How the humble espadrilles rose to the ranks of royalty

Everybody knows that the best thing about espadrilles (apart from their extraordinary good looks!) is their versatility - they’re just so easy to wear and they go with so many things.

 

Comfortable, stylish and elegant these beautiful shoes were once simply practical footwear for Spanish soldiers. But such is the influence of fashion that they have now been elevated to royal status.

Elegant shoes, fit for a queen

It seems that queens, princesses and duchesses have all been seduced by these gorgeous traditional shoes over the last few years. And why is that? Well, just like the rest of us, royals recognise that espadrilles are the perfect shoe - whether you’re looking to exude daytime style or evening glamour. These timeless classic shoes have truly come of age.

For a long time, the elegance of the espadrille has been recognised by Hollywood royalty. In fact, ever since Yves St. Laurent first showcased them on the catwalk in the 1970s, movie stars, celebrities and the uber glamorous elite of Hollywood have all adopted them as their own.

Putting the humble espadrille on the map

But now, these elegant shoes have taken the final step towards achieving royal status. Wind back a few years to a key moment. Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, innocently sported two pair of espadrille pumps on a royal tour of India in 2016.

The press noticed. In fact, they couldn’t stop talking about them. Since then, espadrilles have become a firm favourite in all branches of the British royal family. And it wasn’t just a one off.

Following her espadrille debut in 2016, the Duchess of Cambridge was also spotted wearing them on several occasions including the Royal Chelsea Flower Show, matching the suede lace-up wedges with an eye-catching floral boho dress.

The Duchess, like the rest of us, can't get enough of this type of footwear. She actually had them on again (this time, paired with a gorgeous paisley-patterned summer dress) while attending a photography workshop for the charity Action For Children.

But it doesn’t stop there.

The Duchess, the Countess and the Lady

When Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex wore a “pretty in pink” summer dress to a tea reception in Suva, Fiji on her 2018 royal tour, she wore lace-up black espadrilles as the perfect accessory. Elegant, sophisticated, comfortable and casual, they were the perfect footwear for the occasion. So perfect that she wore them again, later on the Australian leg of the tour on her visit to Bondi Beach.

And when Sophie, Countess of Wessex undertook a royal tour of Beirut in 2019, she packed her ankle strap espadrilles and wore them on official occasions.

 

This same style even made it to a royal wedding, when Lady Amelia Windsor slipped on a pair and looked undeniably elegant as Lady Gabriella Windsor married Thomas Kingston in May 2019.

International glamour - from Spain to Sweden

But, obviously, it’s not just British royals that have taken to this quintessentially Spanish shoe.

Queen Letizia of Spain has been seen stepping out in espadrilles on a number of occasions including a royal visit to Palma de Mallorca, where she was seen with her daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia also wearing some low wedge espadrilles.

 

Earlier this year, during a summer royal tour around Spain to give support after the first Covid-19 outbreak, she has been spotted wearing different styles of espadrilles from Tenerife to Tarragona, from Bilbao to Benidorm and from Cordoba to Cuenca.

But while you’d expect a Queen of Spain to be celebrating its traditional shoes, the royal connection doesn’t end there.

Princess Sophia of Sweden is also known to be a fan of espadrilles having been photographed wearing them on a number of occasions. When she needed the perfect shoes for celebrating Crown Princess Victoria’s birthday, Princess Sophia reached for a neutral pair of lace-up espadrilles to strike just the right balance.

Celebrity style

It’s not just real royalty that recognise the versatility, style and comfort of these classic shoes, but there are a number of celebrity espadrille evangelists out there who also seem to have fallen for the mediterranean look - top celebrity fans include Jennifer Aniston, Pippa Middleton, Gwyneth Paltrow and Anne Hathaway, who have all expressed their love for these shoes in all their styles and colors.

One word of advice - rumour has it that the Queen of England isn’t a fan of wedges, so you might want to bear that in mind when you’re buying your next pair of Viscatas for the Buckingham Palace garden party.

Dress like a princess, look like a movie star

Here are some similar style espadrilles from Viscata that we think will make you look like royalty every time you slip them on…

1. Lace-up Espadrille Wedges

Escala

A lace-up wedge that screams Mediterranean style. A classic with a modern twist that will add an effortless chic vibe to all your outfits.

Pair the Escala with your casual kaftans or shorts for a beach day or with more glamorous boho dresses and breezy midi skirts for a nice soiree with friends.

Sagaro

With a more elegant shape these lace-up espadrilles will easily take you from day to night and will add an extra sprinkle of chic to your looks.

Don’t tie yourself up in knots: a step by step guide to lacing your espadrilles

Have you got a fave from the above styles? Surely you do. Well, we willl all agree that lace-up espadrilles look lovely and visually elongate your legs but, here’s the question that sometimes comes to your mind - do you know how to tie them up?

It looks pretty tricky, so we thought we’d help you out with a simple guide to the three most common methods of tying up your beautiful new espadrilles. Life just got a bit easier.

6 easy steps to tie up your espadrilles

1. Take the left ribbon of the espadrille and place it under the front right side ribbon, supporting the espadrille. The ribbon should be threaded from the inner to the outer side of the foot.

2. Take the ribbon and insert it beneath the left front side ribbon, following the same method as in step 1.

3. Pull both ribbons up at the front and then cross them over the opposite side.

4. Pass each lace around the back of your leg on each side.

5. Cross them again to the opposite side and take them to the front.

6. Make a bow at the front or cross them around the back again for a pretty ankle bow.

2. Ankle strap Espadrille Wedges

Satuna

We all need a pair of flattering espadrille wedges like these, easy to wear everywhere on casual days and easy to dress up for a special occasion too.

Estartit

Elevate your wardrobe with a fashion staple like our Estartit wedges and don't forget to buckle up! Match them with an elegant gown or opt to elevate a casual summery look of skirt and top. You will never go wrong!

Ullastret

These gorgeous espadrilles are one of the styles with most romantic vibes in the collection. Elegant glamour to keep you ahead of the fashion pack. Wear them with a silk pleated long skirt and you will feel like a princess.

3. Espadrille Wedge Pumps

Roses

Elegant and ultra-feminine, our pointed wedge pump is the perfect go-to-style. Wear them with just everything, from simple casual separates to glamour night-out clothes.

Palomera

Walk in style like a royal princess with our sophisticated slingback wedges. Compliments ensured and extra comfort guaranteed.

Marquesa

These “go anywhere” shoes have a chic look and feel. Wear them from office hours to after hours as they can be easily dressed up and down depending on the occasion.

 

At Viscata we have a unique espadrille for you and for any special occasion. You only need to find the perfect style that makes you look like your best self.