Cheryl Cole sure is looking hot these days. The singer and X-Factor judge was spotted out and about in The Grove shopping center in LA last August 5 looking like this:

Cheryl Cole

Looking at this picture, you wouldn’t think she just had malaria. But she had actually just recovered from one.  And check out those legs, so toned and tanned; no wonder those tan colored gladiator wedges are looking so good from this angle.  She was able to rock the pair like it should be.

Cheryl’s wedge sandals

I couldn’t find any information on the sandals, but if you like the look, you can try any of these gladiator wedges from Zappos:

Row 1: Baby Phat Lily, US$80; Diba Bul Let, US$69

Row 2: Miss Sixty Tala, US$150; True Religion Ilene, US$145

Row 3: Charles David Nurture, US$185; Michael Antonio Hadrian, US$75

Or if you have the “moola” to spend, get this one from Prada:

Prada Leather Cork Platform Wedges, on sale for US$552 at BlueFly.com

The 2010 Oscars is coming up in two days (March 7) and fashionistas and fashion critics alike are all pretty much excited to see Hollywood’s crème de la crème strut their designer gowns and shoes on the red carpet. I have no doubt that one of the main topics this coming Sunday will be “who’s wearing whom (as in whose gown is she wearing)?”.

If you’re one of the few who were able to score bleacher tickets inside Kodak Theatre for the event, then be sure to dress your best because you will be walking on the red carpet, after all.

Glamorous to perfection is how you should be – from your gown, to your purse, to your shoes.

If you haven’t picked out your shoes yet, remember to choose one that covers the heel or at least part of it.

Why? Because of two simple reasons: one, it is more formal to cover the heel; and two, the hem of your gown could easily get caught between your foot and the open-heeled shoe as you walk. Now you wouldn’t want to keep on pulling and fixing your gown every time that happens, would you?

If you cannot picture the kind of shoes I am describing, here is a sample:

Calvin Klein Pallas

Although the Calvin Klein Pallas is a great looking sandal, it is not ideal for your long gown because of its open heel.

If you need recommendations on what shoes to wear for the Oscars, here is a list of gladiator-inspired sandals we feel are worthy enough to step on the Academy Awards’ red carpet, all priced at less than US$150:

Jessica Simpson Alaya, US$79

Charles by Charles David Prissy Heel, on sale for US$145

GUESS Holda 2, on sale for US$82

Sam Edelman Nilla Heel, on sale for US$103

Promiscuous Charming, on sale for US$76

So, have you ever seen Nicole Kidman wear chunky gladiator sandals? Let me guess, your answer would most probably be either a “no”, or a “not yet”. If your answer is a “yes”, then you are one of the very few.

Nicole Kidman strikes me as someone who wouldn’t go for a pair of chunky gladiator sandals. Her much too feminine persona somehow doesn’t go with the tough chic look that gladiator sandals project.

So I was more than just mildly surprised when I saw this picture:

Nicole Kidman

Tell me, do you think it looks good on her? Or should I rephrase and ask, does she look good in the shoes?

I give her credit for choosing a nude color; not only is it more feminine to look at (compared to dark brown or black), but at least her legs still look long (as the straps blend well with her skin).

But that’s just about all I can say, because honestly, I think the chunky gladiator sandals are looking a little out of place. I feel like she should be wearing something else, like a pair of peep-toes or a pair of nude pumps.

Please don’t get me wrong, the shoes are beautiful. It’s the kind with  curved cut-out straps that swirl at the center, not the usual gladiator sandals with horizontal straps. But Nicole plus the sandals? Not working out.

What do you think?

On another note, if you are into the curved cut-out straps of her sandals, here are some interesting look-a-likes:

Fergie Quickset, US$79

Steve Madden Hitower, US$100

BCBGeneration Giada, US$118

Miss Sixty Indigo, US$165

Charles David Chic, US$215