I need to wear dress shoes to work. Based on advice from Reddit's male fashion advice I bought two pairs of Allen Edmond shoes. The Strand and the Park Avenue. They have been awesome. I had them for 7 and 6 years respectively. Between the two pairs of shoes, I've had five resoles. This is a way better method then continually buying cheap shoes which I was doing before.
The time has come to finally replace my shoes. The uppers is on both pairs are quite damaged. I've been hearing Alan Edmond's is not what they used to be. I don't mind paying for quality but I want to make sure that it's cost effective. I don't really have any idea what other brands to look at.
Is it true that Alan Edmond's is no longer worth the money? If so, what other comparable brands should I look into?
/r/malefashionadvice usually parroted advice from /r/goodyearwelt, the true shoe nerds of the internet. Those are the kinds of people who make their own dress shoes for fun. They know their shit.
Certain shoes from Allen Edmonds are still good, and a fair value on sale, but the QA probably isn't what it used to be.
In the ~$400-ish price range, I'd recommend
Remember that BIFL-quality is only relevant if you actually think you're going to like the way the shoes look a decade from now, and take at least some care of your shoes—wipe moisture and dust off them as necessary, condition them occasionally, cream polish if you want to be good about it. Suede is significantly easier to take care of, I don't know anybody who actually bothers to use suede conditioner, and, having tried it once myself, I'm pretty sure it's pointless.
I recommend some more good dress boots here, and loafers here.