This month, as she and stylist Law Roach blessed us with a method dressing press tour for the ages, Zendaya also managed to bring us back to the lates 2000's and 2010's—a time where your fashion girl status was measured by your gladiator sandal game. On a press day for the highly anticipated The Odyssey, Zendaya paired her Alberta Ferretti Spring 2008 minidress with archival heeled Sophia Webster gladiator sandals for a look that, from head to toe, served as an homage to eras past.
The shoe, as the name suggests, was originally intended for battle—they were designed with the sturdiest of materials and favored for their airiness and ventilation abilities in Ancient Rome. As is the case with so many styles originally designed with functionality in mind, the gladiator sandal was adopted by the fashion world and became a coveted trend in the '60s, mid 2000's, and 2010's. Now, in 2026, the polarizing trend returning wasn't on our bingo cards—but alas, here we are and with zero complaints I might add.
RW/MediaPunch / ShutterstockWith Isabel Marant, Chloë, and Ulla Johnson being 2026 fashion and it girl favorites and beloved and constantly replicated for their bohemian, nomadic, and free-spirited styles, the return of the gladiator sandal, when you consider the state of fashion and the aesthetics that are trending, is not surprising.
J. Salinas SS26 // Launchmetrics
Khaite SS26 // LaunchmetricsWe saw gladiator sandals very much present throughout the Spring/Summer 2026 fashion month season, as well as in subsequent releases from our favorite designers. From the brown sandals paired with a blue crochet set for the ultimate boho chic look on J. Salinas's runway to the black pair peeking out from a black textured midi skirt at Khaite, the gladiator sandal is back—and as versatile as ever.
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