so, let's talk espadrilles - YouLookFab Forum

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so, let's talk espadrilles

kkards

Veteran

ok, i have a large preppy streak, it comes from growing up in New England in the 70s/80s (the height of the preppy handbook).
but i also have a huge desire to look current and modern.
which brings me to espadrilles......when i was in nordstroms at in early Jan I saw these awesome Chloe pair, and then yesterday i got an email from nordies highlighting espadrilles, and, well, i've found tons i like.
but i'm wondering if i'm just being nostalgic. would you wear these? how would you wear them? are they just another casual, ie slip-on sneaker, or do you think these could be worn with business casual? talk to me.....

Chloé 'Estel' Espadrille (Women)

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2

VC Signature 'Calada' Studded Leather Slip-On (Women)

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1

Vince 'Robin' Suede Flat (Women)

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Tory Burch 'Lucia' Lace Espadrille Flat (Women)

$185.00 $123.94

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Halogen 'Sabine' Espadrille Flat (Women)

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Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from kkards

Joy

Veteran

I wore them in college and loved them. I would wear them again, I think, especially in a color that could function as a nude.

Anonymous

I've always liked them too. I don't seem them as something I'd wear in a work setting though - they read strictly weekendish to me. I suppose a nice high-end pair in suede worn with a skirt in summer could be cute for work, but I still see them as very casual. Great with shorts, jeans....

rachylou

Veteran

No, I can't do espadrilles anymore. I hear my neighbor's father in my head: *You can't go out of the house in those basket weaver's shoes!*

More seriously, though, I don't know where I'd wear a shoe that casual these days. No high school, no beach to go to...

Jules

Veteran

Hmmm, these look very casual to me (and I wear slip on sneakers to work.... But these really say beach, for some reason). However I did wear espadrille wedges with dresses and skirts in summer 2012 and 13. Not the same effect you are attracted to perhaps...

kkards

Veteran

rachylou --after i win the lottery tonight (power ball @$360M), and i move to the beach, i will wear them to the boardwalk everyday. Problem solved!

lisap & jules, so i guess the question is how many casual sneakerish shoes do i need.

Anonymous

exactly - and the answer to that question is what keeps me from buying a pair myself

Lisa

Veteran

A nice question. I see these are a casual shoe that can work well with skinny jeans in place of a ballet flat.

old chic

I wore the likes of these even with business casual in the early 80s. Maybe that's why they look dated to me now, except for the beach or the backyard. I kinda like them with ribbon laces around the ankles, though -- still super-casual, but maybe with a gauzy skirt? Very boho. Since I don't do boho, I don't know why I am focusing on that idea. Probably another blast from the past emerging from my subconscious.

kkards

Veteran

Old Chic, I had those espadrilles ( candies, I think!). Anyway,I don't do boho either. And I'm seeing these as fresh again, Probably because they are in suede and leather now, were the ones I remember from my youth were always cotton canvas. I'm just not sure if they have a place in my wardrobe

Debbie

Veteran

This is a timely conversation for me. I have been looking for a capped toe pair. I saw these at Target and want something similar.

http://www.target.com/p/women-.....dSlot=_1_4
The Target ones were not comfortable for me.
I would wear them to work especially on Fridays with a skirt or jeans or ankle pants.

kkards

Veteran

debbie--yes, i saw those today when i was in target, but didn't have time to stop to try them on.
don't know what size you wear, but i did find these on sale from aldo --these are leather, but there are only limited sizes http://www.aldoshoes.com/us/en.....2005527-89

old chic

I take back what I said about them being dated. I love the look of those cap-toe versions.

Anonymous

Espadrilles are a classic and always look fresh to me but are best worn in the summer at the beach, maybe a little casual seaside shopping, etc. The construction doesn't seem suited to anything more formal.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like the updated versions in sturdier materials. I still see them as a really casual shoe, but I love them for that purpose if comfy for you. (They wouldn't be for me -- too flat).

Jjsloane

Veteran

I would wear them as casual in outfits that require flats or sneakers. Perhaps sporty luxe but not business casual. The issue I've had with espadrilles is that many have a non permanent sole (ie made from woven straw or the like) and do not hold up outside. I also find them very very flat and prefer a heeled wedge espadrille for a dressy sandal option.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I always liked espadrilles, although I find some hard to walk on. Wonderful for the heat though!

Debbie

Veteran

Thank-you kkards the bone and beige are not available in my size hut I may call the store here and find out in they have them.
I love the color combo and they look more refined to me.

Gaylene

Veteran

Well, there are espadrilles and then there are espadrilles. I love my Toni Pons:
http://www.tonipons.cat/en/cole/summer-2014/ and I'd say that some of them would work just fine in a casual business environment.

Staysfit

Veteran

Gaylene, I must have some Toni Pons! They are going on my "to buy" list immediately. I never really wanted espadrilles before because I could never find any I loved, but these are exceptional!

KKards, I almost forgot you were the one who originally asked about espadrilles because I was so distracted by the Toni Pons. I love shoes! I am sure there is a way to work a pair of these espadrilles into any wardrobe. I would wear them to work with a skirt, or with a pair of skinny jeans.

Oh, and anyone who wins that powerball lottery should invite all of us to the beach!!!

Debbie

Veteran

Gaylene- those are beautiful shoes!

Echo

Veteran

Flat espadrilles, as posted in the OP, are definitely much too casual for anything except very casual outings, IMO. The shoes Gaylene posted are beautiful, but are in no way espadrilles in the traditional sense. They may share a twine-wrapped sole/wedge, but that's about it, and both comfort and wearability are completely different.

Gaylene

Veteran

i agree that the Toni Pons espadrilles don't look like the flat ones that kkards originally posted, but that was my point--espadrilles don't just come in one version. If you scroll through the options, there are a number of heel heights and styles, some of which are definitely casual (very similar to the ones posted) while others are quite a bit dressier. If you scroll to the flat espadrilles, there are a couple of pairs that might work for a casual office in the summer, especially if other employees were wearing flat sandals and/or sneakers. As for comfort, my short wedge heel ones are 12-hour city walking shoes in the hot days of summer, and my current two pairs are going into their third summer this year.

ETA: Just wanted to add that the Toni Pons company has been making jute-soled espadrilles for over 60 years in Spain--and the price is significantly less than the VC Signature espadrilles.

kkards

Veteran

gaylene, thanks so much for the introduction to Toni Pons, i hadn't heard of them before. wow, they have a large and as you say, varied, assortment. and now you have given me more to think about.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I love them but I could wear shoes like that for nearly 7 months of the year here in central Texas with our heat. They seem like a dressier alternative to slip on sneaks to me. I would wear a pair like these:

http://www.andreassous.com/connie-s14-taupe.html

AM

Veteran

I'd wear: Rag & Bone Sayre II Leather Espadrille Wedge
I would want them to make a statement and reinvent the preppy.

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kkards

Veteran

texstyle --i think i could get 3-4 months wear. although i wore my slip on sneakers about 6 months, but somehow these do look much more summery.

AM --those Rag & Bone's are fab, i usually don't like a sling back, but those are worth thinking about.