As you probably already know, there's nothing we love more than serving you a lightning-quick piece of fashion history before every shopping list (stylish girls are never too cool for school), so here's your lesson for the day: turn your textbooks to the page on espadrilles!
Before the late, great Yves Saint Laurent stuck a heel on 'em in the '70s, the espadrille was but a humble, flat peasant shoe with Spanish Catalan origins dating all the way back to 1322. At a glance, it's characterized by sturdy, braid-woven rope soles and was first popularized as a fashion item in 1948, when Lauren Bacall wore an ankle-laced pair in her iconic film Key Largo.
The espadrille didn't morph into its current wedge-heeled form 'til one fateful collaboration begun in 1970, when the aforementioned Yves Saint Laurent contacted heritage espadrille manufacturer Castaner to create a heeled pair he'd been envisioning for months. Happy with the results, Yves sent those down the runway: they became an instant sartorial hit, and the impact can still be felt today—just look at the modern interpretations of Chanel, Gucci, Michael Kors, and Paul Smith, to name a few.
Class dismissed! Now get shopping.
IMAGE Aldo
Aldo Shizuko wedge espadrilles, P4500, Greenbelt 5
IMAGE Rustans
Aquazzura Sunshine lace-up espadrille, P34,850, Rustan's
IMAGE Charles & Keith
Charles & Keith Espadrille sandals, P2499, Greenbelt 5
IMAGE Charles & Keith
Charles & Keith Cross strap wedge flatform sandals, P2499, Greenbelt 5
IMAGE Dune London
Dune London Krisha espadrilles, P6950, Shangrila-Plaza East Wing
IMAGE Giuseppe Zanotti
Giuseppe Zanotti Braided platform wedge sandal, price available upon request, Shangri-la Plaza East Wing
IMAGE Gucci
Gucci Embroidered espadrille sandal, P37,600, Shangri-la Plaza East Wing
IMAGE H&M
H&M Lace-up heeled espadrilles, P2290, SM Mega Fashion Hall
IMAGE Jimmy Choo
Jimmy Choo Portia sandals, P31,899, Shangri-la Plaza East Wing
IMAGE Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs Nathalie espadrilles, P21,550, Greenbelt 5
IMAGE Michael Kors
Michael by Michael Kors Hastings leather espadrilles, P11,390, Shangri-la Plaza Mall
IMAGE Seek The Uniq
Seek The Uniq Nida woven abaca espadrilles, P1599, seektheuniq.com
IMAGE River Island
River Island Super platform espadrille sandals, P3999, SM Aura
IMAGE Schutz
Schutz Mattia sandals, P10,000, Adora, Greenbelt 5
IMAGE Steve Madden
Steve Madden Rust lace-up espadrilles, P4500, Shangri-la Plaza Mall
IMAGE Steve Madden
Steve Madden Payden sandals, P4500, Shangri-la Plaza Mall
IMAGE Stuart Weitzman
Stuart Weitzman Sohogal sandals, P30,600, SM Aura
IMAGE Topshop
Topshop Platform wedge espadrilles, P1995, SM Aura
IMAGE Zara
Zara Suede lace-up espadrilles, P2995, Greenbelt 5
IMAGE Zara
Zara Striped ribbon lace-up espadrilles, P3995, Greenbelt 5
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