T&C Tried & True: The Essential Summer Shoe Your Closet Needs
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Summer demands a lot of your shoes. They have to look good, of course, and sturdy enough stand up to what the season can throw at them (sprinklers, sand, uneven picnic lawns); airy enough to avoid overheating; aesthetic-appropriate for a range of social activities, and preferably easy to kick off for impromptu lounging. Not to mention that after a year of hanging around in our coziest (if also least fashionable) duds, comfort has become a paramount concern for all of our sartorial choices. Which is why this summer in particular is primed and ready for a resurgence in one of the great unsung staples of the preppy closet: the espadrille.
The history of the espadrille goes back at least as far as the 13th century, when Spanish peasants favored the unisex style, with a sole of woven fibers like jute sewn onto a simple fabric upper, for its relative affordability and utility. Over the generations, the style became almost synonymous with the Basque and Catalan regions, evolving from a working class shoe to a symbol of cultural pride for artists like Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, both of whom frequently donned the look.
Of course, Spanish ancestry was far from a prerequisite for recognizing the chic functionality of these rustic flats and the love of them quickly spread to midcentury America when fashionable types like Grace Kelly, Lauren Bacall, Rita Hayworth, and even JFK were spotted sporting them.
Then, in the '70s, the style towered to new heights, literally, when Yves Saint Laurent sent a red satin pair with a two-inch wedge by Isabel Sauras and Lorenzo Castañer down the runway, spawning a whole new espadrille revolution. The towering style began appearing regularly in the most sophisticated of shoe collections, quickly coming to rival its flat-soled counterpart for prominence, and the rest, as they say, is history.
High or low, espadrilles have just the same unfussy, effortless cool today that have made them a fashion darling for decades; which is why I always have a couple of pairs in my closet for the sunny seasons.
Breezier than sneakers, dressier than flip flops, and with a genderless appeal that lends a touch of edge, traditional flat espadrilles are the ideal do-it-all shoe for warm weather (not to mention the perfect "I can only pack one pair" weekend getaway shoe.) They add an instant dash of European flair to everything from cuffed jeans to linen pants to flowy sundresses. White canvas with black ties are classics that will never go out of style (think: your favorite white sneakers' cool Spanish cousin) but an espadrille is also an exciting opportunity to make a statement with color, pattern, or embroidery, because the rustic styling keeps them from looking overwrought. I'm currently favoring these jewel-toned ones from Tory Burch to add some punch to low-key outfits.
Of course, low isn't the only way to go. A heeled espadrille is exactly what you need for those summer events. The height can take maxi dresses and loose pants from bohemian to statuesque, while the woven effect keeps things casual. Add in some bonus nautical vibes that say "I just got back from the shore" (even if the closest you've gotten is an inflatable kiddie pool) and an à la YSL wedge that makes hoofing it across piers, lawns, and sandy sprawls far easier than your usual pumps, and you've got a recipe for a faultless dressed up summer shoe—and the only one I'll be donning for this season's return to in-person events.
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