Monkeys (shoes)

Shoes very vaguely reminiscent of monks, the monks who lived in some regions of continental Europe were worn in the XIV-XV centuries ^[1] . She was equipped with buckles and very thin soles without heels . As they say, some time later such an English traveler liked these shoes, and he brought her to his home, where she also began to enjoy success. However, this legend has no documentary evidence ^[2] .

More or less modern-looking monks began to be produced only at the beginning of the 20th century, and models with two buckles appeared only in 1945, while their brothers with one buckle were already classics in the 1930s. In the second half of the 20th century, many fashion designers included monks in their collections, and they often carry out rather bold experiments with design. Currently, the most trendy are monks with two buckles ^[3] .

Monkeys can be classified by the number of buckles and the design of the straps:

• Single monk straps (single monk) - with one buckle
• Double monk straps (double monk) - with two buckles
• Triple monk straps (triple monk) - with three buckles
• Cutaway monk straps (katevei monki) - with one or two buckles and straps that “look” more backward than down (at least compared to regular single or double monks)

Monks with one and two buckles are classics, while models with three buckles are clearly designer shoes, and it looks very controversial due to the overload of additional elements (some shoes are an exception).

As a material for sewing monks, smooth calf leather is most often used; This is the most versatile option. Another common and fairly universal option is suede . In addition, monks sometimes sew from grained leather with a pronounced texture, as well as from the skins of exotic animals. The most popular colors are black, brown, burgundy brown (burgundy) and red brown (tan). Blue, green and beige monks are much less common.

The list of possible designs used for sewing this type of shoe is wide, but the welt options - Goodyear welted, Hand-welted - enjoy the best reputation. The lining in high-end monks should be completely leather, as well as the insole . The soles can be either leather or rubber or combined (leather with a rubber insert or rubber with a leather insert).

The most versatile models of monks can be worn with both jeans and chinos, business suits, unpaired trousers and jackets. These shoes are sewn from smooth calfskin, painted in dark colors and have a restrained classic design (while the most official and strict look is typical for black models). Less formal options, made of grained leather, with business suits do not fit well, but look great with jeans, tweed clothes and rather thick chinos. Suede monks occupy a kind of intermediate position, and sometimes look good even with formal suits.

For shorts, any monks are too official shoes, and for tuxedos - too informal ^[2] . Socks with such shoes can not be worn or limited to the so-called invisible socks. True, it should be borne in mind that in a business setting only monks with classic socks are acceptable, and in an official atmosphere, business shoes and oxford shoes (of course, also with socks) will be more appropriate.

It is worth adding that the monks look best with narrowed pants in the Italian style: a little short, to the ankle. In this case, the pants will not cling to the sharp edges of the buckles ^[4] .

Monkeys produce many brands. Among the noteworthy manufacturers are the following companies:

• England : Alfred Sargent, Barker, Cheaney, Crockett & Jones, John Lobb, Loake, Tricker's
• Spain : Berwick, Carmina, Meermin, Michel, Yanko
• Italy : A.Testoni, Barbanera, Enzo Bonafe, Moreschi, Paolo Scafora, Santoni , Stefano Bemer, Velasca
• Portugal : Carlos Santos
• France : Aubercy, Corthay, JMWeston
• Switzerland: Matt Paker

• Loafers
• Oxfords
• Brogues
• Derby (shoes)

• Types of classic men's shoes