But . . . if comfort is just one factor along with modern style and price, please stay with me.
The espadrille is a classic summer shoe that comes in and out of fashion on a regular basis. This year they are hot. Not literally, of course. Quite the contrary. In fact they are very cool . . . literally and figuratively.
They bring back some truly pleasurable memories for me and I'll guess for some of you baby boomers out there.
I fondly remember a summer in my late 20's when I was terribly in love.
My best friend and her husband accompanied me and my lover on a weekend trip up north to Saugatuck, Michigan, a lovely, artsy little town on the shores of Lake Michigan. We played tennis (cute outfit, not so cute hand-eye coordination), took bike rides ( better here than on the courts, except on the hills) and dined at a rustic restaurant on the beach at sunset (exceptionally good at this). And of course, I remember the shoes I wore that night . . . Sexy black-ribboned espadrilles. It was a divinely romantic evening.
It had to be the shoes.
Now they are back. Dare I buy and try these shoes again?
Truth be told, I still love the way they emphasize one of my very few, very slim body parts, my legs. They are also reminiscent of my early childhood ballet classes. Even though I thought the leotards ugly and unforgiving and my ballet teacher would roll her eyes every time she looked at me, my ballet shoes looked fab. Of that I was sure. As for my dance talent?
Zero.
But that was not the point (no pun intended).
The shoe styles this year for summer are many, varied and fun.
Like the flat sandals that lace all the way up the leg. Probably not for me because I cannot imagine the time it would take to put them on and take them off, and because I cannot think of when or where I would ever wear them.
Certainly not on the beach with a hat and a bathing suit. Oh, my no!
But for girls and women who wear shorts for activities other than boating and biking, these would be super cute and flattering on shapely legs. And we all know shapely legs have no expiration date.
Important note: the legs are the last to go.
Here are some other options . . . a pair of Franco Sarto (my go-to guy for ankle boots) espadrille sandals, so reasonably priced at $70.00. Check out Polyvore.com:
More the gladiator style, the shoe below is a designer sandal by Chloe. At $1095 it's a bit pricey, but it's also tres fashionable. Too bad I can't afford these. The heel lends some support and they look much easier to get in and out of than the high leg lace-up ones. As for when and where I would wear these? Don't worry. I will find a way. 
