For the Love of Espadrilles ❤

My love of espadrilles go back to the early 90's when I became obsessed with old movies from the 30’s and 40’s; the era of Audrey Hepburn and Lauren Bacall. I’d first seen a similar style of sandal on Audrey as she made her way around Rome in Roman Holiday, the laces wrapping around the ankle. There was something whimsical, romantic and sweetly flirty about the shoe which instantly caught my attention. I found out later Audrey's shoe was more "espadrille-inspired" since it lacked the roped sole traditionally found in an espadrille, but I love the look just the same.

It was Lauren Bacall, wearing a true pair of espadrilles in Key Largo as she walked up a pier with Humphey Bogart, that I got a glimpse of the real deal, known as the "peasant shoe" in Spain.

Once again, the sight of a sandal which delicately laced around the ankle intrigued me.

Although I live in Miami, where espadrilles were extremely popular in the 80’s during the Miami Vice craze, they weren’t really on my radar beyond that.

I didn’t find them particularly flattering until Miami Vice was long gone and I spotted the ankle-wrap variety in old movies. I found out they were called espadrilles or Castañer while flipping through a fashion magazine; featured as a “hot summer must-have” that year. Based on the prices in the magazine, I also discovered espadrilles didn't come cheap, unless you lived in Spain where the shoes originated and were extremely popular.

My first live and in-person view of the shoe was at a Bayside Marketplace kiosk in the mid-90's. There was a small selection of shoes among handmade basket-weave tote bags for sale; no more than $20. To say I hadn’t seen anyone in my circle of family or friends wearing these shoes may seem impossible, but I had not. I wondered if the shoes were considered too old-fashioned, touristy, or strictly a European look and that’s why I hadn’t seen anyone wearing them. But the more I examined those shoes in my hands, the more I knew I had to have a pair.

Sadly, the ankle-wrap pair I wanted was unavailable in my size and the remainder of the selection was that Miami Vice style , sans the ankle-wrap detail, I wasn't a fan of. Empty-handed and disappointed, I walked away, but every time I returned to Bayside I'd check the kiosk for a new stock until one day the kiosk was gone. My dream of owning a pair of espadrilles was delayed, but not denied for long.

Some time later, I stumbled across a pair in a random shoe shop in Downtown Miami. And yet, again, the shoe was not available in my size. But they were perfect and only $12. I had to have them, so even though I was a size seven-and-a-half, I purchased them in a seven.

I convinced myself they weren't that tight. I rationalized that I'd be sitting at work for most of the day so the discomfort wouldn't be too bad. They looked amazing wrapped around my ankles with a pair of khaki-colored linen pants I had scored around the same time. But every chance I got to wear my dream shoes, I suffered. My poor toes were literally stuffed inside the shoes and screaming for freedom before the end of each workday. It was during this time when I may have caused permanent damage to my feet where ANY kind shoe with normal friction against my toes-- even in the right size- became unbearable. The things I’ve had to resort to in making closed-toe shoes cushy and comfy around my toes, is ridiculous. At that time, however, I submitted to the pain you hear about when it comes to fashion and beauty. Stupid, yes, but I was young when you’re allowed and forgiven. Unfortunately, the negative affects were lasting. In any case, for all the people I never saw wearing espadrilles, I received loads of compliments on how cute they were. That others loved the shoes as much as I did sometimes made the pain bearable.

My other source of pain with espadrilles is discovering once a pair of begins to degrade, they can't be repaired like other shoes. The rope is an integral part of the design and style, so when the inevitable happened, I had to part with my babies. Caught in the rain too many times, gradually, the rope began to unravel. I kept saying I would re-rope them, but it never happened, thankfully. The shoes that were akin to Chinese foot binding became unwearable and my feet were finally free. It had been a great, though painful, ride.

From then on, whenever I stumbled across a pair of espadrilles in my actual size, I had to have them and wore them until they became unwearable. I say "stumble" because, pre-internet, I was never able to find espadrilles when I was seeking them. It was always like finding a golden ticket in a Wonka chocolate bar - by surprise- and if they were available in my size I felt like I’d walked away with the keys to the Chocolate Factory.

Twelve years ago, I stumbled across these three, my first espadrille wedges by a clothing brand known as lola, at a fashion chain called Rave (the chain no longer exist). They were on clearance for about $10 each and so beautiful I walked out with a pair in every color. It was my lucky day!

One was not available in my size, so this time I went up a whole size because they didn't come in half-sizes. Sure, my foot sloshed around a bit in the larger pair, but I found having a little extra room in my shoe more manageable than the reverse.

Sadly, the rubber sole on the black pair has hardened like a piece of plastic and cracked. I think this is the result of me wearing them the most.

The soles on the red and brown pairs are still rubbery and pliable. Twelve years of life for a $10 pair of shoes goes to show you don’t always get what you pay for. Sometimes, you pay a lot and get crap. Sometimes you pay a little and strike gold! I've more than received my money's worth from that little spree.

Now, below is my intermediate group of espadrilles. I’ve had them for 1 to 3 years - all wedges and all less than $25 each. Even thought they're pretty comfortable, these are for days when I don’t have a lot of walking to do. And, as you can see, I HAVE graduated to sandals that have the roping detail of an espadrille, but do not wrap around the ankle. The buckle up style is a nice substitute, I think.

(Navy pair and White pairs of espadrille wedges; Rainbow (2/$20 on clearance; no longer available), Pink espadrille wedges; Payless ($5 on clearance), Linen and brown leather espadrille wedges; Just Fab, (currently available - Severine, $23.97).

The group below are my current babies. I loved the first pair, in black to replace the Rave pair, so much I had to get the other colors. They were such a bargain, it was too hard to pass up. These are for days when I’ll be doing lots and lots of walking.

Pink, gray, black and khaki brown flat espadrilles; Ebay, $12.00 (with free shipping from China); $17.47 (with free shipping from U.S. stock - same vendor)

What’s the appeal of espadrilles, you're wondering? I love that they are versatile. They can worn casually with shorts, to dress up the look; make me feel full girly-romantic when paired with a sundress, or bring a casual, but flirty vibe to a pair of dress pants. Shoes that wrap around the ankle tend to flatter my tiny ankles and give them weight. They’re comfortable (when worn in the right size) and make my gams look pretty good. I also find them whimsical and fun. Just the sight of them makes me smile. Espadrilles are my happy shoes...forever.