It’s nice to take a little break once in a while and get on the on the lighter side of things. While we review all sorts of roman sandals and related footwear here on MyRomanSandals, sometimes, there are shoes that do all the talking – and reviewing – for us.

Check out these very literal interpretation of the roman sandal, the Funtasma Arena 2012 roman boots:

The product description on these says, “You’ll be the sexiest warrior in Rome with these knee-high stiletto boots”. Of course, bring the sexy first before survival!

These boots aren’t meant to be taken seriously obviously, and just from the brand name itself, you can deduce that these are meant for costumes, roleplaying, and other fun, whimsical events.

But as outrageous and bizarre these roman boots are, they actually did make them quite similar to authentic roman boots. Here are some pictures of roman military uniform replicas, as seen on paintings and as worn during Rome Foundation Day parades:

Roman military uniforms

Okay, they’re not wearing strappy, buttoned up stiletto boots, but the red, gold, and knee-high elements are there.

I think  some women will actually be able to get away with wearing these boots as part of a party getup. Everything else has to be kept plain and minimal of course, so as not to compete with these attention-grabbing boots.

If you think you can create a look with the Funtasma Arena 2012 roman boots, then you can purchase them at Shoebuy.com for $65.95.

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.