When shopping for handmade Spanish espadrilles, look beyond the colour and silhouette. The product description can tell you about the upper, lining, footbed, sole and specific hand-finished details. Together, those details help you understand what you are choosing and how one design differs from another.
This guide explains what to look for in handmade espadrilles, with examples from La Magerit's Spanish-made styles. The aim is not to judge a shoe by a single label, but to compare the construction information that matters to you.
Look for a clear statement about where the shoes are made
If Spanish production is important to your purchase, look for an explicit statement about the individual product. A Spanish name or Mediterranean-looking photograph is not the same as information about where a shoe was made.
La Magerit's CATALINA, ELEANOR, AITANA and LENNY product descriptions state that the styles are made artisanally in Spain. LENNY's description also identifies its linen upper fabric and jute-and-EVA sole as made in Spain.
Read each listing on its own merits. Information about one design should not automatically be applied to another, especially when their materials and construction differ.
Understand what the description says is done by hand
“Handmade” is a useful starting point, but specific details are more informative. Look for descriptions of hand-sewn or hand-assembled components rather than assuming that every production step is carried out in exactly the same way.
CATALINA and ELEANOR specify a hand-sewn toe reinforcement. AITANA describes a hand-sewn leather construction, while LENNY is described as assembled by hand. These are concrete details you can use when comparing the designs.
Visible stitching can also be part of a shoe's appearance, but a photograph cannot establish the entire production process. Use the written description alongside the images, and ask for clarification if a particular aspect matters to you.
Read the full material composition
An espadrille combines several components. The material named in the title usually does not describe the whole shoe, so check the upper, lining, footbed, heel section, ties and sole separately.
CATALINA is described with a leather upper and lining, a padded organic-cotton footbed and cotton ankle ties. ELEANOR – Denim has an organic-cotton upper and a leather lining. LENNY – Natural has a linen upper, a natural jute footbed, a leather heel pad and a jute-and-EVA sole.
These examples show why broad categories can be misleading. A fabric upper does not automatically mean a shoe is leather-free, and a leather upper does not mean every component is leather. If you have a specific material preference, check the complete listing before ordering.
Separate the footbed from the sole
The footbed is the surface beneath your foot. The sole construction supports the shoe and includes the part that contacts the ground. Their materials may be different, and each tells you something useful about the design.
AITANA specifies a padded leather footbed and a jute-and-natural-rubber sole. LENNY specifies a natural jute footbed with a jute-and-EVA sole. CATALINA includes a padded organic-cotton footbed.
Padding is worth noting, but it is not a promise that every wearer will find the shoe comfortable all day. Consider these features alongside fit, height and fastening rather than treating one component as a guarantee.
Compare total height and platform height
For wedge espadrilles, total height alone does not tell the whole story. A platform raises the front of the foot, so compare both measurements when they are provided.
CATALINA and ELEANOR list a total height of 10 cm and a platform height of 2.5 cm. That gives a 7.5 cm difference between the rear and front sole heights. LENNY, a lower-profile design, lists a total height of 2 cm.
Use these measurements to compare silhouettes, then choose a height you actually enjoy wearing. A shoe's artisanal production does not override your own preferences for fit and heel height.
Pay attention to the fastening
Ribbons and straps are visible style details, but they also help hold the shoe in place. Check the listed material and dimensions, and consider how the fastening fits into the outfit you want to wear.
CATALINA and ELEANOR specify cotton ankle ties measuring 1.4 cm wide and 120 cm long. LENNY offers braided linen and matching satin ribbons that can be worn together or separately, with the satin ribbon listed as 5 cm wide and 120 cm long.
When trying the shoes, make sure the heel stays secure and the ties do not dig into the ankle. If you want to change ribbons or add accessories, confirm compatibility rather than assuming every model accepts the same options.
Use product photographs for the details they can show
Images help you compare the upper shape, visible texture, toe coverage and proportions. Look at more than one angle when available, especially if you want to understand the heel panel or fastening.
Keep photographs and written specifications in balance. A picture can show the appearance of a woven sole, but it cannot verify every material, hidden component or production claim. Measurements and composition details should guide decisions that images alone cannot settle.
Choose craftsmanship and fit together
Interest in handmade shoes and attention to fit should go hand in hand. Read the available sizing information and assess the toe area, instep opening, heel security and fastening when trying a pair.
Natural materials and artisanal production do not establish that a shoe is suitable for every foot or every activity. They also do not, by themselves, prove a particular environmental benefit. Look for specific information when those considerations matter to you.
Follow care guidance for the individual design, especially when it combines fabric, leather and jute. Avoid assuming that a mixed-material espadrille can be washed or treated like a shoe made from one material.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell whether espadrilles are made in Spain?
Look for an explicit statement in the individual product description. If the information is unclear, ask before ordering rather than inferring origin from the style or brand name.
Does handmade mean every component is made by hand?
Do not assume that. Read the specific construction details, such as hand-sewn reinforcement or hand assembly, and seek clarification if you need more information.
Are fabric espadrilles always leather-free?
No. A linen or cotton upper may be combined with leather elsewhere in the shoe. Read the full composition.
Does a padded footbed guarantee comfort?
No. It is one feature to compare, alongside fit, fastening and height. Comfort is individual.
Choose with the details in mind
The most useful way to compare handmade Spanish espadrilles is to look at origin, specific hand-finished details, full composition, sole height and fastening together. Explore La Magerit's collection and read each design's specifications to find a pair that suits your wardrobe and preferences.