Castañer
Established · $200–$400 · Banyoles, Spain
Hand-braided jute espadrilles from the Spanish house that invented the wedge, the summer shoe that started with Yves Saint Laurent.
Think: Spanish espadrilles since 1927
The buy: the wedge espadrille
What to buy
the wedge espadrille
Categories
Occasions
Why Castañer is worth it
Castañer is the espadrille done properly: jute braided in its own workshop, stitching by hand and the wedge shape it helped invent.
The soles start as natural jute, braided on machines the house built for itself, then shaped, bonded to rubber and, on many styles, sewn by hand in Spain. Uppers run from cotton canvas to leather and suede, and heights go from flat to a proper wedge with ankle ties, so one shape covers beach days and dinners. It looks Mediterranean without trying, which is why the wedge has stayed a summer staple for decades.
No Castañer picks right now
Nothing from Castañer is on the site at the moment. We watch their sales and new collections — when one lands it shows up in Drops.
About Castañer
Luis Castañer and Tomás Serra, his cousin, opened the first Castañer workshop in Banyoles, Spain, in 1927, turning a family espadrille trade into a company. Serra, a mechanic, designed the machines that braid and stitch its soles.
In the 1970s the house worked with Yves Saint Laurent on the first espadrille with a wedge heel, taking a rope-soled village shoe onto the runway. It has paired that workshop craft with fashion ever since, from flat lace-ups to tall wedges.
- Founded
- 1927
- Founded by
- Luis Castañer and Tomás Serra
- Based in
- Banyoles, Spain
- Made in
- Spain
- Made of
- Braided jute soles on rubber, with cotton canvas, leather or suede uppers
- Shipping
- Ships to the US from its US store in dollars: standard shipping is free and express is $15 (free on many styles), in 1 to 7 working days; US duties and taxes are calculated and paid at checkout. Outside the US it ships to the EU and a short list of other countries..
- Where to buy
- Castañer's own site
What shoppers say
From reviews and try-on videos, in our words.
- Fit
Comes in whole EU sizes only, 35 to 41 for women and 40 to 46 for men. Reviewers find it true to the European chart but narrow, with canvas that feels snug before it eases; between sizes, the brand says pick your usual one.
- Comfort
Owners praise the build and find the lower wedges comfortable for long days. Tie the ankle ribbons snugly, since they hold the foot in place; one reviewer still got blisters after a full day.
- Care
Brush canvas with a soft brush, wipe it with a lightly damp cloth and let it air-dry away from sun and heat. Never machine-wash or soak them, and keep oils, perfume and makeup off the jute.
- Shipping
US standard shipping is free and express is $15, though many styles ship express for free. US duties and taxes are added at checkout, and customs may ask for your SSN or EIN to clear the parcel.
- Returns
US returns are free within 30 days through the brand's portal, by home pickup or drop-off, refunded in about 7 working days. Duties and taxes paid on the order aren't refunded, and to exchange you return and reorder.
What Castañer is made of
- Natural
- 88%
- Plant-based
- 4%
- Synthetic
- 8%
Works most in: cotton and leather
From the material listed on 116 pieces · 95% of the range lists it · Checked October 2026
Castañer in our edits
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Castañer, answered
- What is Castañer?
- Castañer is a Spanish footwear house known for espadrilles, from jute-soled wedges and flats to heeled sandals, boots and bags, for women and men.
- Is Castañer a good brand?
- Yes. We like it for real craft: jute soles braided on machines the house designed itself, many styles still stitched by hand in Spain, and the wedge espadrille it first made with Yves Saint Laurent.
- Where is Castañer from?
- Banyoles, near Girona in Spain, where its first workshop opened in 1927.
- Who founded Castañer?
- Luis Castañer and Tomás Serra, his cousin, set up the first workshop in 1927. Serra, a mechanic, designed the machines the atelier uses to braid and stitch the soles.
- Where are Castañer espadrilles made?
- In Spain. Its product pages mark them hand-sewn and made in Spain.
- Does Castañer run true to size?
- Mostly. It comes in whole EU sizes, product pages call styles true to size, and reviewers find it narrow. If you're between two sizes, the brand suggests your usual one.
- Does Castañer ship to the US?
- Yes. Standard shipping is free and express is $15 (free on many styles). US duties and taxes are charged at checkout, and returns are free within 30 days.
- Where can I buy Castañer?
- On the brand's own site, which has a US store in dollars.
- What is Castañer made of?
- Across the 116 pieces we could read in October 2026, the material is about 88% natural, 4% plant-based and 8% synthetic. The most common materials are cotton and leather.
- Which brands are like Castañer?
- If you like Castañer, look at Le Borô, Freda Salvador, Arezzo and Sebastian Milano.