Gladiator sandals have been trending for two seasons and this year they’re bigger than ever. They’re the “it” Summer sandal for sure, flooding the Parisian footwear market. The look is global, ethnic and edgy and at its best worn flat as it was in Roman times. I prefer gladiators in shades of brown, metal or white. I’m don’t mind black, but they are my least favourite.

Gaudy gladiators are out, but tasteful styles get my thumbs up. It’s about the ankle strap this time around and the strappier the better. The catch? More straps = less comfort. They wouldn’t last two secs on my fussy feet.

Gladiators aren’t supposed to look pretty. They are casual and have a bit of a hard edge, which I find appealing when contrasted with a girly dress, beautiful feet and a nice pedicure. I adore the look with skinny or straight leg jeans, frocks, walk shorts and clamdiggers. If they tickle your fancy, go for it. I’m envious.

An assortment of gladiator sandals. I’ve had one client all season who’s been able to appreciate and walk in this ped. Don’t feel alone if you are bypassing this trend.

I spent time at Ann Taylor and the Loft last week because of their “30% off everything friends and family promotion”. These stores are running both hot and cold colour palettes at the moment. Hues are rich and saturated.

Ann Taylor makes an impeccable product that’s perfect for the modern-classic. But the modern-classic needn’t stick to the colour discipline that a store provides. Mixing and matching items to suit your own style is key. This is precisely what happened with my client when we combined a burnt orange dress with a rich raspberry cardigan, gold and burgundy accessories, brown patent sandals and a straw handbag with dark bamboo handle. The result was simply delicious.

We continued to match the raspberry cardigan with a burnt orange sleeveless silk blouse, white pants and pearls. We then paired the same burnt orange silk blouse with blue jeans, white jacket and burgundy beads. The brown patent sandals and straw handbag remained constant and the burgundy jewelry reflected a raspberry glow in a certain light. Dynamite does come in small packages as my petite client felt explosively tall in her new colour combination.

The Ann Taylor items we used to put together the outfits described above, shown with similar accessories. A metallic go-to Summer wedge would work equally well. You don’t need to go to Ann Taylor to put this colour combination together – it might be lurking in your closet.

I have friends and clients that won’t purchase shoes if they show “toe cleavage”. This happens often when you have long toes and bony feet. I have both (Greg likes to say that I have little fingers on my feet).

I for one don’t think it looks unattractive. When you have fussy feet, showing a little more of your toes in closed shoes is the least of your concerns. Would you let toe cleavage get between you and a great pair of shoes?

Most of my shoes reveal some degree of toe cleavage.

My favorite footwear styles fall into two categories: those I love to wear, and those I wish I could wear. My fussy feet prefer a flexible, cushiony, closed shoe. Preferably flat, or no higher than two inches. I have given up on anything that has a strap or is strappy.

The ones I love to wear:

• Boots. My all time favourite footwear because they’re comfortable and dramatic (I’m daring with my boot styles). I would wear boots everyday if I could. Living in Seattle gives me plenty of opportunity and I’m not complaining.
• Dressy ballet flats. They are versatile, practical and fun. They always do the distance.
• “Chuck Taylor” Converse sneakers. There is no substitute for this retro sneaker look.
• Chunky round-toed pumps. The heels are stable and the look suits my personal style. They are funkier than thin heeled, pointy-toe shoes.
• Fluffy slippers. Because our hardwood floors are hard and because Rosie likes to chew on them.

The ones I wish I could wear:

• Chunky peep-toe pumps
• Strappy wedge sandals with broad ankle straps
• Dainty thong sandals
• Shoes with exaggerated buckle detailing
• Gladiator sandals

Which footwear styles are your favourites and why? (If anyone says running shoes I’m going to faint).