Espadrille Espadrille Espadrilles or espardenyes are casual, flat, but sometimes high-heeled shoes. They usually have a canvas or cotton fabric upper and a flexible sole made of esparto rope. The esparto rope sole is the defining characteristic of an espadrille; the uppers vary widely in style. The existence of this kind of shoe in Europe is documented since at least 1322, when it was described for the first time with its current Catalan name. The term "espadrille" is French and derives from the word in the Occitan language, which comes from "espardenya" in Catalan or "alpargata" and "esparteña" in Spanish. Both
Knickerbockers (clothing) Knickerbockers (clothing) Knickerbockers or knickers are a form of men's or boys' baggy-kneed trousers particularly popular in the early 20th century United States. Golfers' "plus twos" and "plus fours" are breeches of this type. Before World War II, skiers often wore knickerbockers too, usually ankle-length. Until after World War I, in many English-speaking countries (excluding Britain), boys customarily wore short pants in summer and knickerbockers ("knickers" or "knee pants") in winter. At the onset of puberty, they graduated to long trousers. In that era, the transition to "long pants" was a major rite of passage. See, for example, the classic