Why We Love Our Espadrilles

As flowers bud and the temps rise, our summer wardrobes are defrosting (finally!). That means breezy fabrications, light layers, and our new shoe obsession: espadrilles. Best known for their braided sole and simple silhouette, espadrilles are a staple in endless warm-weather wardrobes. A design that derives from humble beginnings, this instantly recognizable pair traces all the way back to mountain communities in 14th-century Spain, where a small family factory in Catalonia made them by hand, for everyone from citizens to soldiers. While it made its way to the mainstream in the 1940s, and shape-shifted silhouettes in modern time, the style never lost its hand-touched look and rustic roots.

At Free People, we love the backstory behind espadrilles. History and heritage have always been core to our values, and we strive to preserve techniques and honor artisans wherever we can. With our FP Collection espadrilles, we’ve worked hard to bring you pairs that not only look incredible with any outfit, but make you feel incredible, knowing love, care, and craftsmanship have gone into the espadrilles you purchase.

Here’s a little bit about the process of creating these staple summer shoes:

-The FP Collection espadrilles are all handcrafted in Spain, where the design originated, honoring its true roots.

-The uppers are all hand-sewn by women in the La Rioja region of Northern Spain, using a traditional, centuries-old technique for utmost quality and durability.

-The soles are woven from sustainable jute, a natural fabric spun from plant fibers, and finished with a natural rubber outsole.

-Successfully combining both traditional artisan processes and innovative modern techniques, each step in the creation of these shoes have been fine-tuned to preserve the quality, comfort and durability of each shoe.

-Uppers on canvas styles are hand-washed and dyed through an intricate process that softens the fabrication and creates a naturally washed, two-tone finish. Due to the artisanal nature of the treatment, each pair is unique.

-Each piece is developed with responsible materials while keeping slow production and original techniques in mind.