Finally, Zappos.com has restocked on the other (more popular) colors of the Nike Gladiateur Mids!

Nike Gladiateur Mid in Black/Anthracite

Nike Gladiateur Mid in Monsoon Blue/Monsoon Blue

Nike Gladiateur Mid in White/Metallic Gold Star

I wrote about these awesome roman sandals before, saying how limited they are and how difficult it is to find the other colors. This fast-moving shoe style was snatched up the moment they hit the shelves and were quickly gone the first time they restocked them. Now they’re back and most probably in very limited quantities too. Grab ‘em now while all sizes are still complete!

Back then, I also wasn’t so sure about the roman sandal + sneaker look that these Nike Gladiateur Mids had going on, but now I’m obviously a total convert. These roman sandal sneakers are just the thing to butch up really feminine dresses and skirts and the black ones would function as great city slickers. They’d look good with the predominantly black wardrobe of urbanites and would be comfortable to walk in to boot. Oh and of course they’d be a perfect match with gym clothes and sportswear, although a simple hoodie + tank top + leggings combo would look just as good:

These pictures are from SixFeetDown, a sneaker store in Stockholm, Sweden. They say in their blog that their stock of Nike Gladiateur Mids sold out in a split of a second.

Every second counts! Get the Nike Gladiateur Mids at Zappos.com while there are still colors and sizes to choose from.

If you are living outside of the US, use the coupon “FREEINT” to get free international shipping at Heels.com for a limited time only.  Alternatively, all customers can get 15% off GUESS sandals by using the coupon code “GUESS15” through March 3.

The details are as follows:

1. The promo code “GUESS15” will give you 15% off all GUESS shoes.  All US orders get free 2nd day shipping, but cheap international shipping is also available! This coupon expires at midnight on March 3, 2010.

2. The promo code “FREEINT” provides free international shipping on all orders over $250! This offer is valid for a limited time only.

Are you one of those people who have fought the urge to own a pair of gladiator sandals since its appearance?

Are you now finding it even more difficult to resist the temptation to buy a pair, now that this shoe trend keeps on resurrecting itself season after season?

Are you now dying to own a pair but don’t have single clue how to wear it?

Well, I’m here to help you with your dilemma. Go ahead and buy the shoes.

But make sure you pick the right pair.

Remember that the multiple horizontal straps of gladiator sandals cut the length of your legs (making you lose inches in height), that’s why it will be best to purchase something that is of nude or beige coloring, one that will not stand out and will just blend with your skin tone. Besides, a neutral color is also versatile, allowing you the liberty to use the sandals with many different outfits.

Also, try to pick a pair with thin straps. Because the thicker the straps are, the more masculine the sandals will look.

Now allow me to help you with your next dilemma – how to wear the sandals.

It is quite an easy feat so no need to worry. You can start with these 5 seasoned gladiator-looks:

Hard-core Casual

You can go downright casual with your flat Roman sandals by pairing it with a Tee and some short shorts

Three Dots Essentials Light S/S Scoop Neck

Rip Curl Berkley Denim Shorts

Stuart Weitzman Donuts in Almond Butter Calf

Smart Casual

Just because they’re flat doesn’t mean you can’t up the look. Pair your flat Roman sandals with some skinny denims and a hippie blouse for a more smart casual appeal

Joie Sebelia

7 for All Mankind Gwenevere w/ Squiggle in Soho Rise

Burberry Metallic Rivets Flat T-strap Thong in Dark Gold

Mini Sexy

Pair your flat Roman sandals with a mini-dress or tunic for that tough but sexy look

Gabriella Rocha Sidnie

Kate Spade Ines in Old Gold Metallic Nappa

Maxi Pretty

Pair your flat Roman sandals with a maxi dress for a more dressed up look. You can even go as far as wearing a long asymmetric jersey dress to look like a Roman goddess

O’Neill Sienna Cover-up

Juicy Couture Morgen in Plantino Metallic Nappa

Roman Preppy

Look preppy in flat Roman sandals by wearing it with a white button-down shirt and some khaki shorts. Belt it wherever you like, and finish off the whole look with a nice pair of earrings

Not Your Daughters Jeans 3/4 Sleeve Shirt

Fossil Beveled Buckle

Volcom Frochickie 5″ Shorts

Lucky Brand Quilted Kaleidoscope Melting Pot Hoop Earrings

Daniblack Becks in Cognac Soft Grain Nappa/Antique Brass Rings

Vivienne Westwood came out with these Vivienne Westwood Roman Boots for her Fall RTW 2009 collection:

Vivienne Westwood Roman Boot Fall RTW 2009 collection

They’re extremely gorgeous and are to die for. These are the kind of shoes that make you want to splurge an entire paycheck (or paychecks) on. Both the red and the black colors are must-haves and not just a few shoe bloggers have professed their love for these Vivienne Westwood Roman Boots.

However, while the boot’s beauty is undeniable, could they really be called a Roman boot?

Take here drawings of different roman boots:

Roman boot drawings from Bbaboucha.com

Compared with the Vivienne Westwood boots above, only the strappy feature is present.

So let’s say that for fashion’s sake Vivienne Westwood’s design has much more leeway for artistic expression, but still, don’t the boots look more like a pirate’s boot?:

A pirate boot

Because of the flared upper shaft and the buckled straps, the Vivienne Westwood Roman Boots look more at home on a ship at sea than on a Roman warrior.

But anyway, I guess the name is all just trivial when the end product is really beautiful. For the record, Vivienne Westwood also has a pair of pirate boots called, well, the Vivienne Westwood Pirate Boots:

With all the straps on these, perhaps the names of the Roman boot and the Pirate boot were interchanged?

You can purchase the Vivienne Westwood Roman Boots for $720.00 and the Vivienne Westwood Pirate Boots for $583.15 at Zappos.com.

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