
