H&M Made in Portugal Suede Double Monks – $69.99
Note: Online stock on these has been fluctuating, wildly, in the last week or so. There will be some sizes available, and then they’re sold out. And then the next day? They’ve got more sizes again. If they sell out, and you’re interested, it might be worth checking back. Also, don’t give up on finding them in-store. More on that in the post.
UPDATE: As of 4/28/16 H&M has more in stock. But who knows for how long…
UPDATE II: Annnd they’re gone again.
This is more like it. Unlike their nice, but oddly burnished Chelsea boots from a few months back, these double monks are dead simple. No scuffing or burnishing. Uniform, good quality suede. And they appear to be quite the nice value, being that they’re only seventy bucks.
But good luck getting your hands on, and your feet in a pair of these.
They sold out real quick online, and then reappeared late last week/over the weekend. Might be new stock, might be returns. Who knows. But H&M has had a tendency to put a limited batch online, yet still have stock in their brick and mortars. So if they don’t have them in your size on the web, they might be worth seeking out in store.
Suede uppers have a nice nap without looking fuzzy. The soles are slim enough to dress up with a summer suit, yet there’s just enough grip there to prevent you from slipping on a wet sidewalk. They’re lined in soft leather, which is not usual for a seventy dollar shoe. Buckles, thankfully, are a matte/brushed silver, instead of some high shine chrome.
Sizing feels like they might run a half size large, but if you have wide feet, you might be hosed here if you size down. It’s incredibly doubtful that they’ve got a stitched welt at this price, but at least the exterior “welt” stitching looks good. Not sloppy or fake looking. Overall weight and feel to these shoes is solid. Especially for the price.
Wear ’em with jeans and a lightweight sportcoat now, and all the way into the dead of summer with linen pants and a lightweight polo (or, a seersucker or linen suit). Returns for free if you can drop them off in store, which also seems to be a clue that there should be some stock in brick and mortars out there.