H&M Made in Portugal Leather Monk Straps – $79.99
These are, unfortunately, further proof that cheap suede almost always trumps cheap smooth leather.
Look, the leather isn’t terrible. It’s just not great. Kinda dull and lifeless in person. And when compared to their many other suede shoe offerings? These are just kinda ho-hum.
The leather is almost too uniform in shade. Like someone melted down a Hersey bar, and molded it into the uppers. I’d say that maybe these could benefit from the black shoe creme marbling treatment that’s been used with success on Stafford boots in the past… but I just don’t think the leather on these monks is going to take well to creme or polish. It’s a little too smooth and slick.
Like their other “premium quality” shoes, these are also made in Portugal. The shape is pretty basic. Not elongated, but the toe box isn’t bulky or bulbous. Should do good with cords and jeans.
Rubber sole. Soft, padded leather interiors. Buckles are an aged, brass look. No high shine on those, which is nice. But those buckles are positioned in a way that you can’t use that first hole on the buckle closest to the toe. It just won’t get there if you try to tighten them up. Kinda odd. Sizing feels true at least. A 10.5 fit my normally 10.5D just fine out of the box.
They’re $80, so, nobody is gonna expect super nice leather. Yet the suede shoes H&M cranks out sure do deliver a lot of style bang for the buck. And thus, plenty are gonna see the leather on these shoes as just mneh-enough to keep on moving.
