The Espadrilles That Took Me Up and Down the Amalfi Coast
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In My Most Worn, BAZAAR editors share the fashion items they cherish more than any others in their closets. Here, culture editor Bianca Betancourt explains why Rothy's new espadrille flats might just be the best new travel shoe.
People tend to be meticulous when it comes to planning outfits for vacation. I have friends who often create Google Docs and Excel sheets that list what tops, pants, and dresses will make the cut for their upcoming holidays. Personally, I'm partial to using the iPhone notes app. But I also try not to stress too much about it all because ultimately, comfort will always be key for me, regardless of where I'm traveling.
The biggest factor I have to consider when planning for a trip however, is always shoes. I come from a long lineage of women who all have a deep appreciation for a good shoe—you will rarely catch my mother out in public in anything less than a four inch heel. Over the years however and especially since living in New York City—where I walk absolutely everywhere—I've had to often opt for function over fashion, or to quote Succession, store a commuter shoe of sorts in a ludicrously capacious bag for the sake of not hating my life at the end of the day. (And listen, I am not too cool for an orthopedic sandal — I'm not 20 anymore!)
Comfort was top of mind for me when I began planning my outfits for my 10-day honeymoon to Rome and the Amalfi Coast because I knew many 10,000+ step days were ahead of me and I didn't want to miss out on any sightseeing because I wore the wrong kind of shoe. Thankfully, one of Rothy's latest offerings came to the rescue.
I probably haven't worn an espadrille sandal since I was 12 years old, even though they've drifted in and out of fashion over the last couple of years. For so long, I associated them with my tween outfits of yesteryear. Just looking at them evoked painful memories of blisters after a long schoolday wearing them and the feeling of freedom that followed when I could rip them off at home.
Rothy's, the California based brand known for its viral and sustainable ballet flats that's now all over TikTok, have used the same approach to comfort with its new line of espadrilles. I can now confidently say it might be the best new travel-friendly shoe out there with a soft, breathable hemp fabric that hugs the lower portion of the foot, allowing for essentially blister-free wear. It's properly cushioned at the sole while not being bulky and even more importantly, the attached fabric lace-up straps aren't irritating or itchy.
I opted for the simple black knit style since it easily matched with the majority of the outfits I packed, which included a matching maxi dress from Dôen, a cornflower-blue printed apron dress from Loeffler Randall, and a crochet knit midi number from Nia Thomas. What really surprised me—aside from how much walking I could do in them—was how they paired perfectly with whatever I had with me, whether it was a more casual maxi moment or a sultrier style a la the Nia Thomas dress. Flats can still be hot, folks!
What really mattered though, aside from the shoes simply looking good of course, was if they could actually keep me on my feet all day, pain free, as I went full tourist mode. And I'm happy to report they did.
Whether it was forcing my husband to walk a mile and a half to try the best maritozzi pastries in town (at Rome's Regoli Pasticceria, IYKYK) or exploring the cobblestone streets and seriously steep hills of Ravello and Positano, I finally felt as if the shoes on my feet weren't letting me down. There was no pesky pinching at my toes that made me regret my outfit decision for the day. There wasn't even the slightest discomfort from what ended up being hours of walking on a day-to-day basis. Even better, the hemp fabrication meant optimal breathability which was crucial on hot 80 degree days—something even the comfiest sneakers or flats don't often provide. Finally, I didn't have to choose function over fashion—I could have both.
The Espadrille
$139.00
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