Let me be honest about something. For years I treated espadrilles as a holiday-only shoe – the kind you buy at an airport, wear twice on a beach, then forget in a drawer. I genuinely thought they only worked with one specific summer dress. I was wrong, and slightly embarrassed about how wrong.
Then I started paying attention to how they actually behave across a real wardrobe. Denim. Tailoring. Linen. Flats on a Tuesday, wedges on a Saturday night. And the whole thing clicked. So if you’ve ever stood in front of your shoes wondering how to style espadrilles beyond the obvious, this is the playbook I wish someone had handed me. Seven formulas. Copy them straight.
I’m leaning on Toni Pons for the specifics because their range covers every case below – and because they’ve been hand-sewing espadrilles in Spain since 1946, which matters more than you’d think once you’ve felt the difference.
First, flats or wedges? A quick honest answer
Before the formulas, settle this one question. It changes everything. Flats are your everyday workhorse – relaxed, walkable, quietly polished. Wedges add height and a little drama, which reads more “evening” or “I made an effort.” Want a rough rule? Flats for daytime and movement, wedges when you want the outfit to stand up straighter. You’ll see both used below, and a good Toni Pons espadrille range gives you each in the same handmade quality.
Formula 1 – Straight-leg denim + natural canvas flat
This is the one I reach for most. Mid or light-wash straight-leg jeans, cuffed once at the ankle, paired with a natural-canvas flat espadrille in a cru or off-white tone. The jute sole peeks out beneath the hem. It’s effortless without looking like you gave up.
Add a tucked linen shirt or a fine-knit tee. Want it sharper? Swap the tee for a crisp white poplin shirt, sleeves rolled. The Gilda model in natural canvas is almost purpose-built for this look, and you can see the natural-canvas flats here. One small fix: skip the cuff if you’re petite – a clean break at the ankle lengthens the leg more.
Formula 2 – Midi sundress + ankle-tie wedge
The classic, done properly. A floaty midi or maxi sundress wants a wedge with an ankle tie, not a flat – the lift balances the volume of the fabric so you don’t disappear into it. Why does this work? Height plus a defined ankle creates a vertical line, and suddenly the whole silhouette reads taller and intentional.
Keep the tie low and neat, just above the ankle bone. A jute or leather wedge in tan or cuiro suits almost any print. If you’re shopping a leather wedge specifically, browse the wedge espadrilles here and start with a neutral – it’ll outlast the trend.
Formula 3 – Tailored trousers + flat espadrille (yes, really)
Here’s the one people doubt. Tailoring with espadrilles? Trust me on this. Wide-leg or pleated linen trousers in stone, navy or olive, finished with a flat espadrille, gives you that “off-duty creative director” look without trying too hard. The structure up top, the softness below – it balances beautifully.
Tuck in a knit. Add a relaxed blazer if the evening cools. The trick is matching the espadrille’s tone to the trouser or going one shade lighter – never darker, or it anchors the eye down. I’ll admit I resisted this combination for ages. Now it’s half my summer working wardrobe. Get the foundation flat from a handcrafted Spanish maker like Toni Pons and it lifts the whole thing.
Formula 4 – Denim shorts + canvas flat for the actual heatwave
When it’s genuinely hot, simplicity wins. Tailored denim shorts (not too short – mid-thigh holds up better all day), a loose linen shirt left open over a cami, and a low canvas flat. Bare ankles. Done in thirty seconds.
Because the jute sole breathes, your feet aren’t sweltering the way they would in a rubber-soled sneaker. That’s the quiet advantage of natural materials. Going to a market, a coastal town, a long lunch? This is the formula. The natural-fibre construction in a genuine made-in-Spain espadrille is what makes it bearable in real heat.
Espadrilles aren’t a beach shoe you tolerate. They’re a daily shoe you reach for – once the materials are right.
Formula 5 – Slip dress + leather wedge for evening
Who says espadrilles can’t do dinner? A bias-cut slip dress in silk or satin, a leather wedge with a clean ankle tie, and a small structured bag – that’s a genuine evening look. The wedge keeps it grounded and walkable, which heels rarely manage on cobbled streets or a long night out.
Pick a wedge with a leather upper rather than canvas here – it photographs richer and dresses up the casual base of the espadrille. The Grit leather wedge is exactly this register. Curious? Take a look at the leather wedge styles before you default to heels you’ll regret by 10pm.
Formula 6 – Linen co-ord set + tonal flat
Matching sets are doing a lot of heavy lifting in summer wardrobes, and espadrilles finish them better than any other shoe. A linen short or trouser set in sand, sage or terracotta, with a flat espadrille in a tone that sits within the same family. Not identical – just related.
Why tonal? Because a clashing shoe chops the look in half, while a related tone lets the whole outfit read as one long, easy line. Add gold hoops and a straw bag and you’re sorted for a wedding-adjacent garden event. A comfort-built flat helps – look for the kind with cushioned construction so you last the day.
Why the make matters (the part people skip)
Toni Pons hand-sews its espadrilles in Spanish workshops rather than mass-producing them offshore, using jute, cotton and linen – plus dedicated eco lines built from recycled and ecological materials. They’re the largest espadrille maker in Spain, ship to 90+ countries, and even picked up a Spanish fashion academy design award in 2025. Translation: the soles hold their shape, the stitching survives the season, and your feet aren’t fighting plastic.
Formula 7 – Cropped trouser + barefoot-feel flat for travel
Last one, and it’s the formula I lean on for airports and all-day city walking. A cropped tapered trouser, a relaxed tee, a denim jacket for the flight, and a flexible flat espadrille that feels almost barefoot underfoot. Light. Bendy. Forgiving over miles of pavement.
This is where comfort technologies earn their keep – flexible soles and lightweight builds turn a long travel day into a non-event. Espadrilles slip on and off at security too, which sounds trivial until you’re in that queue. For a travel-ready pair, start with a lightweight flat from Toni Pons and thank yourself at gate 47.
The honest verdict
So, do these formulas actually work? Yes – I’ve worn every one of them, repeatedly, and the espadrille has gone from a forgotten holiday afterthought to one of the most useful shoes I own. Flats for denim, tailoring and travel. Wedges for dresses and evenings. That’s almost a full summer wardrobe covered by two silhouettes.
One honest flaw, because I promised honesty: jute soles aren’t waterproof, and a proper downpour will mark them. So they’re a fair-weather shoe, full stop. If your summer is mostly dry, that’s a non-issue. If it isn’t, keep a backup by the door.
Everything else? Genuinely covered. Pick your first pair, copy a formula, and stop overthinking it. Ready to build the base of your summer rotation?
