A man’s wardrobe should include the basic pillars, the classics that can work in most any situation and in most any year – timeless staples built from the ground up, like classic lace-up dress shoes.
But within the menswear pantheon, there are slight departures from the path that work nicely, like the monk strap shoe.
In place of traditional dress shoes or a pair of the best Chelsea boots, monk strap shoes are a tasteful, refined choice that can work in just as many situations as your favorite dress shoes.
In fact, monk strap shoes – which feature one or two buckles that secure a piece of leather atop the shoe – can even be swapped in to office-ready looks in a business casual setting.
Their history stretches back centuries, but the style is as modern as it gets today. Shop these top pairs of monk strap shoes today.
Silhouette and design are both important considerations to hold top of mind when shopping for any pair of dress shoes, especially if you’re new to the world of monk strap shoes.
Meermin makes it easy to find a pair you love, using elegant, sleek silhouettes and rich calf leather – both details not all that different from your trusted dress shoes.
When styled the right way – like with a tailored navy suit or olive chinos and a white Oxford shirt – the monk strap shoe becomes an integral, even central, part of any outfit.
That can certainly be said of these Bruno Marc monk strap shoes, which blend the comfort of a rubber sole with the sleek shine of a leather upper for refined looks (at a great price).
Beckett Simonon makes it easier than ever to shop for designer-quality dress shoes and boots, cutting out the middleman and passing those savings onto your wallet (and mine).
The Hoyt Monkstraps, with their rich full-grain leather and pleasing toe shape, are a standout deal, and they even boast added arch support.
The old ways are sometimes the right way to go – at least, that’s the adage I keep in mind when shopping for reliable, stylish and well-made dress shoes.
That holds true when searching for something distinctive like monk strap shoes, and that’s why I trust Allen Edmonds and its St. John’s Double Monk, a pair as finely crafted as any on the market.
Grenson is perhaps best known for a classic-yet-edgy approach to richly textured, beautifully burnished leather boots, and its Hanbury Monk Shoes add similar edge to a traditional double-monk style.
With eye-catching triple-welt construction and gleaming black leather, these are monk strap shoes with attitude. Consider them a footwear investment of the highest order.
Want a pair of the best monk strap shoes designed with a serious sartorial statement in mind? TAFT might just be the way to go, with an elaborate floral pattern standing out fashionably against crisp burnished leather.
Beneath a pair of cuffed herringbone trousers, they’re a can’t-miss menswear move.
Trade in your Cole Haan sneakers and hybrid dress sneakers for something more traditional and yet no less comfortable or versatile.
The Harrison Monk Oxfords carry on all the hallmarks of the brand, with crisp captoe detailing and a design that the brand calls “timeless, yet sophisticated.” It’s hard to argue with that, at least in my experience.
There are plentiful varieties out there when it comes to monk strap shoes, including ones that feature just one buckle instead of two.
Add in brogue captoe detailing, as these stylish Stacy Adams shoes feature, and you’ve got a pair of statement-making dress shoes able to pair with suiting and dress trousers in shades of olive, navy and more.
The utmost in Italian craftsmanship is visible in every pair of Tod’s shoes, from its best-in-class driving shoe loafer to these polished, ultra-sleek monk strap shoes.
With a strong, stylish toe shape and an elegant silhouette, these are made to pair with your finest navy suit (among other handsome menswear choices).
There’s an air of convenience that goes along with stepping into a pair of monk strap shoes – simply buckle them and step on out in style.
Add in features like a comfort insole and a stacked heel for added support, and these La Milano shoes make for a fine footwear addition at least three seasons out of the year.