Monk Strap Shoes — How to Wear Them and When

The monk strap sits in an interesting position in a man's shoe wardrobe. It's more formal than a loafer but less formal than an Oxford. It closes with a buckle instead of laces, which gives it a cleaner throat and a slightly different silhouette from either of the lace-up styles. And because of the buckle, it reads as more deliberate — a shoe someone chose, not just the default option.

Done right, monk straps are among the most versatile dress shoes you can own. Done wrong, they can look costumey or out of place. Here's how to get them right.

Single vs double monk strap

The single monk has one strap and one buckle across the instep. It's the cleaner, more formal of the two — appropriate in most situations where you'd wear an Oxford.

The double monk has two straps and two buckles, one above the other. It's slightly less formal and considerably more characterful. The double monk in cognac or burgundy is one of the most distinctive shoes in menswear — hard to ignore, but easy to wear well if the rest of the outfit is relatively straightforward.

If you're buying your first monk strap, the single monk is the safer choice. The double monk rewards confidence.

Formality level

A plain-toe single monk in black or dark brown is formal enough for most business settings and works well with a suit. It's not quite as formal as a black cap-toe Oxford — the buckle adds a visual element that the Oxford lacks — but for Indian offices, client meetings, and formal occasions short of black-tie, it works perfectly.

A cap-toe double monk in cognac is a smart-casual shoe. It works with tailored trousers, a well-fitted shirt and blazer, or with a suit at occasions where you want to be slightly more expressive than usual. For Indian weddings as a guest, it's an excellent choice — dressy enough to be appropriate, individual enough to stand out.

What to wear them with

With a suit: Black or dark brown single monks work with most suit colours. Avoid very casual suits (linen, unstructured) — the buckle needs the suit's formality to look intentional.

With tailored trousers and a blazer: This is where the double monk in cognac or burgundy does its best work. The combination of tailored trousers and a richer shoe colour is classic Indian formal-casual dressing at its best.

With chinos: A double monk in tan or cognac with chinos and a tucked shirt is one of the most elegant smart-casual looks available. The shoe elevates the outfit without trying too hard.

What to avoid: Monk straps with jeans, athletic wear, or anything extremely casual. The buckle reads as deliberate formality — putting it with very casual clothing creates a mismatch that doesn't work in either direction.

The buckle detail

Gold hardware suits warmer leather tones — tan, cognac, brown. Silver hardware suits cooler tones — black, dark brown. Most monk straps come with gold hardware as default, which is the more traditional choice. If the rest of your accessories (watch, belt buckle, cufflinks) are silver, a silver-hardware monk strap looks more considered.

Our monk strap range

We make single and double monks at our Okhla workshop. Our monk strap range includes cap-toe and medallion designs in black, cognac, and burgundy. All are made in full-grain calfskin on rubber soles. Visit our Delhi studios to try them on — the fit and proportions of a monk strap are particularly important to see in person.