We can't stop thinking about gladiator sandals this summer. Between the 2016 nostalgia wave still refusing to quit and Zendaya wearing gladiator sandals on repeat during her stylish press tour for The Odyssey, the trend has cemented itself as the shoe of the season.
If you're ready to try the style yourself, M&S's scallop edge gladiator sandals are the ones to go for. They were £50 earlier in the season, but have since dropped to £35, and the design more than earns its place in your holiday case.
The vertical centre strap and three horizontal rungs, finished with gold stud detailing at every junction, look similar to Celine's £930 Lympia gladiator sandal — right down to the ankle strap and buckle fastening. But the M&S scalloped trim gives the more affordable style a slightly softer, more feminine edge than the Celine pair.
M&S Leather Scallop Edge Flat Gladiator Sandals
M&S Leather Scallop Edge Flat Gladiator Sandals
Shoppers seem to agree. One buyer said they held off grabbing a pair at £50 but snapped them up the moment the price dropped, describing them as "so comfortable but stylish at the same time." Another said the straps were not at all heavy, with the scalloped edges and gold hardware adding a dressier finish without feeling fussy.
Style them the way the catwalks have — with a billowing linen shirt tucked into denim shorts for daytime, or a slip dress and gold jewellery for evening. At £35, this is one holiday-wardrobe addition we won't be feeling guilty about.
Kara Kia is the Ecommerce Editor for Women's Lifestyle at Hearst UK, leading Cosmopolitan UK's digital shopping strategy across fashion, beauty and lifestyle. With over eight years of experience as a journalist and editor, Kara specialises in skincare, makeup, haircare and helping women find their personal style — trying and testing every product she recommends. A trusted voice in fashion and beauty ecommerce, Kara's most-read guides include the best wedding dresses under £1000, the best affordable jewellery brands, the best Korean skincare products, and the best products for curly hair. She also covers major shopping events including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day for Cosmopolitan, Red and Prima. Kara previously held the role of contributing Fashion and Beauty Ecommerce Editor at ELLE UK and Harper's Bazaar UK; before joining Hearst, she was Fashion Content Editor at NET-A-PORTER's Porter Magazine, Associate Editor at PopSugar, and wrote for Refinery29 and LOVE Magazine. An experienced interviewer, she has spoken to Zendaya, Alicia Keys, Simone Biles and Tyla about life, work and style. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and formerly based in Toronto, Kara now lives in London. Follow Kara on Instagram @kara.kia
