Gladiator Damsels

When gladiator sandals first made their fashion debut, I remember everyone around me being a little skeptical. They threatened the reign of the simplistic flip flop and seemed overly complicated with the array of zippers and buckles. But I loved them, probably because Rachel and I were—and still totally are—obsessed with the movie Gladiator. (How can you not cry when they carry Russel Crowe out of the arena? Or when his slave-friend buries his little wife and child statues? "Not yet, not yet.")

And I'm still in favor of them, fashion trend or no. They add visual interest without overpowering an outfit. Or at least, the gladiator sandals of my youth did. But they were bitten by a radioactive spider and now they're...GLADIATOR sandals.

Via FreePeople.com

The difference, Damsels, between gladiators and GLADIATORS are gladiator sandals are cute and fashion-forward whereas GLADIATORS are literally trying to kill you by eating your leg.

We will meet again, adorable gladiator sandals. But not yet. Not yet.