For several years, sneakers have been the preferred footwear of men all over the world. After the general public learned that basketball styled sneakers were comfortable, affordable, and most of all, easily accessible, men began to throw away their penny loafers and dress shoes. In fact, men’s fashion began to turn away from the stuffy and conservative suits in favor of t-shirts, jeans and sweatshirts. Designers began to frantically unveil new collections that would cater to men who were beginning to enjoy the freedom that casual shoes brought.
Years passed and casual men shoes began to get boring. From dark, conservative styles to brightly colored shoes, young and older men alike were beginning to look the same. One company, Allen Edmonds, has been making handcrafted men’s shoes for well over 100 years. The owners of Allen Edmonds feared that it would soon go out of business when consumers began to look for more affordable footwear. While mass produced men’s shoes are certainly less expensive than the ones created by Allen Edmonds, they lack personality. In the last few months more than 100 new workers were hired because orders are beginning to pick up.
For the most part, the type of consumer that purchases Allen Edmonds shoes are a little older and more sophisticated than most. At $300 a pair, these hand made shoes are designed to last for years, but a single pair will last for years. Things are beginning to turn around for those that enjoy quality men’s footwear but it may take awhile before consumers understand the importance of a well made shoe.
