Gladiator Sandals - Latest California Shoe Trend

Whenever I'm in California (I split my time between CA and UT), I always pay attention to the latest shoe trends. Not only is it fun to see what type of shoes people are wearing, but it's fun to scout out the current trends and fashion statements! When I was out and about on 2nd Street in Long Beach the other night (and many nights after), I saw gladiator sandals left and right. Many girls were wearing them with shorts, dresses, and even leggings. Apparently they are the latest fashion statement for beach wear! I can understand why though. They're super comfy and adorable looking.

I admit I myself don't own a pair of gladiator sandals, but now I want to! Sandals in general are super comfy and gladiator sandals seem to be perfect because they add the perfect amount of edge to any style. They also are very boho chic and remind me of films like The Gladiator (ha ha), and films about Cleopatra. It's fun to see how history comes around again (via the Romans), and it's fun to see the trends reflected through fashion. Here are some gladiator sandals that are calling my name:

Anything that's tie dyed and blue is exactly what I love. These gladiator sandals look perfect for the beach. I can imagine wearing them with a beach maxi dress stat. What do you think? They also look very comfy and the top design is creative. I love the way the fabric twists and besides, these shoes are just very cute!

 

These Mud gladiator sandals are also very cute; I especially like the jewels on top! Since they are neutral they're great to wear during a number of occasions and they will go great with a variety of outfits. I would definitely wear this pair of sandals with a favorite pair of shorts or with a empire waist dress.

I love florals so naturally these gladiator sandals are lovely. Plus, with the sequins they look rather sweet! I might be annoyed tying them up occasionally, but with their sweet styling I think I can cope. ;) These gladiator shoes have the perfect combination of sassy and sweet!

Chinese Laundry sandals that are clear?! Yes please! I can only imagine that these sandals are extremely comfy and not to mention, jelly sandals are always so easy to clean! These are a great pair of sandals that I would love to add to my summer shoe collection.

So what do you think of gladiator sandals? I used to not like them, but now I have a new appreciation for them! Plus, since they seem to be trendy in CA, just maybe I'll cave and buy myself a pair. They'll look fabulous and will go with many of my outfits too!

Brides and Their Delightfully Colored Wedding Shoes

Summer is finally here (well, for most of us,) and for many people, they love to get married during the warm months! I personally would like to get married in a cooler climate such as the 70s or 80s, which would perhaps put me into the Fall time in certain states. I don't think I could stand to be married in the blazing hot temps of 90 or above, especially if it was outside!

I don't know if you are familiar with the website Pinterest, but I happen to be addicted to this site. It's so much fun to "pin" pictures from the web, not only to organize you photos into different folders while dreaming, but to know exactly where they come from simply by clicking on the photo. It will bring you straight to the website, which is fantastic because you can keep track of the correct source! Anyway, lately I've seen several wedding photos of brides with the most gorgeous shoes, and specifically a lot of shoes with color!

I think the shoes on a bride's feet show off her personality. If you are a sassy bride you might want to wear hot pink shoes or a pair of Nike shoes with hot pink shoe laces! If you are an elegant bride you might go for a classic designer in a beige pair of heels. Or, you might be somewhere in between and decide to wear a sparkly pair of flip flops. Whatever you decide, I truly think that any type of shoe will flatter your wedding dress because you are wearing something that compliments you. I'm thinking that walking down in a pair of flats as opposed to a pair of heels might be more comfortable, but you might be able to find a comfy pair of pumps that are bright and fun, so never say never! :)

As I mentioned, I've been seeing a lot of photos with brides in brightly colored shoes. I am loving this trend and I happen to think a splash of color is exactly what a white wedding dress needs. Plus it's so playful and fun! Most of the time the audience won't see the shoes anyway until after the wedding when the bride can reveal her shoes. In a way a bride's brightly colored shoes are her best kept secret! They are also a silent delight to the bride who is wearing them as walks down the aisle and later dances with her groom. Let's look at some photos that I found that represent some shoe color inspiration!

This beautiful bride is in her element in her bright pink heels. The gorgeous ruffled elements on her heels seem to pop with color in every direction.

Similar to the hot pink pumps, these light pink shoes are very elegant and classy. I love the ruffles and how it ties in perfectly with the bottom part of her wedding dress.

Purple pumps are just darling and look at the bouquet!! The jewel and bow on her heels seals the deal.

Green is very earthy and these pair of shoes almost look vintage - I love the feeling that they give you by simply glancing at them on her feet. You can see the trees in the distance.

Blue pumps!! That's what I am talking about. The heels are a bit more thicker, which would make it easier to walk down the aisle as opposed to skinny heels. I love the pure joy that is on this bride's face!

So what do you think of wearing colored and bright shoes for your wedding day?

Even if you aren't getting married, would you wear a colored pair of heels with your wedding dress?

I definitely would love to consider wearing a pair of heels that are either hot pink or blue someday. I love that these brides aren't afraid of color. It's daring, bold, and beautiful, all at the same time.

Initial Thoughts

Shoes. While they’re undoubtedly a necessity, they’re also the subject of many a splurge, the talk of countless conversations among girlfriends, sometimes the reason given for an outstanding athletic performance. They’re made to protect feet but also to decorate them.

People of all walks love them and for lots of reasons. They’ve been embedded into popular culture. There are entire movies based around them: The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, The Devil Wears Prada, The Christmas Shoes, and In Her Shoes. Musicians have been writing and singing songs about them for years: Elvis had his Blue Suede Shoes and The Beatles had an Old Brown Shoe, KC and the Sunshine Band had Boogie Shoes, Nelly had an outright obsession with his Air Force Ones, and Nancy Sinatra had a one wicked pair of boots.

Walk a mile in my shoes, wouldn’t want to be in his shoes, goody two shoes, who’s going to fill their shoes… there are lots of sayings we use about shoes; in fact, shoes have infiltrated the way we talk. If someone said, “I would kill for some Jimmy Choo’s” or “Check out my new Nike’s” most people would know exactly what they’re talking about.

Bowling, ballet, baseball, skiing, skating running, climbing, hiking, the beach, the bath, the bedroom; for the work room, for the weekend… each sport we do, each place we go, a person needs a different pair of shoes for every little thing they do. It’s no wonder there is such an obsession with shoes!

And while everyone needs them, some of us want them just a little bit more. Some people want 100 pair; 300 pair, 1000 pair! We want shoes in leopard print and purple patterns and every imaginable height heel. We want shoes for $1.00 but we'd pay $1000 and eat less (it makes the shoes look better anyway). We want vintage as well as new and special releases. We want to bronze them (it started when we were very young...), and we want to display them like art. We want the funky, the freaky, the fabulous. We wear odd sizes, or average sizes, it doesn't matter. Our boyfriends and husbands think we're crazy, our girlfriends think we're goddesses. What can I say, some us were born to be shoe addicts, and we've learned to live with it.

Take a breath… all you Carrie Bradshaws of the world, there is now a place to connect shoe lovers everywhere.  If The Shoe Doesn't Fit, is an auction site for shoe lovers.  A place to sell, swap or shop for shoes and shoe accessories, and this is the site's blog, dedicated to connecting all those people, whose lives are touched by shoes, in some way, for whatever reason. 

I hope you'll join me, and our contributing bloggers in a conversation as we chat about shoes, life, and everything in between. 

(Note -- portions of this post were originally posted on Speaker In Heels)