Basque Espadrilles: a Practical Guide for English Speakers
Practical answers on sizing, cleaning and wearing espadrilles, for readers in the UK, the US and beyond.
"Basque espadrilles" usually means espadrilles made in the French Basque Country, and above all in Mauléon-Licharre, the capital of Soule, the smallest of the seven Basque provinces. The Pyrénées-Atlantiques tourist board describes the town as the capital of the 100% French espadrille, valued for its quality and colours, with workshops that visitors can tour. The shoe itself is the classic espadrille: a canvas upper sewn onto a braided rope sole, often with a thin rubber layer underneath.
Why Mauléon?
The Basque encyclopedia Auñamendi traces Mauléon's espadrille trade back to about 1850, when local farmers sewed them at home for extra income. Orders linked to Basque emigrants in Argentina turned the trade into an industry: by 1868, four-fifths of the town's output went to Argentina and Uruguay, and by 1946 there were about 40 factories. Competition from Asia and Spain later cut that to a handful, but the town still makes espadrilles today. If you plan a visit, see our trip guide to Mauléon.
The five things English-speaking buyers ask
| Question | Short answer | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| What size am I? | European sizes are the reference; a men's EU 42 is a UK 8 and a US 9 on one espadrille maker's chart | size chart |
| Will they stretch? | Canvas and natural fibres give with wear, so a snug start is normal | do espadrilles stretch |
| Can I wash them? | By hand only, keeping the jute sole as dry as you can | how to wash espadrilles |
| Are they OK in the rain? | Best avoided: jute soaks up water and can lose its shape | can espadrilles get wet |
| Can I walk all day in them? | It depends on the pair: look for support and a firm sole | are espadrilles good for walking |
Caring for the jute
The Spanish maker Castañer gives the basic routine: brush dust off the jute with a soft brush, clean canvas gently with a barely damp cloth, never use a washing machine or soak the shoe, and dry it flat in the open air, out of direct sun. Everything else on this site builds on those rules, from cleaning jute soles to stopping smells.
All our guides
- Espadrille size chart: UK, US and EU
- Do espadrilles stretch?
- How to wash espadrilles
- How to clean jute soles
- Can espadrilles get wet?
- How to stop espadrilles smelling
- What to wear with espadrilles
- How men can wear espadrilles
- Are espadrilles good for walking?
- Espadrilles with socks: yes or no?
- Can you wear espadrilles to work?
- Seeing espadrilles made in the French Basque Country
This site is a guide to espadrilles in general. Brands are named only when we quote their published advice.
All pages
Guides
- Are Espadrilles Good for Walking? A Checklist
Classic flat espadrilles are light but offer little support. Use a surgeon's fold test, check the arch and sole, and know when a wedge or insole helps.
- Espadrille Size Chart: UK, US and EU Sizes Explained
EU, UK and US espadrille sizes side by side, with foot length in cm and inches, how to measure your foot, and when to size up or down.
- How to Clean Jute Soles Without Ruining Them
Jute hates water, so clean espadrille soles dry: brush, baking soda, a barely damp cloth at most. A gentle-to-strong method and what to do if it swells.
- How to Stop Espadrilles Smelling: Causes and Fixes
Smelly espadrilles come from sweat and damp in the jute. Baking soda, full drying and rotating pairs help; vinegar and soaking do not.
- How to Wash Espadrilles by Hand, Step by Step
Wash espadrilles by hand: mild soap, a soft brush, only the canvas in the water, and a slow dry out of the sun. Step by step, plus mistakes to avoid.
- How to Wear Espadrilles: A Practical Guide for Men
Men's espadrilles work with shorts, chinos, light jeans and even linen suits. What to pair, which colours, and where to skip them.
- Seeing Espadrilles Made in the French Basque Country
Plan a visit to Mauléon-Licharre: a free espadrille history exhibition, a workshop with century-old machines, and the 15 August espadrille festival.
- What to Wear With Espadrilles: Flats, Wedges, Hemlines
Match the espadrille to the hemline: flats with cropped trousers and short skirts, wedges with midi, maxi and wide legs. Outfit ideas inside.
Questions
- Can Espadrilles Get Wet? Rain, Puddles and Rescue Steps
A splash is fine, a soaking is not: jute absorbs water and can warp. What to do the minute your espadrilles get wet, and when a pair cannot be saved.
- Can You Wear Espadrilles to Work? Dress Codes Decoded
Closed-toe espadrilles can pass in a casual or smart-casual office; open-toe pairs and formal dress codes do not mix. Table and outfits.
- Can You Wear Espadrilles With Socks? Three Options
Bare ankles are the classic look, no-show socks the comfortable compromise, and thin dark socks a bold exception. How to choose.
- Do Espadrilles Stretch? What Gives and What Doesn't
Yes, the canvas upper relaxes with wear, so new espadrilles may feel tight. How much give to expect, when to size down, and signs a pair is too small.