Monk shoe
{{Short description|Low shoe closed with a wide strap buckled on the outside}}
{{Multiple image
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| image1 = Taft's Lucca Monk Shoe.jpg
| caption1 = A double monk shoe
| image2 = Illu-schuh-monkstrap-l.png
| caption2 = Illustration of a man's single-strap monk dress shoe
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A monk shoe or monk strap is a style of dress shoe with no lacing, instead secured on the feet by one or multiple buckles and straps.{{Cite web|last=Mandilaris|first=Kostas|date=2019-10-22|title=History Of Monk Strap Shoes {{!}} Timeless Elegance For The Modern Man|url=https://www.misiuacademy.com/history-of-monk-strap-shoes/|access-date=2021-03-01|website=Misiu Academy|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Tao|first=Mei|title=Laces Out: The New Rules of Monkstraps|url=https://www.gq.com/gallery/monkstraps-dress-shoes|access-date=2021-03-01|website=GQ|date=31 July 2012 |language=en-us}} It was innovated by the English shoe maker Edward Green in the late 19th century.{{Cite web |title=Monk Strap Shoes: The Complete Guide To Monk Strap Shoe|url=https://coveti.com/monk-strap-shoes-the-complete-guide-to-monk-strap-shoe/ |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=Coveti |date=24 March 2023 |language=en-US}}
The monk shoe is a moderately formal shoe: less formal than a full Oxford (American: Balmoral); but more so than an open Derby (American: Blücher).{{Cite web|title=Shoe Leather and Accessory Glossary|url=https://www.pediwear.co.uk/glossary.php|access-date=2021-03-01|website=www.pediwear.co.uk}}{{Cite web|last=Schneider|first=Sven Raphael|date=2016-08-29|title=Monk Strap Shoes Guide|url=https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/monk-strap-shoes-guide/|access-date=2021-03-01|website=www.gentlemansgazette.com|language=en-US}} In between these, it is one of the main categories of men's shoes.
The monk shoe is described by some specialists in the fashion sector as the most accomplished men's dress shoe.{{Cite news |last=Breslin |first=Yale |title=Five Essential Items for Every Man's Closet |url=http://online.wsj.com/articles/five-essential-items-for-every-mans-closet-1413494221 |access-date=2023-04-11 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=16 October 2014 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Jacob |title=The Most Polarizing Men's Dress Shoe Is Back. Buckle Up. |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/double-monk-strap-shoes-trend-mens-footwear-b674ef39 |access-date=2023-04-11 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=21 March 2023 |language=en-US}} It often has a cap toe, is occasionally brogued, and is popular in suede.{{Multiple image
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| header = Differences between the Monk, the Derby and the Oxford shoe
| image1 = Double Monk Felsted (Grenson).jpg
| caption1 = Double Monk Felsted
| image2 = A Plein Derby.jpg
| caption2 = A Plein Derby
| image3 = Pair of full brogue shoes by Santoni.jpg
| caption3 = Oxford shoe
| total_width = 350
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Publications
- {{cite book |last=Sternke |first=Helge |title=Alles über Herrenschuhe |date=2006 |isbn=978-3-89479-252-7 |publication-place=Berlin |language=de |oclc=180886933}}
- {{cite book |last=McDowell |first=Colin |title=Schuhe Schönheit, Mode, Phantasie |date=1989 |isbn=978-3-453-03606-2 |publication-place=München |oclc=75129487}}