They’re basically just grass and canvas. That’s it. That is the big secret behind the shoes that have managed to stay relevant for roughly seven hundred years without ever really changing their DNA. If you look at a pair of espadrilles shoes for women today, they aren't fundamentally different from the ones worn by the King of Aragon’s infantry in the 1300s. It’s wild when you think about it. In a world of carbon-fiber running shoes and 3D-printed heels, we are all still collectively obsessed with a Mediterranean peasant shoe made of braided jute.
Honestly, the reason they work is that they bridge a gap nothing else can touch. You can’t wear flip-flops to a wedding. You probably shouldn't wear stilettos to a beach boardwalk unless you enjoy suffering. Espadrilles sit right in the middle. They have this weird, built-in ability to look expensive and effortless at the same time. It’s that "I just threw this on in Saint-Tropez" vibe, even if you’re actually just heading to a grocery store in a suburb.
The weird history of the jute sole
Most people think espadrilles are French. They aren't. Not originally, anyway. The name comes from esparto, which is a tough, wiry Mediterranean grass that was originally burnt and then braided to create the soles. While they are deeply associated with the French Basque country now—specifically the town of Mauléon, which is basically the world capital of the craft—their roots are firmly Spanish.
By the 1800s, these weren't fashion statements. They were work gear. Mine workers and farm laborers wore them because jute is remarkably breathable and, surprisingly, tough. If you’ve ever worn a pair of cheap flats that made your feet feel like they were in a sauna, you’ll appreciate why jute matters. It wicks moisture away. It breathes. It’s a literal plant under your foot.
Then came the 1940s. Hollywood happened.
Lauren Bacall wore a lace-up pair in Key Largo (1948), and suddenly every woman in America wanted to look like they’d just stepped off a boat in the Florida Keys. But the real "fashion" moment—the one that changed everything—didn't happen until the early 1970s. Yves Saint Laurent met a Spanish manufacturer named Isabel Castañer at a trade fair. He had this crazy idea to put a wedge on an espadrille. Before that, they were almost exclusively flat. Castañer made it happen, and the luxury espadrille was born. That single collaboration turned a peasant staple into a runway icon.
Why your feet don't hurt (usually)
Comfort is a big word in the shoe world, but with espadrilles shoes for women, it’s a specific kind of comfort. It’s not the squishy, marshmallow feeling of a modern sneaker. It’s more of a firm, molded support.
Jute is a natural fiber. Over time, the heat and moisture from your feet actually cause the braided sole to compress and take the shape of your footprint. It’s basically custom-molded footwear that costs fifty bucks. Or five hundred, depending on the label on the heel.
🔗 Read more: Anime Pink Window -AI: Why We Are All Obsessing Over This Specific Aesthetic Right Now
The flat vs. the wedge
If you’re going for a flat version, look for a "double sole." A single layer of jute is fine for the beach, but if you’re walking on city pavement, you’ll feel every pebble. A double sole gives you that extra half-inch of clearance from the jagged reality of the sidewalk.
The wedge is a different animal. Because the sole is one solid piece of jute, you don't get the "stilt" effect of a traditional high heel. Your weight is distributed across the whole foot. This is why you see people wearing 4-inch Castañer Carina wedges for eight hours straight at garden parties without crying.
Identifying the real deal from the fakes
You’ve probably seen "espadrilles" at big-box retailers that are actually just sneakers with a piece of rope glued around the rubber sole. That’s not a real espadrille. That’s a lie.
A traditional pair is constructed by hand-sewing the canvas upper directly to the jute sole. If you look closely at a pair from a brand like Alpargatas or Viscata, you can see the heavy stitching. This isn't just for aesthetics. This "lock-stitch" allows the shoe to flex naturally. When you use glue, you lose the breathability and the flexibility.
One thing to watch out for: water. Jute is dried grass. If it gets soaking wet, it expands. If it stays wet, it smells like a damp basement and can eventually rot. Most modern versions now have a thin layer of vulcanized rubber on the very bottom to protect the jute, which is a lifesaver. If you find a pair with a raw jute bottom, keep them far away from puddles.
Styling them without looking like a costume
There is a danger with espadrilles shoes for women—the danger of looking like you’re headed to a themed "Mediterranean Night" party.
To keep it modern, you have to break the rules. Don't just pair them with a sundress. Try them with wide-leg trousers or oversized linen shirts. There’s something very cool about the contrast between a sharp, tailored pant and a rough-textured shoe.
💡 You might also like: Act Like an Angel Dress Like Crazy: The Secret Psychology of High-Contrast Style
- The Weekend Look: Cropped straight-leg jeans, a white tee, and classic black ribbon-tie wedges.
- The Office (If it's casual): A midi skirt and flat, pointed-toe espadrilles.
- The "I'm on Vacation" Look: Literally anything. Silk slips, denim shorts, sarongs. This is their natural habitat.
The ribbon tie is the most iconic version, but it’s also the most annoying if you don't know the trick. If you tie the ribbons around your calf, they will fall down. Every time. Guaranteed. The trick is to cross them behind your ankle first, then wrap them around the thinnest part of your leg just above the ankle bone. Tie the knot at the back or the side, never the front. It keeps the line of your leg looking longer and, more importantly, the shoes actually stay on.
Sustainability isn't a marketing buzzword here
We talk a lot about eco-friendly fashion these days, but the espadrille was "green" before it was cool. Jute is one of the most sustainable fibers on the planet. It grows incredibly fast, doesn't need much in the way of pesticides, and is completely biodegradable.
When a pair of high-end sneakers dies, they sit in a landfill for a thousand years because of the complex plastics and glues. A traditional espadrille is mostly plant matter. If you stripped away the rubber outsole, you could basically compost the rest.
The price-point reality check
You can buy a pair for $20 at a market in Spain, or you can spend $700 at Chanel. Is there a difference? Sorta.
With luxury brands, you’re paying for the leather lining and the brand name. The jute sole is often coming from the same Spanish or French factories regardless. If you want the best "bang for your buck," look at mid-range specialists. Brands like Soludos, Castañer, and Manebí specialize in this one specific thing. They use high-quality canvas that won't tear after three wears, but you aren't paying a "luxury tax" on the logo.
Common myths and mistakes
Let's clear some things up.
First, they will feel tight when you first put them on. Like, "did I buy the wrong size?" tight. That’s normal. Canvas stretches. Jute settles. If they feel like slippers the moment you buy them, they’ll be falling off your heels in two weeks. They should feel snug—almost borderline uncomfortable—across the top of your foot initially.
📖 Related: 61 Fahrenheit to Celsius: Why This Specific Number Matters More Than You Think
Second, don't wear socks. Ever. It sounds obvious, but people try it with the sneaker-style versions. The whole point of the jute is the skin-to-fiber contact for moisture wicking.
Third, "cleaning" them is a bit of a process. You cannot throw these in the washing machine. The water will ruin the sole. Instead, use a toothbrush and a tiny bit of mild detergent to spot-clean the canvas. For the jute, if it gets muddy, let it dry completely first. Then brush the dirt out with a stiff brush.
The future of the weave
We’re starting to see some interesting shifts in how espadrilles shoes for women are designed. Designers are moving away from just canvas. We’re seeing suede, leather, and even recycled ocean plastics being used for the uppers.
The silhouette is changing too. The "platform" espadrille—where the entire sole is a thick, flat block of jute—is huge right now. It gives you height without the pitch of a wedge. It’s a bit more "streetwear" and a bit less "Cote d'Azur."
But honestly? The classic will always win. There is a reason why icons like Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn were photographed in them constantly. They are simple. They are honest. They don't try too hard.
Making them last: Your next steps
If you’re ready to grab a pair, don't just buy the first ones you see on a social media ad. Do a quick "construction check" first.
- Look at the bottom. Ensure there is a rubber outsole. If it's pure jute, you’re going to slip on the first tile floor you walk on, and the shoes will be trashed in a week.
- Check the "throat" of the shoe (where the fabric meets your foot). It should have a reinforced seam. This is where most cheap espadrilles rip.
- Smell them. Seriously. Real jute has a faint, earthy, hay-like scent. If they smell like chemicals or heavy glue, they’re mass-produced fakes that won't breathe.
Once you have them, store them with some tissue paper stuffed in the toes to keep the shape. If they do get a little damp, dry them away from direct heat—no hair dryers, no radiators. Let them air dry slowly.
Espadrilles are one of the few items in fashion that feel like a genuine "hack." They're cheap to produce, look incredibly chic, and are actually better for your feet than most synthetic shoes. Whether you're going for the flat version for a commute or a 100mm wedge for a summer gala, you're participating in a 700-year-old tradition. That's a lot of pressure for a shoe made of grass, but somehow, they handle it just fine.