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Men's espadrilles
The In Corio Hugo range of men's espadrilles combines breathable perforated suede with a sole made of naturally braided jute, crafted according to traditional Basque artisanal expertise. It is this combination that ensures lightness, flexibility and lasting hold. Four colours are available—sand, tobacco, In Corio blue and chocolate—to suit every style profile, from casual to smart casual. This page details the criteria for choosing the materials, the clothing combinations that work, and the uses for which each colour is best suited.
THE LEATHER ESPADRILLE FOR MEN, THE LIGHTNESS OF SUMMER
Born at the foot of the Pyrenees, the espadrille is the shoe of hot days. In Corio reinterprets it in perforated velour calf leather, set on a rope and rubber sole. It keeps the flexibility of the traditional espadrille, with the structure of a shoe you can wear in town as well as on holiday.
A leather that breathes
Our men's espadrilles are cut from perforated Italian velour calf leather, supple from the very first day. The perforations let the air through and keep the foot cool, even when worn barefoot. The leather comes from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group, and every pair is made in our workshops in Portugal.
A rope sole that holds its ground
Braided rope gives the espadrille its look and its flexibility. We mount it on a stitched rubber sole, which provides grip on cobblestones and protects the rope from damp. Inside, a leather insole set on latex foam cushions every step.
Four shades for summer
Our Hugo espadrille in In Corio blue suede also comes in sand, tobacco and chocolate. Sand goes with ecru linen, tobacco and chocolate pair with khaki and jeans, and blue goes with white. Hugo runs large: take a size down from your usual size.
From the beach to the terrace
The espadrille is worn barefoot, with Bermuda shorts, rolled-up chinos or linen trousers. It follows seaside holidays as well as summer days in town. For smarter dinners, our men's moccasins take over with the same lightness.
For a long time the work shoe of Pyrenean peasants, the espadrille has become the shoe of seaside summers. Here is what sets a leather espadrille apart from a canvas one, how to choose your colour and your size, and how to wear it with elegance.
Where does the espadrille come from?
The espadrille is a shoe born on both sides of the Pyrenees, in Catalonia as in the Basque Country, originally made of a braided fibre sole and a canvas upper. Its name comes from the Occitan espardilha, itself derived from espart, esparto, a grass from which the first soles were braided.
Mauléon, capital of the espadrille
In the Basque Country, the small town of Mauléon-Licharre established itself as the capital of the espadrille. At the end of the 19th century, its workshops welcomed young women workers every autumn, who came on foot from Aragon and Navarre, from the other side of the mountain. They were called the swallows, because they left again in spring, like the birds of the same name.
From canvas to leather
A work shoe, the espadrille became the holiday shoe in the 20th century. Leather versions have made it a summer town shoe, more structured and more durable, which can be worn on a terrace as well as at an informal dinner.
Canvas or leather espadrille: which one to choose?
The canvas espadrille suits the beach and occasional use, the leather espadrille regular wear, in town as on holiday. Leather keeps its shape, breathes, is cleaned with a brush and lasts several summers.
| Criterion | Canvas espadrille | Hugo espadrille in velour calf leather |
|---|---|---|
| Upper | Cotton canvas | Perforated Italian velour calf leather |
| Sole | Rope only | Rope mounted on stitched rubber |
| Insole | Canvas or rope | Leather on latex foam |
| Wear over time | Loosens quickly | Keeps its shape |
| Uses | Beach, home | Town, holidays, weekends |
Why a rubber sole under the rope?
Rope alone is pleasant underfoot but slips on smooth floors and soaks up water at the first puddle. By setting it on a stitched rubber sole, we keep the look and flexibility of the braided sole while gaining grip and lifespan.
Which colour to choose?
Sand is the most summery shade: it brightens ecru linen trousers or navy Bermuda shorts. Tobacco and chocolate, warmer, go with khaki, beige and jeans. In Corio blue adds a touch of controlled colour with white and light grey.
How to wear espadrilles for men?
Espadrilles are worn barefoot, with light outfits in linen, cotton or denim: Bermuda shorts, rolled-up chinos, linen trousers. They go with holidays but also with summer days in town, as long as the outfit stays simple.
On holiday
Cotton Bermuda shorts, a sky-blue linen shirt and a sand espadrille: the most natural outfit for a walk by the water or a lunch on a terrace.
With or without socks?
The espadrille is worn barefoot: that is what gives it its smart casual style. The breathable leather and the leather insole make this contact pleasant.
In town, in summer
With rolled-up beige chinos, a white shirt and an unlined linen jacket, a tobacco or chocolate espadrille gives a polished look without stiffness. For more summer shoe ideas, our article on men's shoes to wear in summer reviews the models of the season.
How to care for leather espadrilles?
A velour calf leather espadrille is cared for dry, like a suede moccasin, keeping the rope sole away from water.
- Brush the leather dry with a brass suede brush to remove dust and sand and lift the velvet.
- Revive the colour with a colourless suede renovator, sprayed from a distance.
- Avoid dipping the rope sole in water; if it is damp, let the pair dry in the open air, away from direct sunlight.
- Alternate with another pair to let the inside dry between two hot days.
Choosing your size
Hugo runs large: we advise you to take a size down from your usual size. The velour calf leather then moulds to the foot in a few hours. At In Corio, our leathers come from French, English and Italian tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group.
Not sure about your size? Come and try our models and feel our leathers in our stores in the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés or Lyon. Online, returns and exchanges are free.
For a smarter summer, our suede men's moccasins take over from espadrilles at dinners and weddings.
Frequently asked questions about men's espadrilles
Where are traditional espadrilles made?
Traditional espadrilles come from both sides of the Pyrenees. In France, their manufacture is concentrated in the Basque Country, around Mauléon-Licharre; in Spain, in Catalonia and Navarre. At In Corio, they are made using the traditional method in our workshop in Portugal.
What is the capital of the espadrille?
Mauléon-Licharre, in the Soule, in the Basque Country, is considered the capital of the espadrille. The town turned it into an industry from the 19th century.
Are espadrilles comfortable for walking?
A classic espadrille, with no cushioning, tires the foot quickly. Hugo combines a leather insole set on latex foam with a rope sole mounted on rubber: it can be worn for a whole day of sightseeing without discomfort.
In summary
The leather espadrille keeps the lightness and the rope sole of the Pyrenean espadrille, with the structure of a shoe. Hugo, in perforated velour calf leather on a rope and rubber sole, is worn barefoot on holiday as in town in summer. Discover its four colours above.
