It's my inner Metella coming out

"Caecilius est in horto, Metella est in atrio, Grumio est in..."  Ring a bell for anyone else?  

Latin from when I was 12.  Still remember it, did it up to GCSE and actually rather loved it. 

So it's just a short step really to appreciating my growing obsession with gladiator sandals.  (probably won't come as any surprise that one of my favourite films is Gladiator.  It seriously is, much to the disappointment of The Husband.) 

And I shall let you into a secret - I have also developed a total infatuation with all things from Forever21.  Last weekend all my jewellery - huge statement earrings and matching cuff cost less then £10 together from there.  

Plus my sandals that I wore last Saturday for a party were from there.  For the ridiculous price of £15.  But they've now sold out online.  Having said that, who cares, as I have found some amazing other options. 

I love a gladiator sandal.  I have decided these are my go to sandals for this season (for this week anyway... never let it be said that once I make up my mind I stick to it.  God.  Forbid).  Heeled or flat.  But actually I think it may be the flat sandal that is the winner for me this year.  I would honestly have thought I'd never wear flats to a party but I did and I loved them.  Especially useful for the Summer when there are lots of bbqs and more informal get togethers with family as well - tottering around in heels just doesn't seem right all the time. 

So I've been looking for some statement flats that look perfect with dresses - midi, short or maxi.  Plus with jeans, trousers and culottes.  All hail the flat glad.

Embroidered Lace-up Sandals from Forever21 in black £23  How fabulous are these?? No-one would ever in a million years believe they were less then £25.  If you said these were Marant, I'd have believed you.

In tan 



Or the teal  I think this with all the denim that is around will look simply stunning.  And for that price - well it would be rude not to. 



However the beauty just continues - if self tie glads aren't your thing then how about a buckle version.  I have had a pair of these from Aldo which are now in their 6th year.   A summer staple for me. 

Faux Leather Gladiator Sandal £15  For this price, it's worth experimenting with them.



And in camel 



Another pair that again I think look so so much more expensive than £23 Forever21



White version at Topshop - this time leather (so yes, these will definitely last longer).  They have a much bigger selection of colours online but I'm quite drawn to the white. 

Fig lace up sandals £39



More white at Dune and slightly chunkier.

Dune Lance Leather Gladiator Sandals in White £59




Now some say gladiator, some say Ghillie (personally I say Irish Dancing but apparently that's not a widely used marketing term in the fashion world.  Go figure) but to me they are both very much a variation on a theme.  So both lace up sandals. 

And a fabulous heeled version at Topshop. 

Natter Ghillie footbed heeled sandals £65 in leather  I'm wondering if these could solve my "no mid heel works on me" dilemma (to be returned to on another occasion).


Just to throw in a bit of stud action - to make them that little bit more statement... 

Dune Black Lexxie Leather Gladiator Sandals £115 (Dune Black is their posh brand)



Or the brown (these might have won a special place in my heart) 





However the pic that started off my thinking that these really could be a shoe for all occasions was this ad that I papped from a mag.  I would never in a million years have believed these were from Gap. 

And if you order today (the 8th, sorry to be so irritatingly late with these) and use the code NOWGAP you get 40% off one item. 




These are fabulous. 


Lace up Sandals in snakeprint £29.95



And in the white 




And in the true black



If Glads aren't your thing, then I shall be doing a best of the rest, looking at other flat sandals out there, shortly.  But suffice to say, am loving the sunshine and am getting both my legs and feet out at any opportunity.  Until the fake tan fades mid week and I have to hoof back to trousers till the weekend.  That'll be trousers tomorrow then... 

Photo from yesterday featuring my favourite accessory ever.