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How to Wear Gladiator Sandals for Any Occasion

  • Jul
  • 27
  • 2010

While I’m loving that so many celebs are breaking out their gladiator sandals this summer, I’d still like to show you that gladiators go way beyond the warm weather season. With all the updates, changes and alterations done to gladiator sandals since it became popular 4-5 years ago, this strappy sandal style isn’t anymore the ol’ Roman footwear that we used to know.

Gladiator sandals for the beach, for a fancy dinner and for work? Here’s an All Gladiator Sandals guide on how to wear gladiator sandals for any occasion:

For Everyday Effortless

Casual looks with gladiator sandals are the easiest to style. Choose a comfy pair of gladiator flats, wear them with tank tops, shorts or maxi dresses and the everyday effortless ensembles are endless (beat the alliteration!).

Look 1:

  1. Fossil Dream Weaver Feather Long Necklace, $48.00
  2. Kitty Olive and Teal Tie Dye Maxi Dress, $97.00
  3. House of Harlow 1960 Large Tribal Cuff in White, $220.00
  4. Cleobella Cantina Mini Bag, $99.00
  5. Elizabeth and James Stint Sandals, $200.00

Look 2:

  1. Free People Decos Cardigan Sweater, $98.00
  2. Patterson J. Kincaid Marlyn Tank, $97.00
  3. Radcliffe Denim Cute Short, $42.00
  4. Cole Haan Bailey Convertible Hobo, $298.00
  5. Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Luella Zip Wedge Sandals, $405.00

For Partying the Night Away

Trade in your gladiator flats in neutrals for something trendier and edgier. The higher the heel the better. Black and metal hardware preferred.

Look 1:

  1. Larok Double Trouble Mini, $297.00
  2. Alexander McQueen 229282DGJ0Y Knuckle Duster Clutch, $1,754.00
  3. Report Barrow Sandals, $125.00

Look 2:

  1. Sena Cut Out Dress in Blue, $385.00
  2. Rafe New York Rafe Mini Crossbody, $230.00
  3. Jeffrey Campbell Clinic Wedge Sandals, $179.95

For a Cinderella Moment

Formal occasions usually call for classic pieces but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your own style. For this category, choose gladiator sandals in sparkly metallics, beaded/embellished styles and the very-hot-right-now nude colors.

Look 1:

  1. Alice + Olivia Wrapped Goddess Dress, $184.80
  2. House of Harlow by Nicole Richie Peacock Cocktail Ring, $47.50
  3. Loeffler Randall Parker Strappy Sandal Bootie, $679.00

Look 2:

  1. Catherine Malandrino Off The Shoulder Long Dress, $1,095.00
  2. Diane von Furstenberg Bonnie Fold Over Clutch, $410.00
  3. DV by Dolce Vita Carter Heel, $102.99

For Working Around the Office Dress Code

Make your gladiators work overtime. Streamlined gladiator sandals in black, taupe, slate grey or navy blue would be most work appropriate. Look professional in an elegant t-strap sandal or make nine-to-five pumps more exciting with some lace-up details.

Look 1:

  1. Moschino 1 Button Blazer, $330.68
  2. Calvin Klein Cap Sleeve Belted Shift Dress, $118.11
  3. Cole Haan Prudence Square Hobo, $264.60
  4. Tory Burch Torben High Heel Sandals, $325.00

Look 2:

  1. Alice + Olivia Parachute Button Down Shirt, $198.00
  2. Michael Michael Kors 553955 Belt, $52.20
  3. Elie Tahari Bayle Pants, $198.00
  4. DKNYC Cropped Cozy Sweater, $93.00
  5. KORS Michael Kors Sandral Lace-Up Booties, $295.00

Nike Gladiateur Mid Vs. Punkrose Athena Sneaker Gladiator Sandals

  • Jul
  • 25
  • 2010

One of my absolute favorite gladiator styles is this athletic sneaker and gladiator sandal hybrid from Nike:

Nike Gladiateur Mid in Black/Anthracite, White/Metallic Silver and Dark Cinder/Dark Driftwood Tan

Nike got talented Art Center College student Nancy Wu to design these awesome sandals for Nike’s Re-Mix and Re-Cut program.

Yes, they look a bit bulky and even sort of weird in the product images, but trust me, they look really good when worn. Just check out these pictures of models and satisfied owners of Nike Gladiateur Mids and see for yourself:

The Nike Gladiateur Mids as worn

So before this becomes a full blown post on just these Nike sandals, let me segue and say that because I adore the Nikes, I would also naturally be attracted to these hi-top sneaker-inspired gladiator sandals from Punkrose:

Punkrose Athena

Love that these sandals have new and different colors (purple and gold for the Lakers fans!), but they look a bit too much like the Nikes for my liking. Oh well, I guess the success of the Nike Gladiateurs is what prompted Punkrose to copy the design and why change something that’s already proven to sell, right?

If I were Nancy Wu, I would be torn between feeling flattered and angry right now. Flattered that someone likes my design so much that they felt compelled to replicate it for themselves, but angry that they’re profiting from my idea and even worse, directly competing with me with their copycat design at lower price point. The price on the Nike Gladiateur Mids? $80.00. The Punkrose Athenas? Not even half of that at just $31.45.

I myself enjoy cheaper versions of expensive designer shoes from time to time so I’m not in the position to judge Punkrose here. The ones who have a say are the people from Nike themselves, and if they choose to sue Skechers (brand owner of Punkrose) much like what Crocs, Inc. did when Skechers copied some of Crocs’s molded plastic footwear styles.

Do you think that there’s really nothing new in the world of fashion anymore and that knockoffs, stealing ideas and copying designs will forever hound the industry?

Credit: Nitrolicious.com, TheVine.com.au and Rakuten.co.jp

Reese Witherspoon: Bonding Time with the Kids in Flat Sandals

  • Jul
  • 24
  • 2010

Here’s Reese Witherspoon taking some time off to bond with her kids, Deacon and Ava.

Reese Witherspoon and Deacon Philippe, July 7

Reese Witherspoon with Ava Philippe, July 17

Wow, both kids are the spitting image of their mother. Although, Ava does seem to have Ryan Philippe’s eyes.

Anyway, it’s nice to see Reese donning our favorite sandals while she spent time with her kids.

The second pair is really interesting. The python and wood combination is  fresh to look at but attempts in trying to ID the pair were fruitless to say the least.

Reese’s Sandals

We did however ID the first one. It’s the Bernardo Matrix Sandals. Retail Price?  A good US$115. But it’s not exactly  a pair of glads. Nonetheless, if you want it, you can get it from Zappos.com



Bernardo Matrix Sandals

If the price of the Bernardo sandals is a little high for you, here’s the Report Aki Sandals, it’s only US$60.

Report Aki Sandals

As for the second pair, that one is definitely of the gladiator category, with the T being very much pronounced by the wooden square beads. Since we couldn’t ID it, here are equally interesting substitutes you might like:

From top right (clockwise): L&C SK964 Sandals, US$26 (Shoebuy.com); BCBGeneration  Granger Sandals, US$89 (Zappos.com); Daniblack Belinda, US$154 (Zappos.com); Not Rated Find a Tude, US$35 (Zappos.com); Madden Girl Bobilee, US$50 (Zappos.com)