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Rare Finds: Relatively Affordable Monk Straps

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Monk Strap Shoes for Under $200

Blame Matt Lauer.  Four years ago while interviewing former Senator Larry Craig about Craig’s alleged shoe tapping escapades, Lauer wore a pair of monk straps.  Monk straps were already on the rebound from a long stint in shoe purgatory, but his shoes were pretty much the only thing worth watching during that waste of electricity.  Since then, more & more shoe hounds have been on the lookout for monk straps that can work in-between loafers and lace ups.

The problem is, monk straps aren’t exactly a high priority for most.  Therefor, they aren’t a high priority for companies that make shoes for under $200.  Finding an affordable pair is a big challenge.  You’ll find most of the few options available now below, and if you’ve got leads on others, make sure to add those in the comments.
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Aston Grey Astor Monk Slip On – $89.95
Monk in name only?

The good news:  They’re a hugely inexpensive version of Salvatore Ferragamo’s Cipro Monk Strap.  The bad news:  They’re not all that sleek looking, and that line around the top of the foot combined with the solo buckle is a deal breaker for most.
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Geox Uomo High Life Monk Strap – $143 – $200
Anybody know how to de-emboss leather?

The price will vary depending on your color preference, but it’s the not quite as desirable black option coming in under $150.  Size selection is starting to get real limited.  Would be a no-brainer if it weren’t for the why’d-they-go-and-do-that stamped logo on the side.
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Kenneth Cole Reaction Double Monk – $128.00
The ultra casual monk?

The issue with these, and it’s a big one, is that they’re made from a purposely roughed up suede.  That hugely limits their use (if they have a use at all.)  On sale for $115 over at Macy’s, but they’ll ding you on shipping.  Endless has them for $128 and they’ll ship free both ways.  From the Kenneth Cole step down brand REACTION, so don’t expect much quality-wise.
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Ciro Lendini Double Monk Cap – $155.00
Hits the high points at a lower price.

The clear winner of the bunch.  Hat tip to reader Bobby who sent in the style tip on these, and actually owns a pair himself:  “The shape is perfect, they’re plenty roomy in the toe, but they still hold my heel and foot snugly.  I usually wear a 10.5, and while the 10 fits me very well, those who tend toward a small 10.5 might want to size down.”  He also mentioned that the leather is decent quality and doesn’t feel cheap either.

Your turn.  Know of any decent looking monk straps out there for under $200?  Leave it in the comments below.

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Comments

  1. I love the unique look of double monks. You have to be careful not to overdue it and wear them too often, because people do notice these shoes. I have been wearing a pair of To Boot New York’s called the Webster for a while and they are my favorite dress shoes. I’m starting to see a more casual style of double monk too. J. Crew recently started selling a casual style:

    http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shoes/oxfords/PRDOVR~39299/39299.jsp

    http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?sizeDescription=&catId=100&productId=396409&productGroup=&pwpHash=shop,pwp,c-100/f-10002%2B70016%2B4294966276/ipp-40/pn-2&scrX=0&scrY=2415#

  2. I love the unique look of double monks. You have to be careful not to overdue it and wear them too often, because people do notice these shoes. I have been wearing a pair of To Boot New York’s called the Webster for a while and they are my favorite dress shoes. I’m starting to see a more casual style of double monk too. J. Crew recently started selling a casual style:

    http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shoes/oxfords/PRDOVR~39299/39299.jsp

    http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?sizeDescription=&catId=100&productId=396409&productGroup=&pwpHash=shop,pwp,c-100/f-10002%2B70016%2B4294966276/ipp-40/pn-2&scrX=0&scrY=2415#

  3. I love the unique look of double monks. You have to be careful not to overdue it and wear them too often, because people do notice these shoes. I have been wearing a pair of To Boot New York’s called the Webster for a while and they are my favorite dress shoes. I’m starting to see a more casual style of double monk too. J. Crew recently started selling a casual style:

    http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shoes/oxfords/PRDOVR~39299/39299.jsp

    http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?sizeDescription=&catId=100&productId=396409&productGroup=&pwpHash=shop,pwp,c-100/f-10002%2B70016%2B4294966276/ipp-40/pn-2&scrX=0&scrY=2415#

  4. I love the unique look of double monks. You have to be careful not to overdue it and wear them too often, because people do notice these shoes. I have been wearing a pair of To Boot New York’s called the Webster for a while and they are my favorite dress shoes. I’m starting to see a more casual style of double monk too. J. Crew recently started selling a casual style:

    http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shoes/oxfords/PRDOVR~39299/39299.jsp

    http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?sizeDescription=&catId=100&productId=396409&productGroup=&pwpHash=shop,pwp,c-100/f-10002%2B70016%2B4294966276/ipp-40/pn-2&scrX=0&scrY=2415#

  5. I love the unique look of double monks. You have to be careful not to overdue it and wear them too often, because people do notice these shoes. I have been wearing a pair of To Boot New York’s called the Webster for a while and they are my favorite dress shoes. I’m starting to see a more casual style of double monk too. J. Crew recently started selling a casual style:

    http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shoes/oxfords/PRDOVR~39299/39299.jsp

    http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?sizeDescription=&catId=100&productId=396409&productGroup=&pwpHash=shop,pwp,c-100/f-10002%2B70016%2B4294966276/ipp-40/pn-2&scrX=0&scrY=2415#

  6. I love the unique look of double monks. You have to be careful not to overdue it and wear them too often, because people do notice these shoes. I have been wearing a pair of To Boot New York’s called the Webster for a while and they are my favorite dress shoes. I’m starting to see a more casual style of double monk too. J. Crew recently started selling a casual style:

    http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shoes/oxfords/PRDOVR~39299/39299.jsp

    http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?sizeDescription=&catId=100&productId=396409&productGroup=&pwpHash=shop,pwp,c-100/f-10002%2B70016%2B4294966276/ipp-40/pn-2&scrX=0&scrY=2415#

  7. I love the unique look of double monks. You have to be careful not to overdue it and wear them too often, because people do notice these shoes. I have been wearing a pair of To Boot New York’s called the Webster for a while and they are my favorite dress shoes. I’m starting to see a more casual style of double monk too. J. Crew recently started selling a casual style:

    http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shoes/oxfords/PRDOVR~39299/39299.jsp

    http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?sizeDescription=&catId=100&productId=396409&productGroup=&pwpHash=shop,pwp,c-100/f-10002%2B70016%2B4294966276/ipp-40/pn-2&scrX=0&scrY=2415#

  8. I love the unique look of double monks. You have to be careful not to overdue it and wear them too often, because people do notice these shoes. I have been wearing a pair of To Boot New York’s called the Webster for a while and they are my favorite dress shoes. I’m starting to see a more casual style of double monk too. J. Crew recently started selling a casual style:

    http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shoes/oxfords/PRDOVR~39299/39299.jsp

    http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?sizeDescription=&catId=100&productId=396409&productGroup=&pwpHash=shop,pwp,c-100/f-10002%2B70016%2B4294966276/ipp-40/pn-2&scrX=0&scrY=2415#

  9. I love the unique look of double monks. You have to be careful not to overdue it and wear them too often, because people do notice these shoes. I have been wearing a pair of To Boot New York’s called the Webster for a while and they are my favorite dress shoes. I’m starting to see a more casual style of double monk too. J. Crew recently started selling a casual style:

    http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shoes/oxfords/PRDOVR~39299/39299.jsp

    http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?sizeDescription=&catId=100&productId=396409&productGroup=&pwpHash=shop,pwp,c-100/f-10002%2B70016%2B4294966276/ipp-40/pn-2&scrX=0&scrY=2415#

  10. I do not understand why monk straps are considered “casual”, relative to lace ups. This is annoying, nothing in their appearance justifies the informal label. I think i am generally getting tired of style rules. For example,  boots are also currently considered to be casual. This well may be, but that’s not a “rule” in any fashion-transcendent way. Boots were the dress shoe of the 19th century, and the laced up oxfords were the casual shoe. Wear whatever you like, and may the people with the rules go pound sand.

  12. I think that rules are important to help guide people if they don’t know where to start. I think once someone understands the “why” behind the rules, they can bend/break them (selectively) and have fun with it. “You must wear socks that match your slacks to elongate your legs” can turn into wearing socks in a complimentary color to a tie or shirt. For someone that’s just starting out though, they may feel more comfortable following the rule until they are more confident with color or patterns. I certainly haven’t “mastered” all the rules, and when guys ask me for tips I start them with the basics because they feel like .

    To me, most monk straps are more casual than lace-up oxfords because of the buckles. The more flashy the hardware (including a belt buckle or buttons), the more casual the piece. I agree with you on the boots, some boots (smooth leather, no patterns, thin sole) that are more formal than any oxford.

    Since you’re tired of the rules, you may be at the point when you’re bored of them and you know exactly how to bend/break them in a way that works for you.

  13. Is there a centralized place to find most of the “rules?” I see comments like this often, “know the rules before you break them,” but I’m just curious as to what most of/all the rules are.

  14. I agree completely to your upholding the rules (you described me pretty well, actually) but i also agree with braxini above on the shoes themselves.  The monk strap to me looks more dressed up than laces, but then again i think that a sleek slip-on dress shoe looks better than a lace up also.   In the end, like you said, this is a rule you can bend/break however you please.

  15. Sorry, meant “…I start them with the basics because they feel like what they have been doing hasn’t been working.”

    Wilt, I have been following Dappered for less than a year and I think Joe does a good job of explaining the “rules”. Perhaps Joe can start a handy index / table of contents of existing articles for this. Outside of this site, here are six basics on one page:
    http://mensfashion.about.com/od/wardrobebasics/a/6rules.htm

    For me, it helps to know the “why” behind a rule, both to remember it better and to understand it so I can bend it. You may find that some “rules” have less consensus (the “proper” amount of shirt sleeve to show under a jacket). Some of this is because we come from different backgrounds and have different tastes:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dress_code

    I suppose I enjoy the process of discovery (both of my style and other people’s perspectives) so there is no end goal for me. I can see how it can be frustrating for someone who want’s to do it “right”, especially when two people don’t agree.

  16. Although the Ciro Lendini have the cleanest look, I have a problem with those straps looking like origami paper toy cutouts.

  18. I’ve had a pair of Florsheim single monk straps since 2003, though I do need to get them resoled.  I think they were marked down to $80 or maybe $40 when I got them.  I actually wasn’t even aware that they were called monk straps until years later, but they were my go to black dress shoe for years.  I think I actually wore them to prom, which is probably a fashion faux pas, but my feet were comfortable the whole night.

  19. I’ve had a pair of Florsheim single monk straps since 2003, though I do need to get them resoled.  I think they were marked down to $80 or maybe $40 when I got them.  I actually wasn’t even aware that they were called monk straps until years later, but they were my go to black dress shoe for years.  I think I actually wore them to prom, which is probably a fashion faux pas, but my feet were comfortable the whole night.

  21. Love well crafted shoes but I’ve never liked monks. I love the name but the look…well looks old fashioned and not as sleek as the shoe designs out there.

  22. What are the benefits to a double monk strap versus the single? Does body type factor into it? I’m tall and slender and want to get some monk straps but don’t want to look disproportional.

  26. Any update on those double monks? They are almost completely sold out of all sizes except my own size 12.

  27. Any update on those double monks? They are almost completely sold out of all sizes except my own size 12.

  28. I received them. The color is bright cognac but quality is not too bad. I’ll try to post some pictures when I get a chance. Not bad for casual use.