How to Clean and Care for PARKER T/186 Flat Espadrilles
By Castañer | Published: 2026-11-05
Category: Tips & Care
Keep your PARKER T/186 flats looking sharp with a step-by-step routine for the serraje upper and hand-sewn dyed jute sole, plus the mistakes that shorten an espadrille's life.
Quick answer
Treat the PARKER T/186 as two different materials: brush and spot-clean the serraje upper while keeping water off it, and keep the dyed jute sole dry, because moisture is what softens and stains it. A little prevention after each wear beats any deep clean.
Why the serraje upper and jute sole need separate treatment
The PARKER T/186 pairs a loafer-inspired serraje upper with a dyed jute sole sewn by hand. Serraje is a suede-like material, so it reacts to water the way suede does: it can stiffen, spot, or lose its even nap if soaked. The jute sole is a natural fiber, and once it takes on water it dries slowly and can darken or distort.
That is why the usual 'scrub everything with soapy water' approach is the wrong starting point here. You clean the upper with dry tools first and only spot-treat when needed, and you protect the sole by keeping it out of puddles, rain, and the washing machine.
When to skip cleaning and call for help instead
If the serraje is soaked through, if the jute sole has started to separate from the upper, or if a stain covers a large area, stop before you experiment. Hand-sewn construction and natural jute are not forgiving of repeated wet treatments, and a cobbler or the brand's care service is the safer route.
For everyday upkeep, the routine below is enough. It is designed for the Chocolate colorway, where water marks and dust show readily, but the same logic applies to any serraje-and-jute alpargata.
Step-by-step care for PARKER T/186
- Brush dry before anything else: Use a soft suede brush or a clean, dry cloth to lift dust from the serraje upper, working in one direction to keep the nap even. Do this after each wear, before dirt settles in. Never brush a wet upper; you will flatten the nap and spread stains.
- Spot-clean only where needed: For marks on the serraje, dab with a suede eraser or a cloth barely dampened with water, then let it air-dry away from heat. Do not rub hard or soak the material. Test any cleaner on a hidden area first, and skip it entirely if the mark is faint.
- Keep the jute sole dry: Wipe the dyed jute sole with a dry brush or cloth to remove grit. If it gets damp, blot it and let it dry at room temperature, never on a radiator or in direct sun. Avoid wearing the PARKER T/186 in rain or on wet pavement; jute takes hours to dry and can stain.
- Store with shape and airflow: Let the shoes air out fully, then store them with shoe trees or rolled paper inside to hold the shape, in a dry place away from sunlight. Never store damp espadrilles in a closed box; trapped moisture damages both serraje and jute.
- Refresh the finish, not the structure: If the serraje looks tired, a suede brush and a light protective spray made for suede can restore the nap and add water resistance. Apply the spray outdoors and let it dry fully. Reapply protection only when the upper looks dry, not after every wear.
PARKER T/186 at a glance
- PARKER T/186: Flat alpargata in serraje with a dyed jute sole sewn by hand, in Chocolate, sizes 40–45. The suede-like serraje and the natural jute sole are the two surfaces your care routine has to protect, and each needs a different approach.
PARKER T/186
