Fashion

Here at JOE we have a rule - if a fashion look is good enough for Jude Law and Ernest Hemingway, it's good enough for us.

What are espadrilles, I hear you ask? Espadrilles are an artisan-manufactured shoe originating from the Basque region of Spain and France in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Constructed from simple and natural materials, namely jute and canvas and designed for a Mediterranean climate, they are ideal summer wear, completely breathable and very comfortable.

New styles, materials and quirky interpretations have breathed life into this traditional footwear line with household brands such as Ted Baker, Fred Perry and flip flop supremo Havaianas jumping on the trend. Indeed, espadrilles featured heavily in the Armani summer men's collections shows at the Milan menswear week, which was a sure sign that the style had arrived

The espadrille is also a shoe with a significant history. Picasso, Dali and Hemingway were known to wear a pair and more recently Bob Geldof, Jude Law and countless other celebs have been spotted rocking the look.

A mainstay in the summer on the feet of trendsetters in continental Europe and America, this is one look that is set to hit Ireland and the UK in a big way this summer. Our hats go off to Espadrilles Ireland too, a company that is keeping the look on Irish soil with some excellent designs.

We’ve selected five eye-catching styles that are available to buy on these shores:

Ted Baker Alornerk Espadrilles - ASOS €64.10

A modern twist on the classic espadrille, featuring a flat raffia sole with a contrasting stitched trim and branded tab detail.

Kaki Pique Espadrille - Espradrilles Ireland €27.99

Aclassic espadrilles design, this model is made with folded canvas cotton and features a stylish stripe pattern.

Linen Pinstripes Men's Cordones - Tom's Shoes €56.95

Simple stripes and all-day comfort for easy versatility this Summer, the Linen Pinstripe Cordones.

Bertie Silvio Espaadrille Shoes Grey - House of Fraser €51.24

An Italian take on the traditional espadrille.

Antonio Espadrille - Topman €18.22

A classic water-friendly design, this pair feature a reformulated Reef rubber compound and anchored straps.