A Summer Icon
Does one need to go to a Greek island or Spanish town to truly feel holiday? Do you need the narrow, cobbled street, the beach coves or colourful village backdrop? Traditional flamenco sounds, paella made by locals or dolmades crafted by ladies whose grandmother’s taught them at 5? Maybe. Probably. And we know some of you actually have had a holiday like this. Last month. And we are happy for you.
But for the purpose of this article, let’s pretend for a moment that you don’t need a Greek granny to have picked your olives to feel holiday. Or the smell of blood from a bull (too much? Maybe). What you need is a pair of espadrilles.
Slip these on and you can feel 4,000 years of Spanish life. Traditionally made from esparto grass, it’s like a basket carrying you around and you are the baguette (ok that’s France but you know what I mean). Throw on a dress with floral patterns and you become the main character in a somewhat erotic, yet literarily triumphant summer romance novel.
Think Picasso, Salvador Dali, Audrey Hepburn and Rita Hayworth. It’s history, romance, art and culture. All in a shoe. And all in the feeling when you put it on. So whether it’s the classic Mediterranean style, or the Stella, Tarifa, Valenciana... or Yves Saint Laurent’s gorgeous 1970’s wedge interpretation, if you can find a sustainable pair then grab them. It’s holiday, all summer long!