6 summer outfits to wear with espadrilles, the Royal-approved sandal that's a seasonal staple
Espadrilles have been a staple in my summer wardrobe for as long as I can remember. Though there are some style differences, the classics feature a closed-toe and an often neutral colourway. They're subtly chic, with a wrap-around ankle-tie providing a small dose of interest.
Plus, sitting on a stacked woven wedge heel, they're undeniably comfortable. No wonder the likes of Emily Ratajkowski, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Alexa Chung, Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton are all fans.
All in all, they're the most inoffensive sandal trend around (yes, 'ugly shoe' trend, I'm referring to you). But while I appreciate an espadrille's reliability and simplicity, some members of the Cosmo Fashion Team find them predictable, shunning them for these exact same reasons.
Well, I'm here to tell you the humble espadrille wedge has had a makeover in 2025. Featuring pretty embroidery, velvet straps in contrasting hues and sculptural silhouettes, they're shaking off their boring connotations and emerging as our go-to shoe this summer for all the events on our calendar. From pub drinks with friends to providing the finishing touch to our summer wedding guest dresses, the 2025 espadrille is cooler, more stylish – but (crucially) just as comfy as the classics.
As for what summer outfits we'll be wearing with our espadrille wedges, keep reading for styling inspiration and a sneak peek at the sandals that have caught my eye and earned a spot on my wishlist.
What shoes do you wear with a bright tangerine summer dress? Black is too heavy, white is too dated, any other colour could aggressively clash, but an equally zesty orange hue – paired with the neutral woven sole so as not to overwhelm – is just right.
Espadrilles are perhaps the ultimate wedding guest shoe – formal enough to go with your dress, but comfy enough to have you on the dance floor all night long. We love the idea of pairing a floral dress with espadrilles featuring floral embroidery. Don't worry about matching the flower motifs perfectly as long as your dress and shoes have shared colours in their designs.
Wide-leg jeans sometimes require a little height to help balance out the proportions of extra fabric and ensure the most flattering of fits, but who wants to wear heels out and about? Enter: the espadrille wedge, ideal for weekends spent standing in pub gardens.
Not a lover of colour? No shade, some of us just prefer to stick to a wardrobe of minimal black, white and neutral colourways. But, if you do want to add just a little colour pop to an outfit, a bright, statement pair of shoes is an easy way to do so. We love these Penelope Chilvers wedges that feature velvet ribbons woven through the shoe in a slightly different shade of pink for even more colour, while still feeling subtle.
Falling into the same category as linen trousers, Bermuda shorts are the fashion set's favourite summer shorts thanks to their versatility and comfort. Fitting, then, that they pair perfectly with espadrilles. Add this look to your summer workwear rotation and prepare to be crowned best-dressed employee. I *love* how Castañer have toughened up the shoe with a black leather upper. So cool.
AKA Kate Middleton's tried and tested go-to outfit formula. You know what they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Well, if it's good enough for the Princess of Wales all these years later, we're taking that as a green light to wear this look in 2025.
Follow Alex on Instagram.
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there's nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she's passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
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Espadrilles have been a staple in my summer wardrobe for as long as I can remember. Though there are some style differences, the classics feature a closed-toe and an often neutral colourway. They're subtly chic, with a wrap-around ankle-tie providing a small dose of interest. Plus, sitting on a stacked woven wedge heel, they're undeniably comfortable. No wonder the likes of Emily Ratajkowski, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Alexa Chung, Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton are all fans. All in all, they're the most inoffensive sandal trend around (yes, 'ugly shoe' trend, I'm referring to you). But while I appreciate an espadrille's reliability and simplicity, some members of the Cosmo Fashion Team find them predictable, shunning them for these exact same reasons. Well, I'm here to tell you the humble espadrille wedge has had a makeover in 2025. Featuring pretty embroidery, velvet straps in contrasting hues and sculptural silhouettes, they're shaking off their boring connotations and emerging as our go-to shoe this summer for all the events on our calendar. From pub drinks with friends to providing the finishing touch to our summer wedding guest dresses, the 2025 espadrille is cooler, more stylish – but (crucially) just as comfy as the classics. As for what summer outfits we'll be wearing with our espadrille wedges, keep reading for styling inspiration and a sneak peek at the sandals that have caught my eye and earned a spot on my wishlist. What shoes do you wear with a bright tangerine summer dress? Black is too heavy, white is too dated, any other colour could aggressively clash, but an equally zesty orange hue – paired with the neutral woven sole so as not to overwhelm – is just right. Espadrilles are perhaps the ultimate wedding guest shoe – formal enough to go with your dress, but comfy enough to have you on the dance floor all night long. We love the idea of pairing a floral dress with espadrilles featuring floral embroidery. Don't worry about matching the flower motifs perfectly as long as your dress and shoes have shared colours in their designs. Wide-leg jeans sometimes require a little height to help balance out the proportions of extra fabric and ensure the most flattering of fits, but who wants to wear heels out and about? Enter: the espadrille wedge, ideal for weekends spent standing in pub gardens. Not a lover of colour? No shade, some of us just prefer to stick to a wardrobe of minimal black, white and neutral colourways. But, if you do want to add just a little colour pop to an outfit, a bright, statement pair of shoes is an easy way to do so. We love these Penelope Chilvers wedges that feature velvet ribbons woven through the shoe in a slightly different shade of pink for even more colour, while still feeling subtle. Falling into the same category as linen trousers, Bermuda shorts are the fashion set's favourite summer shorts thanks to their versatility and comfort. Fitting, then, that they pair perfectly with espadrilles. Add this look to your summer workwear rotation and prepare to be crowned best-dressed employee. I *love* how Castañer have toughened up the shoe with a black leather upper. So cool. AKA Kate Middleton's tried and tested go-to outfit formula. You know what they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Well, if it's good enough for the Princess of Wales all these years later, we're taking that as a green light to wear this look in 2025. Follow Alex on Instagram. Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there's nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she's passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
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