Men's Purple Patina Single Monk Strap Shoes

This single monk strap closes with one wide buckle instead of laces and carries a hand painted purple patina, so it gives you a dress shoe you can slip on and off in seconds that still stands out with a suit. It is Goodyear welted on a leather sole with a fiddle back waist and made to order in US sizes 5 to 17.

Why choose a single monk strap

A single monk strap has one strap and one buckle across the instep, with no laces. It sits between an oxford and a loafer in formality. It is dressier than a loafer because the strap holds the foot firmly and the shoe looks closed, but it is easier to wear than a lace up. It is also the more classic monk. The double monk is a later, more fashion forward variation, while the single monk has been worn with tailoring for decades.

• One point of adjustment, set once and left alone.
• Cleaner look than a double monk, better with a plain suit.
• No laces to come undone or break.

Purple patina, and how to wear it

Purple is a statement color, but a well made patina keeps it wearable. The color is built up by hand in thin layers, with deeper shading painted into the toe and heel. Indoors the shoe reads as a deep plum, close to burgundy. In daylight the purple comes through. That range is what makes it work: it behaves like a dark shoe with a suit, then shows its color when you want it to.

• Best with: navy, charcoal, mid gray, and gray flannel pants.
• Works with: denim and a dark sport coat for smart casual.
• Avoid with: brown and tan tailoring.

The fiddle back waist

Look at the sole from underneath and you will see the waist, the narrow part under the arch, shaped with a raised center ridge. That is called a fiddle back, because it looks like the back of a violin. It is a bespoke detail that takes longer to make, because the sole has to be shaped and finished by hand. It does not change how the shoe wears. It does show that the bottom of the shoe was given the same attention as the top.

Specifications

How this compares

If you are choosing between monk strap types, the main question is how much adjustment you need and how formal you want the shoe to look.

Fit and sizing

Size a single monk like an oxford. Order your true dress shoe length, and choose width separately. The strap should close on the middle hole of the buckle when the shoe is new, which leaves room to adjust either way as the leather settles. Measure against the men's shoe size guide and send us your measurements if you have a high instep or are between sizes.

• Sizes run up to US 17 on this style.
• Custom width available through the made to order service.

Care

• Neutral cream only, so the patina stays true.
• Brush after each wear and use cedar shoe trees.
• Buckle the strap before storing so it keeps its shape.
• Resole when the leather thins at the ball of the foot.

Frequently asked questions

Are single monk straps formal enough for a suit?

Yes. A single monk strap is a dress shoe and has been worn with tailoring for decades. It is less formal than a plain black oxford, so it is not the right choice for black tie or a funeral, but it is correct with a business suit in most offices and at weddings and events. In purple patina the shoe becomes more expressive, so keep the suit in navy, charcoal or gray and let the shoes be the one standout item rather than adding a loud tie as well.

Single monk or double monk, which should I buy?

Choose a single monk if you want the cleaner, more traditional look and your instep is average height. It pairs more easily with plain suits and looks slightly more conservative. Choose a double monk if you have a high instep or want to adjust the forefoot and instep separately, since the two straps give you two points of control. Visually the double monk is busier and more fashion led. Both are sized like an oxford, so your usual dress shoe size applies to either.

What is a fiddle back sole?

A fiddle back is a way of shaping the waist of a leather sole, the narrow section under the arch. Instead of leaving it flat, the maker shapes a raised center ridge with the sides sloping away, so from underneath it resembles the back of a violin. It is a detail usually found on bespoke and high end shoes, because it has to be shaped and finished by hand. It does not affect comfort in daily wear, but it shows that the underside was given the same care as the upper.

Will purple patina fade over time?

A properly layered and sealed patina holds its color well, but any hand painted finish will soften slightly with wear, especially at the toe where the shoe scuffs. To keep it rich, use a neutral cream rather than a colored polish, keep the shoes out of direct sunlight when stored, and avoid soaking them in rain. If the toe does lighten, a patina specialist can add a coat of color to that area and blend it in, without stripping the whole shoe back to bare leather.

How should a monk strap fit when new?

The heel should feel secure with little or no lift when you walk, and the strap should close comfortably on the middle hole of the buckle. Your toes should have a little room in front and should not touch the end of the shoe. Across the widest part of the foot the shoe should feel snug but not pinch. If you need the tightest hole to keep the shoe on, it is too big. If you need the loosest hole and still feel pressure, the width is too narrow for your foot.

Can I get this style in a different color?

Yes. Every pair is made to order, so the patina color, leather and width can be changed through our made to order service. Common alternatives are brown, burgundy, navy and black patina, and we can also match a color to a sample if you send a photo. Tell us the color you want and your measurements before ordering and we will confirm what is possible and how long it takes. Custom colors can add a few days to production, because each shade needs testing on a leather offcut first.

Prefer two buckles or a darker patina? See every style in our men's monk strap shoes collection.