MUSEUM'S BLOG

ESPADRILLES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

Since ancient times, civilizations have used plant fibers to create lightweight, resistant, and adaptable footwear.

The typical espadrilles of the Mediterranean are the perfect reflection of that ancestral wisdom. This type of traditional footwear is made from natural fibers such as esparto grass, pita or hemp, materials that have been present in the history of footwear from Antiquity to the present day. Their hand-braiding, flexible sole and lightness made them the ideal footwear for work in the fields, dance or everyday life in rural areas. In the image, we can see three variants belonging to the collection of the Footwear Museum:

— Espadrille and crochet espadrille: a mixture of rusticity and artisanal detail.

— Typical Ibizan espadrille of pita and esparto grass: light, open and summery.

— Valencian esparto grass esparto grass: closed and resistant braiding. 

These pieces not only speak of functionality, but also of culture, tradition and connection with the natural environment. The use of vegetable fibres represents a way of understanding fashion and footwear from a perspective of respect for the environment and local identity.