Lately I have been feeling that if I see just one more pair of gladiator sandals, I am going to scream.

Unfortunately it appears that there may be laryngitis in my future as it seems that currently you can’t walk two metres down the street without stumbling over someone wearing a pair.

I have to admit that when I first saw pictures of Kate Moss wearing gladiator sandals, I briefly thought the look was kind of cool. Not something I’d wear, but still fun to look at. Mind you, this was three years ago. Cut to now and now every school girl with an allowance and Shoobiz discount card is wearing them. What exactly is the appeal of people looking at you and being reminded of the year 2006. I don’t even like being reminded of last week.

I mean, come on. Enough is enough. What’s the appeal in wearing something that every second person on the street is wearing? A friend of mine was at the Big Day Out last week and in all seriousness estimated that 90% of the girls in attendance were wearing gladiator sandals. I’m guessing that’s a slight exaggeration, but probably not too far off the mark.

And does anyone else think that the majority of these sandals look spectacularly cheap. Like, the original gladiators were made of soft leather. Most of the el cheapo pairs favoured by today’s fashion victims look like they are fashioned from the same plastic that is used to make garden hoses.

Lately, an even more alarming gladiator sandal trend has become apparent. Girls wearing their gladiator sandals over leggings. ARGH! I’m sorry, but this is the height of stupidity. For one, my hatred of leggings could take up an entire vitriolic blog rant of its own. Secondly, we’re in the middle of a heatwave, obviously you are wearing sandals to stay cool, WHY NEGATE THAT WITH LEGGINGS?

The spectacularly fug pair pictured above are from Wittner and are on sale for $89.95. I’m sorry, but black patent gladiator sandals? I just laughed out loud.

By Caroline Warnes