I think I’m the only one in the world left who actively likes Gwyneth Paltrow. And dagnabbit, I like her sense of style, too! Not always the most flattering, this is true, but she shops outside the lines, and in a way that I usually think looks great on her. So, seeing her out and about for her Iron Man publicity tour has been fun for me. And boy, has she been parading the insanely high heels lately!

But the pair that grabbed my fancy has much more to do with the gladiator sandal trend.

Because how can you not love these Giuseppe Zanotti shiny gold sandals?

(photos from Just Jared)

If you have the cash and want to shell out for these pretty puppies, a very similar (though not identical, despite what other sites seem to say) version is available at Endless for $650.

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Some 2000 and odd years ago, an otherwise civilized Roman Empire would get the same kick out of gladiator fights that we now get, say, from watching professional football:

As you can see from this ancient mosaic, gladiator footwear was serious business, complete with over-the-knee plates to protect the precious shins. Those shin-plates have been underrepresented in the long and glorious tradition of classical paintings, which more often than not depict sturdy, beefed-up warriors wearing the most ridiculously fragile footwear contraptions, made of delicate strings woven and attached in fanciful ways. They’re also underrepresented in the current resurgence of the so-called gladiator-trend sandals, because, let’s be honest, if anything, we want to showcase our shins, not protect them from the world (although in certain crowded subways that wouldn’t be such a bad idea–but I digress).

And so! I’ve finally accepted the fact that gladiator sandals are EVERYWHERE, I mean, just pick your shoe store of choice, online or not, and voila! There they are, and they have been there for a few seasons now, so I can’t willfully ignore them any longer. For here’s the thing: I stayed away from gladiators because they tend to “cut” the foot from your leg, often with bulky plates and multiple ankle straps, and disrupt the natural lines and the illusion of “elongated” that I so direly need to create. Which is to say, I’ve often thought that unless you’ve got wispy legs like a runway model, why, those gladiators are likely to turn you into the spitting image of those two beefcakes duking it out in my introductory mosaic. And that’s not a good look for me, is all I’m saying.

But! I think I’ve reached the critical point in time when I’ve got to get into a pair of gladiator sandals, or my summer wardrobe my life won’t be complete. A cursory perusal of my favorite shoe haunts on the internet has presented me with approximately 322,485 handy choices, give or take two. Ayyyyy! to quote the Manolo. What to do? After a rigorous selection process consisting mainly of “let’s just stick to one website, or I’m going to shoot myself,” I’ve narrowed down my choices to two:

The curiously-named Dolce Vita “Daisy-11″ sandal, in gold or pewter (probably gold, since gold and gladiator go together like that), $60 at Piperlime:

Or, the more high-end Cynthia Vincent “Dinah,” $200 at Piperlime (hey, Zappos has it listed for $214–what’s up, Zappos? Piperlime’s delivery is also free, you know!):

They both have that classic woven look on the vamp, and multiple ankle straps (which are pretty cool, if you ask me). I’m not completely sure I should spend so much money for a shoe that might as well go out of style next year (what? it’s been known to happen!), but the Cynthia Vincent sandals do have a quite excellent design. On the other hand, the Dolce Vitas are cheap and attractive and definitely satisfy the gladiator tooth. What say you, Internet? Which should I choose?

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DSW shoes’ online shopping site is finally here! The DSW site is so new that I haven’t had a chance to thoroughly browse the site yet - I wanted to tell you first!

Shipping is free with a $50 purchase using promotional code FSHP50 at checkout (or if you are a DSW member).

I will now end this very brief blog post in order to explore my new, temporary online home.

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Today the April showers have decided to have one last hurrah before May comes. But let that not deter us from excitement about springtime shoes.

On a recent stroll through the high end department stores in New York City, I snapped some pictures of shoe friends old and new that are out in the stores.

First up, of course, how can I pass by the now-infamous Marc Jacobs heel-less shoe? It’s on display at Bergdorf’s in all its oddly-shapen glory.

(those are my MUCH comfier Converse sneakers there reflected on the pavement, and believe me, I won’t be making that trade anytime soon)

At 10022-SHOE, the shoe floor of Saks that’s so big it needs its own zip code, corset styling is the rage. Chanel’s combined it with their classic quilted pattern in a variety of colors.

Though I must say I’m partial to this more literal interpretation of the corset, with ivory waxed canvas peeking through the laces.

Don’t want such crazy high heels (because I sure don’t)? Then how about these classy little loafer-inspired ballet flats.

Or my very favorite shoe spotted on the whole floor, this flat Prada boot.

It’s a flat! It’s an ankle strap! It’s Super Boot!

Tell me this wouldn’t be the perfect footwear for a really well-styled lady superhero. If my wallet had the ability to stretch indefinitely, this boot would be coming home to my closet, that’s for sure.

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Not Shoeblog, that’s for sure–and hopefully, not you, dear readers and shoe-lovers. We know you crave a happy, well-adjusted, and well-fitted shoe, appropriate for all your spring needs; we know you don’t want to be either dowdy or so sweet they could send you into a diabetic comma. So here, let’s contemplate a few of the season’s offerings in terms of the floral trend. We’re looking for, say, a sweet-and-sour with a side of hot-and-spicy (as opposed to sweet-on-sweet with a side of bland). Let’s see!

These Maloles “Perry” slingback flats, in a tiny floral print, feature the classic ruched-toe we’ve come to expect from Maloles, and a chunky black ribbon to balance the sweetness with a dark side ($318 at Zappos, or $295 at Plaza Too+S&H).

The saccharine overtones of the antique floral pattern of this “retrofitted flat” is tempered by the cord piping and rope laces with leather tassels ($78 at Anthropologie):

And also at Anthropologie, and also in the non-bank-breaking  bracket, are these  cute ankle-strap flats, with a dark, stormy edge ($68):

These “Tarantella” wedges limit the floral pattern to discreet patches on the vamp and heel, and tops it all with a dark bow ($98 at Anthropologie):

Although I can’t recommend a 4-inch heel to anyone, I still love the pattern on these Pink heels ($78 at Anthropologie):

When it comes to floral shoes with an edge, however, I think these take the cake:

Paul Smith floral oxfords, oh my! $574 at Zappos.

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