Trend: history of the espadrille and how to wear it this season?

An essential star of the summer and synonymous with holidays in the sun, the espadrille never ceases to be all the rage, after having been shunned for a long time by fashion houses and designers. Now adopted, revisited, then brought up to date, it reinvents itself endlessly every year, to adapt to all circumstances and all occasions. Sometimes flat, sometimes with platforms, sometimes with wedge heels, the espadrille can be worn just as well for a bike ride, as for a walk on the beach, an evening with friends, or even a day at the office. Simple, light, sensual, and comfortable, we love it and we appreciate it in all its forms. But what is the true story of this jute or hemp sandal, which in just a few years has become the big trend in summer footwear? And how to wear it this season to feel more beautiful than ever?

We tell you a little more about the espadrille, queen of summer sandals.

The little story of the espadrille…

The Aragonese origins of the espadrille

According to legend, the first sneakers, traditionally made from jute or hemp rope, date back to the 13th century, in Spain, where they were used by the infantrymen of the King of Aragon. It would seem, however, that we have found, during archaeological excavations, sandals with rope soles dating back more than 4000 years.

You have to wait for the Eighteenth century, nevertheless, so that the espadrille begins to undergo a real process of manufacture and commercialization. Production, centralized in a factory in the town of Mauléon, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, is organized quickly, carried by Spanish workers who have come straight from the Aragonese mountains. The espadrille continues to equip the Spanish soldiers, then spreads quickly to other corporations: priests, miners, …, little by little, the Spanish sandal – but 100% French-made – is gaining ground in society.

The espadrille, from 1960 to the present day

Yves Saint-Laurent was the first couturier to reinvent the legendary Spanish espadrille in the 1960s. With the castaner house, he imagined a model of espadrilles with wedge heels and adorned with ribbons, to be attached to the ankle. The success is immediate. Subsequently, the “made in France” espadrille was then taken up by the biggest haute couture houses, ready-to-wear brands, but also celebrities of the time.

Thus, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Cary Grant, or even Salvador Dali appear in turn with these canvas sandals that have become legendary.

Today, the modern sneaker is light years away from the traditional sandal of Spanish soldiers. In leather, with laces, printed, with wedge heels, flat, decorated with sequins or sequins, embroidered, it comes in a multitude of shapes and materials. Faced with (fierce) Chinese competition, designers compete each year in ingenuity to release ever more innovative, original and trendy espadrilles for women.

The espadrille, queen of summer sandals: how to wear it?

Ideal for holidays and sunny days, the espadrille is not just limited to casual or comfy use. Depending on the models, the accessories, and the associations, the summer shoe can also be perfectly suitable for a work day or a streetwear look. Here’s how to wear it so that it highlights you in the best possible way.

How to wear flat espadrilles?

Close to the traditional espadrille, the flat espadrille is perfect for a 100% beach and relaxation look. You can therefore perfectly wear it with denim mini-shorts (faded and/or frayed) and a swimsuit top or a crop top for an afternoon of shopping in the city. But, the flat espadrille also adapts perfectly to your summer evenings. Then choose a laced sandal, which you can combine with a long, flowing dress, or even a midi skirt. The advantage of the flat espadrille is that it is both pretty and ultra-comfortable; ideal for a whole day of walking, shopping and sightseeing.

How to wear platform espadrilles?

Featuring a thick, uniform rope sole, the platform espadrille is perfect for styling the silhouette while providing an almost incomparable level of comfort. Competitor of choice to classic sneakers, you can wear it with a little ruffled skirt and a leather jacket, for an evening with friends, mini-shorts and a crop top, for a casual look, or even raw jeans and a basic t-shirt, for an afternoon walk in town or to go to a festival or a concert in style.

How to wear wedge espadrilles?

Elegant, sensual and comfortable, the wedge espadrilles can be associated with both a casual look and a refined style; especially since they know how to sublimate and shape the silhouette to perfection. There are many options to wear wedge espadrilles with style and elegance. Choose them, for example, plain, with laces or ribbons to delicately tie them around your ankle. Pair them with a bohemian dress or long skirt, flowing and comfortable, for a gypset-chic look of great beauty.

For a casual and casual effect, combine your wedge espadrilles with jeans and a basic T-shirt. Complete the set with a pretty wicker bag, which will subtly recall the raw materials of your sandals. You can also play with the colors and prints of your sneakers, to enhance your look and give it a little summer sparkle.

In the evening, on the other hand, we opt for black espadrilles with heels, and a long dress, chic and split.