Why invest in buckle shoes?

Text: Lucie Krůčková, Photo: Ilja Hubálek

They're elegant and yet a little out of the ordinary. Men's monk strap shoes — or buckle shoes — can be an interesting piece that brings your wardrobe to life. Do you enjoy unconventional touches within established rules? Then take a look at our guide on how and with what to wear these shoes.

Men's dress shoes follow clearly defined rules about when and what to wear them with. The most elegant type is the oxford. Oxfords are made of plain, unadorned leather. They have laces, and the upper sections drawn together by the laces sit tightly closed. The tongue is hidden. Oxfords pair best with suits for formal occasions as well as with formal business attire.

The next type is the derby. It's essentially a slightly more relaxed version of the oxford. Derbies are also laced, but the section drawn together by the laces is open along its entire length, and the tongue beneath the laces is clearly visible. Derbies work well for smart-casual business looks and as everyday leisure footwear.

Classic loafers have neither laces nor a buckle. They're extremely comfortable and suit a relaxed business-casual look, or most often an elegant leisure outfit.

The last type is the monk strap — a shoe without laces, closed on the side by a buckle similar to those on a belt. Classic monk strap shoes have a single buckle, but they may feature more. It's a very elegant shoe you can confidently wear for formal occasions as well as leisure.

The clear answer is yes. It does, however, depend on the shoe's design, the material it's made of, and its colour.

If you want to wear buckle shoes with a suit, opt for elegant, plain leather monk straps without any decoration. The ideal colour is black. The cut should be understated and the tongue of the shoe should not be visible. It's up to you whether you choose a single or double monk strap — both versions are perfectly acceptable.

For everyday office wear you can choose elegant buckle shoes in a range of colours. Since it's still business style, stick to darker tones — most often black, dark brown or navy, or possibly one of the beige shades.

Now you can really have fun. Informal monk straps offer possibilities you probably haven't imagined. Two-tone leather buckle shoes are very much in, and you can also find wilder takes on the monk strap. They look fantastic with chinos or even paired with smart jeans.

When buying elegant men's footwear, prudence is a good principle. If you're still not sure which to choose, visit a brick-and-mortar store — experienced staff there will gladly advise you on the right type.