Welcome to my Summer of the Espadrille
It happened quickly and swiftly. I owned one pair of broken down old espadrilles and then suddenly I had four new pairs of these comfy, versatile, everyday shoes. I have straight up fallen in love with the espadrille, specifically the flat, closed-toe version. My friend aptly declared them the “practical lady shoe.” I couldn’t have said it better.
I’m a girl on the go, that’s no secret. Throughout the winter, the flat bootie was my go-to foundation for adventure, work, and party outfits. I bought them in various colors to mix and match with high and low looks. As the heat turned up and my skirts grew shorter, I needed a summer alternative. In deed, I’ve found what I was looking for in the espadrille. Since the trend took hold of me, I’ve worn a pair to meetings, music festivals, dance parties and date nights. I wanted to break down this new obsession for you.
What is and Espadrille?
The word espadrille comes from the esparto rope used to create the sole of the shoe. Traditionally, they are topped with canvas or cotton fabric, but today suede, sequins, studs and embroidery are options, too. The origins of the classic shoe style can be traced back to the 1300s. The light, breathable design came in particular handy during the hot summers in Basque Country and Catalonia. They were the shoe of the working class during a time of political upheaval and war. Later on, Catalan artists Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí were photographed wearing the shoes and eventually designers like Yves Saint Laurent ushered them into high fashion.
Today, the simple espadrille is a classic addition for both men and women trying to make it through the summer with class. They’re easily dressed up and down, depending on the day’s adventures. Bonus: they are more environmentally friendly than your rubber flip flops and pleather sandals.
The Real Deal
I stepped into Rider Boot a couple weeks ago. I’ve grown to love this family run business in the Arts District. The store had baskets lined along the back right wall that spilled over with handmade Deigo espadrille flats. I took home a pair of the Carmen shape in both red and white. Both shoes have gotten surprising play. I dirtied up the white pair pretty good one day and washed them out like I would a pair of jeans. The canvas makes the upkeep of these shoes easy. These are the kind of shoes that stay with you forever.
The Mall Picks
On the other side of the shopping coin, I found my other two pairs of espadrilles at the mall. I was getting focused for a trip to New Orleans, which I knew would be hot and required a lot of walking. When I returned home, I would follow up the epic trip with a summer full of concerts and travel. It was time for the right tools!
I found a pair of black espadrilles at Versona–the last pair in the store! They’re a lot like these from Amazon. I also wanted a pair that felt a little more sophisticated. I stumbled on these taupe suede espadrille babies from Steve Madden at DSW. The taupe color elongates my legs and matches with everything.
Shop the Espadrille
