Jute Cord Espadrilles – Five Plus One

Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.


Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.


The beauty of espadrilles is their simplicity and versatility. The shoes are made using a braided jute rope sole, which is the only real “requirement” for a shoe to be considered an espadrille. Neither the materials nor the construction method used to make espadrilles are particularly durable or repairable, but the continued usage of these traditional production methods makes espadrilles attractive to many footwear fans.

1) Espadrilles Store: Linen Espadrille

Espadrilles Store Linen Espadrille Shoes

Due to their simplicity, traditionally made espadrilles can still be at very reasonable prices. Espadrilles Store offers their Linen Espadrilles for a mere forty dollars, which is quite remarkable considering that the upper and sole are handsewn together in Spain. It features linen uppers and a jute rope outsole with rubber topping material.

Available for $41 from Espadrilles Store.

2) Vince: Tucker Espadrilles

Vince Tucker Espadrilles

Ordinarily, high fashion variants of traditional products leave a lot to be desired. However, Vince’s Tucker Espadrille certainly hit the nail on the head aesthetically, although whether it uses a true jute rope outsole or just rope facade is still up to debate. That’s the one issue with putting an insert in an espadrille and a rubber top on the outsole: there’s no way to tell if the jute-rope sole is traditionally constructed or merely present for looks.

Available for $150 from East Dane.

3) Viscata: Sitges Espadrilles – Blue White Stripes

Viscata: Sitges Espadrilles in Blue White Stripes

Viscata is another brand that offers handmade espadrilles from Spain. Their Sitges Espadrille is about as traditional as they come, and it provides all the great benefits of wearing an espadrille: breathability, flexibility, and comfort. This pair has the added benefit of having the jute rope sole visible on the inside of the shoe, so you can see the great care taken to wind it in an attractive pattern.

Available for $65 from Viscata.

4) Burberry: Japanese Linen Lace-Up Espadrilles

Burberry Japanese Linen Lace-Up Espadrilles

Espadrilles are so simplistic, so it can be a bit hard to make a stand-out product. Burberry’s Japanese Linen Lace-up Espadrilles are a great example of how material sourcing can make or break a product. Their Japanese linen is gorgeous, and the color combination with the jute rope sole helps to create a unique look.

Available for $375 from Burberry.

5) Soludos: Suede Smoking Slipper in Rust

Soludos Suede Smoking Slipper Espadrille in Rust

Soludos produces an excellent array of stylistically different espadrilles, but their Suede Smoking Slipper is a true stand out. It features a twill-lined suede upper that is sewn to the traditional rope sole. And like many other well made espadrilles, the outsole also functions as the insole. Although they are a bit more expensive than many other espadrilles, the attention to detail and unique more than make up for the increased cost.

Available for $85 from Soludos.

Plus One – Prada: Shortwing Espadrille Creeper in White

Plus-One-Prada-Shortwing-Espadrille-Creeper-in-White-Overside

It’s true that many espadrilles have a rubber top sole attached to the bottom of the jute rope outsole, but Prada took that idea to a whole new level. Their Shortwing Espadrille Creeper not only features a creeper-style sole attached to the regular rope outsole, but also a classic wingtip design and faux-welting. It brings a different definition to the term “divisive,” as you really have to appreciate shortwings, espadrilles, and creepers to consider wearing them; and even if you want to, then you have to stomach the price. Be that as it may, these espadrilles are certainly one of the most unique on the market and have proven to be quite popular.

Available for $1070 from Prada.