Gladiators rule!
Sarah Jessica Parker probably doesn't deserve the credit, but the gladiator-styled shoes she wore in the "Sex and the City" movie are one of summer's hottest shoe trends.
The tough-looking, super-strappy shoes contrast with this summer's flirty feminine styles, but that's sort of the point. They come in either flats or high heels, and in everything from python print to patent leather.
Since this isn't New York City, and we aren't all Carrie Bradshaws, below are some tips for wearing gladiator shoes appropriately, courtesy of the experts at ShoeMall.com:
The shoes look best with African, Indian or eastern tribal looks.
They work with feminine looks, such as full floral skirts. Try pairing a bright red pair with a short shift or floaty dress.
A more casual way to wear gladiators is with a biker jacket, a feminine peasant blouse and skinny jeans.
Combine two trends by wearing a metallic colored or brightly colored pair.
More shoe news
As long as we're on the topic of trendy shoes, Nordstrom is selling some fun, rubber Ed Hardy flip-flops with the famous tattoo designs on the footled. Available with white or pink bands. $34.95, at Nordstrom or at edhardyshop.com
If you love to be sockless in the summer, but doing so gives you blisters or sweaty (or stinky) feet, No Nonsense's new Shoe Solution products might
help. The Mesh Foot Liners have a flat cotton sole but hole-filled sides for ventilation. Their Slingback Liners provide coverage for your toes, but then have a plastic strap to hold the liner in place with dressy slingbacks or mules. Available at major food and drug retailers.
For non-shopping men
Men who don't like to, or don't bother to, shop will appreciate outfitez.com, a new Web site that shops for you and mails you your new clothes every three months.
All you have to do is fill out a profile of the types of styles you like, provide a budget and a size. Then, voilaˆ ! New clothes are delivered every season and you're automatically billed through PayPal or your credit card.
Anti-aging products
With product names like "IceCrystals" and "Ice cream Double Scoop," the skin products from Freeze 24-7 sound like they're all about cooling down skin. While they can do that, the real focus is on their anti-aging benefits. Their three daily essentials range in price from $65 to $105 each. Available at Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Bath & Body Works.