Espadrilles bring a relaxed feel to everyday clothes, whether you choose a canvas flat, an open sandal or a wedge with ankle ties. Their woven soles add texture, making simple pieces feel considered without needing lots of accessories. You do not need a holiday wardrobe to wear them well. Jeans, cotton dresses and familiar trousers provide plenty of starting points.

This guide to how to wear espadrilles focuses on building useful outfits around the shoes themselves. Begin with their shape and colour, consider where you are going, then bring in clothes you already enjoy wearing. A few reliable combinations are more useful than a collection of pieces bought for one imagined occasion.

Start with your particular pair

Espadrilles share a woven or rope-covered sole, but the upper makes a considerable difference to their character. Closed canvas flats look casual and understated. Open styles feel closer to sandals, while wedges have a stronger presence. Ankle ribbons add another decorative element, even when the rest of the shoe is plain.

• Closed flats: try them with jeans, cotton trousers and relaxed skirts.
• Open styles: pair them with loose separates and breezy dresses when open footwear suits the setting.
• Wedges: use them to give simple dresses or jumpsuits a slightly dressier finish.
• Ankle ties: let the ribbons supply detail alongside relatively uncomplicated clothes.

Before planning outfits, check that an older pair is still in good condition. Look at the sole, stitching and fastening. A loose strap or damaged base needs attention before the shoes become part of your plans.

Use denim as an easy starting point

Denim and woven soles share an informal feel, so they work together without much effort. Wear straight jeans with closed espadrilles and a plain T-shirt, then add an open cotton shirt for a light layer. Tuck the front of your top if you want some waist definition, or leave it loose if that feels more comfortable.

For a softer combination, try blue jeans with an ecru blouse and tan shoes. If you prefer colour, swap the blouse for a bright shirt and keep everything else simple. Dark denim can make the outfit feel a little neater, while faded denim creates a more relaxed effect.

There is no need to force your jeans into a deep turn-up. If a cuff feels stiff or repeatedly falls down, leave it alone. Choose denim that sits comfortably with the shoes, rather than spending the day rearranging the fabric.

Bring out the relaxed side of a dress

Espadrilles work especially well with cotton poplin, linen blends, jersey and softly crinkled fabrics. These textures belong comfortably beside the woven sole. A plain dress gives patterned shoes room to stand out, while a printed dress often looks settled with a quieter pair.

For everyday plans

Try a loose cotton dress with flat espadrilles and a practical shoulder bag. If the dress has embroidery, generous sleeves or a gathered neckline, you may need very little jewellery. Let those details do their job. An open overshirt provides an extra layer without making the outfit feel overly formal.

For a dressier outing

A simple dress with wedge espadrilles can suit a relaxed celebration or lunch out, depending on the setting. Add a small bag in a smooth fabric to introduce a different texture. Check the dress code first, because a woven sole still has a casual character, even with height or decorative ribbon.

Wear them with trousers beyond the beach

Espadrilles can soften trousers that otherwise feel quite formal. Pair relaxed tailored trousers with a cotton vest and closed espadrilles for an easy daytime outfit. A neat blouse makes the same combination feel more composed. The contrast between the tailored fabric and textured shoes supplies enough interest without extra decoration.

With wide-leg linen trousers, try a fitted T-shirt, a sleeveless top or a lightly tucked shirt. These give a little structure above the looser fabric. If you prefer a loose top too, roll the sleeves or leave the neckline open to make the whole outfit feel lighter.

Olive cotton trousers, cream espadrilles and a striped top are a useful combination. Navy trousers with a white shirt and natural-coloured shoes offer another option. Substitute shades from your own wardrobe rather than treating either outfit as a shopping list.

Make colour work without matching everything

The natural shade of a woven sole already provides a neutral element. You can repeat its warmth in a belt or bag, but you do not have to. A black bag can sit happily beside tan-soled shoes, especially when black appears elsewhere in your clothes.

If your espadrilles have a pattern, pick out one colour and repeat it in a plain garment. Navy striped shoes might work with a navy skirt and a white top. You do not need to add several nautical accessories for the stripes to make sense.

Bright espadrilles are useful with quiet clothes. Try red shoes with a plain denim dress, or green shoes with cream trousers and a neutral shirt. Look at the outfit before reaching for more accessories. The shoes may already provide the focus you wanted.

Keep ankle ribbons comfortable

Follow the intended fastening when tying ribbons or cords. Smooth out any twists and secure the ends so they cannot trail underfoot. The ties should feel comfortable rather than restrictive; wrapping them tightly is not a good solution to a shoe that slips.

A smaller bow can look tidy if a large one feels distracting, provided the design allows it. Tie both shoes in a similar way for a consistent finish. If the ribbons repeatedly loosen or rub, choose a different pair for the day instead of continually tightening them.

Plan for the weather and your activities

A flat espadrille is not automatically supportive, and a wedge may be awkward on uneven surfaces. Think about how much walking you expect and where you will be going. Woven sections can absorb water, so check the care instructions and choose other footwear for wet conditions.

Closed espadrilles can work on mild days with jeans and a light jumper. Open styles suit warmer conditions. If you enjoy visible socks, try a fine plain pair with closed espadrilles and casual trousers, checking that the extra layer does not make the shoes tight.

Find combinations worth repeating

Lay your shoes beside three familiar outfits: one with denim, one with trousers or a skirt, and one with a dress. Try the complete combinations and notice which feels most like you. Changing a top or bag may make the same shoes useful for several different plans.

After wearing them, gently remove loose dirt and follow the care label rather than soaking the woven sole. Let damp shoes dry naturally away from direct heat. Looking after a favourite pair and knowing what to wear with it makes getting dressed easier whenever the weather suits espadrilles.