The recent death of Alexander McQueen was not only sad, but it was also a great loss to the fashion industry. He was quite a showman. His creations reflected his complex self and people loved every bit of drama he created, from the one-of-a-kind-and-never-boring runway shows, to his multifarious but unique and emotionally captivating designs that always left an imprint on our thoughts leaving us wanting more.

Alexander McQueen, 1970-2010

And to die so young when he was at the top of his game…indeed, losing Lee McQueen was tragic, and I doubt if we will see another one like him.

The brand will live on, of course. But the face behind the name will change, so expect everything, including the McQueen designs, to change after 2010.

If you were a fan and would like to keep a memory of the REAL McQueen, be sure to buy a piece of his last creations. For the gladiator sandal junkie, here’s his latest collection of beautiful sandals:

Spring 2010 Collection

Alexander McQueen 237673WAF52, US$589

For the Tough Chic

Alexander McQueen 237697WAF510, US$599

For the Dark, Dangerous, and Mysteriously sexy

Alexander McQueen 237685, US$454

For the Fuss Free

Winter Collection (currently on sale!)

Alexander McQueen 219638 WADN1, on sale for US$512 at Zappos.com

For the Glamorous Goddess

Alexander McQueen 216925, on sale for US$464 at Zappos.com

For the Whimsical and the Romantic

Alexander McQueen 216943, on sale for US$320 at Zappos.com

For the Sweet Minimalist

Alexander McQueen 219625WABL2, on sale for US$392 at Zappos.com

For the Classic Beauty

Though not as common as its sister (the ankle-high gladiators), knee-high gladiator sandals can actually do wonders to your style, provided that you wear it in the right manner, of course.

Type Z Noteworthy Knee-high Gladiators

Knee-high gladiators have the ability to hide thick calves, or make your legs look even thicker. That is why it is very important to choose the right sandal design to achieve the positive benefits.

There are a few things you need to know before putting the sandals on. Here’s a how-to guide to help you achieve a winning look with knee-high gladiators:

1. Wear short outfits – mini skirts, mini dresses, and short shorts are the perfect pieces to match with your knee-high gladiators. The shorter you are, the shorter your wardrobe should be (without showing your buns, of course). If you are on the tall side, then you can afford a longer outfit, but still, keep it several inches above the knee.

Model on runway wearing knee-high gladiator sandals with short shorts

2. Avoid too many horizontal straps, and keep the straps thin – instead of choosing a pair that is pre-dominantly horizontal, choose one that has a vertical strap at the center front with fewer horizonal straps across it. The vertical straps will make your calves look slimmer. However, make sure that the T-strap is not too thick; otherwise, it will defeat its own purpose. Keep the horizontal straps thin as well.

Penny Loves Kenny Arius Knee-High Gladiator Sandals

Diagonal straps – if you want to wear diagonally oriented knee-high gladiator sandals, make sure the T-strap is present. Remember to keep the diagonal straps thin and at a minimum.

Alexander McQueen Knee-high Gladiator Sandals

3. Wear the right knee-high gladiators for the right occasion – if you’re wearing a pair of jean shorts, then using rugged looking knee-high gladiators is ok. But if you’re wearing a more formal looking outfit, make sure the knee-high sandals are dressy enough to keep up with the dress!

Fustasma Roman 10 Gold Knee-high Heeled Gladiator Sandals

Leg Avenue Roma Knee-high Heeled Gladiator Sandals

Heeled and dressier knee-high gladiators for dressier ocassions

4. Don’t show too much skin on top – because the length of your dress, shorts, or skirt is already on the short side, it would be best NOT to show too much skin on the top half. Otherwise, you end up looking sl_tty. So try to keep it low key, keep it covered, keep it classy.

Mary Kate in knee-high gladiator sandals and a long sleeved tunic

5. Keep the statement piece at ONE – let’s keep it real ladies, wearing knee-high gladiator sandals is a fashion statement. It’s also a BOLD statement, so keep your outfit and accessories on the low side. Avoid looking like you’re trying too hard. Keep it simple; let your knee-high sandals speak for itself.

So there you have it, 5 simple rules to guide you in looking fashionably stylish in knee-high gladiator sandals.