Men's Patina Crocodile Grain Double Monk Strap Shoes

These double monk straps put a hand painted patina over crocodile grain leather and close with two buckles instead of laces, so you get the texture of an exotic shoe with a fit you can adjust across the instep. Each pair is Goodyear welted on a leather sole and made to order in US sizes 5 to 16.5, in standard or custom width.

What two buckles do that laces cannot

A double monk strap is a closed shoe held by two straps that cross the vamp and fasten at the outside. The upper strap sets how tight the shoe sits over the instep. The lower strap controls the forefoot. That split is the reason men with a high instep often find a double monk more comfortable than an oxford, because the pressure can be set in two places rather than spread along one lacing line.

• High instep: loosen the top strap one hole and keep the lower strap firm.
• Narrow heel, wider forefoot: run the lower strap looser and the upper strap tighter to lock the heel.
• Swelling through the day: one hole on either buckle gives you room without the shoe falling off at the heel.

Crocodile grain, and how to check any crocodile listing

This pair is sold as crocodile grain. The scale pattern gives the look and the light play of crocodile, and the patina is painted by hand into and across the scale valleys. If you want genuine crocodile hide on this exact pattern, that is a separate made to measure crocodile commission with CITES paperwork, priced for the hide. Before you buy crocodile anywhere, these are the checks that separate real hide from a printed or pressed pattern.

Why a patina suits a textured leather

A patina is color built up in thin layers by hand rather than dyed in one pass at the tannery. On smooth calf it gives depth. On crocodile grain it does something more useful: the dye pools slightly in the valleys between scales and stays lighter on the raised tiles, so every scale reads as its own shape. The result is a shoe that looks darker at the edges of each tile and brighter on the crown, which is the effect exotic leather is bought for.

• Color is applied in layers and burnished between coats, so no two pairs match exactly.
• The finish is sealed with a light wax so the patina does not rub off at the toe.
• Expect a slight shift in shade from the photographs, since every pair is painted by hand.

Specifications

Everything below is built into every pair. Width and last shape can be changed through the made to order service if a standard width does not suit you.

How this compares

Most crocodile monk straps you will find sit at one of two extremes. A genuine hide pair from a specialist maker costs four or five times this price. A printed pair from a marketplace is cheaper, but it is almost always cemented, so the sole cannot be replaced and the shoe is finished when the sole wears through.

Fit and sizing

Order your usual dress shoe length. A monk strap is sized like an oxford, not like a loafer, because the straps hold the foot. Crocodile grain has a finish on it, so it stretches less than plain calf and you should order the fit you want on day one rather than expecting it to give. Measure against the men's shoe size guide and send us your measurements if you are between sizes.

• Between sizes: take the smaller length and ask for a wider width.
• Wide or high volume foot: tell us before ordering so the pattern is cut to suit.

Care

Treat the scale surface gently. Wax builds up in the valleys between tiles and dries pale, so use a neutral cream and buff it off before it sets.

• Brush across the scales with a soft horsehair brush after each wear.
• Neutral cream only, applied thinly, never hard wax on the scale panels.
• Cedar shoe trees while the leather is still warm.
• Rest a day between wears so the lining dries out.

Frequently asked questions

Is this double monk strap genuine crocodile or crocodile grain?

This pair is sold as crocodile grain leather with a hand painted patina, which is why it sits at this price. The scale pattern gives the look and light play of crocodile, and the patina is worked into every scale by hand. If you want the same double monk strap cut from genuine crocodile hide, we build that as a separate made to measure commission with CITES documentation, and it is priced for the hide. Ask us before ordering and we will quote either version so you can compare side by side.

How is a double monk strap different from a single monk strap?

A single monk has one wide strap and one buckle, which gives a clean, minimal look and a single point of adjustment. A double monk has two narrower straps, so you can set the fit over the instep and across the forefoot separately. That makes the double monk the better choice for men with a high instep or feet that swell during the day. Visually the double monk is slightly busier and reads a touch more fashion forward, while the single monk looks more traditional with a suit.

Can I wear crocodile monk straps to the office?

Yes, as long as the rest of the outfit is quiet. A patina crocodile grain monk strap works well with navy, charcoal or mid gray tailoring, and with chinos and a sport coat. It is too loud for black tie, a funeral or a conservative law or banking office that expects a plain black oxford. The easiest way to wear them at work is to keep the suit plain and let the shoes be the one textured item. Avoid pairing them with a patterned tie and a loud pocket square at the same time.

Should I leave the buckles fastened when I take them off?

Most men leave the lower buckle fastened and slip the shoe on and off using the top strap only, which is fine and saves the strap from wear at the buckle. Use a shoe horn every time, because pushing your heel down into a closed shoe breaks the heel counter over time. If the straps feel tight when new, fasten them one hole looser for the first week while the leather settles. Never leave the top strap unbuckled while walking, because it catches and tears at the stitching.

How do I care for patina on crocodile grain leather?

Brush the shoes across the scales after each wear to lift dust from the valleys. Once a month apply a thin coat of neutral cream with a cloth, leave it for ten minutes, then buff it off before it dries in the grooves. Avoid colored polish, which can shift the patina tone, and avoid hard wax on the scale panels because it collects between the tiles and dries pale. If the toe scuffs, a patina specialist can touch up the color without stripping the whole shoe.

How long does a made to order pair take to arrive?

Production is 10 to 14 days after you place your order, because the patina is painted by hand and each coat needs time to dry and be burnished before the next one goes on. Shipping time is then added on top, depending on your delivery address. If you have an event date, tell us when you order and we will confirm whether it can be met before we start cutting. Custom width orders may need a few extra days while the pattern is adjusted.

Want a different buckle layout or a plain calf version? Browse the full range of men's monk strap shoes.