Why Espadrilles & Alpargatas Beat Men's Flip-Flops & Sandals

About this video

The Gazette team explores the history, construction, and practical use of espadrilles and alpargatas—two terms for the same rope-soled shoe originating from Spain and France. They explain the defining characteristics of these shoes, trace their evolution from 14th-century Catalonia through modern times, and provide guidance on when and how to appropriately wear them in a classic menswear wardrobe.

Key takeaways

• The Gazette team argues that espadrilles and alpargatas are the same shoe with different regional names—’espadrille’ is French and ‘alpargata’ is Spanish—defined by rope soles made from esparto grass or jute fibers, typically with canvas uppers
• The Gazette team notes that while historically worn by all social classes and popularized in the 20th century by holiday travelers and celebrities like James Bond, these shoes should be reserved for hot climates, casual gatherings, and downtime rather than offices or formal dining
• The Gazette team recommends considering both pros (breathability, lightweight, affordability, plant-based materials) and cons (lack of support, poor longevity, must be worn barefoot, require breaking in) when deciding whether to add espadrilles to a wardrobe

Episode details: published July 10, 2023 · 64K views · 17:22 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. The style guidance summarized here is the Gentleman’s Gazette team’s own teaching and opinion, presented for education; product recommendations are theirs, not ours. Summaries are written by Self Growth Videos from each video itself.

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