Cole Haan Deandra Gladiator Sandals

From Ancient Rome to the modern shoreline, Cole Haan has brought Gladiator sandals into the present day with the Deandra.

Those Roman gladiators would recognize the strappy style, but I'll bet their shoes didn't have such a stylish finish. The snake embossing gives the leather a real modern flair. The gleaming silver buckles and rings bring some more contemporary personality to the design.

While Cole Haan's paid attention to the aesthetics, it hasn't forgotten about the functional details. The Deandra has just the slightest heel, ensuring the design's stylish but forgiving on our feet. The rubber sole is also ergonomically shaped to cushion and support our feet, whether we're pounding the pavement or walking on soft sand.

I must admit though, I have my misgivings about the appropriateness of this style for beach wear. It has a few more straps than most gladiator designs, and they're likely to make our feet sweat. The soft leather should ensure they don't painfully rub against our feet, but a more minimalist approach would have helped our feet breathe.

While the Deandra's not the perfect beach shoe, it's a pretty good all-rounder. The style will take us from the shore to a beachside café or club with ease. At $157.50 this pair of shoes is no bargain, but its versatility helps us justify the splurge.

Get these Cole Haan Deandra Sandals:

• Available to buy at Amazon
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