Espadrille All Summer Long!

This week surprisingly sunny, I’ve started to feel rather summery. With that in mind, and with sunlight pouring in through my window, I’ve been inspired to start looking at summer footwear trends and get an idea of the kind of shoes I’d like to invest in this year.

My favourite summer shoe is the espadrille. It’s a classic ‘holiday’ footwear and slipping on a pair of these sandals always puts me in the mood for strolling along the beach with an ice-cream. You could say that they are a ‘timeless’ fashion item. 

Espadrilles high or flat, have been popular for a minute already. Especially in the women’s fashion market it seems like they have invaded summer footwear like no other style these last few years. Chanel is among the best known high fashion brands for the Espadrille, but from Celine, Saint Laurent to Chloe, others have quickly adapted their own versions of it as well. And you’d be right. In fact, they are so timeless that they’ve been around for hundreds – maybe thousands – of years.

Originally worn by peasants and soldiers, the modest rope-soled espadrille was being made in southern France and northern Spain at least as early as the 13th century. Castañer, a Spanish brand founded in 1927, is traditionally credited with bringing the shoe into the fashion fold. The story of how owners Isabel and Lorenzo Castañer crossed paths with Yves Saint Laurent at a trade fair in Paris in 1970 is fashion lore—and the encounter resulted in the tall, elegant wedge silhouette we know today.

‘Espadrilles are so popular because they’re comfortable, fresh and affordable’

Just one pair of espadrilles would be all you’d need for the whole summer to see you through holidays. For Spring/Summer 2016, designers and high street stores have updated the seasonal staple with stripes, lace, studs and florals. Here are few pairs that you guys will love this summer and for sure will keep you in style!