Lightweight canvas shoes known as alpargatas first appeard in Argentina around 1830 among rural workers. We can thank the gauchos—those lonely, mythical, nomadic characters—for spreading the shoes's popularity. Traditionally made only in black or white, alpargatas were comfortable but lacked a certain zest. That got three friends thinking: why not make alpargatas with fun colors and patterns? So that's what they did. PAEZ shoes are produced using fair labor practices and, unlinke some competitors' shoes, are still made in Argentina by the Argentine people who love them so much.