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Monk straps: Any regrets?

post #1 of 117
12/28/09 at 4:21pm
Thread Starter 
I'm on the fence with purchasing some C&J Lowndes in brown. The deal is, I would have never looked twice at a pair of monkstraps before joining StyleForum. I've rarely seen them in San Diego. I'm pretty sure I've never seen them before in my office. My girlfriend - who works in a vintage clothing store and is a tatted-up indie fashion chica - says "don't do it". Yet, since joining StyleForum and seeing pics and the like, I've become a bit fascinated. For one, I didn't know you could pull these off with jeans and other casual-wear. They seem to be able to inhabit a space like wingtips... and I've found to come to love my AE Merlot McAllisters like no other, despite being the cheapest shoes in my rotation. And I used to think wingtips were dorky. I wanted to give this some more consideration down the road and eventually purchase a pair from PLAL. But since their online sales operation is about to shut down my days are numbered, and I certainly won't be paying some $550+ for them. So is there anyone out there who bought some monks only to come to regret it later on?
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post #2 of 117
12/28/09 at 4:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by brandall10 View Post
I'm purchasing some C&J Lowndes in brown.
Fixed. Regards.
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post #3 of 117
12/28/09 at 4:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by brandall10 View Post
I'm on the fence with purchasing some C&J Lowndes in brown.

The deal is, I would have never looked twice at a pair of monkstraps before joining StyleForum. I've rarely seen them in San Diego. I'm pretty sure I've never seen them before in my office. My girlfriend - who works in a vintage clothing store and is a tatted-up indie fashion chica - says "don't do it".

Yet, since joining StyleForum and seeing pics and the like, I've become a bit fascinated. For one, I didn't know you could pull these off with jeans and other casual-wear. They seem to be able to inhabit a space like wingtips... and I've found to come to love my AE Merlot McAllisters like no other, despite being the cheapest shoes in my rotation. And I used to think wingtips were dorky.

I wanted to give this some more consideration down the road and eventually purchase a pair from PLAL. But since their online sales operation is about to shut down my days are numbered, and I certainly won't be paying some $550+ for them.

So is there anyone out there who bought some monks only to come to regret it later on?

I have a pair of Canali double-monks that I like. That's my only monk.
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post #4 of 117
12/28/09 at 4:25pm
I get more positive comments on double monk straps than any other style of shoe. They are traditional but elegant. I wear them with suits and jeans.

No regrets. All systems "GO".
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post #5 of 117
12/28/09 at 4:26pm
If you are going to regret buying monks, it will be the double monks moreso than single monks.
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post #6 of 117
12/28/09 at 4:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by edmorel View Post
If you are going to regret buying monks, it will be the double monks moreso than single monks.

Ed, will the regret double?

Regards.
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post #7 of 117
12/28/09 at 4:27pm
fuck no. buy them. what does she want you to wear? chucks?
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post #8 of 117
12/28/09 at 4:29pm
I was about to pull the trigger on one recently as well but there were two off putting things if you are buying them for casual wear. First, is the cap toe which to me makes this shoe a little more formal. Second, the last is extremely slim and not particularly long.

I tried them on with some APC NS and they looked dull and normal because the hem covered the double straps.

Though if you were going to pull off a sartorialist with slim ankle length jeans that could look pretty good
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post #9 of 117
12/28/09 at 4:33pm
Two things:

1. The gf not liking the monkstrap is a good thing - women have generally horrible taste in shoes;

2. both single and double monks rock.
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post #10 of 117
12/28/09 at 4:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy View Post
I get more positive comments on double monk straps than any other style of shoe. They are traditional but elegant. I wear them with suits and jeans.

No regrets. All systems "GO".

Ditto! Ditto!! Ditto!!!
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post #11 of 117
12/28/09 at 4:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy View Post
I get more positive comments on double monk straps than any other style of shoe. They are traditional but elegant. I wear them with suits and jeans.

No regrets. All systems "GO".

+1

I don't really know anyone else who has a pair (double monks) so I always get compliments on them. They are my favorite pair. Oddly enough, I don't like single monks.
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post #12 of 117
12/28/09 at 4:52pm
I purchased a pair of C&J Malverns over the protestations of my wife. They are great. My wife even admits she likes them now.
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post #13 of 117
12/28/09 at 4:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by marc237 View Post
Two things:

1. The gf not liking the monkstrap is a good thing - women have generally horrible taste;

2. both single and double monks rock.

FTFY
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post #14 of 117
12/28/09 at 4:55pm
I was fascinated too when I saw the double strap monk for the first time. Wanted the C&J Lowndes but couldn't find it in Italy but I was lucky and found another pair of dark brown double strap monks. They are my go to shoe for going out at night in jeans.
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post #15 of 117
12/28/09 at 5:02pm
I have a pair of the C&J grosvenor (single monk strap) and love them. Wear them all the time and are my go-to travel shoe.
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