Can You Wear Espadrilles In The Fall?

Can you wear espadrilles in the fall or do you believe that they are a type of footwear that should be only worn in the summer?

Wearing espadrilles certainly used to be something that was only associated with warm weather and summer vibes but there is a new generation of designs that are bucking that old trend.

Here’s why I feel that espadrilles are having a moment and becoming a more year-round shoe because of their classic style and comfort.

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Are Espadrilles Only For Summer?

When you think of espadrille shoes then you probably imagine footwear with a rope sole and a canvas or cotton upper. These shoes can be wedges or high heels or alternatively flats. It is an esparto rope sole that singles them out from other types of shoes.

So a traditional espadrille design might be these Juliet cream wedge sandals with a closed toe.

These are the perfect summer shoe that would look great with maxi dresses or casual outfits like jeans and a t-shirt. They are also usually very affordable provided you are not buying designer designs making them a cost-effective footwear solution.

However, firstly they are made from canvas which doesn’t do well in wet weather and secondly they are cream. If I know anything about cream footwear it is that it gets dirty very quickly especially when the weather turns from summer to autumn.

So whilst these shoes work well in the summer months I wouldn’t want to be wearing them in the fall in a country where the weather is rainy and the sidewalks are muddy or dirty.

Now contrast them with these Karl Lagerfeld Paris Women’s Michaela Slip Espadrille and notice these enclosed-toe shoes are different from classic espadrilles as they have a leather upper.

The leather upper and the rubber sole on these slip-ons mean this shoe style would work in autumn and perhaps even in winter depending on the weather conditions.

So can you wear espadrilles in the fall? Well, it appears that yes you can providing they are made from the right materials and have a closed toe. You also need to consider the weather and locations where you would be wearing them.

The Best Espadrilles For Fall

These are some of the best types of espadrilles that could work in the fall season. Just bear in mind that on a very cold or wet fall day, these styles might not work. This is because whilst most footwear can multi-task to a certain degree it is likely to have limits.

Don’t ruin your footwear by wearing them when the weather is terrible. Accept that you are going to need more than one pair of shoes as the seasons start to change.

Soludos Platform Smoking Slipper

These camel-colored Soludos Platform Slippers are a great example of an espadrille that could be used in the fall.

The leather upper on these shoes means that they are going to be more resistant to rain showers and the design is enclosed meaning your feet won’t get wet.

Sam Edelman Women’s Kesia Loafer Flat

These black Sam Edelman espadrille shoes are another great transitional shoe for your autumn wardrobe.

The black leather uppers will be good if you are walking in a short rain shower and the color of the shoe is less likely to show any dirt or marks making them look good for longer.

These shoes have rubber soles as well which gives them that extra traction you need when you are buying a shoe that works in fall as well as summer.

The cushioned footbed is a bonus because it means that these are going to be comfortable as well as stylish.

Women’s Platform Espadrilles Wedge Sandals

If you are looking for espadrille wedges then these apricot-colored sandals can also work because of their uppers.

These are a little more formal than flats which makes them great if you want espadrilles that dress up your outfit. They are also 4 inches in height which give you an extra lift.

Whilst the makers say they are good for spring and summer there is no reason why you can’t wear these on a mild fall day without any problems.

When To Wear Espadrilles

If you are still confused I’ve put together a guide that can help you decide when to wear espadrilles and when to consider wearing leather shoes or boots instead.

Espadrilles whether they are wedges or flats can be a hugely versatile shoe because they can be dressed up or down making them an important addition to your wardrobe.

You do however need to think past the fact that they are the comfortable option and consider where you are wearing them to avoid ruining them or getting funny looks from other people because of your poor choice of footwear.

Here is some guidance that can help you with wearing espadrilles in the fall as well as in the summer heat.

They Are a Great Transition Piece For Your Wardrobe

The fact is that espadrilles can be a great transition piece for your closet as the seasons begin to change.

Whilst they are the perfect summer staple that can be worn with floaty dresses and shorts they are also perfect to wear with jeans and a blazer.

Even though espadrilles aren’t commonly worn in the fall they can add a touch of uniqueness to your outfit. Plus as many of the natural materials they are made from such as jute and recycled cotton are sustainable you are helping save the planet by wearing them.

Just remember if you are choosing traditional light-colored canvas wedges as your shoe style all you need to consider is whether the weather is going to be suitable when you wear them. Find more about whether canvas shoes are waterproof in my article on the topic.

Providing it isn’t pouring down with rain or you aren’t walking somewhere in dust and dirt they should work well in fall as well as summer.

Fall Weather Isn’t The Same Everywhere

The location where you are choosing to wear espadrilles also matters because fall weather isn’t the same everywhere you go.

For example, if you are heading to Florida the average temperatures are incredibly mild. So providing you watch out for any wet weather you should find espadrille sandals still great to wear as fall footwear.

Contrast that to the weather in Anchorage Alaska and you’ll find that the temperature is already dipping below freezing in the fall. Even leather shoes are going to start to struggle in those kinds of temperatures if they aren’t insulated.

It is worth noting that the seasonal fall temperature will also change if you are outside of the United States. Whilst Europe might get colder and wetter lots of Asia and the Far East have relatively warm weather most of the year round.

Check the temperature in the location where you want to wear your espadrilles to decide what shoes might be most appropriate to wear.

Espadrilles Work in Fall When The Weather is Warm

The thing about fall is that in some regions you are going to find that there are still plenty of warm and sunny days making the laid-back vibe of espadrilles the perfect a great shoe to wear.

Espadrille wedges and flats that are made from natural materials such as cotton or canvas will work perfectly well on a warm fall day as they would in the summer.

Plus as the traditional fabrics that espadrilles are made from tend to be natural, they are also breathable. That means no sweaty feet when the fall weather is warm.

This is what makes espadrilles really comfortable shoes and explains why they are so popular when the weather is hotter.

Buying Durable Designs Will Make Them More Wearable

If you are worried about the weather when it comes to espadrilles it makes sense to buy a pair that have more durable elements so that they are able to cope if the weather turns when you are wearing them.

This means making sure that instead of a totally jute sole make sure that it also has a rubber bottom which will make it more able to cope with bad weather.

Choose more durable materials such as leather for the upper instead of traditional cotton. You will need a material that is able to withstand light rain at the very least and that is easy to clean.

If you have summery espadrilles make sure that you spray them with waterproofing spray as this can help them to repel water and make them last longer.

Can You Wear Espadrilles with Tights?

Whilst traditionally espadrilles are typically worn without tights there is absolutely no reason why you can’t choose to wear some with your footwear when the weather gets colder.

Think about whether the look you are aiming for is casual or more formal. The more formal your outfit the more likely it is that some tights will work well.

Tights are a great solution to add to any outfit when the temperature starts to dip but you are reluctant to transition fully into boots or more robust leather shoes.

Can You Wear Espadrilles In The Winter?

So can you wear espadrilles in the fall? Well yes, you can if the weather is mild and the footwear you have chosen holds up if there is rain. It is however a different story in the winter.

Winter weather in colder climates is a different beast especially when there is snow on the ground or there is driving rain.

Cotton canvas and jute footwear are not going to work in these types of environments because:

The fabric will become wet and saturated.
They have no insulation so your feet will freeze.
The soles of the espadrilles don’t have suitable traction for snow or ice.
Some espadrilles are sandals leaving your feet exposed to the elements.

If you are wearing them in winter in a hot climate you should be fine but in colder, wet weather wear a comfortable pair of waterproof flat boots or shoes with suitable traction instead.

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