September 06, 2021

The 7 Best Shoelaces for Dress Shoes: A Guide to Flat, Round, Thin, and Thick Styles

革靴におすすめの靴紐を7種類紹介【平紐と丸紐、細めから太めまで】

We will introduce 7 recommended shoelaces from MONDSHOELACE for dress shoes and business shoes.

There are various types of leather shoes and shoelaces, so you may find it difficult to decide which shoelaces go with which shoes.
In this article, we will also explain what kind of shoes each shoelace goes well with, so please use it as a reference when choosing.

The MONDSHOELACE shoelaces introduced are a semi-custom-made service that allows you to freely choose the "metal aglet color" and "length", so you will find the perfect shoelaces for any leather shoes you own!
Furthermore, with a wide variety of colors, you can enjoy various combinations!

 

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About Types of Shoelaces for Leather Shoes

There are two main types of laces used for leather shoes: "cotton laces" and "waxed laces." We will explain each type.

[About Cotton Laces]

These are cotton laces with no surface treatment, and they have the following characteristics:

  • Soft texture
  • Less gloss
  • Prone to fraying and deteriorate quickly

[About Waxed Laces]

These laces have their surface coated with wax, and they have the following characteristics:

  • Glossy and luxurious appearance
  • More durable and less prone to fraying than cotton laces

Each has the characteristics described above, but the difference is whether or not they have a wax coating.

So, which one is more suitable for leather shoes? Since leather shoes have a sheen, waxed laces, which also have a gloss, are a better visual match.

Using cotton laces on leather shoes can create a gloss gap, which may make them look cheap. (Of course, cotton laces can also suit casual-style leather shoes, or shoes you want to wear ruggedly with minimal care.)

Waxed shoelaces are recommended for glossy leather shoes. Next, let's look at how to choose them.

How to Choose Laces for Leather Shoes

When choosing laces for leather shoes, focus on these three points: "Shape," "Width," and "Length."

Shape "Flat or Round"

Shoelaces come in two shapes, flat and round, which mainly differ in "appearance" and "hold."

[About Appearance]

Flat laces tend to give a more classical atmosphere, while round laces provide a more basic look. Although we've distinguished them, it's very difficult to describe the visual difference.

If you are unsure whether to choose flat or round laces, it is best to choose based on the atmosphere of your shoes. Also, since it is ultimately a matter of "preference" and there is no right answer, we recommend choosing freely.

However, for masterpieces and classic shoes, such as Tricker's Malton which suits thick round laces, it is safer to choose the lace shape that originally came with the shoes.

[About Holding Power]

Flat laces have more surface contact with the shoe, providing better holding power. However, the difference is not significant.

Width

Thinner laces are more suitable for dress shoes, while thicker ones are better for casual wear. Choose thin laces for sleek shoes and thick laces for shoes with more volume.

Here is a guideline for the width of flat and round laces:

Flat Laces → Thin: approx. 3mm, Thick: approx. 5mm

Round Laces → Thin: approx. 2.2mm, Thick: approx. 3.5mm

Length

The length is generally chosen based on the number of eyelets.

Here is a guide, but since the distance between eyelets and the opening of the quarters vary depending on the shoe, it is most accurate to measure the laces you are currently using before choosing.

Number of Eyelets Length Guide Recommended Length
2 55~60cm 60cm
3 60~65cm 65cm
4 70~75cm 70cm
5 75~80cm 75cm
6 85~90cm 85cm
7 (Boots) 110~120cm 120cm
8 (Boots) 120~130cm 130cm

If you want to know more about length, please see this article.

Shoelace Length Guide for Leather Shoes [From Oxfords to Boots by Eyelet Count]

Introducing 7 Recommended Shoelaces for Leather Shoes [Flat and Round, Thin and Thick]

The MONDSHOELACE shoelaces introduced are a semi-custom-made service that allows you to freely choose the "metal aglet color" and "length".

We hope you find the perfect shoelaces for your leather shoes.

Here is a list of the shoelaces introduced.

Lace Product Features Colors
Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton
Flat Shoelaces 1/8″(3mm)
Thin flat laces
For dress shoes
11 colors
Wide Glossy Waxed Cotton
Flat Shoelaces 1/5″(5.5mm)
Thick flat laces
For shoes with visible eyelets
11 colors
Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton
Round Shoelaces 2/25″(2.2mm)
Thin round laces
For dress shoes
11 colors
Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton
Round Shoelaces 1/10″(2.5mm)
Slightly thick round laces
For both casual and dress
11 colors
Thick Glossy Waxed Cotton
Round Shoelaces 7/50″(3.5mm)
Thick round laces
For casual wear
11 colors
Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton
Flat Shoelaces 7/50″(3.5mm)
Slightly thin flat laces
Stay-tied and highly durable
2 colors
Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton
Round Shoelaces 2/25″(2.2mm)
Thin round laces
Stay-tied and highly durable
2 colors

2 Recommended Flat Laces

MONDSHOELACE's waxed shoelaces are attractive for their elegant sheen, with just the right amount of wax. Among such waxed shoelaces, there are 2 flat types.

Thin "Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Flat Shoelaces 1/8″(3mm)"

Thin 'Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Flat Shoelaces 1/8″(3mm)'

Thin 'Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Flat Shoelaces 1/8″(3mm)'

These are 3mm thin flat laces, a common width for flat laces used in leather shoes. They pair well with dressy shoes. Available in 15 colors.

[Recommended for shoes like these]

  • Sleek dress shoes
  • Shoes with invisible eyelets (blind eyelets)
  • Shoes with small visible eyelets

[Not a good match for shoes like these]

  • Shoes with large visible eyelets

→ Using thin laces in large visible eyelets will look unbalanced.

Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Flat Shoelaces 1/8″(3mm)
MONDSHOELACE

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Thick "Wide Glossy Waxed Cotton Flat Shoelaces 1/5″(5.5mm)"

Thick 'Wide Glossy Waxed Cotton Flat Shoelaces 1/5″(5.5mm)'

Thick 'Wide Glossy Waxed Cotton Flat Shoelaces 1/5″(5.5mm)'

These are 5.5mm thick flat laces with a distinctive weave. They pair well with casual type shoes. Available in 11 colors.

[Recommended for shoes like these]

  • Shoes with visible eyelets
  • American shoes like Alden
  • Boots
  • Shoes with voluminous welts or soles

[Not a good match for shoes like these]

  • Sleek dress shoes

→ The laces will look out of place against the volume of the shoe.

Wide Glossy Waxed Cotton Flat Shoelaces 1/5″(5.5mm)
MONDSHOELACE

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3 Recommended Round Laces

MONDSHOELACE's waxed shoelaces are attractive for their elegant sheen, with just the right amount of wax. Among such waxed shoelaces, there are 3 round types.

Thin "Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 2/25″(2.2mm)"

Thin 'Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 2/25″(2.2mm)'

Thin 'Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 2/25″(2.2mm)'

These are 2.2mm thin round laces, a common width for round laces used in leather shoes. They pair well with dressy type shoes. Available in 15 colors.

[Recommended for shoes like these]

  • Sleek dress shoes
  • Shoes with invisible eyelets (blind eyelets)

[Not a good match for shoes like these]

  • Shoes with large visible eyelets

→ Using thin laces in large visible eyelets will look unbalanced.

Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 2/25″(2.2mm)
MONDSHOELACE

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Slightly Thick "Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 1/10″(2.5mm)"

Slightly Thick 'Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 1/10″(2.5mm)'

Slightly Thick 'Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 1/10″(2.5mm)'

These are 2.5mm slightly thick round laces with a distinctive weave and a casual feel. Available in 15 colors.

[Recommended for shoes like these]

  • Shoes that can be worn casually
  • Bluchers (Derby shoes)
  • Shoes with voluminous welts or soles
  • U-tip derbies like J.M. Weston's Golf or Paraboot's Chambord

[Not a good match for shoes like these]

  • Formal dress shoes (sleek cap-toe oxfords, wholecuts, etc.)

→ Since these laces have a casual feel, the 2.2mm laces mentioned earlier are better for formal shoes like cap-toes.

Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 1/10″(2.5mm)
MONDSHOELACE

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Thick "Thick Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 7/50″(3.5mm)"

Thick 'Thick Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 7/50″(3.5mm)'

Thick 'Thick Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 7/50″(3.5mm)'

These are 3.5mm thick round laces with a distinctive weave and a casual feel. Available in 11 colors.

[Recommended for shoes like these]

  • Shoes with visible eyelets
  • Shoes with voluminous welts or soles
  • Country boots like Tricker's Malton
  • Casual shoes

[Not a good match for shoes like these]

  • Sleek dress shoes
  • Shoes with invisible eyelets (blind eyelets)

→ As these are thick and casual laces, they do not pair well with sleek shoes or shoes with small eyelets.

Thick Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 7/50″(3.5mm)
MONDSHOELACE

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Durable and Stay-Tied Waxed Laces

While regular waxed laces are coated with wax on the surface, these laces are infused with wax to the core. This makes them less prone to fraying, highly durable, and stay-tied.

Slightly Thin and Stay-Tied Flat Laces "Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton Flat Shoelaces 7/50″(3.5mm)"

Wax-infused 'Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 2/25″(2.2mm)'

Wax-infused 'Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 2/25″(2.2mm)'

At 3.5mm, these are slightly thin flat laces that fit well in eyelets. Recommended for all types of dress shoes. Available in 2 colors.

[Recommended for shoes like these]

  • Sleek dress shoes

[Not a good match for shoes like these]

  • Shoes with large eyelets

→ They look slightly unbalanced in large eyelets.

Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton Flat Shoelaces 7/50″(3.5mm)
MONDSHOELACE

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Thin and Stay-Tied Round Laces "Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 2/25″(2.2mm)"

Wax-infused 'Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 2/25″(2.2mm)'

Wax-infused 'Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 2/25″(2.2mm)'

At 2.2mm, these are thin round laces with a distinctive weave. They pair well with both dress and casual shoes. Available in 2 colors.

[Recommended for shoes like these]

  • Sleek dress shoes
  • Shoes with invisible eyelets (blind eyelets)

[Not a good match for shoes like these]

  • Shoes with large visible eyelets

→ Using thin laces in large visible eyelets will look unbalanced.

Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 2/25″(2.2mm)
MONDSHOELACE

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Recommended Knotting Method for When Laces Come Untied

Waxed shoelaces may come untied easily until they are broken in. In such cases, try tying them with the Berluti knot. It is very secure and highly recommended.

Please refer to this article for details.

How to Tie the "Berluti Knot" for Dress Shoes [Easy Video Tutorial]

Summary

We have introduced how to choose shoelaces and recommended products. Finally, here is a summary of what was written in this article.

Here is a summary of how to choose shoelaces:

  • Glossy waxed shoelaces are recommended for leather shoes.
  • Choose the "Shape (Flat or Round)" based on your preference and the type of shoe.
  • For "Width," thinner is for dress, thicker is for casual.
  • For "Length," use the guide as a reference, but measure the laces currently on your shoes.

 

Here is a summary of recommended shoelaces by width.

[Thin Waxed Shoelaces (Including the Stay-Tied Waxed Shoelace series)]

Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Flat Shoelaces 1/8″(3mm)
MONDSHOELACE

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Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 2/25″(2.2mm)
MONDSHOELACE

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Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 1/10″(2.5mm)
MONDSHOELACE

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Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton Flat Shoelaces 7/50″(3.5mm)
MONDSHOELACE

View Details

Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 2/25″(2.2mm)
MONDSHOELACE

View Details

 

[Thick Waxed Shoelaces]

Wide Glossy Waxed Cotton Flat Shoelaces 1/5″(5.5mm)
MONDSHOELACE

View Details

Thick Glossy Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 7/50″(3.5mm)
MONDSHOELACE

View Details

 

We have introduced recommended shoelaces from MONDSHOELACE. In addition to a wide variety of types and colors, you can freely choose the "metal aglet color" and "length," so please find the perfect pair for your shoes.

View All Products