Beyond the Logo: The Designer Espadrilles Worth Obsessing Over This Season
There's a reason YSL espadrilles have become something of a cult obsession. In the language of warm-weather dressing, few silhouettes communicate both ease and intentionality quite so fluently. The jute-wrapped wedge, the clean black canvas upper, the barely-there platform that lifts a summer outfit from casual to considered — it's a formula that Yves Saint Laurent helped elevate from Basque fisherman's footwear to a bonafide luxury staple. And once you've worn a pair, you understand completely.
For women searching for YSL espadrilles — particularly the black styles and signature wedge silhouettes the house is known for — the appeal is clear: they sit at that rare intersection of relaxed and refined. A black YSL espadrille wedge works equally hard at a Côte d'Azur terrace lunch as it does tucked under cropped wide-leg trousers on a city afternoon. The proportions are flattering, the aesthetic is unmistakably French, and the jute sole grounds even the most dressed-up look with an easy, sun-drenched nonchalance.
At Lola Dré, while we curate the best the designer espadrille world has to offer, we're equally passionate about the broader landscape of elevated espadrille dressing. Here, the names to know.
Explore the full Women's Designer Espadrilles collection →
The Wedge: An Architecture Worth Understanding
The espadrille wedge is the style that put YSL espadrilles on the map — a jute-wrapped platform that adds height without the instability of a traditional heel. It's a silhouette that Castaner, the Spanish brand that has been crafting espadrilles since 1927, has long mastered with equal authority. When you see the two houses side by side, you understand how deeply intertwined their histories are — Castaner has made espadrilles for Saint Laurent for decades.
Blaudi Metallic Espadrille Platform Wedge
Castaner — $285
Chiara Lace Up Espadrille Wedge
Castaner — $205
Castaner — $200
Explore all Castaner Espadrilles →
When the Occasion Calls for Elevation
YSL espadrille wedges for women have always excelled at the dressed-up end of the spectrum — the kind of shoe that makes a silk midi skirt feel holiday-ready and a linen blazer feel thoroughly intentional. For those moments, look to the embellished and embroidered end of the espadrille canon.
Floral Logo Embroidered Espadrille Wedge
Dolce & Gabbana — $995
Vals Floral Embroidered Espadrille Sandal
Castaner — $370
The Dolce & Gabbana take is pure maximalist theatre — the kind of shoe that turns an outfit into a look. Meanwhile, the Castaner Vals is for the woman who knows that a little hand-embroidered florals goes a very long way.
Explore Vacation Espadrilles →
The Understated Case: Everyday Espadrille Dressing
Not every moment calls for a wedge. The espadrille's power also lies in its flattest, most stripped-back form — a simple jute sole, a clean upper, proportions that work with everything from denim cutoffs to a breezy linen dress. Those searching for black YSL espadrilles in a more minimal silhouette are often drawn to precisely this: the shoe that disappears into an outfit while somehow making the whole thing look more chic.
The New Guard: Bow Details & Raffia Romance
American brand Loeffler Randall has carved out a distinct corner of the espadrille conversation, bringing a softer, more feminine sensibility to the wedge silhouette. Their Angelina bow wedge, in cream moiré, is the kind of shoe that makes a Saturday brunch feel like a minor occasion — and the Gavi raffia sandal is fast becoming the warm-weather staple of the season.
Loeffler Randall — $158
Loeffler Randall — $99
Gavi Woven Raffia Wedge Sandal
Loeffler Randall — $350
How to Style Your Espadrilles This Season
A few notes on wearing them well, from the Lola Dré perspective:
- With a midi skirt: The espadrille wedge elongates the leg through a midi hem in a way a flat simply cannot. Keep the skirt fluid — silk, linen, or chiffon — and let the jute do the styling work.
- With tailored shorts: Black espadrilles (à la the YSL approach) ground a more structured short — think high-waisted, wide-leg — with exactly the right amount of casual authority.
- With denim: Straight-leg or wide-leg only. The espadrille is not a skinny-jean shoe. Trust the proportions.
- For travel: Pack one pair of black espadrille wedges and one flat pair. Between them, you have every warm-weather occasion covered.
