Become a Fashion Gladiator This Summer

Gladiator boots have truly experienced a large turnaround, and the cheap variants have turned into the most refined summer footwear.

It all started on catwalks a few years ago, and then celebrities ladies like Kate Moss, Mischa Barton or Jessica Alba pushed the trend of gladiator boots in the everyday life of ordinary people.

Gladiator sandals have filled the city streets this summer. They were once worn in the wild 1970s only by ‘flower children’, and today those sandals are on the feet of the biggest trendsetters.

Real gladiator boots have flat soles and at least eight leather belts, but of course models have appeared with less belts or with heels. Gladiator boots have truly experienced a large turnaround, and the cheap variants have turned into the most refined summer footwear.

Monochrome, with buckles or elegant… everything goes

The boots or sandals gained their name from the Roman gladiators who would wear them in their many battles. They were originally made from leather, and were characterised by their long intertwined straps that were tied around the ankles.

You can find the gladiator sandals many many variants, from simple, monochrome variants without additional decorations, to very elegant ones in silver and gold, or the python skin ones worn by Jessica Alba, to the gladiator-rock versions with buckles and chains in dark colours like the ones by Marc Jacobs worn by the actress Ashley Olsen.

Fashion stylists advise shorts or even colourful skirts and dresses to be worn with the gladiator sandals, which reveal the ankles and stress the shape of the sandal. However, gladiator sandals are not for everyone, especially those who are shorter or have strong legs.