It’s been the better part of a decade since Castaner successfully sparked the espadrille wedge’s renaissance. In 2015, this shoe had been relegated to the back of women’s wardrobes—bypassed in favor of fussier gladiator styles or sturdy block heels.
Castaner espadrilles have actually been around since 1927, with icons such as Salvador Dali and Marilyn Monroe spotted in the Spanish brand’s original, more functional flat shoe. It wasn’t until the 1970s, when founder Luis Castaner teamed up with Yves Saint Laurent, that the espadrille wedge was invented.
This style has dipped in and out of favor since then, but its more recent and long-lived spike in popularity is proof that it’s here to stay. Many cult shoes have come and gone over the last ten years— the padded mule, the shearling-lined loafer, the ‘Dad’ sneaker, but Castaner’s espadrille wedge remains a constant. In fact, it’s safe to say in 2025 that it has officially reached wardrobe staple status.
The 2010s marked the casualization of fashion. We kicked the decade off with an athleisurewear boom and the introduction of sneakers into the everyday; then, we closed it in the middle of a pandemic, when WFH schedules meant elevated tracksuits and pajamas were essential. What the Castaner wedge offered us then, and still provides now, is something that’s more grown-up and elegant, but not fussy or too formal.
This fine line comes mostly down to comfort (I’ve done 30,000 steps per day in a pair without even so much as a blister), but it’s also due to the relaxed feel that jute, canvas, and the comfortable ankle tie straps bring. They’re perfect for those who loathe society’s current obsession with anything ‘low-key,’ but may still feel overdressed in a pair of stilettos.
Shop the Castaner Carina 80 Espadrille Wedges
Castañer Carina 80mm Espadrille Wedges
Castañer Carina 80mm Espadrille Wedges
Castañer Carina 80mm Espadrille Wedges
A few years after the style set had bought the Carina 80 in every colorway, the royals jumped on board the Castaner train. This was surprising at first, given that public engagements for the Windsors have always called for demure hemlines, covered shoulders, and conservative court shoes. But when the Princess of Wales switched her go-to nude pumps for a Castaner Carina wedge in the same shade back in 2019, she looked instantly more ‘down to earth’—comfortable and contemporary.
Kate has worn several iterations of the shoe since, but it’s the nude Carina 80 she keeps coming back to—she’s worn this design to the Chelsea Flower Show, the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, during a visit to Barry Island in Wales and as the perfect finishing touch to all of her summer polo looks. She switched to a new-season Carina 80 wedge during the 2022 Platinum Jubilee tour of the Bahamas.
Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton and her sister-in-law Meghan Markle are also big fans. The Duchess of Sussex wore Castaner’s Carina 80 wedges during her tour of Australia in 2018, and was then spotted wearing the same design several times during her tour of South Africa the year after. While the neutral nude is Kate’s favorite, Meghan opts for black every time— whether she’s pairing her wedges with color block shirt dresses or more summery boho numbers.
Shop the Best Black Castaner Wedges
Castañer Carina Espadrille Wedges
Castañer Carol Espadrille Wedges
Castañer Dosalia Espadrille Wedges
Castañer Carina Espadrille Wedges
These shoes are also a go-to for Queen Letizia of Spain, who championed the brand during a trip to the islands of Mallorca and Menorca in 2016: she wore nothing but Castaner wedges for a week’s worth of public engagements. The Spanish royal opted for a more structured leather design and a platform version of the brand’s cult Chiara style— defined by its V-cut toe.
Shop the Castaner Chiara 80 Espadrille Wedges
Castañer Chiara Espadrille Wedges
Castañer Chiara Espadrille Wedges
Castañer Chiara Espadrille Wedges
Castañer Chiara Espadrille Wedges
Before this shoe became a royal go-to, however, it was a street-style favorite worn by Jeanne Damas, Pandora Sykes, and Lucy Williams. The brand has also garnered a new celebrity following in the past decade: we’ve spotted Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Emily Ratajkowski, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Anne Hathaway in several different pairs.
Alexa Chung, who remained true to the espadrille wedge all throughout the late 2000s, styles hers with everything from jeans and mini skirts to overalls. The Brit style icon often sticks to lower wedges, like Castaner’s Carina 60, to match her relaxed aesthetic.
Shop New-Season Castaner Wedges
Castañer 80mm Metallic Wedge Sandals
Castañer Cass Wedge Espadrilles
Castañer Padua Mary Jane Espadrilles
Castañer Carissa Metallic Leather Wedge Espadrilles
If this still hasn’t proved to you just how versatile the Castaner wedge is, trust us when we say it can be demure, boho, indie, or minimalist depending on what you style it with. From jeans to midi dresses and resort-ready looks, a classic pair will serve you well throughout the warm spring and summer months.
