Greetings all….or should I say Ave Centurion!
Yep once again a “fashion trend” (if you want to call it that) from the far reaches of human history has made a comeback.
This time the “blast form the past” that has been resurrected is a style of footwear that was used way back when Caesar was being stabbed in the back by his best friend.
Citizens of the republic, I give you….the gladiator sandal.
The heavily strapped and stylized gladiator sandal has indeed come back from the grave, at first I thought it was a joke, that was until I watched last week’s Top Billing and saw a segment on the up-coming summer seasons “must haves” for the beach.
Gladiator sandals have made a huge comeback and can be found in anything from traditional leather to plastic gum styles…I even saw a pair of green snake skin-esque gladiator sandals on some poor fashion victim this weekend.
As far as my opinion on gladiator sandals goes, I won’t beat around the bush, I think they are ugly and a fashion trend that should stay dead and buried in the necropolis.
It amazes me at how eager people are to follow this trend.
However it has girls doing cartwheels and going gaga, so hey, let’s just leave them to it and laugh from the shadows.
Looking at the models on Top Billing that were sporting the gladiator sandals I can say that they looked “ok”…granted, each of these girls had a pair of legs to rival Aphrodite herself and you must bear in mind that if these sandals were on a short or maybe chubby girl she would either look like a peasant or maybe more like good ol’ Maximus.
The gladiator sandal is supposedly very versatile for the summer months and can not only be worn to the beach but all around town, as well as around the braai in the warm evenings.
As I mentioned earlier the materials used are of a huge variety, which means no matter what your age or disposition, you will surely be able to find a pair of gladiator sandals to match your personal vibe.
Guys…do yourself a favour and stay well away from gladiator sandals…this one if for the ladies, even if the trend started out all those hundreds of years ago with the men it doesn’t mean that you can get away with it.
Unless you actually come from the Mediterranean Basin or are involved with a cultural activity, please, leave it to the girls, ok dudes!
Here’s a quick link to some of the more expensive gladiator sandals around, yep the prices are in dollars so smack a nice recession style x10 on the price and you will see the maddening price of these things…which are in some opinions glorified slip slops. CLICK HERE.
So what’s your opinion on gladiator sandals, should they be left to the Romans, or do you think I’ve gone mad and that these sandals are a trend that is going to stick around?
Personally I don’t see this trend lasting more than a season…but hey I have been wrong before.
Duncs.
Oh, and for your viewing pleasure here is a Youtube clip of the gladiator sandal on various catwalks.
I’m glad you blogged on “Gladiator Sandals” because i for one,actually including those who wear them,beg to differ.I really like them a lot.There’s something about them that just tickles my fancy/feet.I don’t know probably because it brings me closer to the century i love but never lived in,that which i only hear and read about,watch in movies like The Gladiator itself,Alexander,Troy and the rest of them.Sometimes i wish i had lived in those times,ate what they ate and dressed how they dressed.There’s something about them (Gladiator Sandals) that just takes me back to the time i never was.I saw a friend of mine,a guy, over a year ago sporting a pair himself.He’d bought them in Jozi and i wanted to go to Jozi just to get me a pair.For me it’s not going back to the 60’s,70’s,80’s or 90’s fashion,it’s going back into time and as ugly or cool as they may look,i think that in itself is awesome!
I am seaching for some idea to write in my blog… somehow come to your blog. best of luck. Eugene
THHHHHISSSSS ISSSSSS SPAAAAARTTTTA!!!!
I for one, get totally peeved at constantly being told “that’s for the girls”. I just had a pair of masculine looking ones made, and have had so many compliments. People need to open their minds and stop with the gender stereotyping.