With goddess dressing firmly back in the spotlight—helped along by this year’s Met Gala and a wave of drapey dress silhouettes—it was only a matter of time before the gladiator sandal returned, too. Zendaya cemented the revival when she stepped out in a pair of archival Sophia Webster gladiators for The Odyssey premiere. The style has resurfaced time and again, from the Space Age interpretations of the 1960s to the bohemian lace-up pairs synonymous with Kate Moss and Sienna Miller’s festival style in the early aughts. This season, designers are giving the classic silhouette a fresh perspective: Khaite embraced dramatic lace-up styles, Celine kept things pared back with minimalist straps, and Etro explored the trend across a range of silhouettes.
No matter your style preference, keep things contemporary when searching for the perfect pair by mixing in modern elements like corded-rope lace-ups, bauble-charm embellishments, or craft-infused detailing to give your look that modern edge. If you prefer to keep things minimal, try a classic sandal in a metallic tint or something with a chunky, substantial sole in lux leather for your everyday go-tos.
Shop the best gladiator sandals below.
