This isn’t exactly ancient Rome, although sometimes our lives can seem like a battle in the gladiatorial games. Lucky for us, this season we can actually dress for it. As you may already know, gladiator sandals are a big trend this season. Like a lot of things lately, the ancient sandal has been modernized. It now comes in all shapes and sizes, and is accessible to more women. Gladiator sandals can be tricky for some. The question “what would I wear them with?” is on the minds of a lot of women. We have picked a few of our favorite styles and put together some outfit ideas. For instance, a simple gold gladiator can take a gold shimmery evening dress from ultra formal to ultra fabulous. It’s a look that can easily be worn to a cocktail party on the beach. The classic brown leather gladiator looks great with a white cotton summer dress. It’s a “bohemian meets roman goddess” look that is perfect for running around on a hot summer day. The snakeskin gladiator is another style that we love. This one is perfect for casual chic days, or casual fridays at work. It’s a more sophisticated gladiator, and can easily be dressed up or down. You can pair it with white jeans, slacks, or shorts. Finally, the high leg gladiator. Keep it simple on top with this style. Let the sandal be the focus. We’ve paired it with a basic black summer dress, which works for day or night. The high leg gladiator sandal is the riskiest of the styles we’ve selected. It makes more of a statement than the other styles. Hopefully, this will help you pull your gladiator together. What makes women crazier than Russell Crowe portraying a sweaty, muscular, man of honor? Well, shoes of course.

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So, you have to buy a dress for an event this Spring, but you want a dress you can wear more than once. That’s not just pipe dream, it’s actually a real possibility. If you choose properly, you can wear the dress to the event and then easily wear it to dinner with friends on another night. Choose a style that is flirty but with simple modern lines. This Ella Moss passionate pink dress can easily be dressed up for a party, or dressed down for an evening out with friends.
For a dressier look, add an exaggerated evening trench, shoes with shine, dazzling dangling earrings, and a whimsical bag. To take the dress downtown, give it some mod details. Top it off with a cropped leather jacket, add some black accent pieces like shoe boots, bracelets, and a bag that brings it all together. This outfit looks great going to a club or a hot new restaurant. You may even consider going into your closet and checking out some of the dresses you have. Maybe they can make the transition from dressy to downtown.

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Everybody is always talking about “the little black dress”, and how to hunt down the perfect one. Well, we actually think you need more than just one. We think you should acquire three or four perfect black dresses, one to suit every occasion. First, the formal black dress. This dress should be sleek and simple. That way you can mix it with pearls, diamonds, or no jewelry for a minimalist look. It should be the kind of dress you have tucked away in your closet, that looks perfect every time you whip it out. Next, the cocktail party dress. This dress is tailored, and slightly demure. It dresses up or down beautifully, depending on the accessories. For instance, a Thursday night cocktail party would call for gold jewelry, black leather pumps, and a small shoulder bag. Whereas, for a Saturday night you could pull out the heavy duty jewels, patent leather pumps, and a clutch. Then, the black wrap dress. This dress works on so many levels. It’s great for work, for a dinner date, or for an after work party. You can pair it with boots for a more casual chic look, or with pumps to dress it up a bit. Finally, the wild card. This dress is more fun and flirty. Choose a dress that is more festive, with added beading or intricate details. It’s the dress you wear to your friend’s birthday party, and dance all night long. The black dress is really versatile, that’s why so many of us migrate to it. Don’t limit yourself to only one, give yourself options. Go forth and find your four perfect black dresses!

Top Look:
Moschino plunge front dress
Chanel Classic bag with flap @ bagborroworsteal
Christian Louboutin Declic leather pumps
Right Look:
Rebecca Taylor beaded chiffon dress
Ghibli front row black patent leather clutch @ Forzieri
D&G Dolce & Gabbana patent carla peep toe pump @ eLuxury
Bottom Look:
Diane von Furstenberg volante wrap dress @ Net-a-Porter
Isabella Fiore ‘Wild Thing’ brooke satchel
Sergio Rossi Slouchy knee boots
Left Look:
McQ Draped dress @ Net-a-Porter
Aspects bow clutch with chain strap @ eBags
Giuseppe Zanotti Taz Swarovski embellished sandals @ Net-a-Porter