Aside from a certain hat incident (IYKYK), there’s pretty much nothing Zendaya can’t pull off—including one of the most controversial shoe trends of the 2010s. During a recent press event for The Odyssey, Z served up some summer footwear inspiration in the form of knee-high gladiator sandals. Talk about Greek goddess energy.
First of all, I’m a little bit scandalized to see Zendaya without her signature Christian Louboutin pumps, but there’s no denying that these Sophia Webster sandals take the star’s Grecian-inspired ensemble to the next level.
Even if you don’t have any movie premieres set in ancient Greece to attend this season, I can assure you that gladiator sandals still deserve a spot in your summer wardrobe. There’s something undeniably sexy about the lace-up silhouette, whether you pair them with a breezy white frock à la Zendaya or lean into a street-style vibe with some cutoff Bermuda jorts.
The key to making this throwback trend feel a little more current? Look for simpler gladiator styles that keep embellishments to a minimum so the woven straps can take center stage. Because let’s be honest, while I adore Zendaya’s commitment to the knee-high straps and stiletto combo, they’re not exactly practical for everyday wear. Instead, I’ll be sticking to flatter styles that’ll make it easier to get your steps in.
Shop Zendaya-inspired gladiator sandals
DREAM PAIRS Lace-Up Gladiator Sandal
TKEES Jo Lace Up Sandals
MARGAUX The Wrap Sandal
Lauren Gruber is a shopping editor at Hearst Magazines with more than five years of professional writing experience. She specializes in fragrance, beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content for Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, and more. Before her time at Hearst, Lauren graduated from New York University and wrote for Shop TODAY, Entertainment Tonight, Self, V Magazine, L’Officiel, and more. When she’s not researching Prime Day deals or testing the latest perfume launches, you can find Lauren hanging out with her cat Serafina or flexing her AMC A-List membership at the movie theater.
