Shoes: Espadrilles/Rope Soles

From its historical and rudimentary model, recognizable by its canvas upper sewn onto a flat sole made of woven hemp or jute rope, to its more modern variations with wedge soles or high heels, the espadrille has undergone a cultural revolution.

Espadrilles Take It Up a Notch

The turning point came in the early 1970s when designer Yves Saint Laurent tasked the family-run Castañer company, based near Girona (Spain), with creating custom espadrilles for one of his Paris fashion shows. The Catalan artisan, who until then had primarily supplied field workers in his region—30 years after being nationalized by the Spanish government to equip military personnel during the Civil War (1936-39)—suddenly saw his fate change: originally flat, his espadrilles gained a few extra centimeters with an innovative heel added to their soles, according to plans laid out by the French couturier. It was in this new-look and avant-garde format, elegantly adorned with satin, silk, embroidery, and a ribbon to tie around the ankle, that the espadrille redefined itself, changed its status, and acquired a distinctly feminine touch on the feet of models dressed by one of the world's most prestigious fashion houses.

Movie actresses quickly followed suit, further breaking down the barriers of a style that, in its original version, had already made waves with some glamorous film icons: in the 1950s, Grace Kelly was seen posing in traditional espadrilles, following in the footsteps of another American legend, Lauren Bacall, who had earlier helped popularize the style in the film Key Largo (1948).

Espadrilles in All Their Forms

The multitude of shapes, colors, and patterns that espadrilles come in today carries the distant legacy of the upheaval initiated by Yves Saint Laurent, at a time when women's liberation was asserting itself more than ever in the U.S. and Europe. This pluralistic aesthetic is reflected in Besson Shoes' collection, showcasing the vast potential of this summer shoe which, even in its most contemporary variations, has retained its authentic and artisanal character, catering to feminine sensibilities.

Classic rope-soled models, very thin and without heels, now coexist with thick platform designs (4 centimeters) topped with black, white, khaki, or violet canvas, among other colors. Most notably, the range includes countless elevated espadrilles, with some reaching up to 9 centimeters high!

Open-toe styles like sandals or closed-toe versions like pumps, with crisscrossed straps or covering uppers, with lace, strap, or ribbon closures—espadrilles embrace an infinite range of styles that can complement all types of outfits. You’ll find models that boldly combine leather with hemp or feature multicolored rope soles.

Which Espadrille for Which Look?

Besson also offers a choice between espadrilles with soft-patterned counters and those that leave the heel completely exposed, with gold, glittery, or elastic straps and laces. Dressed in velvety textiles, ecru or mesh, adorned with iridescent pink hues, "mosaic" or "leopard" prints, with stitching details or crochet cotton threads, 21st-century espadrilles draw inspiration from numerous creative sources and reveal themselves in a multitude of styles.

Wedge espadrilles pair beautifully with a bohemian look, such as a long floral dress or a flowy blouse. Flat espadrilles, with the raw charm of their rope soles and leather straps, are a perfect match for an urban and modern style. For a stroll or a run on the beach, traditional low-top espadrilles remain a reliable choice, combining certain comfort with a timeless aesthetic often filled with childhood memories.

Espadrilles shoes & Rope sole shoes

Shoes: Espadrilles/Rope Soles

Espadrilles Take It Up a Notch

Espadrilles in All Their Forms

Which Espadrille for Which Look?