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

Hold on to your seats everyone: Gwyneth Paltrow was spotted wearing flats! *gasp*

Okay, it’s not really”OMG breaking news”, but Gywneth has been very busy promoting Iron Man 2, attending fashion events and going to award shows recently that we’ve gotten quite used to seeing her all glammed up in pair after pair of sky-high heels. So seeing her in these flat gladiators is kind of strange but nice at the same time since we obviously love it when celebs keep wearing gladiators over here at All Gladiator Sandals.

Here is photographic evidence, I mean, here are a few pictures of Gwynie wearing flat gladiator sandals at the Ralph Lauren Wimbledon party held at the Ralph Lauren store in London, England on Thursday, June 17:

June 17, 2010 – Gwyneth attends a Ralph Lauren party celebrating the annual Wimbledon tennis tournament in London, England

My initial reaction when I saw these pictures was to immediately look for a high heel on Gywneth’s sandals. Finding that there are none, I researched that Gwyneth’s dress is the Stella McCartney Fall 2010 RTW One Sleeve Mini Dress and her sandals are the Givenchy Woven Zip Flats:

These are available in black too, but you can see the exquisite details on the woven leather trim better on these brown ones. These are $495.00 and can be bought at Barneys.com.

I like the thick instep t-strap that covers the vamp on these sandals. But if you must have the zipper, here are 4 center zip-up gladiators that are at most just 25% of the price of Gwyneth’s Givenchy flats:

1. Luichiny Frank Lee, $32.50 (was $64.99); 2. Madden Girl Aviator, $49.95; 3. Dolce Vita Neve, $125.56 (was $156.95); 4. Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Murray Zip Thong Sandals, $115.00 (was $230.00).

If you’re just liking the thick center t-strap like I am, here are 4 more gladiator sandals in that style from ~$50 to ~$100:

From top to bottom: Kensie Girl Shaylo, $48.95. BCBGeneration Uma, $71.06 (was $78.95). Boutique 9 Prominent, $85.76 (was $119.95). B. Makowsky Tara, $102.83 (was $123.00).

I just blogged about Kate Hudson’s Steven Madden gladiator sandals here and it turns out, they might not be Steve Madden at all.

The metallic, knotted strap grey gladiators that Kate Hudson was seen wearing last May 6 may be the flat version of these Tuscaan wedge sandals from Steve Madden:

Steve Madden Tuscaan

OR these Roma Wedge Sandals with Knotted Straps from Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent:

Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Roma Wedge Sandals with Knotted Straps

Now I’m all confused. As a responsible blogger I should’ve checked on this sooner, but I’m leaving the previous post as it is to show just how easy it is to mix up the real design with the knock off.

Don’t get me wrong, my budget and I rely on Steve Madden to get trendy shoe styles for less like any seasoned recessionista. I just want to find out what brand gladiator sandals Kate Hudson is really wearing, so it’d be much appreciated if anyone can clear that up for me.

I wish the flat version of Kate Hudon’s sandals was available online as well. That would make my research a whole lot easier. But all I come across are the platform wedge ones above, so it’s going to take more effort.

I’m off to find out! Meanwhile, which one of the two would you pick? The Steven Maddens or the Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent?

They look nearly identical but there’s a 260-dollar difference between the two: the Steve Madden Tuscaan are $89.95 while the Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Roma are $350.00.