In summer, flat sandals are a must. Whether you’re sitting on the beach in front of a bonfire, traipsing around the city hunting sales, or just having a drink with a good friend – when the temperature starts to soar, you’d better be sure you’re in open-air footwear.
We’ve all heard about gladiator sandals… And by that we mean our ears are falling off while we’re screaming “NO MORE GLADIATORS!!!”. Well, we have a bone to pick with the typical gladiator sandal, so just suffer through one more post, if you please.
Our issue is this: gladiator sandals are cute and whatever, but sometimes there’s a strip of material that covers the heel, and it completely throws off our leg-line from the side! It looks like part of our foot was chopped off and, as a result, calves look completely out of proportion.
Because we both have muscular legs, we’re proud of our calves! …As long as they look like real, human calves and not some kind of weird, elephant-calf with a tiny foot attached. This is all on top of the fact that there are usually ankle straps, which as we know, minimize the ankle – making the calf look bigger already.
Fortunately, this problem is easily fixed by finding a cute sandal with an open heel. There are only about a billion different styles, so you’re in luck! Here are some of our favorites (and they’re all under $100!):
G. Style
Did you see how we abstained there? G. Style is very similar to the above pictured style, but with the treasured open heel.
See, you still get the intricate, bold feel of a gladiator sandal!
Classed-Up Flip Flops
I love my rubber flip flops as much as the next girl, but there’s something to be said for the flip-flop style with a little extra sophistication… It can really make an outfit shine.
A little patent leather, and some subtle detailing pumps up the volume on these basic summer sandals.
Embellished & Bold
Obviously, if we’re after gladiator sandals, we’re after a bold-but-easy look. Nothing accomplishes “bold” and “easy” better than some bright, flashy gems and stones.
The extra little heel on the last shoe will only compliment your gams, while still keeping them entirely walkable.
Tell us about your favorite flat sandals! Would you wear any of these?
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That strip of material (and poor materials at that) were why i didn’t keep the Steve Madden gladiator sandals I recently ordered. Which was a shame, as I loved them. But when the sliver is that small, not only does it mess up the line, it also makes you feel like your ankle heel is obese since it only covers like 2/3 of the heel.
.-= Ashe Mischief´s last blog ..OMG Shoes: More Pour La Victoire Shoes =-.
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Posted by Ashe Mischief | July 2, 2009, 10:03 amOkay, I confess I hate gladiators…oh so much. I do however love those last black ones. Perhaps it’s those little changes like a heel and embellishment that make them better.
.-= Pamela Quevedo´s last blog ..Naked =-.
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Posted by Pamela Quevedo | July 2, 2009, 10:04 amPamela: I’m not a fan of “traditional” gladiators either, but I’m also into the black sandals at the bottom. To me, they look way more classy and shapely than typical gladiators…which, in my opinion, do nothing for a woman aesthetically.
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Posted by Jennifer Nicole | July 2, 2009, 11:31 amI never even thought of the heel issue…my problem with gladiators is that in addition to the ankle strap, anytime you have a big heavy vamp you are also cutting off the leg. It just has always seemed like there were too many stunting effects for me, a short stubby person, to really want to give it a shot.
And in continuing apparent fussiness with shoes (I did not know I had so many highly-specific opinions about them) I love the look of the turquoise classed-up flip flop, but sometimes think women with longer thinner feet should skip those kinds because it seems to accentuate those attributes. I think that kind of elongating type of shoe works best on someone with a rounder, less knobby foot.
.-= Leslie´s last blog ..On the Menu: Thu July 2 to Wed July 8 =-.
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Ashe Mischief Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Leslie, it’s funny you say that about the turquoise ones— because as someone with wider, rounder feet, I always find that those kinds of sandals make the girth of my foot look bigger, and that they seem more attractive on girls with slimmer feet…
.-= Ashe Mischief´s last blog ..Mischief, My Dear Shop– On Vacation! =-.
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Posted by Leslie | July 2, 2009, 12:10 pmI adore gladiator sandals. I’m known to wear sandals all year long, through rainstorms, even. I feel more comfortable in sandals than in regular shoes or flats.
But I can see what you mean when a sandal has a closed heel backing. I wasn’t ever keen on those, until I found a pair that I loved at Target recently. I definitely think it’s a personal preference.
.-= Ev`Yan || apricot tea.´s last blog ..apricot’s closet: barefoot & breezy. =-.
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Posted by Ev`Yan || apricot tea. | July 2, 2009, 12:45 pmRT @TheDemoiselles: @ The Demoiselles :: The Demoiselles Respond: Gladiator Sandals: In summer, flat sandals ar.. http://tinyurl.com/mdkeub
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Posted by Pamela Quevedo | July 2, 2009, 3:07 pmMy mum bought a pair of gladiator sandals. I borrowed them and honestly didn’t like how they looked or felt. They look amazing on some people, they’re just not for me
.-= Sherin´s last blog ..New Look’s new look =-.
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Posted by Sherin | July 2, 2009, 4:18 pmGladiator sandals: yay or nay? RT @TheDemoiselles :: The Demoiselles Respond: Gladiator Sandals http://tinyurl.com/mdkeub
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Posted by Jen | July 2, 2009, 4:28 pmFor me thelook feels too trendy right now, I actually like them but when everyone is wearing a look I tend to back off.
.-= eyeliah´s last blog ..Mix and Match Polka Dots for a Fun Retro Vibe =-.
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Posted by eyeliah | July 2, 2009, 6:49 pmI absolutely love the g style with the corset lace up, and I’m also crazy over the first embellished sandal with the big brown stones! But I would wear any of these in a heart beat. I wish I were wearing some now!
.-= Zombie Lace´s last blog ..Hotlanta Fashion Confessions =-.
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Posted by Zombie Lace | July 3, 2009, 4:02 pmMan! You guys don’t like any of the trends I like! lol.
I LOVE gladiator sandals. LOVE! They’re my favorite current trend. (“current” cause they’re so popular now, but I’ve had some for about 2 years now) I probably have around 8 pairs, if not more including embellished, jelly, fringed, etc. I like the ones that are very very strappy and embellished.
These are my current favorites:
http://www.stevemadden.com/item.aspx?id=48313
And I LOVE most of Sam Edelman’s especially these in “curry” :
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3006780?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=sam+edelman+in+All+Categories&origin=searchresults
I’d wear all the ones pictures except the last ones, because I don’t like the heel on it. I think it looks kind of awkward, but if they were completely flat, then I’d wear them.
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Posted by Diana | July 3, 2009, 10:33 pmGreat gladiator sandals you have picked here! I love the champagne-tone one in the first picture!
.-= mode.ulation´s last blog ..Model Moment: Fashion takes double =-.
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Posted by mode.ulation | July 8, 2009, 7:21 am