Gladiator Booties

We all know gladiator sandals are hot, hot, hot, but there’s a new trend in town that’s giving fashionistas a leg up—literally. Gladiator booties, which resemble what I imagine the impossibly wild love child between socks, leg warmers, ankle boots, and maybe even horses’ hooves, are a great way to add style to any summer outfit.

Celebuwreck Lindsay Lohan wore a pair during her promotional birthday party at Wet Republic in Vegas. She inexplicably paired sky high heels with trailer trash shorts, a couture Herve Leger bathing suit, oddly-shaped tee and at least four pounds of makeup. Reasonable for lounging poolside? Of course not, but the on-again, off-again redhead definitely caught plenty of media attention for her blue carpet get-up.

Despite their popularity, these new shoe innovations have a few drawbacks. They are unbearably hot, especially the leather styles that creep up to the calves and feature embellishments like fringe and studs. The flat styles, though ostensibly more functional for excursions around town, provide little support and may rub against your ankle in an irritating and comfortable manner.

If you do decide to try this new look on for size, be sure the rest of the ensemble is appropriately tame. One star who totally nailed this look is Harry Potter’s Evanna Lynch, who plays zany Luna Lovegood in the latter installments of the thrilling septology. She pairs cuffed sandal heels with a bold but classic purple dress and looks age appropriate, trendy, and confident.

These gladiator booties are surprisingly flattering, perhaps because the added volume and texture from the adornments make the leg look skinnier in comparison. Definitely much more flattering than the classic gladiator sandal.