Spring Fashion Trend: Gladiator Heels
Gladiator Heel by Dolce Vita
Okay, let me just start by admitting that I was really not into this whole trend until very, very recently. It took me a little while to stop thinking of these shoes as, for lack of a better word, fug, and start embracing their adorable-ness.
But now that I’ve seen the light, it’s safe to say that I’m obsessed with them, and I think you will be too!
So what are gladiator heels? They’re just like gladiator sandals, only with a wedge or high heel attached. They usually have fairly thick straps and a T-strap that goes over the center of your foot.
If you’re not sure about this trend, I’ve included some photos to get your fashion inspiration going! Seeing the way other people wore them is what got me into the trend in the first place.
Celebrity Inspiration
I don’t look to celebrities for fashion inspiration most of the time, but my love of these particular shoes definitely grew from watching the famous wear them! Sometimes you can’t help but see a photo of a celeb and think, “wow, she looks fabulous!” Their stylists get paid for a reason!
Case and point: check out the photos of Mary-Kate Olsen in her gladiators below. I’m not a MK worshipper by any means, but I have to admit, sometimes she gets it totally right. Those Balenciaga gladiator heels on the left are so edgy, yet in a very classy way. Tough to describe, but I’m sure you know what I mean!
Here are some more pictures of celebrities and fashion editors alike rocking their gladiator heels. Mary-Kate’s sister Ashley Olsen is on the left, followed by Carine Roitfeld, the editor of French Vogue, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Naomi Campbell. All but Ashley chose to pair their gladiators with a dress. Wearing them that way is a great choice because it really shows the shoes off!
Runway Inspiration
Gladiator heels, like most of the trends we’re seeing today, began their life on the runways! (Are you really surprised?) They were a popular trend at the Spring 2008 Ready-To-Wear shows, where Versace, Givenchy, Hermès, and Lanvin all did their own versions of the gladiator heel. Here are some pics of the runway looks to get you inspired!
Versace:
Versace’s gladiator heels were super-trendy and gorgeous in bright, shiny emerald green. Paired with a simple satin shirt dress and sunglasses, the technicolor shoes became the focus of the outfit. If you have an amazing shoe like that, it makes sense to show it of!
Givenchy:
Givenchy did a few different versions of the gladiator heel at their Spring 2008 Ready-To-Wear show, but the above were my favorites. They almost look like peep-toe ankle boots, but the exposed sides and sneaker-inspired top of the shoe make them totally unique. What I wouldn’t give for a pair of those!
Hermès:
Always classic and chic, Hermès incorporated their signature style into a simple version of the gladiator heel with patent leather and a wooden platform. Adding the hard black heels to a soft and simple all-black ensemble made for a look that was understated with a powerful edge.
Lanvin:
Lanvin made a simple platform version of the gladiator heel for their Spring 2008 Ready-To-Wear show. A super-high stacked heel, shiny black patent leather and metal ring detailing added a rocker-chick feel to an otherwise basic dress sandal. Paired with a long flowy dress, the look was very “I’m a gorgeous goddess, but I can still kick your ass.”
Gladiator Heels Under $100
If you’re in love with these heels as much as I am, but can’t afford Givenchy or Versace on a college student budget (and really, where would you wear those heels in college anyway?), don’t worry! There are tons of inexpensive versions of these high-fashion heels!
I searched all over and here are the best gladiator heels for under $100! Who says you have to be Olsen-twin rich to dress just as well?
Black Gladiator Heels:
Top Row From Left: Nine West “Gaulla”($93), Jessica Bennett “Bistro”
($98.10), Nine West “Sulliban”
($93), Nine West “Oswalda”
($83)
Bottom Row From Left: Yellow Box “Heaven” ($64), Nine West “Dollface”
($83), Nine West “Doubts”
($83), Chinese Laundry “Bobbi”
($73)
Brown Gladiator Heels:
Top Row From Left: Nine West “Zanja” ($93), Nine West “Eriley”
($93), Nine West “Thorana”
($83)
Bottom Row From Left: MIA “Worship” ($92), Bandolino “Paradisa”
($73), Tommy Hilfiger “Chase”
($69)
Metallic, White & Brightly Colored Gladiator Heels:
Top Row From Left: Bouquets “Sady” ($67), Kenneth Cole Reaction “Chipper”
($93), Jessica Simpson “Jinkx”
($93)
Bottom Row From Left: Chinese Laundry “Pause” ($73), Kenneth Cole Reaction “Know Way”
($73), Bandolino “Emmelia”
($73)
Gladiator Wedges:
Top Row From Left: Bandolino “Mixa” ($69), Annie “Sandy”
($51), Nine West “Heech”
($93), Matisse “Holland”
($59)
Bottom Row From Left: Bandolino “Gilmore” ($74), Madden Girl “Brandyy”
($56), Fitzwell “Delina”
($69)
What Do You Think?
Now that you’ve heard all about the latest shoe trend, are you loving gladiator heels like I am, or are you not so crazy about them? Will you be rocking them this season or are you waiting for the trend to pass?
Click the comment link below & post your thoughts, opinions, questions, whatever! I want to hear from you! Also, take the quick poll if you have a second – I’d like to know what the consensus of CF readers is on gladiator heels.
[poll id="16"]
Posted on on May 1, 2008 / Filed Under: Trends / Tags: Celebs, Shoes, Spring 2008, Trends
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Emma
I think these definitely look good on the celebrities highlighted above – and, like you, they took a while to grow on me. However for myself, I just don’t see me being able to pull them off in an every day look with my existing wardrobe.
And, as with many fashion trends, I prefer to save the money and wait for the trend to wear out. Usually I’m hesitant to make a hugely trendy purchase because it’s difficult to gauge how long the fad will be hot and fashionable!
Joede
I’ve had my gladiator heels for about 6 years now. I like them but now they seem almost passe!
xandi
i bought my spring look gladiator heels last month & loving it.. i want somthing like flat like Mary Kate own.. i know her one is chanel and i cant throw my money on chanel.. Do you know where i can get similar like Mary Kate’s gladiator flat.. ??
Jeanne
I’ve definitely come around on gladiators — even earlier this year I was like “oh no, no way”, but now I have two pairs of gladiator flats. I lovelovelove the Lanvin ones — they are just gorgeous.
Zephyr
Emma – I hear you! It can definitely be hard to gauge which trends are here to stay and which will be “out” tomorrow! At the end of the day, I think you should just buy what you like & what speaks to you!
Joede – Wow, you’re way ahead of things!
Xandi – Hmm, the photo of Mary-Kate here has her in heels. I’m not sure which flats you mean, could you send me a link to a picture?
Jeanne – Haha, me too! I didn’t like them at all until very, very recently! Maybe its all the spring dresses that are just begging to be worn with them.
Kat
These shoes are seriously the ugliest things I’ve ever seen, they ruin every perfectly good outfit. Some have said here that the shoes grew on them after a while, but I doubt that will happen to me. I don’t think I’ll ever go over to the dark side :-P
Zephyr
Kat – It’s cool, I’m sure most people won’t be into them! Thats okay though, because Carrie Bradshaw and I will keep loving em!
Zephyr
Hehe, shameless sex and the city movie plug there, I’m really excited and I couldn’t resist..
The Conscious Snob
Initially when I thought “gladiator heels,” I really could not imagine HOW they could be appealing. But then I saw some of the shoes that celebs were wearing, and I loved Mary Kate’s pair on the right. The brown heels are awesome, as they look more earthy. You have converted me into a fan. Now I feel like shopping. Thanks =D
xandi
http://bricksandstonesgossip.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/4×11wz18i.jpg
hey Zephyr… thankz 4 feed bak.. ahh i mention dat one.. i know idat one abit extra-ordinary.. hee hee.. but i like it though.. well i was checkin steve madden website today and it was new arrival gladiator shoes & flats which are awsome.. ;)
Chelsea Rae
I was like you. I didn’t like them, but seeing them on those damn Olsens made me fall, and speaking of SATC, the cast was on Oprah yesterday and Sarah Jessica Parker totally had Christian Louboutin gladiator-esque sandals on. I’m so stoked for the SATC movie to come out, 28 days!
Alli
Could you do an article on prom shoes? I know it’s kind of late in the game but my prom is in two weeks and I still haven’t found anything!
diana
i really like those shoes. but, err, i’ve got large ankles. therefore i heard that if you have large ankles, you shouldn’t wear like ankle straps. so how do i wear gladiators? i have a pair, but i am having trouble finding something to wear with it. please help?!?!
Zephyr
The Conscious Snob – Hehe, me too! I really didn’t get them at all until I saw them on other people.. now it’s love! Glad I helped you see the light ;)
Xandi – Hmm, I haven’t seen the new SM ones but I will def check em out. For Mary-Kate’s knee high gladiators, I did a search on ebay and there are tons of similar ones for really cheap on this page. Hope that helps!
Chelsea Rae – Omg, I know! Sooo psyched, I’m counting down!
Alli – Hmm, I’ll see what I can do!
Diana – Your right about staying away from ankle straps. I would either get a pair like these or wear the ones you already have with pants or long skirts so your ankles don’t show. Don’t do shorts or short skirts if you have ankle-strap ones. Hope that helps!
mcollazo
I am in love with this trend, it was around last year and again this year, I believe it is here to stay! I just bought a pair of gold metallic wedge ones made by steve madden and I absolutely love them. I was hesitant with this trend because I would try on a pair of flat ones and they just made my feet look very long, but once I tried on the heels they were absolutely gorgeous.
diana
thank you. that helps alot. can i wear it with full length leggings? those that covers my toes? will it help?
xandi
yea.. i found it .. thankzzzzz zephyr ;)
Zephyr
Mcollazo – I think it’ll be here a while too! And ooh, gold metallic ones sound really nice! I just bought some black ones for myself.
Diana – Sure, you could do tights. If they’re black and opaque that would probably work well!
Xandi – No prob hun, anytime! :)
diana
thank youuuu. you are great (:
stephanie
I love the gladiator trend! The t-strap with studs by Chinese Laundry is amazing! I bought this pair in the metallic pewter color, its fab! It went so well with this purple “going out” dress I have :) … They also have a lot of different gladiator sandals which are super cute, they go well if your doing the whole “boho chic” look. And affordable too!!
stephanie
http://www.chineselaundry.com/indShoe.asp?type=n&id=3617&sess=05060811512721213
SUPER CUTE!!! JELLYS ARE BACK!!
claudia
do you think i can wear them in bright colors? like the whole gossip girl style kind of colors? and yeah, sorry but im a tragedy when it comes to fashion, im learning everything i can from this site, youre so much help so, sincerly from my heart THANK YOU!!! and yeah, im in the whole gossip girl style, do you think i can mixed it with a lil goth/rock style? btw, im from costa rica and the majority of times its super hot in here, so this shoes will seriously rock!
lovefashion2
I love these gladiator sandals for this season. They look so great with summer dresses and shorts!! I found these great ones at Shopgoldyn.com that Samantha Jones actually wore on the set of the Sex and the City Movie!!! They are by the designer Holly Dunlap and are called The Hollywood Gladiator–Allison Sandal..You should definitely check them out!!
Nia
Does anyone know what kind of shoes Asley Olsen is wearing in the photo of her in the white blazer (above)?
lovefashion2
I love those gladiators!! I just bought this cute pair from ShopGoldyn if anyone is looking for really nice ones!!
Olia
These are my going out to the club heels.. they work great with diff dresses and skinny jeans.. I have a pair from the jessica simpson collection and they are amazing! i get so many compliments on them..so these are great.
Kat
LMAO, i’m such a hypocrite. i really wanna get a pair now. i see them so often it’s grown on me like an persistent rash. are these still in fashion? for how long you think? dont wanna get a pair and suddenly they’re out, lol
aish
love it!!!!!
just got a pair of ankle gradiator heels in purple
and have 2 flats in black and brown