Single vs. Double Monk Strap Shoes: Which Should You Buy First?

Quick answer: Buy a single monk strap first if your wardrobe leans formal; it sits closer to an Oxford in dress level and pairs cleanly with suits. Buy a double monk first if you dress business-casual most days; its two buckles read as more expressive and work brilliantly with chinos, flannel trousers, and denim. If you can only own one and wear suits weekly, choose the single in dark brown.

What Is a Monk Strap Shoe?

A monk strap replaces laces with a leather strap and buckle across the instep. It occupies the sweet spot between an Oxford's formality and a loafer's ease dressy enough for the boardroom, distinctive enough to stand out in a room full of lace-ups. Because the buckle is adjustable, monks are also one of the most forgiving formal styles, especially for high insteps and wider feet.

Single Monk Strap: The Refined Choice

One buckle, one strap, clean lines. The single monk is the more understated and more formal of the two; visually, it is the closest thing to an Oxford without laces. It excels with tailoring: charcoal, navy, and grey suits all pair naturally with a black or espresso single monk. If your week involves client meetings, formal offices, or frequent suit-wearing, buy this first. See our guide to the best shoes to wear with suits for full color-matching rules.

Double Monk Strap: The Statement Piece

Two buckles, more hardware, more personality. The double monk is the modern menswear favorite, sharp with a suit but at its best dressed down: tan double monks with mid-grey flannels, or dark brown suede doubles with dark denim. It reads confident rather than conservative. If your office is business-casual and you already own black formal lace-ups, the double monk adds more new outfits per dollar than any other dress shoe.

Head-to-Head: How They Compare

Formality: the single monk is more formal; the double sits half a step down, roughly level with a brogued Derby. Versatility: the double wins for casual range; the single wins for suit compatibility. Fit: both adjust at the buckle, but the double's wider strap panel distributes pressure better over a high instep. Care: identical; the buckle areas crease first, so condition them regularly using the routine in our leather dress shoe care guide.

Choosing Leather and Color

For a first monk strap, full-grain or top-grain calf leather in dark brown is the highest-utility choice: formal enough for suits, relaxed enough for chinos, and it develops character with age. Black is the pick only if your wardrobe is strictly formal. Suede doubles are a superb second pair, not a first. Not sure how to judge leather quality from a product page? Our leather grades guide breaks down exactly what full-grain, top-grain, and genuine leather mean.

How Monk Straps Should Fit

Because there are no laces, sizing matters more than ever. The strap fine-tunes instep tension, but it cannot fix a shoe that is too long or too wide in the heel. Your heel should lock with minimal lift, the widest part of your foot should align with the widest part of the sole, and the buckle should fasten in the middle of its adjustment range, leaving room as the leather relaxes. Measure first using our men's shoe fit and sizing guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wear monk straps with a suit?

Yes. A black or dark brown single monk pairs with any business suit. Double monks work with suits too, best in less conservative environments.

Are monk straps in style in 2026?

Yes, they have moved from trend to staple. The double monk in brown remains one of the most-worn shoes in modern business-casual wardrobes.

Are monk straps comfortable for wide feet?

Generally yes. The adjustable buckle accommodates high insteps and wider forefeet better than closed-lace Oxfords.

Should my belt match my monk straps?

Match the leather color family (black with black, browns with browns) and keep buckle metals consistent: silver strap buckles with a silver belt buckle.

Ready to add one? Explore single and double monk straps in the HolloShoe dress shoes collection, or have a pair built in your exact size through our made-to-order program.