Espadrilles!

Summertime is espadrille time!

A pair of this easy-to-wear footwear on your shoe rack will be good. It's lightweight, very comfortable and an effortless "slide your feet in & go" wear that easily pairs with just about anything summery in your closet.

Trivia: "Espadrille" is French and derives from the Occitan & Catalan name for the shoes, espardenya from espart, the Occitan/Catalan name for esparto, a tough, wiry Mediterranean grass used in making rope.  Espadrilles have been made in Pyrennean Occitania and Catalonia since the 14th century at least.

The traditional espadrilles have a canvas upper with the toe and vamp cut in one piece, and seamed to the rope sole at the sides. Often they would have laces at the throat that would be wrapped around the ankle to hold the shoes securely in place. 

I bought my pair in Barcelona six years ago and still get to wear them often (thank God for a year-round tropical weather). Expect me to wear these a lot this summer.

For Mens Spring/Summer 2012, the fashion houses turned it into these....

IOAN Argentinian Biodegradable Espadrille

Salvatore Ferragamo Blair Grosgrain Slip-on

Billy Reid Buffalo-Leather Espadrille

Castañer Alfie Chukka

Castañer Paisley Espadrille

Giorgio Armani Espadrille Boat Shoes

The espadrille touches in these sneakers are very nice.

Gucci Espadrille Sneaker

Jil Sander Panelled Leather & Espadrille Sneakers

Prada Denim Lace-up