It seems that women have a Marmite like relationship with Espadrilles. You either love them or hate them. I have not met a woman yet that is a borderline espadrille case. You are either an ambassador for the Espadrille or have simply never found the right pair for you.

So Dolce Guide is here to offer a little guidance on what's hot in the world of Espadrilles for summer 2008

As they say when in Rome… Well, when in Spain, for any fashion-loving female the Espadrille is the summer wardrobe essential.

Whatever your age, build or style there is something for every one, every occasion, and every outfit. The only exception being the gym…though I have seen it tried and it wasn’t pretty.

For most of the British female population the appearance of Espadrilles in the UK over the last few years was more than welcome for our summer holidays, but to limit such style to just 2 weeks of the year seems unnatural. A terrible waste of a wardrobe essential.

Living and working in Spain couldn’t be better, the motherland of the raffia based wedge sandal and the 5 months summer season give more than enough justification for owning a collection of Dolce Guides choice fashion staple.

Fortunately there are numerous providers, from the budget Carrefour (starting at around10 Euros) to the mid range Zara at 30 Euros and the higher end Castañer at 70 -100 Euros, there truly is something for everyone.

 
With the long length floral patterned dresses making an appearance this spring / summer, day glow jump suits and shirts (Diesel) and pastel and white city shorts, a lady needs to know in which direction to take her espadrille shopping. In the words of the famous and in the know ‘Fashion is architecture. It is a matter of proportions.’ Coco Chanel

High Wedge Espadrille

Below are a few tips to get the most out of your Espadrilles this summer.

The High Wedge: Perfect if teamed with short skirts, light beach dresses and city shorts. A classic leg lengthener, emphasizing and elongating leg muscles without the ball of the feet pain and impracticality of a stiletto during the day.

Fabulous with jeans!

The Mid Height Wedge: Again, perfect teamed with any of the above shorter styled clothing. Truly versatile for daywear. Add a touch of gold or other metallic to spice it up for the evening. The lower wedge adds a touch of grace to the long flowing dresses of this season without making one a towering swathe of moving fabric.

The Flat Espadrille: Yes, it exists. I am a great advocate of this one. My first introduction was on the beaches of Barcelona last year with the short cotton toe and heel with a 1-centimeter sole, these couldn’t be more comfy. Though it has to be said they are as common as bikinis on a beach so to spice it up a little various stores are offering open toe ankle tie flats.

Dolce Guide recommends this is the ideal espadrille to team with summer 2008s wardrobe essential long floaties. No getting your heel stuck in the hem of your dress. Soft cushioning and no hip tilt on the body that allows for the long dresses to sit as design, straight and flowing.

In terms of style. My favorite is the open toed high Espadrille in white, perfect to set off the summer tan (ideally teamed with a French manicure). Classic summer style at its highest can be worn with anything.

I have been trying to work the espadrille in to my office wardrobe and have found the closed toe ankle tie from Castañer an acceptably smart choice available in a variety of colours, textures and heights.

Finally if you are a lady of glitz and glamour el Corte Ingles are offering a variety of espadrilles with toes encrusted in plastic stones sufficiently gemmed up for evening style, understated enough to abstain from an air of 70s goldfish heeled glam rock platforms.

So ladies whatever your weapon of choice, enjoy and remember ‘Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.’ Plato

What could be more simple than the Espadrille...?

www.zara.com

www.carrefour.es

www.castener.com 

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