Espadrilles: matching your shoes to your summer vibe

There’s no doubt about it: espadrilles never go out of fashion.

While they may have humble beginnings as Spanish peasants’ shoes hundreds of years ago, they can now be found on catwalks and at global premieres.

Yet for all their simple elegance, espadrilles are still deeply practical shoes. The flexible sole makes them versatile and means a pair of women’s espadrilles is a crucial part of every summer wardrobe, while the uppers come in a variety of styles, allowing you to match a style to your summer outfit, your mood and an event.

All at sea

Over the years, espadrilles have become a favourite pick for sailing footwear. And for good reason: they’re lightweight and offer great grip.

But it’s also about aesthetics: the traditional rope sole has a clear association with sailing rigs. Or you could opt for some striped espadrilles, with navy blue and red being the most popular colours for the stripes.

So if you’re heading out to sea – whether it’s for a day’s sailing, a yacht party or just a beach trip – espadrilles will be an obvious choice. 

City life

There’s nothing better than a city break, especially when the weather’s on your side. Marvel at the sights, explore by getting lost and stop for a bite to eat when the urge takes you. Of course, there’s always a good chance some shopping will be involved…

One thing you’ll always need on a city break is comfortable footwear. But you might want something a bit more dressy than trainers. Lace-up espadrilles to the rescue! They’re sturdy, but lightweight, so your feet will stay cool, no matter how hard you work them.

Marry them up with jeans, slacks or a flowy dress. If it’s particularly hot, shorts work too.

Calling it a night

Like any shoes, espadrilles come in a whole variety of styles, including ones with a bit more glitz – for a special night out. Take a look at a fashion app to find espadrilles with bold colours, sequins or blingy embellishments.

Strappy espadrilles perfectly complement cocktail dresses, with the straps climbing up the leg to almost meet the hem of your dress around the knee. It can be a memorable look, making certain you turn heads all night.

On another level

It’s not quite how their original makers imagined them, but you’ll also find espadrille platforms and wedges on the shelves. They offer a great compromise between practicality and glamour: creating a kind of bohemian charm.

Of course, they also let you add a few inches to your height, while providing a bit more comfort than regular high heels. And this is what espadrilles are all about: versatility.

A marriage made in heaven

During the height of summer, you can sometimes find your weekends blocked out with weddings. The romantic atmosphere, stunning venues, delicious food…there’s so much to love about weddings, including a good old boogie on the dancefloor.

But dancing causes dilemmas. Footwear dilemmas.

You want something suitably stylish to match your carefully chosen outfit, but you’re painfully aware (probably from experience) that you can’t dance the night away in high heels. Even if you bring a change of footwear, how do you negotiate grass in your heels?

Espadrille wedges are the answer. They won’t sink into grass and you’ll be comfy enough to show off your dance moves.

Sustainable shoes

Quite often, espadrilles are still made today as they were hundreds of years ago in the 14^th century. Rope soles usually support canvas or cotton uppers. They can easily be crafted using recycled materials.

And because they’re so timeless and versatile, they’ll never hide away at the back of your wardrobe for too long. Once the sun comes out, many people find themselves reaching for their trusty espadrilles. A solid pair of espadrilles is always a sound investment and can even save you the expense of buying footwear for different occasions.

No matter what events you have planned for the summer, if you’ve got espadrilles on your feet, you don’t need to plan too far ahead. If a day at the beach or a sightseeing trip turns into an upmarket dinner or an unexpected club night, it’s not a problem: espadrilles have you covered.