There are two ways to make espadrilles: one relies on synthetic materials, the other on natural fiber and skilled craftspeople. You might guess which one we sought out to make those rope-soled shoes that evoke summers on the Mediterranean coasts.

The most common way is the new way: a strand of jute is glued to the outside of a synthetic midsole. But at this small facility in Elche, Spain, they do it the other way, which is harder to achieve and explain but totally worth the trouble. Here, worker experience takes the place of highly specialized machinery.

Workers make espadrilles in the original method, where they stretch braided jute between two posts (called espadrille needles), then methodically hand-wrap it around itself to form a shaped coil that becomes the flexible, breathable sole. Utilizing the original production technique, the upper is meticulously hand-stitched to the outsole. Then they add a vulcanized rubber outsole—a necessary departure from tradition—that helps this classic style last for many summers to come.