The Military Lacing: A 1930s Secret, Revealed

Espadrilles have walked alongside Spanish soldiers for almost a century. In this short video, we show you the military lacing worn by Spanish troops back in the 1930s: cross, wrap around the ankle, and finish with a side knot, a style that is just as practical today as it was then.

A lacing with a long history

This way of tying espadrilles goes back to the Spanish army of the early 20th century, where the ribbons weren't just decoration: crossed and wrapped around the ankle, they kept the shoe secure through long days of marching and training.

Spanish soldier, mid 1910s
A Spanish soldier, mid 1910s.
Spanish soldier in Africa posing for a picture
A Spanish soldier in Africa, posing for a picture.
Spanish soldier posing, 1923
1923, Spanish soldier posing.
Spanish soldier stationed in Africa, posing for the camera
A Spanish soldier stationed in Africa, posing for the camera.
Two friends in Spain, 1930, both wearing traditionally laced espadrilles
Two friends, 1930, both with their espadrilles laced the traditional way.
×Spanish soldier, mid 1910s
×Spanish soldier in Africa posing for a picture
×Spanish soldier posing, 1923
×Spanish soldier stationed in Africa, posing for the camera
×Two friends in Spain, 1930, both wearing traditionally laced espadrilles

Brought back to life

Historical reenactors wearing period uniforms and laced espadrilles

A historical reenactment for a TV series, the same lacing, almost a hundred years later.

Thank you very much for watching. We hope you enjoyed a small piece of espadrille history, and that you'll give the military lacing a try yourself.

Shop espadrilles for this lacing

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