Glad’s for smart casual? If we added a woven blouse, a jacket, and a clutch to her outfit above? Would that work?

I think gladiator sandals are a great staple to any wardrobe. More dressy and interesting than a thong sandal. Right now, I believe Nordstrom has the best selection. Piperlime.com and Target too. I wear mine with white jeans, dark denim, dresses. I practically live in them. I think they are comfy.

I think if you keep them relatively simple they will be here to stay. I’ve wanted one for a couple of seasons now, but I wasn’t willing to just settle with any pair. I wanted something a little more subtle (i.e., not one that laces up to my knees, for instance), and finally came upon these twisted filigree ones at Urban Outfitters: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....le=Details

It was a pretty good deal, too, and I love them, especially with dresses or skirts, like Angie mentioned.

I agree Angie. They started out as a trend and appear to be here to stay. I love them, especially for traveling, easy on and off at security, and the outfit looks polished. By the way I totally agree with you comparison of Tel Aviv to Barcelona – I had never thought of that, but its true!

Thanks to this site my eyes are finally adjusting to gladiators. I haven’t seen any being worn yet this season, but it’s been a cold spring so far. They are not on my list because I’m not supposed to be wearing sandal footwear, but they would be more interesting than the ever-present flip-flops.

I love the look of gladiators. I have wider feet though, and not all looks are flattering. And sometimes my pinky toe pokes out the side under a strap. But I love the look enough that I’m willing to take the time to find the perfect pair.
In this Texas heat, I’m loving a sandal that looks nice enough for the office, but not too fussy for running errands or wearing on the weekend. Knit dresses and gladiator style sandals are my summer go-to!

I agree with you, Angie, that they are here to stay. I think there are so much variety of gladiators they fit anyone’s wishes. I personally prefer the more timeless pretty look that you mention My gladiators are a patent rich brown and sport a 1 1/2 inch heel. They go from skinny’s, to clamdiggers to dresses in a pinch.

Thank you for adding in photos of Tel Aviv. Greg takes wonderful pictures. He has such a good eye for the art of the shot.

I love the look that the mom in the photo is wearing! Will try to mimic it Thanks for the inspiration.

Angie, if gladiators are mainstream, any ideas on what’s next in terms of style in the sandal world?

Angie, you might still convince me not to give up on gladiators. My problem is that I think the ones with a lot of super-thin straps are the best looking, but I always end up not buying them because they dig into my feet and are not comfortable at all. I should probably try on more of the thicker strapped ones.

Good for you, gladiator wearers Eva, Ashley, Lola and Laura.

Christie, as long as the gladiator errs on the dressier side and those pretty feet are buffed, you have yourself a fab little smart casual look.

Sarah and Joelle, I have not worn any form of open shoe for three years, not even a peep-toe. When I was on holiday in hot and humid places during that time, I simply wore ballet flats with breezy dresses. Do not give up! You’ll eventually find sandals or gladiators that work for fussy feet (mine are the fussiest and I found the Clarks). Easy knit dresses with gladiators is an EXCELLENT hot weather ensemble combination. I hope our gladiator Queen Patience chimes in too.

Hmmm. Not sure what’s next, Laura. But I’ll be excited when it makes it’s debut.

I love gladiators and loved them the last time they were in style. I think I was in jr. high school at that time.
Angie, do you think the Clark’s you have will go with skirts and dresses too? They have a high vamp, that’s why I ask.
I love the mom on the go outfit pictured in Tel aViv. I just dragged a sweater like that out of my closet and wondered if it was going to still be in style this summer. I haven’t even wron it yet. I must have bought it on sale in the fall.

I have to admit that I don’t own a pair. I’ve always wanted one but they are just everywhere and I have not really fallen in love with a pair. I’ll wait until I do.

You know, I’m still not totally clear on what the difference is between gladiators and other strappy sandals. It’s one of those “I know it when I see it” things, but some of the more “tame” ones don’t really strike me as gladiators. I was able to transform my Brulee sandals from gladiator to elegant strappy shoe in a pinch just by switching what jeans I was wearing with them.

San, I definitely plan to wear mine with skirts. Vamp issues get sort of irrelevant with sandals because they usually show more foot than shoe, if that makes sense. Angie, please correct me if I’m mistaken.

I’m wearing my brulees today (and have been all week) with a navy dress. I confess to having 4 pairs in my closet and I just ordered another pair, thong style,– we’ll see how they feel on my foot. To me gladiators are the hot weather equivalent of chucks for casual mom wear. But I’m also dressing up the brulees for work. I was definitely drooling over those black gladiators in the Tel Aviv street wear post.

I’ve been wanting a pair of gladiators ever since you posted about them, Angie. I’ll be buying a pair as soon as my shopping ban is over. Thanks for another great post – it’s good to have a visual on a way to wear them – and what a stylish Israeli momma!

I don’t care for the look personally, and I hope they are not a new mainstream basic…

Not one to wear a flat sandal myself…I must say that these are pretty cute.

Eva’s idea would work for me. I will keep my eyes open for the perfect pair.

I like the gladiator look – partly because it reminds me of HBO’s Rome.

I was, however, very weary of sandals with a flat sole and lots of thin straps. That’s why I was immediately attracted to the Brulees – they are padded, are not entirely flat, and have pretty decent coverage in the front. If they end up working for my feet I plan to make them a hot weather staple.

San, I’ve successfully worn my Clarks with skirts and feel that they’ll work with frocks too. Maya’s explanation is spot on.

Patience, the gladiator Queen has spoken. You look fab in all your pairs. If my feet could handle the styles that you wear, I’d be all over them too.

Taylor, gladiators don’t need to be flat. They look nice with a one or two inch heel too. Bet you’d like them. Hope you find the perfect pair too Laura Elizabeth.

I love wearing my gladiator sandals with dresses, just as Angie stated the contrast of feminine and edge is super.

I love the gladiators with heels one. I saw one at Axara on mannequins but they are not selling the shoes unfortunatly. I recently purchase the one in white, the one Angie suggested. I can’t wait to wear them soon… When the weather gets warmer and it stops raining.

As I saw you mention on one of the forum threads, I’m glad to see another Israel-inspired picture. *grin* I haven’t traveled very much, but you make me wish that I had paid closer attention to style while touring different regions in France years ago.

After a stint trying on & being very impressed with the Brulees in the Clarks store last week, I decided to order them with an online discount. I’m so excited to have a casual, open walking shoe for summer!

I don’t own a pair and as I am prone to blisters [loosened buckles or not], I will probably forgo this trend.

I do wonder what kind of interesting tan lines one would get on one’s feet.

I like gladiator sandals, the less tame (and more costume-like) the better.

I like the re-emergence of the thong/sling back with some buckle detail like on a Marc Jacob shoe I saw.

I am loving the “nearly nekkid” thong sandle. It’s almost the anti-gladiator.

Strappy is good, but looking too much like an extra from “300″ has always been an iffy look. Glad there are so many options

[...] or thong sandals: If I can wear this item, anyone can. Gladiators are my edgy preference, but pretty thong sandals are just as [...]