BonneGueule welcomes Vincent today for an article on espadrilles. We wanted to test HuToPa, these funny Argentinian shoes that we see more and more in our green lands, so we entrusted them to Vincent who is a real enthusiast of canvas shoes.
Vincent's little collection.
The sun which torments, the air which gently envelops, it is sensual, it is carnal, these are the beautiful days. A scent of vacation is coming, the sea smells come to mind in a heady way, the crowded terraces, the beer which lightens the mood….
Summer is coming, and with it its share of drastic changes: everything becomes lighter, food, flirting and indeed, clothes.
If Bermuda shorts and sets of linen and light cotton are out, socks are falling by the wayside and here are the arrival of ESPADRILLES.
For a long time decried, mocked by the ignorant (a vindictiveness favored by the clip of dummies " in espadrilles ") it turns out, however, that for purists of the genre or nonchalant elegant people, said canvas shoes will never have been considered out of fashion .
To put it simply, espadrilles are shepherds' shoes from the Pyrenees, sometimes Basque, sometimes Catalan in origin. The manufacture is relatively simple: a sole made of hemp rope, a layer of rubber under the soles to prevent them from wearing out, burlap on the top, large thread seams which, if aesthetically pleasing, are also perfectly useful and that’s it!
Even if these "shoes" actually have a number of small defects such as the irritation caused by the rope on our soft soles of the feet if we try to do a marathon with them, the absence of hard toes or leather counters to protect and securely hold our arpions in the event of an anvil or other thing falling on them and the moral impossibility of associating them with socks (sports, white bought for €4 for a pack of 20 at Carrefour/Auchan/ Leclerc) espadrilles remain practical, inexpensive and chic tools when worn ad hoc and at the right time.
Come on, zou: explanations and a short practical guide to espadrilles
Paying less than €5 in a supermarket for a pair of espadrilles is obviously very simple and very practical, but in 90% of cases it will be Chinese manufacturing of very poor quality and which will hardly last more than the summer, as much put a little more money into this purchase and thus benefit from a slightly thicker sole, better finished, more solid canvas and nice and often more varied colors by purchasing French production, even Pyrenean (regionalism is in fashion).
To be chic, you can opt for a 10-day beard, a tanned complexion, a Bengal stripe, chambray or gingham shirt worn with rolled up sleeves, colorful Bermuda shorts, a braided belt, take out your pretty watch and your favorite Wayfarers . But for the feet, the height of light elegance, worn in the metro corridors as well as on the boardwalk of Normandy beaches, remains in 2012 the colored espadrille.
Match them with one element of your outfit, contrast with another, delicately catch the eye by dragging your slippers with the nonchalance of a vacationer, dare!
It will very surely turn out that given the prices of espadrilles you decide to buy several pairs, to vary the pleasures and the outfits; it will do you a lot of good!
As we have said, the supermarket option is good for an express purchase when you are already on the road to vacation or caught off guard when you arrive there and find with dismay that your suitcase has been very poorly packed and only filled with Speedo bath towels and flip flops.
So, here are some plans (exhaustive of course).
- Pare Gabia : we no longer present THE almost trendy brand, which has brought espadrilles made in France up to date, count on €20 for a pair but the materials are of excellent quality, the assembly is impeccable and you will treat yourself to a dose of chic luxurious (funny for shepherd's slippers, right?).
- In a somewhat similar vein with very original designs, inspired by the car moc (the mix of moccasins/driving shoes), around twenty euros per pair: Espadrille France .
The quality is really good, but are they still espadrilles? Come on, let's say yes because the work done is really nice and the products are really beautiful, however for purists of the genre, move on.
- THE real nice tip, taken from the Mecca of things, the town of Mauléon, espadrilles taken from the factory at very low prices for durability and a really wide choice of colors
Basically the classic model at 7.90, thin sole, classic canvas, but also and above all the “Marixu” model €11.40, traditional sole assembly, large rough burlap in the style of raw denim jeans (be careful this model fits slightly larger, from experience), deliciously artisanal seams. Plus, fun fact, they even offer models without a rubber sole, just bare rope so, like “back in the day”. Note that the Tulières (with suede calfskin insole) and laces are adorable and offered with the traditional sole assembly.
- Finally, if you want to enter the world of espadrilles through the front door, Pascale Douet offers handmade, 100% French, tailor-made items. For only 20€, it's worth noting
If we all remember Gaston Lagaffe decked out in his clothes that fit the best and his pair of endless blue espadrilles worn to the thread (!) the espadrille is above all a Pyrenean thing - Basque or Catalan the debate rages. Finally, shoes/slippers that we buy with relish for a pittance before the summer holidays and with the arrival of sunny days. A slightly snobbish side when worn in Paris in the summer and lots of flaws that we love: the rope in the sole that scratches the skin, the canvas that gets dirty/patinated quickly and above all not having to distinguish between the right foot and the right foot. LEFT.
In short, the sneakers of happiness, not those horrible plastic flip-flops or other dubious PVC horrors; noble materials (rope, raw canvas), often a layer of rubber on the sole to improve lifespan and a wide and happy choice of colors.
No offense to the wealthy people of this world, let's talk about price: between 5 and 10 euros for a quality pair, let's not hide our happiness, the espadrille is affordable.
Testing HuToPa “alpargatas”
Finally, let's come to the very heart of the subject, the test of a pair of espadrilles from the " HuToPa " brand (alpargatas in fact, in a way the Argentinian version of espadrilles).
Nicolas and Florian, the creators of HuToPa
The first contact was hesitant, not sure if they look like espadrilles... Canvas OK, but the sole is not rope but rubber, there is a leather insole, a light canvas lining in the shoe, colorful colors and an elastic on the top…..
Yeah no, they're not espadrilles, they're less smart/sport chic/walking around in Bermuda shorts with a sweater on the shoulders but resolutely sportswear, not really my style in short.
In practice, however, these shoes prove to be resistant, very comfortable, pleasant and hold well on the feet unlike classic espadrilles.
So if you want slippers that are easy to put on, look (very) young while adding a touch of color to your beige Bermuda shorts without having the disadvantages of the Pyrenees peasant espadrille, go ahead and buy. But for the others, move on.
