When did Nicky Hilton first start wearing her Matt Bernson KM Gladiators? 2007? 2008?

Anyway, it’s been years since Nicky Hilton discovered these lovely sandals and wouldn’t you know it, she’s still wearing them up to now:

Nicky Hilton seen chatting on her phone while out and about in Bevery Hills, California yesterday, August 18, 2010

It’s like Nicky Hilton’s Matt Bernson sandals never get worn out!

Of course, Nicky Hilton could afford a dozen of these sandals and most likely DOES have a dozen of these sandals, but I think these Matt Bernsons really could stand a couple of years of wear and tear. Just take it from member fafnir over at The Purse Forum who has this to say about the Matt Bernson KM Gladiator Sandals she bought for a trip to Europe:

“I have a pair of KM Gladiators and wore them regularly while trudging through several major cities in Europe this summer. Not only were they fabulously comfortable, but they held up beautifully. I just cleaned/conditioned them earlier today and they still look great. And I wore them hard– I mean I was slogging through the dusty Roman forum in 90-plus heat. Walked for miles on cobblestones and concrete.”

Sounds like my kind of sandals for travelling!

If you’d rather not listen to hearsay and would rather try these out for yourself, you can get Nicky Hilton’s own Matt Bernson KM Gladiator Sandals in Black Oil with Black Insoles at Zappos.com:

Matt Bernson KM Gladiator Sandals in Black Oil, Black Insole, $173.00

Zappos also has the Gold Crackle and the Grey Veg/Grey Insole colors which are both on sale at $138.40.

For more shopping options for the Matt Bernson KM Gladiator Sandals, you can try BoutiquetoYou.com or Piperlime.com. BoutiquetoYou has the Gold Crackle color for $169.00 while Piperlime has the Black and Gold colors on sale for just $89.99! But hurry on over though, sizes are limited and stocks are going fast!

Credit: Photo Agency

Leighton Meester loves the Stuart Weitzman Apron Platform Sandals.  Well, at least that’s what she has been in love with for the past week or two, that much we can deduce from these pictures:

At LAX, August 8

On the way to the Gossip Girl set, August 12

On the way to the set of Gossip Girl, August 16

I guess you could say it’s her Flavor of the Week (or maybe month, we’ll see). It is not exactly extraordinary looking, but you could say it’s a versatile and reliable pair of platform gladiators.

Stuart Weitzman Apron Studded Sandals

You could also say Leighton is on the platforms mood.  Last month, she was spotted in different pair of gladiator inspired platforms, the Miu Miu Studded Platform Slingbacks.

Right: Leighton Meester wearing the Miu Miu Studded Platform Slingbacks in Red and Tan combination; Left: Miu Miu Studded Platform Slingbacks in Desert Suede

Can’t say she doesn’t look good in both sandals, because she really does, even when it’s just with a casual outfit. Her slightly offbeat style is something I really enjoy following.

If you want the Leighton’s sandals, grab both at BlueFly.com. The Stuart Weitzman pair is now at US$202.50, that’s 46% off its original retail of US$375, while the Miu Miu pair is at US$356.40, 28% off its original price.

Balmain Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain Stretch Urban Gladiators

It’s been over a year since Balmain and Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain came out with these gladiator sandals, but it’s proven to be quite the popular style because knockoffs are still coming out even up to now.

Take these Lorry Sandals from Type Z for instance:

Type Z Lorry Sandals

These sandals are some of the newer arrivals of Type Z shoes at Zappos.com. They’re a little late coming out, but these are possibly the best knockoffs of the Balmains I have ever come across. I can’t even tell ‘em apart from the real thing!

The $100.00 for the Type Z Lorry Sandals is chump change compared to the $1,195 for the Balmains, but if you want to go even cheaper, check out these New Moon Sandal Booties from Dolce by Mojo Moxy:

Dolce by Mojo Moxy New Moon Sandal Booties

Not the most exact copy, but for just half the price of the Type Zs, the differences can be overlooked. These sandals were $99.99 but they are now $50.00, 50% off, at 6pm.com.

Of course, you’re also free to purchase the Balmains themselves though sizes are severely limited. Sizes 38.5 and 40 for the Balmain Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain Stretch Urban Gladiators are available; other sizes are wait-listed. They retail for $703.82 (down from $1,006.37) at MyTheresa.com.