Throw in a toga and a sweaty Russell Crowe, and you're all set!

It seems the gladiator sandal craze has really taken off here in KL. I can't go anywhere without seeing at least three people wearing them! So how do you know for sure a fashion item has become the season's must-have? It's when you realise that no matter which flea market you go to, you're bound to come across at least one stall with a rack full of these popular stomps.

Image courtesy of Blush to Belts

I first had an inkling of what was to come when I caught a glimpse of these über-trendy sandals on one of my favorite shopblogs, back in late May.

Image courtesy of shopaholics unite!

As with every trend du jour, I immediately went to work on conducting a benchmarking exercise, seeking the professional opinion of every style-conscious mademoiselle I knew. And the verdict was unanimous.

"Chéri, gladiators are so in right now!" enthused a gal pal of mine, the widely-travelled Ms Globetrotter. "Very Spartacus."

"You don't think they make your calves look fat?" I asked, somewhat doubtfully.

"Of course they do, which is why I don't own a pair," Ms G smiled archly. "That doesn't mean I can't appreciate them."

She has a point. I mean, just because I know I'd look stumpy in gladiators doesn't make me like Steve Madden's take on the trend any less.

Image courtesy of Steve Madden

The beauty of this trend is it's not confined to just one style or color. Ankle length, knee-high, platform heeled, stilettoed - the options are pretty much only limited by where you choose to look for them. I came across these darling t-strap gladiator style heels the other day, in the color of the season, no less!

Image courtesy of Urban Original

I've heard a lot of nay-sayers claiming this is one trend very few can pull off. If we were talking about one particular style made for feet of all shapes and sizes, then yes, I'd be inclined to agree. But judging from evidence to the contrary, I think this is one trend, fly-by-night or otherwise, that I'd be quite happy to jump on the bandwagon for.

Final Verdict: Sign me up, baby!