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How did brands like Doc Marten, Allen Edmonds and Birkenstocks survive?

They suck
Curious nubile spot
  08/16/25
I see Birkenstocks everywhere these days, at premium prices ...
disturbing sadistic locus sandwich
  08/16/25
My wife has some ultralight version that resemble Crocs A...
Curious nubile spot
  08/16/25
the plastic ones are ghastly I have a pair made out of cork...
disturbing sadistic locus sandwich
  08/16/25
birkenstocks rock. best sandals out there. they've got the m...
Flesh demanding ape
  08/17/25
...
Carnelian at-the-ready whorehouse antidepressant drug
  08/17/25
...
frozen bat-shit-crazy institution
  08/18/25
hdy
Claret indirect expression dilemma
  08/16/25
...
Internet-worthy Sooty Site Brethren
  08/16/25
...
Carnelian at-the-ready whorehouse antidepressant drug
  08/17/25
What's the issue with Allen Edmonds? I have some from ab...
Costumed ebony public bath
  08/16/25
They’re just not that good quality or stylish. The Cha...
adulterous buff stead mad cow disease
  08/16/25
except for shell, don't see the point of Alden. they make a ...
Multi-colored charcoal wagecucks new version
  08/16/25
...
Internet-worthy Sooty Site Brethren
  08/16/25
what are the go to shoes you recommend over shit like AE
Harsh aphrodisiac sanctuary queen of the night
  08/18/25
own a ton of shoes, but not really a shoe autist. i get ...
Multi-colored charcoal wagecucks new version
  08/18/25
Aldens fucking suck and only stay in business because of the...
Internet-worthy Sooty Site Brethren
  08/16/25
how do you mean they suck? the way they look? fair enough, b...
adulterous buff stead mad cow disease
  08/18/25
(goofy jewish faggot)
Purple Parlour Telephone
  08/18/25
I have like 10 pairs of them from a decade ago and will neve...
Curious nubile spot
  08/16/25
...
high-end mentally impaired stag film
  08/16/25
White people can be fiercely loyal to weird things. Until t...
startled school factory reset button
  08/16/25
Dr Martens killed their English production 20 years ago and ...
lavender heady hunting ground
  08/16/25
*Allens Edmond *Birkensstock
haunting menage
  08/16/25
...
Internet-worthy Sooty Site Brethren
  08/16/25
...
Spaceship autoadmit
  08/21/25
how did any shoes over 40 bucks survive.
Clear hospital
  08/16/25
Tasteless, goofy jews
Purple Parlour Telephone
  08/16/25
you have a handful of hoodies, tshirts, and sweats that you ...
Flesh demanding ape
  08/17/25
Lmao @ this 45 year old shitskin stomping around in doc mart...
Purple Parlour Telephone
  08/17/25
I don't know shit about shoes. What's the XO shoe if not AE...
hairraiser gay wizard
  08/17/25
that's precisely how they "survive." cut costs, cr...
pungent black roommate
  08/17/25
...
Curious nubile spot
  08/17/25
have you seen those TikTok videos explaining how 'luxury goo...
Brass titillating background story
  08/17/25
Those videos are made by counterfeiters who will sell you a ...
hairraiser gay wizard
  08/18/25
i paid $90 for a watch strap made out of this material. look...
fragrant range international law enforcement agency
  08/18/25
Xo thoughts on Thursday Boot Company?
Costumed ebony public bath
  08/18/25
A couple years back I fell in love with their Legend chelsea...
lavender heady hunting ground
  08/18/25
Workmanship and materials seem good?
Costumed ebony public bath
  08/19/25
Because when companies die, PE firms swoop up and buy the &q...
glittery heaven liquid oxygen
  08/18/25
Re AE: "In 2006, 90% of the shares in the company were ...
glittery heaven liquid oxygen
  08/18/25
Re BS: "In February 2021, the American-French investmen...
glittery heaven liquid oxygen
  08/18/25
Re DM: "The private equity company Permira acquired R. ...
glittery heaven liquid oxygen
  08/18/25


Poast new message in this thread



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 4:23 PM
Author: Curious nubile spot

They suck

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190590)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 4:24 PM
Author: disturbing sadistic locus sandwich

I see Birkenstocks everywhere these days, at premium prices too

tbf their sandals are really comfortable

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190594)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 4:31 PM
Author: Curious nubile spot

My wife has some ultralight version that resemble Crocs

Absolutely disgusting

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190608)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 4:32 PM
Author: disturbing sadistic locus sandwich

the plastic ones are ghastly

I have a pair made out of cork with leather straps, they look hippy dippy but I really like wearing them

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190611)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 17th, 2025 2:28 PM
Author: Flesh demanding ape

birkenstocks rock. best sandals out there. they've got the market corned on "comfortable, high quality sandal for people that don't care if they look like nerds." dads, hippies, etc. but now they're actually considered stylish and i see them everyone.

who tf is wondering why birks are still around? they are more popular than ever.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49192086)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 17th, 2025 3:29 PM
Author: Carnelian at-the-ready whorehouse antidepressant drug



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49192243)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 18th, 2025 7:26 PM
Author: frozen bat-shit-crazy institution



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49195375)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 4:31 PM
Author: Claret indirect expression dilemma

hdy

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190605)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 9:39 PM
Author: Internet-worthy Sooty Site Brethren



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190983)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 17th, 2025 3:31 PM
Author: Carnelian at-the-ready whorehouse antidepressant drug



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49192245)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 4:53 PM
Author: Costumed ebony public bath

What's the issue with Allen Edmonds?

I have some from about 15 years ago that I still wear sometimes.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190666)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 4:58 PM
Author: adulterous buff stead mad cow disease

They’re just not that good quality or stylish. The Charles Tyrwhitt of shoes. Alden is more expensive but way better and worth it.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190677)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 7:35 PM
Author: Multi-colored charcoal wagecucks new version

except for shell, don't see the point of Alden. they make a lot of clunky looking shoes and a lot from resurfaced leather. for the same price i can get something brit or italian that's nicer.

AE is okay quality, at an okay price, with strong distribution. in a lot of places the nicest dress shoe you can get. bought a pair of black Park Aves earlier this year because i was in a third tier city and needed something i could wear with black tie on very short notice.



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190844)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 9:40 PM
Author: Internet-worthy Sooty Site Brethren



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190987)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 18th, 2025 3:50 PM
Author: Harsh aphrodisiac sanctuary queen of the night

what are the go to shoes you recommend over shit like AE

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49194831)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 18th, 2025 6:46 PM
Author: Multi-colored charcoal wagecucks new version

own a ton of shoes, but not really a shoe autist.

i get regular compliments on a pair of cheap ass brown Barker oxfords. usually the dress shoes i throw in my luggage when i travel. they look very unremarkable to me, but no other shoe gets the same reaction.

have some Aldens that i never wear because they are heavy. same with Loake.

have some AEs and Grensons that i rarely wear because they make my feet hurt (and I think Grenson has gone down hill in quality, too).

have some Crockett & Jones which feel nice and seem okay made, but they are basically clown shoe length so i don't wear them much.

have some John Lobbs and Ferragamos that i wear when I am around shoe autists. you can see the leather and stitching are great - but who cares, why is anyone looking that close at a shoe.

my favorite black tie shoe is a pair of Marc Jacobs i picked up about a decade ago. but it looks like they don't make any decent mens shoes anymore (or maybe any decent shoes at all.)



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49195269)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 9:40 PM
Author: Internet-worthy Sooty Site Brethren

Aldens fucking suck and only stay in business because of the mass delusion of the tradfag crowd

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190986)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 18th, 2025 5:24 PM
Author: adulterous buff stead mad cow disease

how do you mean they suck? the way they look? fair enough, but that is subjective. i am a huge fan of the big clunky shoe look. i have a bunch of the barrie and trubalance lasts, which are both like boats.

quality? ljl, no. alden quality is superior. i have pairs that are like 15 years old that i have worn regularly and aside from having to have them resoled now and again they're like new and actually look new if i just polish them. by contrast, i have had allen edmonds and the heel starts to fall off the shoe after 3-4 years and the leather gets visibly worn and cracked after a while. never had any issue like that with aldens.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49195044)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 18th, 2025 5:25 PM
Author: Purple Parlour Telephone

(goofy jewish faggot)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49195048)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 7:38 PM
Author: Curious nubile spot

I have like 10 pairs of them from a decade ago and will never buy dress shoes again

Just wondering how they survived

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190845)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 4:55 PM
Author: high-end mentally impaired stag film



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190676)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 5:03 PM
Author: startled school factory reset button

White people can be fiercely loyal to weird things. Until they become devastated economically and stop caring and the brands have to fend for themselves

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190683)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 6:53 PM
Author: lavender heady hunting ground

Dr Martens killed their English production 20 years ago and moved to China

The made in England ones I had in high school were decent quality. The made in China ones I got in college were shit

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190796)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 7:00 PM
Author: haunting menage

*Allens Edmond

*Birkensstock

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190806)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 9:40 PM
Author: Internet-worthy Sooty Site Brethren



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190988)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 21st, 2025 3:47 PM
Author: Spaceship autoadmit



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49201212)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 7:02 PM
Author: Clear hospital

how did any shoes over 40 bucks survive.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190812)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 16th, 2025 9:41 PM
Author: Purple Parlour Telephone

Tasteless, goofy jews

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49190990)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 17th, 2025 2:29 PM
Author: Flesh demanding ape

you have a handful of hoodies, tshirts, and sweats that you rotate only when your mom mentions you're starting to stink.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49192090)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 17th, 2025 4:21 PM
Author: Purple Parlour Telephone

Lmao @ this 45 year old shitskin stomping around in doc martens like a retard

Fuck you, nigger

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49192358)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 17th, 2025 4:24 PM
Author: hairraiser gay wizard

I don't know shit about shoes. What's the XO shoe if not AE / Alden?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49192369)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 17th, 2025 4:42 PM
Author: pungent black roommate

that's precisely how they "survive." cut costs, creep down into mass market territory, roll the dice on their brand equity carrying sales, and shift spending from r&d and high-quality COGS into marketing to increase the EV of that bet as much as they can. it always ends up with them on the sale rack at macy's or dsw but that can still be profitable within reason. cutting margins by a few percentage points but increasing sales a few times over can make a lot of $$$ for the execs if they don't fuck it up. they "survive" as ghosts of themselves.

this is exactly why almost every iconic brand clothing brand has gotten fucked in the past 50 years. brooks brothers, abercrombie, etc. once the owners shift from their legacy stewards to pure investors nobody gives a fuck anymore. nobody but the original stewards would put in the time and effort to preserve the brand purely as an act of stewardship and artisanship, without getting paid for it. unless they remain in the family or with people who really care for it, it will go to investors and they will either try to get their nut or give up entirely.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49192408)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 17th, 2025 5:26 PM
Author: Curious nubile spot



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49192498)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 17th, 2025 4:44 PM
Author: Brass titillating background story

have you seen those TikTok videos explaining how 'luxury goods' now cost like 25-cents to manufacture in Asia?

the mark up is like 9,000,000 %

a $20k Chanel bag costs like $5 to produce.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49192410)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 18th, 2025 11:54 AM
Author: hairraiser gay wizard

Those videos are made by counterfeiters who will sell you a fake $20k Chanel bag "direct" for $50 or whatever.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49194374)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 18th, 2025 12:21 PM
Author: fragrant range international law enforcement agency

i paid $90 for a watch strap made out of this material. looking at the cost of 1 sq foot of it, i actually don't think the markup is out of line for what a business would charge for the finished good

https://www.rmleathersupply.com/products/shinki-hikaku-shell-cordovan-veg-tanned-natural

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49194422)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 18th, 2025 3:46 PM
Author: Costumed ebony public bath

Xo thoughts on Thursday Boot Company?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49194822)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 18th, 2025 7:17 PM
Author: lavender heady hunting ground

A couple years back I fell in love with their Legend chelseas so I copped a pair.

Sizing wasn't great. I wear a 10 in sneakers so I got the Legends in 9.5 but they still felt too loose. So I returned them for 9s. And those felt a tad too tight, but maybe bearable?

So I went on a long walk with them to break them in and absolutely murdered my feet. Horrible blisters on my heels, even had blisters on my toes. And now I couldn't really return them because they were clearly worn a bit.

So I kept them. They were good for short jaunts, which was my intended use case for them anyway - I wanted boots that I could just slip on because I'm too lazy to lace up some of the Iron Rangers I own.

By now they've broken in more and I probably could wear them for miles without murdering my feet. And I've gotten a ton of compliments on them. So overall it hasn't been a perfect experience but I'm still a fan.

I'm not even really blaming Thursday for the sizing being off - I think that if you're squarely in between sizes on chelseas you're basically fucked no matter the brand. Lace up shoes are more forgiving.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49195352)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 19th, 2025 6:00 PM
Author: Costumed ebony public bath

Workmanship and materials seem good?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49198438)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 18th, 2025 7:18 PM
Author: glittery heaven liquid oxygen

Because when companies die, PE firms swoop up and buy the "brand" at a discount.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49195355)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 18th, 2025 7:19 PM
Author: glittery heaven liquid oxygen

Re AE: "In 2006, 90% of the shares in the company were bought by Minneapolis-based investment firm Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison for $100 million.[7][8] In 2013, the company announced that it would be acquired by private equity firm Brentwood Associates.[9] In December 2016, Caleres acquired Allen Edmonds from Brentwood Associates for $255 million.[10]"

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49195356)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 18th, 2025 7:20 PM
Author: glittery heaven liquid oxygen

Re BS: "In February 2021, the American-French investment company L Catterton and the family holding Financière Agache, the private equity firm backed by Bernard Arnault's LVMH, acquired a majority stake in the German sandal manufacturer Birkenstock. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price or other details of the transaction. According to media reports, they had agreed to buy Birkenstock in a deal that valued the company at about €4bn.[45] Christian and Alex Birkenstock retained minority ownership and remained responsible for production in Germany.[46]"

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49195359)



Reply Favorite

Date: August 18th, 2025 7:21 PM
Author: glittery heaven liquid oxygen

Re DM: "The private equity company Permira acquired R. Griggs Group Limited, the owner of the Dr. Martens brand, for £300 million in October 2013.[30] For a time Dr. Martens footwear was sold under a "for life" scheme, under which it would repair or replace worn-out DM shoes forever for a price somewhat more than twice the normal price for a pair. This offer was available in 2016, but was withdrawn for new sales from May 2018.[31] After Permira purchased Dr. Martens the former brand president of Vans was hired as CEO.[32]"

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5763109&forum_id=2)#49195361)