Do espadrilles go with jeans?

Yes. Light or relaxed jeans with flat espadrilles are a classic casual pairing; high-waisted jeans with a platform or wedge give a smarter look.

Can you wear wedge espadrilles with a midi dress?

Yes. Outfit Trends recommends wedges for longer hemlines, and choosing enough height to keep the leg from looking cut off.

What to Wear With Espadrilles: Flats, Wedges, Hemlines

The easiest rule comes from the Outfit Trends style guide: match the height of the espadrille to the length of the hem. Flat espadrilles suit cropped trousers, shorts and shorter skirts; wedges and platforms suit midi and maxi dresses and wide-leg trousers. Get that right and almost any summer outfit works.

Flats or wedges? A quick guide

You are wearing	Pick	Why
Cropped trousers, white jeans	flat or low ankle-strap	keeps the line clean at the ankle
Denim or tailored shorts	flat or lace-up	balances bare legs without fuss
Mini or short dress	flat, or ankle straps or laces	straps and laces can make the leg look longer
Midi skirt or dress	wedge or platform	a midi can cut the leg at an awkward point; height balances it
Maxi dress, wide-leg trousers	wedge or platform	a long hem needs some height
Jumpsuit	platform	Angarde pairs linen or cotton jumpsuits with platforms

Outfit ideas that work

The looks below are drawn from the Outfit Trends and Angarde guides.

Weekend and holiday

White button-down tucked into relaxed light-blue jeans, neutral flat espadrilles and a wide-brim hat, for sightseeing and café stops.
Oversized blue-and-white striped shirt with cropped white jeans and dark ankle-strap espadrilles.
Denim shorts with a simple knit top and platform espadrilles in warm weather.

Smart casual

A tailored blazer with straight-leg trousers or smart jeans and wedge espadrilles, for a workday lunch.
Trousers and jacket in one colour with neutral beige, white or grey espadrilles: Angarde's monochrome look.
A camel pleated midi skirt with a white shirt and nude platform espadrilles.

Evenings and summer events

High-waisted wide-leg trousers with a light blouse and heeled espadrilles, which Angarde says lengthen the silhouette.
A floral or soft-toned wrap dress with heeled espadrilles.
For a summer wedding as a guest, the Spanish magazine ¡Hola! shows espadrille wedges from about 8 to 12 cm, and suggests packing a flat pair if you plan to dance all night.

Colour tips

Neutrals (natural jute, cream, beige, tan, navy) go with nearly everything and are the safest first pair.
Black espadrilles sharpen white or striped outfits.
Metallic or colourful pairs work as the statement piece with a plain outfit, as in Outfit Trends' ideas for date nights and festivals.

When espadrilles don't work

Outfit Trends draws three limits:

Formal settings: not for cocktail dresses or formal business wear.
Wet weather: rope soles and rain do not mix (see can espadrilles get wet?).
Open vs closed toe: closed-toe styles read more polished and can pass for casual office days; open-toe styles are for weekends and holidays. Our page on espadrilles for work goes further.

Building an outfit in three steps

If the table above feels like a lot, use a simple order. First, decide the hem length, because it sets the shoe: short or cropped means flat, long means height. Second, choose the colour of the espadrille from the clothes you already own: a neutral pair works with most wardrobes, while a bold pair needs a plain outfit around it. Third, check the fabric. Espadrilles are a light shoe, so linen, cotton, denim and light knits sit well with them, while heavy or shiny fabrics tend to look mismatched. Before leaving the house, look at the full outfit once in a mirror and ask whether any single piece is competing with the shoes. Remove one accessory if so. This approach also works when you travel: two pairs, one flat and one wedge, in neutral colours, cover most outfits you are likely to pack.

Comfort first

A wedge you cannot walk in spoils any outfit. If you will be on your feet all day, read are espadrilles good for walking? before you choose the height. Men will find their own guide on how to wear espadrilles.