Why the Chanel Espadrille is so popular.

 The first time I saw these shoes were in 2013. I was in CPA class and this chic Asian girl had her feet up on one of the chairs, she paired them effortlessly with a casual t-shirt and a pair of jeans with a rocker style Chanel earring on one ear.

“They’re like $600, and they look like old run down shoes”, I heard my friend Linda comment as she noticed me eyeing them. I nodded. I knew then that this was not a glamour shoe. Yet, it had an edge to it. I wanted them then. I definitely couldn’t afford them yet, I mean wouldn’t it make more sense to invest in a Louboutin instead? Or actual assets, like a car?

A year and a half later and there they were, popping up every so often on some girl or another. What was this obsession? What was so grand about this shoe?

I went wedding shoe shopping at a high end department store with my future sister-in-law. We stopped by a Chanel store and the sales associates were their usual indifferent selves. I asked if they had a size 8 or 9 and I got a curt response saying “No”. Of course that is the response most of us will get because these shoes are almost always out of stock.

Another year went by and by this time I have moved to a new city in a new country, and yet my size was not available. I sulked and obsessed because the shoes had become something I wanted but could not get (forget the “could” not afford part – I had not come to terms with that yet).

I finally travelled halfway around the world and found a pair in Singapore. A size 8 that was somewhat snug. But there they were, finally. And I haven’t looked back since.

The Technical know-how:

The espadrille itself is not designed to be a pretty shoe. It’s designed to be a practical, long lasting durable shoe. It is said to have originated in the Pyrenees, a mountain range between France and Spain. People have been noted wearing them as far back as the 14^th century. They usually have a canvas or cotton fabric upper and a flexible sole made of jute rope. The jute rope sole is the defining characteristic of an espadrille. High-end designers have come up with varied uppers such as leather or embellishments.

They have been a favorite with celebrities as far back as the 30s. Salvador Dali was obsessed with them. And Grace Kelly was a fan as well.

Salvador DALI in his studio in Cadaques.19700000Salvador DALI dans son atelier а Cadaquйs.19700000

Today we have the Kardashians, the Super Models and the celebrity actresses all spotted wearing the espadrille. The “poor” shoe has come a long way!

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Depending on the type you get (embellished, patent, all leather), can be worn for day and night and even at work or for travelling.
• Wearing a designer shoe without causing damage to it from wear and tear. These shoes don’t have the traditional leather sole, instead they are manufactured with a rubber sole that are made to last. So if you get an expensive pair they will last you a while and can withstand a lot of bashing.

Cons:

• Can get pricey.
• Almost always out of stock, which makes it very hard to get the pair you actually want.
• Chances of running into someone wearing the same pair is very high (kind of like the addidas superstar syndrome).

Espadrille’s Worthy of Investment:

• Chanel Espadrille – Range from $650 to $850. The price varies due to the material. All leather are generally on the higher end, with canvas and fabric bringing the cost down. Unfortunately, this shoe is way too popular. And if you are the average sized girl with a size 8 or 9 shoe like me, then good luck. They will be sold out almost always. Try going to the actual Chanel store rather than a High-end department store, as the actual store generally tends to have a better stock. Although, given their popularity they sometimes hide a few pairs for their loyal customers.

Check out the Chanel Espadrilles new this season

• Kenzo Espadrille – Range from $150-$200. Great thing about these are that they are not a huge dent to the wallet. They come in a myriad of fun, cool colours and you can tell as soon as you look at them, that they are from Kenzo. Check some out at tbe Kenzo Website

• Miu Miu Espadrille: These espadrilles are a lot more fun and flirty. Meant for a fun loving girl who doesn’t shy away from the glam and glitter. They aren’t your traditional espadrille shape, what I like most about them is that they have the traditional rope intricacy but they modernize it with a platform. For all us average height girls, a few extra inches without the discomfort never hurt! The price range is from $600-$900.

Fashion Hacking Tip:

I searched for these shoes for a good year plus. I only found my pair in Singapore when I traveled for a vacation. They had a very large stock and size 8 and 9 wasn’t as popular there. The shoe’s price was actually $200 less than what they are sold for in the US. Plus you get reimbursed for Taxes spent at the airport. Win-Win!

The High close:

Get this shoe, because you will wear it. You can ogle at the Louboutin’s and the Rockstuds, but let’s face it, you aren’t going to go on a hike, to the grocery store, or the mall in them (unless you are one of those types of people).  If you want a shoe that you can wear everywhere, this is the shoe. They are comfy and they look good and that sole can withstand some pretty treacherous terrain. Hell, these shoes were invented in the Pyrenees and worn by peasant folk, they were meant to be durable. I also recommend them as excellent travel shoes. I love my Chanel Espadrilles. Check out some pictures on my Instagram page at thehighclose.

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