The Straw Breaking My Back
I really just have to get this off my chest.
Behold, the espadrille. 
It’s cute, right? Strappy, wedgy, picnicy. You know, you see it and you think, "gee, that would be so adorable with a summery cotton skirt and one of those straw totes."
Except…why are these shoes all at least $50?
Yeah, I get that there are cheaper versions of these shoes at Target and the like. But, as much love as I have for my former employer of 3 years, they just don’t have it anymore as far as attire is concerned. Everyone gushes, "ooh, I love Target" (and believe me, I feel your Target love, to the tune of dropping at least $40 every time I go in…I don’t go in anymore) but I have never, ever found an article of clothing there that fit me properly. Cute earrings? Some cute purses? A cute belt? Sure, no problem. Pants? Even t-shirts? I’m sorry, I just can’t do it. When my homemade, learn-to-sew-as-you-go dress (which is finished, by the way - more on that later) has better seams and less puckering than your stuff, this is a problem. And their shoes are the same way. Not only are they really, really poorly made (as in, fall apart upon second wearing), they’re not cute (in my opinion). They all look shiny and plasticy to me.
So I return to my original question: why are all the cute, nice espadrilles over $50?
I ask because inherently, these shoes are made of straw. And rubber. And a little fabric. That’s it. I have little to no problem shelling out $50 for a pair of (classic) leather shoes (especially since I only buy things if they’re on sale, so I really only end up spending about $30). If there was one thing my mother taught me it was to never, ever buy fake leather shoes. So I get that.
But $50? For straw?
