10 Espadrille Outfits with Clothes You Can Mix and Match
Espadrilles have that rare quality every wardrobe needs: a shoe that looks considered but never fussy. The woven jute sole…
Espadrilles have that rare quality every wardrobe needs: a shoe that looks considered but never fussy. The woven jute sole reads summer even in the city, and the shape sits comfortably between a flat and a sandal. They go with linen, denim, satin and suiting without ever stealing the show, which makes them one of the easiest shoes to build a full outfit around. The ten ideas below are complete head-to-toe outfits, each photographed so you can see exactly how the proportions work. Save the ones you would actually wear, then mix the pieces freely across ideas, because most of these garments play well together and ten photos can easily become twenty outfits from your own closet.
Jump to an idea:
- Corduroy trousers with a knit polo
- Satin skirt and a plain tee
- Shirt dress with a narrow belt
- Printed trousers and a solid top
- Dark denim with a trench
- Knit dress with a small crossbody
- Relaxed suit with a soft tee
- Straight skirt with a sleeveless knit
- Straight jeans and a white shirt
- Wide trousers and a ribbed tee
The Espadrille Rules Before You Start
Before you style a single outfit, a few practical notes make espadrilles easier to live with. First, toe room matters: the canvas or cotton upper should lie flat across your foot without pressing on your toes, and your heel should sit inside the shoe without hanging over the jute edge. New espadrilles often feel snug for the first couple of wears because the fabric gives a little with wear.
Socks are a choice, not a requirement. Espadrilles are designed to be worn barefoot, and most people wear them that way. If you prefer a liner, choose an ultra-low no-show sock in cotton; anything with a visible tab changes the look.
Hem clearance is the detail that makes or breaks the outfit. Trouser hems should just kiss the top of the shoe or hover a half inch above it. Anything pooling over the jute sole hides the shoe completely and defeats the point of choosing it.
Finally, weather honesty: the woven sole and fabric upper are happiest in dry weather. Save espadrilles for dry days and keep a backup shoe in mind when the forecast turns.
1. Corduroy trousers with a knit polo
There is something quietly confident about corduroy paired with a knit polo. The trousers bring texture, the polo brings polish, and the espadrilles keep the whole thing from feeling too buttoned up. This is a dinner-with-friends outfit, or a smart casual Friday that does not involve actual tailoring.
Choose corduroy trousers in a fine wale rather than a chunky one; the finer rib drapes better and looks more modern. A straight or gently tapered leg works best here, with the hem sitting right at the ankle bone so the espadrille stays visible. The knit polo should skim rather than cling, with a collar that holds its shape. Tuck the front loosely and leave the back untucked for an easy line.
Espadrilles in natural canvas or a warm sand tone pick up the earthiness of the corduroy. If your trousers are olive, camel or rust, the shoe practically chooses itself. Keep accessories simple: a leather belt in a matching tan, a watch, nothing glittery.
Fit note: Corduroy relaxes with wear, so buy them fitting snugly through the thigh. They will give about a half size where it counts.
2. Satin skirt and a plain tee
This pairing works because of contrast: the sheen of satin against the humble matte texture of cotton and jute. It is dressy enough for an evening out and relaxed enough for a long lunch, and it takes about thirty seconds to put together.
Pick a satin skirt that hits at or just below the knee. Midi lengths are the most forgiving because they show just the ankle and the shoe, which is exactly the proportion you want. A bias cut will skim instead of cling, which matters in a fabric that shows every line. The tee should be a good plain one: cotton with a bit of structure, not tissue-thin, with a neckline that sits close to the base of the neck.
Tuck the tee in fully and let the satin fall cleanly from the waist. Flat espadrilles in black or natural jute keep the look grounded; a wedge espadrille adds height if the occasion calls for it. A small shoulder bag and simple stud earrings finish it without competing with the skirt’s shine.
Fit note: Satin shows wrinkles, so hang the skirt rather than folding it, and steam it before wearing. A quick pass with a steamer takes two minutes and transforms the look.
3. Shirt dress with a narrow belt
The shirt dress is the hardest-working dress silhouette there is, and a narrow belt gives it a waist where the cut might not. With espadrilles, it becomes a daytime uniform you can wear to the office, the market, or a weekend gallery visit without changing a thing.
Look for a shirt dress with a real collar and buttons that lie flat. Poplin and cotton-linen blends hold their shape best; avoid anything too slinky, which fights the crispness of the style. The belt should be narrow, about an inch wide, in leather or woven leather. Thread it through the dress’s own loops or cinch it over the waistband line.
Roll the sleeves to just below the elbow for a relaxed feel. Flat espadrilles in a neutral tone keep the outfit walking-friendly, which matters because this is an outfit you will want to live in. Add a canvas tote or a structured crossbody depending on the day.
Fit note: The belt should sit at your natural waist, the narrowest point of your torso, not at the hips. If the dress has no defined waist, size by your shoulders and let the belt do the shaping.
4. Printed trousers and a solid top
Printed trousers do all the talking in this outfit, so everything else gets out of the way. A solid top, a simple shoe, and suddenly the boldest trousers in your closet feel completely wearable on a normal Tuesday.
The print can be anything you love: small florals, geometric tiles, painterly abstracts. The key is scale; a medium-scale print reads modern, while very large or very tiny prints are harder to balance. Choose a trouser cut with some structure, a tapered or straight leg rather than anything too flowy, so the print has a clean canvas.
The solid top should pick up one quiet color from the print, not the loudest one. A soft white, cream, or the trousers’ background tone works almost every time. Espadrilles in natural canvas let the trousers stay the star; avoid a patterned shoe here, which would compete. Keep jewelry minimal and let the print carry the outfit.
Fit note: With bold prints, fit matters more, not less. Have the trousers hemmed so they end right at the ankle; a sloppy hem plus a loud print reads messy instead of intentional.
5. Dark denim with a trench
Dark denim and a trench coat is a combination that has worked for decades, and espadrilles give it a lighter, warmer-weather feeling than boots or loafers would. This is the outfit for those in-between days when a coat is still necessary but your feet are done with winter.
Choose dark denim with minimal fading; a deep indigo or black rinse looks sharpest with a classic trench. A straight or slim leg balances the trench’s volume, and the hem should show a clean ankle above the espadrille. The trench itself should hit around the knee, with sleeves you can push up. Belt it loosely or leave it open; both work.
Underneath, anything simple: a striped tee, a thin knit, a plain white shirt. The espadrilles should be flat and unfussy, in canvas or a dark solid that echoes the denim. This outfit also pairs beautifully with the straight-leg jeans outfits already on DailyWavy if you want more denim formulas to rotate through the week.
Fit note: A trench that is slightly oversized looks intentional; one that is two sizes too big looks borrowed. Size up once at most, and check that the shoulder seams sit near your actual shoulders.
6. Knit dress with a small crossbody
A knit dress and espadrilles might be the lowest-effort outfit on this list, and that is exactly its charm. One dress, one bag, one pair of shoes, and you are dressed for anything from a brunch to a travel day.
The knit should have enough substance to skim rather than cling; a medium-weight rib or ponte knit works better than a thin jersey. A length that hits at or just above the knee keeps the proportions leggy with a flat shoe. Short sleeves or sleeveless both work, depending on the weather and your comfort.
The small crossbody is doing real work here: it keeps your hands free and adds a focal point at the hip or waist. Choose one in leather or a woven texture, worn across the body so the strap creates a diagonal line. Flat espadrilles in a tone close to your skin or in classic natural canvas keep the leg line long.
Fit note: Knit dresses show undergarment lines, so wear seamless underpinnings. It is a small detail that makes a large difference in how polished the dress looks.
7. Relaxed suit with a soft tee
Suiting with espadrilles sounds like a contradiction until you see it. The trick is the suit itself: relaxed, unstructured, worn with a soft tee instead of a shirt. The result is polished but approachable, perfect for creative workplaces or dinners where you want to look sharp without a tie or heels.
Choose a suit in a breathable fabric: cotton, linen blend, or a lightweight wool for cooler days. The jacket should be unstructured, meaning little to no shoulder padding, and the trousers should have a tapered or straight leg with a clean ankle hem. Underneath, a soft tee in white, cream, or a muted tone replaces the dress shirt completely.
Espadrilles in a refined finish, like a dark canvas or a subtle stripe, bridge the gap between the suit’s formality and the tee’s ease. Skip socks entirely here. If your office leans traditional, this combination also works as inspiration for softening the business casual office outfits you already own.
Fit note: The jacket sleeve should show about a half inch of tee sleeve or wrist. Trousers should break just once at the shoe; no pooling over the espadrilles.
8. Straight skirt with a sleeveless knit
This is a study in clean lines: a straight skirt, a sleeveless knit, nothing extra. It works for warm-weather offices, evening events, and any occasion where you want to look pulled together with minimal pieces.
The skirt should sit at the natural waist and fall straight to the knee or just below. A back vent or kick pleat is essential for walking comfortably; without one, a straight skirt restricts your stride. The sleeveless knit should be fitted but not tight, with armholes cut high enough to keep everything covered.
Tuck the knit in fully so the waistline is crisp. Espadrilles in black or nude keep the look sleek; natural jute adds a casual note if the occasion allows. A structured handbag and a single bracelet are all the accessories this needs. The simplicity of this formula is why it also layers well with the cardigan-based ideas in our cardigan outfits guide when evenings turn cool.
Fit note: Sit down in the skirt before you commit to it. If it rides up significantly or pulls across the hips when seated, try a size up or a skirt with a touch of stretch.
9. Straight jeans and a white shirt
Some outfits are classics because they simply work, and this is one of them. Straight jeans, a white shirt, espadrilles: it is the uniform of people who always look good without ever looking like they tried too hard.
The jeans should be a true straight leg, not skinny and not wide, in a medium or light wash for the classic feel. The white shirt can be crisp cotton or soft linen; either works, and each gives a slightly different mood. Wear it tucked in with the sleeves rolled, or half-tucked for a more relaxed line.
Espadrilles in natural canvas are the traditional choice here and still the best one. The whole outfit is a neutral canvas, so this is where a bag or a scarf in a color you love can shine. For more ways to build on this foundation, our wide-leg jeans outfits guide rounds up twenty outfits built around the wider leg.
Fit note: The shirt should be long enough to stay tucked when you move. If it constantly pulls free, the shirt is too short for a full tuck and a half-tuck will look better.
10. Wide trousers and a ribbed tee
Wide trousers need a shoe that does not disappear underneath them, and espadrilles hold their own. The visible woven sole at the hem adds texture and interest, while the ribbed tee keeps the top half fitted so the silhouette stays balanced.
Choose wide trousers with a defined waist, either pleated or flat-front with a proper waistband, so they sit securely at your natural waist. The length matters most here: the hem should just graze the top of the espadrille. Too long and the shoe vanishes; too short and the proportion looks accidental.
The ribbed tee should be fitted through the body, tucked in fully. A crew or boat neckline both work. Flat espadrilles in a solid color keep the focus on the trouser’s drape; this is not the outfit for a busy shoe. Finish with simple jewelry and a bag that sits at the hip or higher, so it does not compete with the wide leg.
Fit note: Wide trousers add visual volume below the waist, so keep the tee truly fitted. If the tee is even slightly boxy, the whole outfit loses its shape.
Espadrille Outfit FAQ
Do espadrilles work with socks?
They are designed to be worn without socks, and most people wear them barefoot. If you prefer a liner, use an ultra-low no-show sock in cotton so nothing shows above the shoe line.
How should espadrilles fit?
Snug but not tight. The canvas upper should lie flat without pressing on your toes, and your heel should sit fully inside the shoe. They typically relax a little with wear, so a slightly snug first fitting is normal.
Can I wear espadrilles with trousers?
Yes, and several ideas above show how. The key is hem clearance: the trouser hem should just meet the top of the shoe or hover slightly above it so the espadrille stays visible.
Are espadrilles okay for walking all day?
Flat espadrilles suit moderate walking on dry days. They have minimal arch support, so for very long days on your feet, look for pairs with a cushioned insole and save the thinnest soles for shorter outings. No shoe comfort can be guaranteed; fit and footbed vary by maker.
How do I care for the jute sole?
Keep them dry, since the woven jute does not handle soaking well. Brush off dirt with a dry soft brush, spot-clean canvas uppers with a damp cloth and mild soap, and let them air dry away from direct heat.
What do I wear espadrilles with in cooler weather?
Pair them with full-length trousers, a trench, or layers as in ideas 5 and 7. They work through mild autumn days; once heavy rain or cold sets in, switch to a closed shoe.
Mix, Match, Repeat
The real value of these ten outfits is not any single one; it is how the pieces combine. The white shirt from idea 9 works with the satin skirt from idea 2. The trench from idea 5 works over the knit dress from idea 6. The wide trousers from idea 10 work with the knit polo from idea 1. Once you own the building blocks, the outfits multiply on their own.
If you are building a warm-weather shoe wardrobe, start with one pair of flat espadrilles in natural canvas. They pair with everything here. Add a black pair or a wedge later only if your calendar asks for it. For more outfit formulas in the same spirit, browse the Fashion & Beauty section for denim guides, office outfits, and layering ideas that all follow the same mix-and-match logic.
Happy styling, and save your favorite look before you go.
