One of the essential fashion trends for Spring is the gladiator shoe. This unique trend is being featured in fashion magazines (such as Jennifer Lopez wearing Tom Ford Strappy Buckled Sandal Boot in Harper’s Bazaar, Feb. 2013) and stores, which make it impossible to miss for this season.
Gladiator shoes comes in three major styles: knee boot, high-heel sandal, and flat sandal. Shoes with skinny straps usually give your outfit a classic and sexy appeal. However, the gladiator shoe for this Spring consists of bolder straps (such as Alexander Wang Marta Runway Cutout Knee Boot) and designs with multiple thin straps (such as Valentino Rockstud Ankle-Wrap Sandal). This innovative style takes this Spring’s accessory fashion to a different stylish level – it’s creative and sexier than ever.
In my opinion, the gladiator shoe is refreshing because it’s a great fashion accessory to transition from Winter to Spring. The style consists of an element for Winter, which is knee boot, and an essential component for Spring, which is a sandal with cutouts and a strappy design.
However, I want to point out that gladiator knee boot is not designed for everyone. I think it looks better on women and girls with slimmer calves. A good example would be Jimmy Choo’s Mogul Tall Cage Gladiator Boot in Orchid. The thin straps are designed to showcase the legs. If paired with a light color floral dress, you’d complete a very stylish look. However, a gladiator knee boot wouldn’t look as nice on someone with more muscular calves. It might look a bit bulky and out of proportion.
Luckily, there are gladiator high-heel and flat sandal which are designed for everyone. In my opinion, wearing gladiator high-heel sandal with either jeans or dresses will make any women look sexy instantly. And gladiator sandal is perfect for both day and night.
If you want to make a fashion statement with your Spring outfit, a gladiator shoe is a must-have for your wardrobe. Below are some of my favorite picks for the three major categories of gladiator shoe.
Knee Boots
Brian Atwood – Electra Suede Laser-Cut Open-Toe Boot $1,750
Tom Ford – Strappy Buckled Sandal Boot $3,690
High Heel Sandals
Giuseppe Zanotti – Lace-Up Suede Gladiator High-Heel Sandal $1,195
Tom Ford – Triple-Buckle Metallic Sandal, Gold $1,450
Flat Sandals
Manolo Blahnik – Vestalamod Suede Gladiator Sandal, Luggage $965
Prada – Studded Strappy Flat Sandal, Gold $620
