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How to Wear Espadrilles: A Men's Summer Outfit Guide
There is a shoe that does something no other summer footwear can replicate. It sits at the precise intersection of relaxed and refined, casual and continental, coastal and urban. The espadrille, with its woven jute sole and canvas or leather upper, has been a Mediterranean staple for centuries, and it continues to be one of the most underused tools in the modern man's summer wardrobe.
The problem is not a lack of options. Brands from Castañer to G.H. Bass, from Loro Piana to your local market stall in the Balearics, offer variations to suit every budget. The real issue is that most men have no idea what to wear with them beyond a relaxed beach-adjacent look. That ends here.
The espadrille rewards a specific approach. It elevates casual clothes without effort, but it also grounds smarter outfits with a sense of ease that formal footwear cannot achieve in summer. The key is context, proportion, and a willingness to treat the shoe as a serious style decision rather than an afterthought.
The Continental Linen Look
If there is one uniform that the espadrille was born to complete, it is the linen trouser outfit. Loose, tailored linen trousers in off-white, ecru, or stone sit perfectly above a classic espadrille, and the combination reads as put-together without a hint of effort.
Start with a relaxed-fit linen trouser and pair it with a plain, open-collar linen shirt in a tonal shade. The trick here is to keep the colour story within two or three values of each other. A sand trouser with a white shirt and a tan espadrille is far more coherent than a navy trouser with a white shirt and a bright espadrille. Let the texture do the work.
For the shirt, leave two or three buttons open. This creates structure without formality, and allows the linen to behave as it should: naturally, slightly crumpled, unapologetically summer.
The ideal espadrille for this look has a low-profile canvas upper in a neutral tone. White, natural, or navy are all safe choices. Avoid rubber-soled versions here; the traditional jute sole is essential to the authenticity of the outfit. The linen trouser and espadrille combination is one of those rare things in men's style where comfort and elegance genuinely converge. You don't have to choose between the two.
Smart Casual in Chinos
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The chino is the working man's tailored trouser, and when summer arrives it becomes the default lower half of most smart-casual outfits. The espadrille transforms a standard chino outfit from perfectly acceptable to genuinely considered.
Slim or straight-cut chinos in warm tones work best here: tan, camel, terracotta, or warm khaki. Pair them with a lightweight cotton or linen blend shirt in a complementary colour. A soft blue chambray shirt over a white fitted crew-neck T-shirt gives the outfit a layered quality without excessive weight.
Roll the chinos to just above the ankle. This is not a concession to trend but a practical decision: it reveals the jute sole of the espadrille and connects the shoe to the rest of the outfit. A full-length chino leg obscures that connection and makes the shoe look accidental.
A Cuban-collar shirt in a dark floral or abstract print can replace the chambray option for those who want more personality. The key is to let the shirt be the focal point and allow the espadrille to remain clean and understated in response.
For a light outerwear option, a cotton overshirt in olive or washed navy, worn open as a second layer over a plain tee, extends the outfit into cooler summer evenings without compromise.
Elevated Tailoring: The Summer Suit Alternative
The full summer suit with espadrilles is a look that very few men attempt, and that is precisely why it works so well. When most men default to leather Oxford or loafer, the espadrille offers something different: a visual signal that the wearer understands summer and refuses to sacrifice comfort for convention.
A lightweight suit in a breathable fabric, linen or hopsack, in mid-blue, sage green, or off-white, pairs naturally with a suede or leather espadrille rather than the standard canvas version. The elevated upper material bridges the gap between casual and formal, and allows the outfit to read as intentional rather than improvised.
Wear the suit without a tie. A plain white or pale blue dress shirt, open at the collar, keeps the look fresh. If the suit is a strong colour like sage or terracotta, opt for a white shirt exclusively.
The suede espadrille in tan or tobacco is the ideal shoe here. Castañer produces a particularly good version, and the elevated wedge sole gives additional height without losing the aesthetic of the shoe.
Do not attempt this look in synthetic fabrics. The heat of summer combined with a non-breathable suit turns a sophisticated outfit into a practical disaster within twenty minutes of direct sunlight.
Casual Without Compromise: Jeans and an Espadrille
The raw-hem straight-cut jean in a mid or light wash is summer's most reliable casual trouser, and the espadrille elevates it from standard to considered without any additional effort.
Keep the rest of the outfit simple. A plain white or pale grey crew-neck T-shirt, well-fitted, is the ideal companion. Avoid graphic prints here; the espadrille already signals a level of aesthetic awareness, and a loud T-shirt works against it.
A second layer over the T-shirt can be a lightweight washed cotton shirt in pale blue, sage, or faded coral. Worn open and untucked, it creates the kind of relaxed weekend look that feels effortless rather than constructed. Leave it open rather than buttoned; the purpose is volume and layering, not coverage.
For a slightly smarter take, replace the T-shirt with a fitted merino polo in a solid neutral. The polo collar introduces a hint of formality that keeps the jeans and espadrille combination from reading as entirely casual.
Go for a clean, low-profile espadrille in navy or natural canvas here. No wedge sole for this look; flat or very low rope sole maintains the proportional relationship with slim denim.
Colour and Shape: The Rules That Matter
The espadrille is an inherently warm-toned shoe. Its jute sole introduces a natural, organic note to any outfit, and that note responds best to warm and earthy colours. The mistake most men make is to treat the espadrille as a neutral and pair it with any outfit. The jute sole means it is never truly neutral.
Stick to warm colour combinations. Sand, ecru, tobacco, olive, warm blue, and terracotta all work. Cool greys and pure blacks can clash with the organic warmth of the sole. The exception is white canvas with a white or pale outfit, where the overall tone of the look is so light that the sole becomes a natural contrast rather than a conflict.
As for silhouette: the espadrille is a flat, low-profile shoe. Cropped or tapered trouser hems work best. A full break or wide-leg trouser hides the shoe entirely, and with it, all the intention behind the outfit choice.
Care: An Often-Overlooked Detail
Canvas uppers are vulnerable to water and stain. A single application of a fabric protector spray at the start of summer can prevent irreversible damage. Avoid the beach in espadrilles unless the pair is specifically designed for water exposure; sand embedded in jute rope is practically impossible to remove.
Leather and suede uppers require the same care as any leather shoe: cedar shoe trees to maintain shape between uses, and appropriate conditioner at regular intervals.
The jute sole is the most vulnerable part of the shoe. Wet jute deteriorates quickly, so never allow the shoe to become fully saturated. If caught in rain, dry them slowly and naturally, away from direct heat.
A well-maintained pair of espadrilles, unlike synthetic-soled summer footwear, can last several seasons without significant deterioration, which makes them a far better investment than their price point might suggest.
The Final Word on Fit
The espadrille should fit snugly across the toe box without any excess space. Most canvas versions have some flexibility due to the natural materials, but a loose fit allows the shoe to twist slightly on the foot, which destroys the clean line that makes the look work. When in doubt, size down by a half size on traditional canvas models.
Go sockless, or opt for a no-show sock in a breathable cotton if comfort demands it. A visible sock with an espadrille is one of the few genuine style errors that this shoe invites.
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