Review: La Manual Alpargatera

Let’s start with scale. Where are we between global flagship and neighborhood boutique?
La Manual Alpargatera, a living room–size espadrille workshop, is such a flurry of activity that it reminds you of a Disney animation—the fairy godmothers scurrying about getting Cinderella ready for the ball. Or, in your case, a stylish day of city strolling. The store sits proudly down an old-town side street between the Cathedral and Las Ramblas. The shop looks traditional, inside and out—a real institution on the historic Barcelona shopping scene.

What can we find here, or what should we look for?
La Manual has been hand-stitching espadrilles on-site since 1941, when the Spanish Civil War ended and fashion became less flippant again. The product design hasn’t changed: a vegetable fiber base (hemp, jute) with a cotton or linen instep that comes in a variety of colors.

If money’s no object, what goes in the cart?
The limited-edition Bunker lace-up women’s espadrille, which has a black ribbon that ties around the ankle and was produced in a batch of only 15 pairs (60 euros).

And what if we’re on a strict budget?
The basic model (14 euros) and is as comfortable as a fresh pair of socks. Stock up in as many colors as you can.

Who else shops here?
Mainly, but not exclusively, tourists, all jostling with you for a spot on the benches.

Any secret tips, or “don’t go home without” purchases?
The shop oozes history. While the front third is for retail, the back area remains the production zone—a rare sighting nowadays.