February 15, 2022

Official or Custom-Order: The Best Shoelaces for Your Regal Shoes

リーガルの靴紐の交換には純正シューレースかオーダーシューレース

In this guide, we'll introduce seven of the best shoelaces from MONDSHOELACE for dress and business shoes.

With so many types of dress shoes and shoelaces available, choosing the right pair can be confusing.
This article will explain which laces are best suited for which shoes, helping you make the perfect choice.

All MONDSHOELACE shoelaces we introduce are semi-custom, allowing you to freely choose the "metal aglet color" and "length." You'll find the perfect laces for any pair of dress shoes in your collection!
Plus, with a wide range of colors, you can enjoy countless styling combinations!

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About Dress Shoelace Types

The two main types of laces used for dress shoes are "gassed" and "waxed." Let's explain each.

About Dress Shoelace Types

About Gassed Laces

These laces are passed through a flame to singe off fuzz, resulting in the following characteristics:

  • Soft, natural cotton texture
  • Low sheen
  • Prone to fraying and wear over time

About Waxed Laces

These laces are coated with wax, which gives them the following characteristics:

  • A lustrous sheen and a premium look
  • More durable and resistant to fraying than gassed laces

While each has its own characteristics, the simplest difference is the presence of a wax coating.

So, which is better for dress shoes? Since leather shoes have a natural luster, waxed laces, which also have a sheen, are a better aesthetic match.

Using gassed laces on dress shoes can create a texture gap that might look inexpensive. (However, vintage American shoes often used gassed laces—especially wider flat ones—and using waxed laces on them can sometimes feel out of place.)

Now that we've established that waxed laces are ideal for dress shoes, let's look at how to choose the right pair.

How to Choose Dress Shoelaces

When choosing laces for dress shoes, focus on three key points: "Style," "Width," and "Length."

Style: Flat or Round

Style: Flat or Round

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

Appearance

Flat laces can have a more classic feel, while round laces offer a more standard look. It's difficult to articulate the visual difference, though it is noticeable.

If you're unsure whether to choose flat or round, it's best to match the lace to the style of your shoe. However, there's no right or wrong answer—it's ultimately a matter of preference, so feel free to choose what you like.

That said, for iconic or classic shoes, it's often a safe bet to stick with the original lace style, such as the thick round laces that perfectly suit Tricker's Malton boots.

Hold

Flat laces provide a slightly better hold because they have a larger surface area in contact with the shoe. However, the difference is not significant.

Width

Width

Thinner laces are more formal, while thicker laces are more casual. Choose a thinner lace for sleek shoes and a thicker one for more substantial, voluminous shoes.

Here's a general guide to flat and round lace widths:

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

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

Length

Length is primarily determined by the number of eyelets.

While this chart is a good guide, the distance between eyelets and the width of the facing can vary by shoe. For a guaranteed fit, it's always best to measure your current laces first.

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

For more details on length, please see this article.

Dress Shoelace Length Guide [From Oxfords to Boots by Eyelet Count]

Introducing 7 Recommended Shoelaces for Dress Shoes [Flat & Round, Thin & Thick]

All MONDSHOELACE shoelaces we introduce are semi-custom, allowing you to freely choose the "metal aglet color" and "length."

We invite you to find the perfect laces for your dress shoes.

Here is a summary of the laces we'll be introducing.

Lace Product Features Colors Price
Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton
Flat Shoelaces 1/8ʺ(3mm)
Thin flat lace
For dress shoes
15 From ¥1,210 (tax incl.)
Wide Glossy Waxed Cotton
Flat Shoelaces 1/5ʺ(5.5mm)
Wide flat lace
For shoes with metal eyelets
11 From ¥1,210 (tax incl.)
Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton
Round Shoelaces 2/25ʺ(2.2mm)
Thin round lace
For dress shoes
15 From ¥1,210 (tax incl.)
Thin Glossy Waxed Cotton
Round Shoelaces 1/10ʺ(2.5mm)
Slightly thick round lace
For casual & dress
15 From ¥1,210 (tax incl.)
Thick Glossy Waxed Cotton
Round Shoelaces 7/50ʺ(3.5mm)
Thick round lace
For casual shoes
11 From ¥1,210 (tax incl.)
Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton
Flat Shoelaces 7/50ʺ(3.5mm)
Slightly thin flat lace
Stay-tied and durable
2 From ¥1,430 (tax incl.)
Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton
Round Shoelaces 2/25ʺ(2.2mm)
Thin round lace
Stay-tied and durable
2 From ¥1,430 (tax incl.)

2 Recommended Flat Laces

MONDSHOELACE's waxed cotton laces have an elegant sheen from a perfectly balanced wax treatment—not too much, not too little. We offer two styles of flat waxed laces.

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

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

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

At 3mm, this is a standard width for flat dress shoelaces. It pairs well with formal shoes. Available in 15 colors.

Recommended for:

  • Sleek dress shoes
  • Shoes with blind eyelets
  • Shoes with smaller visible eyelets

Not ideal for:

  • Shoes with large visible eyelets

→ A thin lace in a large eyelet can look unbalanced.

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

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

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

A thick 5.5mm flat lace with a distinctive weave. It pairs well with more casual shoe types. Available in 11 colors.

Recommended for:

  • Shoes with visible eyelets
  • American-made shoes like Alden
  • Boots
  • Shoes with a substantial welt or sole

Not ideal for:

  • Sleek dress shoes

→ The lace may look too bulky for the shoe's profile.

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

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3 Recommended Round Laces

MONDSHOELACE's waxed cotton laces have an elegant sheen from a perfectly balanced wax treatment—not too much, not too little. We offer three styles of round waxed laces.

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

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

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

At 2.2mm, this is a standard width for round dress shoelaces. It pairs well with more formal shoe types. Available in 15 colors.

Recommended for:

  • Sleek dress shoes
  • Shoes with blind eyelets

Not ideal for:

  • Shoes with large visible eyelets

→ A thin lace in a large eyelet can look unbalanced.

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

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

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

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

A slightly thicker 2.5mm round lace with a distinctive weave and a casual feel. Available in 15 colors.

Recommended for:

  • Shoes that can be dressed up or down
  • Derbys (Bluchers)
  • Shoes with a substantial welt or sole
  • U-tip derbys like the J.M. Weston Golf or Paraboot Chambord

Not ideal for:

  • Formal dress shoes (like sleek cap-toe Oxfords or wholecuts)

→ This lace has a more casual vibe, so for formal styles like a cap-toe Oxford, the 2.2mm lace we introduced earlier would be a better choice.

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

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

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

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

A thick 3.5mm round lace with a distinctive weave and a casual feel. Available in 11 colors.

Recommended for:

  • Shoes with visible eyelets
  • Shoes with a substantial welt or sole
  • Country boots like the Tricker's Malton
  • Casual shoes

Not ideal for:

  • Sleek dress shoes
  • Shoes with blind eyelets

→ As a thick, casual lace, it's not a good match for sleek shoes or those with small eyelets.

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

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Durable and Stay-Tied Waxed Laces

Unlike standard waxed laces that are coated on the surface, these laces are infused with wax to the core. This makes them more resistant to fraying, more durable, and less likely to come untied.

Slightly Thin, Stay-Tied Flat "Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton Flat Shoelaces 7/50ʺ(3.5mm)"

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

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

A slightly thin 3.5mm flat lace that sits nicely in the eyelets. Recommended for all types of dress shoes. Available in 2 colors.

Recommended for:

  • Sleek dress shoes

Not ideal for:

  • Shoes with large eyelets

→ It may look slightly unbalanced in large eyelets.

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

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Thin, Stay-Tied Round "Thin Stay-Tied Waxed Cotton Round Shoelaces 2/25ʺ(2.2mm)"

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

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

A thin 2.2mm round lace with a distinctive weave. It pairs well with both dress and casual shoes. Available in 2 colors.

Recommended for:

  • Sleek dress shoes
  • Shoes with blind eyelets

Not ideal for:

  • Shoes with large visible eyelets

→ A thin lace in a large eyelet can look unbalanced.

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

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Recommended Knot for Slippery Laces

Waxed shoelaces can sometimes be slippery until they are broken in. If this happens, try tying them with a Berluti knot. It's very secure and highly recommended.

Please refer to this article for details.

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

Summary

We've covered how to choose the right shoelaces and introduced some of our recommended products. Here's a quick recap of what we discussed.

Here's a summary of how to choose shoelaces:

  • Waxed laces with a sheen are recommended for dress shoes.
  • Choose the "Style (Flat or Round)" based on your shoe type and personal preference.
  • For "Width," thinner is more formal, and thicker is more casual.
  • For "Length," use the guide as a reference, but always measure your current laces to be sure.

Here are our recommended shoelaces, grouped by width.

[Thin Waxed Laces (Including the Stay-Tied wax-infused series)]

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

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

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

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

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

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[Thick Waxed Laces]

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

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

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We've introduced our recommended shoelaces from the MONDSHOELACE collection. With a rich variety of styles and colors, plus the ability to choose your "metal aglet color" and "length," you can find the perfect pair for your shoes.

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