Ah Rome. The land of amazing architecture, mythical Gods and Goddesses, and half-naked men fighting to the death. And now, Rome is back in the headlines with Italian luxury footwear brand Tod’s – lead by Italy’s King of Shoes, Diego Dela Valle – at the helm of the restoration of one of its world famous landmarks, the Colosseum. An ambitious endeavor that reportedly costs €25 million.
I don’t know about you, but with this news, I just can’t help but go all Ancient Rome on a fashion trend that is returning to the spotlight. Enter the gladiator sandals. It was the reigning trend in footwear a few summers back and is now back in everyone’s fashion radar. But just like in the Colosseum where buff, testosterone warriors are pitted against each other, with the emperor deciding their fate, with just a thumbs up or thumbs down, we too shall determine the gladiator sandals’ fashion fate. Are you not entertained? Sorry, I just had to squeeze that one in there.
Thumbs Up: Long Live the Mighty Gladiator Sandals
Many a fashion warrior have worn gladiator sandals to up the ante in their outfits. Hollywood celebrities and trendmakers like the always fabulously disheveled Olsen Twins, Country superstar Taylor Swift and A-Lister Gwyneth Paltrow have been spotted rocking gladiator sandals whether in red carpet events or when they’re getting their lattes on downtown. These serious puppies have also graced the runways of fashion greats like Chanel and Alexander McQueen as modeled by supermodel Kate Moss. Cementing their status as one of fashion’s most coveted footwear.
Admittedly, gladiator sandals are a little tricky to wear and may not always go together with what you have in your closet. So here are a few tips on how to wear these showstoppers.
Bring on the attitude. Gladiator sandals are somewhat unconventional and like I said won’t necessarily go with everything that you have. So bring a lot of self-confidence with you when in a pair.
Keep your outfit simple. Gladiator sandals are drama, drama, drama. There are a lot of details happening in this sandals, especially if you have knee-high gladiator sandals like the one Chanel offers. So the trick is to keep your outfit and accessories to a minimum. Let the shoe do the talking for you.
If you’re wearing it with a dress, may I suggest an all black, body conscious ensemble with short helm and long sleeves. Perfect for a night out. And if you’re going to the beach and you want to still be all glammed up, trade your wedge flip flops for a pair of low gladiator sandals. Use it with a flowy or fringed white shirt, designer beach bags on your shoulders, a sterling silver charm bracelet or cape cod bracelet and oversized sunnies. Don’t forget your natural sunscreen too.
Thumbs Down: Feed the Gladiator Sandals to the Lions
Of course the gladiator sandals has its share of haters too. And after seeing the Nike Gladiateur 2 (Yes, there is a Nike Gladiateur 1), I can’t say I blame them. Priced at $80, this part shoe, part sandals is Nike’s offering for Spring 2011. According to their website, and I quote, “The design pays tribute to the very first marathon shoe, which chartered a new path in 776 B.C.”
Wouldn’t you just get a thumbs down from the emperor, get fed to the lions, than go a minute more wearing this?