How To Wear Espadrilles: The Mandarina Guide To Summer Styling

Espadrilles are one of those wonderful summer shoes that simply make life easier. Slip them on, add sunshine, and suddenly even the simplest outfit feels like it has somewhere fabulous to go.

Practical? Yes. Comfortable? Absolutely. Stylish? Without question. But the real magic of espadrilles is how effortless they are. They work with linen dresses, cropped jeans, shorts, summer skirts, beach kaftans, wide-leg trousers and all those lovely holiday pieces that spend far too much of the year waiting patiently in the wardrobe.

At Mandarina, we love espadrilles because they sit beautifully between relaxed and dressed up. They are not too formal, not too flimsy, not too sensible and certainly not boring. From suede wedge espadrilles to colourful canvas slip-ons, striped espadrille sandals and backless mules, these are shoes made for sunshine, holidays, lunches, garden parties and long lazy days when your feet still deserve to look fabulous.

Why Espadrilles Are The Ultimate Summer Shoes

Espadrilles have a relaxed Mediterranean feel, usually with a traditional rope or jute-style sole and a lightweight upper. That combination makes them perfect for warm weather dressing. They feel casual enough for daytime, but with the right shape, colour or detailing, they can look wonderfully polished too.

Our espadrille collection includes styles made in Spain by artisan brands including Toni Pons and Verbenas, with details such as braided jute midsoles, rope soles, canvas uppers, suede finishes, crochet textures, elasticated straps and flexible rubber bases. In other words, these are not throwaway summer shoes. These are proper espadrilles with comfort, colour and character.

How To Wear Neutral Espadrilles

Neutral espadrilles are the great wardrobe problem-solvers. If you are packing for a holiday and only have room for one pair of summer shoes, a neutral pair is almost always a good idea.

The Malaga wedge espadrilles in stone are a perfect example. They are soft, suede, understated and wonderfully useful, with a supportive mid wedge that gives a little height without feeling heavy or clumpy. Wear them with white jeans, linen trousers, denim shorts, relaxed summer dresses or a floaty midi skirt. They are also a lovely choice for casual summer weddings, especially if you want something softer and more comfortable than a formal heel.

A neutral wedge espadrille works especially well when the rest of the outfit is colourful, patterned or textured. Think a coral sundress, a blue linen shirt dress, a printed skirt or a classic navy and white holiday outfit. The shoes quietly pull everything together without fighting for attention.

How To Wear Striped Espadrilles

Striped espadrilles are pure summer fun. They have that breezy, coastal feeling that makes you think of sea air, beach cafes, boat trips and stripey deckchairs in the sunshine.

The Cruz sailor stripe slip-on espadrilles are ideal with turned-up denim, cotton shorts, white trousers or a simple navy dress. They have a classic nautical look, but the cutaway sides keep them feeling feminine and stylish rather than too practical. Add a crisp white shirt, cropped jeans and a basket bag and you have an easy weekend outfit that looks put together without trying too hard.

For something brighter, the Sunset stripe wedge espadrilles bring a fabulous splash of colour. These are made for sunshine dressing. Wear them with denim, simple linen, white cotton, or a plain summer dress and let the stripes do the talking. They are also brilliant when your outfit needs a little lift, especially if you tend to wear neutral basics in summer.

How To Wear Crochet Espadrilles

Crochet espadrilles are pretty, feminine and wonderfully easy to style. They have a softer, more textured look than plain canvas, making them perfect for summer dresses, beach kaftans and relaxed holiday outfits.

The Cruz vanilla crochet slip-on espadrilles are a lovely just-off-white shade, which makes them incredibly useful. Wear them with blue denim, white linen, soft pastels, sandy neutrals or floaty floral dresses. They are relaxed enough for daytime but still feel elegant, especially with the cutaway sides and traditional rope sole.

These are the kind of espadrilles you can wear from breakfast to beach walk to late lunch. Add a loose white shirt, wide-leg linen trousers and oversized sunglasses and you are basically ready for a very chic holiday postcard.

How To Wear Colourful Ribbon Espadrilles

Colourful ribbon espadrilles are perfect when you want a summer shoe with personality but still need something easy to wear. The Sorbet and Tropicana ribbon stripe espadrilles both have neutral canvas uppers with coloured ribbon detailing, which means they go with far more than you might think.

Sorbet, with its pastel tones, looks lovely with white, pale denim, soft blue, coral, lavender, mint and floaty summer pieces. It is the kind of shoe that works beautifully with beachy whites and pretty holiday dresses.

Tropicana has a warmer, richer feel, with tropical tones that look fabulous with mustard, olive, rose, coral and sage. The lifestyle imagery gives exactly the right styling cue: a sunshine-ready outfit, a bright summer dress, a beachy backdrop and shoes that feel relaxed, colourful and full of holiday spirit.

The trick with colourful espadrilles is not to overthink them. Pick one colour from the shoe and echo it somewhere in your outfit, or keep the outfit simple and let the espadrilles bring the fun.

How To Wear Espadrille Mules

Espadrille mules are one of the easiest summer shoes to wear. Backless, relaxed and brilliantly simple to slip on and off, they are ideal for holidays, warm weekends and days when you want comfort without looking as though you have given up.

The Bright Beach mules are full of Mandarina spirit, colourful, woven, relaxed and cheerful, with cushioned insoles and a high-cut front to help them stay comfortably on the foot. Wear them with wide-leg trousers, a loose summer dress, cropped jeans or shorts. They are particularly good for holiday packing because they feel casual but still interesting.

Espadrille mules also work well with oversized shirts, linen co-ords, beach bags and big sunglasses. In other words, all the best bits of summer dressing.

How To Wear Wedge Espadrilles

Wedge espadrilles are the answer when you want height, but not the drama of a formal heel. The wedge gives support under the foot, while the rope sole keeps the look relaxed and summery.

They are a great choice for weddings, garden parties, lunches, holidays and evenings out. Wear neutral wedge espadrilles with dresses, tailored shorts or wide-leg trousers. Wear striped wedge espadrilles with denim, block colours or simple summer basics.

The beauty of a wedge espadrille is that it can make an outfit feel more dressed without becoming too polished. You still look relaxed, but just that little bit more fabulous.

What To Wear With Espadrilles On Holiday

Espadrilles really come into their own on holiday. They are lightweight, versatile and easy to style across different outfits, which means fewer shoes in the suitcase and more room for lovely things you probably do not need but will absolutely buy anyway.

Pack canvas slip-on espadrilles for daytime exploring, crochet espadrilles for beach-to-lunch dressing, espadrille mules for relaxed evenings and wedge espadrilles if you want something that works for dinner or a special occasion.

They look especially good with linen, cotton, denim, crochet, raffia, basket bags, kaftans and sun dresses. Very Mediterranean. Very relaxed. Very Mandarina.

Can You Wear Espadrilles At Home?

Absolutely. Espadrilles may be the ultimate holiday shoes, but they are just as useful for summer days at home. Wear them for weekend lunches, pottering around town, garden parties, casual work days, school runs, seaside trips or just because the sun has made an appearance and frankly, that deserves a decent shoe.

Flat espadrilles are perfect with turned-up jeans and a T-shirt. Wedge espadrilles look lovely with a summer dress. Mules are brilliant for easy everyday wear. Colourful styles can make even the most ordinary outfit feel more joyful.

The Mandarina Way To Wear Espadrilles

The best way to wear espadrilles is with confidence, comfort and a little bit of fun. They do not need complicated styling. They just need sunshine, good colour and a willingness to let your shoes be part of the outfit.

Choose neutral suede espadrilles if you want maximum versatility. Pick striped espadrilles if you love a nautical summer look. Go for crochet espadrilles if your style is soft, pretty and relaxed. Choose colourful ribbon espadrilles if you want something playful and easy to wear. Slip into espadrille mules if comfort is your main event. Reach for wedge espadrilles when you want height without sacrificing that lovely laid-back summer feeling.

Explore Mandarina’s Espadrilles, Sandals And Slides

At Mandarina Shoes, our espadrilles are chosen for women who want summer shoes with comfort, colour and individuality. From Spanish-made wedge espadrilles and canvas slip-ons to crochet espadrilles, espadrille mules and colourful ribbon styles, this is footwear designed to be worn, loved and noticed.

Browse our Espadrilles, Sandals & Slides collection and find your perfect pair for sunshine days, holiday adventures and fabulously dressed feet.