Men's espadrilles

Men's espadrilles: the criterion that makes all the difference

Why do some espadrilles last two summers without giving way, while others crumble in the first weeks of heat? The answer rarely lies in the colour or the price tag. Two elements make all the difference: the material of the upper and the construction of the sole.

A jute rope sole, hand-assembled according to know-how passed down from generation to generation, has nothing in common with a mass-moulded synthetic sole. Naturally braided jute moulds to the arch of the foot from the very first steps. It breathes. It flexes without cracking. A synthetic sole, by contrast, stays rigid, retains heat and separates from the upper well before the season ends.

Mauléon-Licharre, in the heart of the Basque Country, is historically the French capital of espadrille making. It is there that the artisanal craft took shape, where the workshops refined the braiding and assembly methods that today set a quality espadrille apart from a mere summer slipper. At In Corio, this culture of artisanal expertise guides every manufacturing choice.

The upper changes everything too. The perforated suede of the Hugo range combines two qualities that are rarely found together: natural breathability and suppleness against the foot. The perforations let air circulate freely, eliminating the stuffy feeling created by uppers made of coated canvas or full-grain leather. The suede hugs the foot without rigidity, without any point of friction. It is the men's summer shoe you forget you're wearing throughout the day.

The lightness of the rope sole goes hand in hand with this natural walking comfort. No platform sole, no dense foam cushioning: just the right contact between the ground and the foot, mediated by the jute. A sensation that men's espadrille wearers recognise immediately.

This is why In Corio's Hugo range relies on made-in-France perforated suede and a naturally braided jute sole: the artisanal quality of a men's espadrille shows first in its materials, and is felt from the very first day of wear.

How to choose the right colour and how to wear your men's espadrilles

Choosing your colour: four shades, four profiles

The Hugo range comes in four perforated suedes in solid colours: chocolate, In Corio blue, sand and tobacco. Four answers to four ways of being. That's the place to start.

Sand and tobacco are the two easiest shades to wear. Neutral without being dull, they pair effortlessly with cotton chinos, light-coloured bermuda shorts or beach shorts. These are the colours you grab without thinking, morning after morning. If you're unsure, start with one of these two.

In Corio blue, on the other hand, stands out. Bolder, it fits a confidently nautical spirit: a white linen shirt is enough to set the look. This isn't a navy-blue espadrille that blends into the crowd—it's the one people notice.

Chocolate plays a different tune. Deeper, more contrasted, it pulls the espadrille towards a smart-casual register where the lightness of the flat shoe converses with more structured pieces. Dark cotton trousers, an open shirt: the outfit holds together effortlessly.

Wearing your men's espadrilles: three combinations that work

The Hugo is a flat shoe. Its lightness, combined with the perforated suede, gives it a breathability that classic men's shoes don't achieve in summer. This simplicity of form opens up more possibilities than you might think.

• Chino + linen shirt: the most versatile combination. It works from lunch on a terrace to dinner outdoors, without changing register.
• Quality bermuda shorts + polo shirt: the right balance for the seaside. Not too laid-back, never formal. The espadrille lifts the outfit effortlessly.
• Lightweight cotton trousers + unstructured jacket: the least obvious combination, and often the most successful. A flat shoe with a refined finish slips under a light jacket with natural ease. It's the smart-casual look par excellence.

One rule, in the end: socks stay at home. Perforated suede espadrilles are best enjoyed barefoot. At any hour and in any situation, that's the detail that makes the difference.

Care, sizing and durability: everything you need to know before ordering

Which size to choose for your espadrilles?

The question comes up often: what espadrille size should you take? Suede, a living material by nature, gradually softens against the foot. After a few wears, it moulds to the contours of the foot with a precision few synthetic materials can match. For espadrille sizing, the rule is simple: take your usual size. There's no need to count on the extra half-size that some wrongly recommend for soft leather shoes. The In Corio team supports its customers on this point; don't hesitate to contact them if your espadrille size raises a particular question.

How to care for your perforated suede espadrilles?

Care starts with a simple gesture. After each outing, gently brush the suede upper with a soft-bristled brush to remove dust lodged in the perforations. That's all. Suede doesn't like standing water: avoid prolonged rain and never let them dry in direct sunlight or near a heat source. If they get damp, air-drying at room temperature is enough.

The naturally braided jute sole deserves the same attention. Jute absorbs moisture faster than vulcanised rubber: if your espadrilles have been caught in the rain, lay them flat and let them dry completely before wearing them again. A waterlogged sole that dries poorly weakens and loses its structure faster than a rubber sole.

• Brush the suede dry after each wear.
• Air-dry, never in the machine or near a radiator.
• Protect the jute sole from prolonged moisture.
• Store them in a well-ventilated place, out of their box if the season is damp.

Durability and manufacturing: why the material changes everything

A velvet calf suede espadrille lasts longer than a synthetic canvas upper. The logic is mechanical: quality suede doesn't tear, it develops a patina. The naturally braided jute sole, more demanding than vulcanised rubber in terms of care, offers in return a natural flex that synthetic material can't reproduce. This is where French manufacturing makes the difference.

At In Corio, every Hugo pair rests on this principle: materials chosen for how they behave over time, not for their production cost. A well-cared-for espadrille gains suppleness over time. It doesn't collapse; it adapts. That's exactly what you expect from an artisanal shoe.

FAQ

How do you choose the right men's espadrilles?

Look at the sole first: naturally braided jute moulds to the foot, breathes and lasts far longer than a moulded synthetic sole. Then check the upper: perforated suede lets air circulate and prevents rubbing. A neat join between upper and sole, visible along the edge, is the sign of serious craftsmanship.

What size should you choose for men's espadrilles?

Take your usual size. Perforated suede softens slightly with wear, without losing shape. If you're hesitating between two sizes, go for the larger one: an espadrille that's too tight across the top of the foot quickly becomes uncomfortable as soon as the heat rises.

Are espadrilles suitable for walking in the city?

For a stroll, lunch on a terrace or a holiday day out, yes. For long, repeated distances on tarmac, a jute sole remains more supple than a rigid synthetic sole, but it isn't designed as a sports walking shoe. Keep them for relaxed uses—that's where they excel.

How do you wear men's espadrilles?

With chinos, raw denim jeans or linen shorts, espadrilles move effortlessly from the seaside to a restaurant terrace. Worn without socks, they present a clean, light silhouette. The tobacco or chocolate shade pairs easily with neutral outfits; In Corio blue elevates a solid-coloured ensemble.

Where does the tradition of espadrille making in France come from?

Mauléon-Licharre, in the heart of the Basque Country, is historically the French capital of the espadrille. It is there that the workshops refined jute braiding and upper assembly, generating an artisanal expertise that today sets a real quality espadrille apart from a mere mass-produced summer slipper.

What's the difference between men's espadrilles and sandals for summer?

The sandal exposes the foot and works well in aquatic or very hot environments. The espadrille wraps the foot in a supple upper and offers a dressier silhouette, suited to the city as well as holidays. For a refined summer outfit, the perforated suede espadrille holds a register the sandal can't reach.

Men's espadrilles that last, because the manufacturing choices are honest

Not all men's espadrilles are equal, and In Corio's Hugo range illustrates it concretely: made-in-France perforated suede, naturally braided jute, artisanal assembly inspired by the know-how of Mauléon-Licharre. It's not a marketing promise, it's what you feel from the very first hours of wear. One question remains, which many ask at the end of the season: how do you care for and store your espadrilles so the rope sole gets through winter without losing its shape? The answer often guides the next purchase.