In Review: Nordstrom’s $99 Suede Double Monk

1901 ‘Lynden’ Double Monk Strap – $99.95

Maybe it’s because these are really a spring/summer shoe, and we’re still stuck in the dreariness of post-holidays winter. Maybe it’s because even the most ardent members of team Monk Strap would recognize that Double Monks have saturated the market. Whatever the cause,  these double monks from Nordstrom’s usually fantastic house brand 1901… they’re just ho-hum.

The usual Nordstrom bang-for-the-buckitude is still there. Construction for a $100 shoe feels good and solid. The suede upper, while not luxuriously thick, has some good depth to the nap. Stitching is even, the cap toe is well placed, and if these were a plain derby lace-up, they’d be a budget version of J. Crew’s Goodyear Welted Kenton Bucks.

But they’re not a lace-up, and at a glance, the double monk just sorta works here.

The buckles are a bushed, matte silver, and look like they came off something more dressy (like a black pair of Neumoras). But the overall style is pretty casual. With a fuller toe, and a summery, rubber kickball-like red sole, these are starting to head down the path of the Cole Haan Lunargrand. A more dressed-up style adapted onto a much more casual, almost athletic-like platform. Those who like to take more risks could probably wear these things with shorts come summertime.

Interior is leather lined and well cushioned, and the elastic straps holding the buckles in place feel well anchored. Tongue says these are made in Brazil. Fit feels true to size.

Ships & returns free, and in four or five months they might pair real well with an inexpensive seersucker suit. But for now, in the cold, most feelings on these will top out at lukewarm.

Note: These are the more reddish leaning “Rust.” Another shade, “Sand” was released after these were ordered, and very well could look better in person. Thoughts from you guys? Anyone else order these? Leave it in the comments.