Though footwear probably hasn’t had much of a role to play in our work from home get-ups the past month, that does not mean we are not dreaming of all the pieces we’re taking out for a spin the minute circuit-breaker is over. On the list of summer staples we are coveting – and joining the ranks of getaway bags and playful straw hats – are the espadrilles. The shoes date back to the 13th century and have since found themselves on the feet of style icons of past and present such as Grace Kelly and Elle Fanning.
Though espadrilles had a “wedged phase” in the mid-noughties – endorsed by the It girls of the era, such as Paris Hilton and Victoria Beckham – they have since ditched the look for something a little more understated and elegant this season. Cue a slew of iterations that see the espadrilles in their original, chic, form: with the humble flat jute rope sole. After seasons of high-impact and statement-making shoes, that simplicity is refreshing and could explain why brands from Valentino to Dior are all pairing them with eveningwear and gown.
