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Modern fashion often finds itself rising from a tradition of either one’s own people or a people from a far off corner of the world. The latter is true for the espadrille shoe’s history and sudden popularity in America beginning in the 1940s. The shoes originally come from the Pyrenees mountains and have been around since at least the 14th century. Traditional espadrilles are made with canvas and a sole consisting of braided rope. Modern espadrilles carry these basic characteristics while boasting the fashionable designs that have made them such a well loved type of shoe.
These modern designs include wedge heels of various heights, ballet flats, and flat sandals. In terms of the wedges, the most popular style is a high heel made of sturdy rope around a rubber core and sole. The canvas is sometimes a simple strap around the ankle or elaborate patterns that can wrap up the leg as high as the knee. These wedges are popular not just for everyday wear but for a semi-formal dress shoe. The ballet flats are a great casual shoe that fits well with any style of wardrobe, as are the flat sandals.
All styles of espadrille shoes come in various colors and with various decor. Some of the more formal wedge heels have a flower attached to the strap or come in dark colors. The casual wedges come with brightly colored canvas and rope. Many of the ballet flats, have designs in the canvas to match personal styles and statements such as stripes, plaid and other funky designs.
Espadrille shoes, like many kinds of shoes, are a type of shoe offered by many brands and many retailers. Steve Madden, Marc Jacobs, Guess, and many others provide the various styles of these shoes not only through their own exclusive stores but through well known online stores such as Amazon and Zappos. Thus, these shoes can be found in many styles and fit into many budgets.
No matter what occasion or personal fashion style, espadrille shoes provide a certain traditional flair that many other shoes do not. The canvas and braided rope provide simplicity to any outfit. Between the various colors, designs, and extra materials these traditional French shoes are making a name for themselves in American fashion.
