(Above) These ankle-length gladiator sandals make for a great style statement; (below) Swati Mehrotra’s embellished gladiator shoes add to the glam quotient

Modern day fashionistas are doing as the Romans once did. They are taking tips from the heroes of ancient Rome, following in their footsteps and slipping into gladiator sandals. Gladiator sandals have caught the fancy of GenNext like no other style of shoe.

“The gladiator or lattice sandals are very hot this season in men’s and women’s fashion since they are high on style and comfort,” says Shantanu Mukerji, general manager, Ermenegildo Zegna, South Asia.

“These sandals are wardrobe must-haves,” confirms designer Rahul Khanna whose Spring-Summer 2009 collection flaunts high-heeled gladiator sandals in leather. These stand three-and-a-half inches high in summery hues like coral, cobalt blue, grey, lime and fuchsia. Priced at Rs 3,250, these can be teamed with short or long dresses and even jumpsuits.

These shoes with their characteristic thin straps are available in different variations and can be knee-high with straps that can be tied up to the knees or ankle-high which come with smaller straps. While originally gladiators were flat sandals, the modern-day versions can also come in high heels and platforms.

Knee-length or ankle-length, gladiators are versatile and can be paired with a variety of ensembles. They do well when teamed with slinky dresses (short, knee- or calf-length), short or long skirts, and even shorts (hot pants or mid-thigh) or cropped pants.

Television anchor and MC Geetika Ganju never tires of the latticed look, and has picked gladiator sandals for different occasions in different hues. “I have a collection of ankle-length and knee-length gladiators in gold, black, copper and beige,” says Ganju. She pairs them with her long and short skirts and capris. “I think they are really smart looking and that adds to the style quotient of the sandals,” says Ganju.

A model flaunts Nitin Bal Chauhan gladiator shoes inspired by traditional Chamba chappals Pix by Jagan Negi

And who says only women have all the fun? When it comes to gladiator sandals, men can join the party as well. Men’s brand Zegna’s ZZegna Spring Summer ’09 sandal collection keeps young fashionistas in mind. There are various latticed designs in tan, cement grey and teal. “The sandals are hand-stitched in calf leather and have a rubber monogrammed sole,” explains Mukerji.

Men can team them with Bermuda shorts or even jeans. The gladiators from Zegna are priced at Rs 17,000 .

Footwear designer Swati Mehrotra thinks gladiators are here to stay. “This is one trend that simply refuses to die and there’s something about their masculinity which has made us fall in love with gladiator shoes,” she says.

Her line of shoes, called Swati Modo, comes accessorised with chains, trims and crystals. And she’s all for giving them heels and adding a bit of height. “A chunky heel transforms the original flat sandal look and one can step out in more formal wear while keeping the original (strappy) look intact,” says the designer.

Mehrotra’s collection is high on bright and shiny patent leather and even jute. “These can also be flashed for afternoon weddings or luncheons,” she adds. The shoes from Mehrotra’s collection start at Rs 1,800 and go up to Rs 5,000 depending on the material and the embellishments.

Rahul Khanna’s collection offers gladiator heels in summery hues like coral, cobalt blue, grey, lime and fuchsia Pix by Jagan Negi

Italian brand Fendi’s open-toe high-heel gladiator sandals come in soft grained leather. These have contoured cut-outs along with a zip to close the shoe at the back of the heel. Crafted in the softest of suedes, this shoe comes with a leather sole and rubber heel in a five-inch stacked stiletto heel. Expect to pay in the region of a whopping Rs 41,500 for it.

For this season, designer Nitin Bal Chauhan clubbed the gladiator look with traditional Chamba chappals. “My designs are modern with unique weaves, prints and trims,” says Chauhan. He offers knee-length variations of gladiator sandals with zippers and elastic bands around the calves.

Chauhan feels pigment-dyed, natural calf or goat leather made using the Veg Tan method (where leather is tanned using tannin instead of chromium that’s used in mineral tanning) is best for gladiators.

Finer leather gives comfort, so Chauhan has used the natural calf or goat Veg Tan leather and organic cotton canvas in the front and back panel of his shoes. His creations are priced between Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,500.

Gladiator stiletto heels by Fendi come in bright colours with 5-in heels

The other bit of good news is that gladiator sandals are just as hot for eveningwear. Mehrotra says that while tanned leather does full justice to this style, one can embellish the shoes with bling or design them in vivid colours.

“Bright hues make them perfect for beachwear and parties, while metallic embellishments take the gladiator look into the night with ease,” she says. Mehrotra has played with shiny and bright patent leathers and even jute. Her prices range between Rs 1, 800 and Rs 5,000.

So when it comes to footwear, gladiators are must-haves if you want to be strapped in for comfort and style.