Roman Revival

The red carpet IS certainly a long way from the amphitheaters of ancient Rome, where the most highly anticipated entertainment was the gladiator contests. As important as the games themselves—where thousands of boisterous spectators cheered on the gladiators—were the fighters' outfits, including their short-skirted armor and, most memorably, their distinctive sandals, often just a pair of leather soles strapped to the feet with leather guards to protect the shins. Back then, gladiator sandals served a practical purpose, but today—nearly 2,000 years later—they cater to a very different crowd, turning up at modern-day spectacles (think movie premieres and nightclub sorties) for purely sartorial purposes. In recent seasons, the fashion flock has adopted the tough footwear as its own form of armor. The style has proved an able antidote to a flowery dress for Sarah Jessica Parker and helped Mary-Kate Olsen bring the sky-high look of a miniskirt back down to earth. With many of the modern incarnations featuring weapon-like stiletto heels, they just may be better suited for combat than the originals.