Gladiator sandals were all the rage last summer, and they’re back again this season – some in the classic style and some with the volume turned way up! For those of us who love a sturdy and flat summer sandal, gladiators have been an awesome trend – and I, for one, am so excited this year to see so many takes on this popular style.

Gladiators have inspired sandal designers across all of our brands to new heights! Popular because of their great look and super comfortable feel, these sandals work with everything from skinny jeans to floaty summer dresses and this year you can really take your gladiators to the next level.

Camper Twins Sernapa – Are you trying to find the stand out, funky look for this season? Well Camper is serving up some serious gladiator sandals in the form of their Twins Sernapa.

These babies combine the shape of the gladiator sandal with the trend of the “up front” and bring in a funky multi hued zebra like pattern. They’re made with a super soft leather upper and a leather sole with a rubber heel inset for impact control.

Comfortable and funky, Camper has delivered some high styling for the adventurous fashionista!

Pikolinos Formentera – Let’s move from funky to feminine with the Pikolinos Formentera. These gladiator sandals honor the shape of the traditional version and incorporate a beautiful and elegant flower detail that makes these sandals special. The use of the flower detailing, the double ankle strap and the very slight kitten heel shoe the detail for which Pikolinos are so famous.

Additionally, Pikolinos has been awarded for the environmentally friendly manner in which they produce their shoes using natural leathers and treatments, so while you look elegant and unique, you know you’ve also been good to the earth!

Nicole Daylight - The Nicole Daylight takes the gladiator sandal and gives it a more elegant and formal edge. The simple leather upper maintains the original roman styling, but the simplicity of the design adds a touch of elegance.

Embellished with a faux gem accent at the base of the T Strap makes them flirty and fun and you’ll be able to easily pair them with skinny jeans or your favorite little black dress.

Underfoot Melanie- Of course, we need to show you at least one of our gladiator sandals that have held on to the classic and simple styling so many of us love. The Underfoot Melanie is the quintessential gladiator sandal made with soft and supple leather upper and a textured foot bed for maximum comfort.

The low profile and clean design means they’ll be the perfect versatile sandal all summer. Like Pikolinos, Underfoot is another of our “green” brands so you can choose comfort and style with a clean environmental conscience.

As you can see, gladiator sandals are still a fabulous choice this spring and summer. You can be completely funky, super earthy or gorgeously elegant and no matter what you’ll be comfortable and super stylish. If you can’t choose just one gladiator personality, don’t despair, match your sandal to your mood or style for the day and be confident that PlanetShoes.com has brought you the most durable and comfortable sandal at the best possible value.

It’s become a well known fact that our new first lady Michelle Obama is a big fan of JCrew. Their signature style is elegant and preppy, but with a twist and this season their spring look book is all about traditional preppy shapes and silhouettes with a romantic and textured twist. This style is emblematic for the season as we see shoes debuting with prints, sculptural and artistic details and lots of color and texture.

Plenty of people are sticking with the basics to coordinate with this look which is why we’ve seen a huge surge in the sale of boat shoes! From our classically styled Earth boat shoes to the whimsical designs offered by Sperry Top Sider this year, the boat shoe works everywhere and with all the spring fashions. Here’s a little highlight of what we’re offering here at Planet Shoes!

Earth Origins Portside

The Earth Origins Portside is a classically styled boat shoe with a soft leather upper and ultra cushioned rubber sole that guarantees comfort all day and into the night. Not just super soft, the sole of this shoe is also designed to be lightweight so they won’t hinder you as you clamber all around a boat or anywhere on the shore.

Well designed with traction in mind and offered in four neutral color palettes this is a great preppy boat shoe offered at a terrific value.

Sperry Topsider Bahama

Looking for a little whimsy in your preppy wardrobe? The Sperry Top Sider Bahama is the perfect choice for you, integrating fun style with high quality materials and a design that has withstood the test of time. Sperry knows boat shoes like no other company and their vulcanized construction, cotton canvas materials and rust proof hardware; you know these shoes can withstand the salt and water associated with every great summer.

They have great traction no matter the conditions and in adorable plaid or whimsical sea horses you’ll have a shoe that lasts and fun fashion.

Rocket Dog Preppie

The Rocket Dog Preppie has the edge this spring with an update on the classic boat shoe. This shoe is really a flat with boat shoe styling made with a canvas upper and a solid and comfortable rubber platform.

The contrast stitching and slightly distressed edges are all Rocket Dog while the adorable lace tipped with the classic “Eastland Knot” pays homage to the most classic preppy look. If you like the idea of the boat shoe but you want one with a more modern feel, look at the two color options in this cute flat/boat shoe for this season!

If you want to embrace the preppy look for spring and summer make sure you have the right foundation with a great pair of boat shoes. Whether you favor capris, cute khaki shorts or light summer dresses, you’ll find a great boat shoe or flat here at Planet Shoes to complete your look. Don’t be afraid to have some fun – give serious consideration to those seahorses!

One of the hottest looks this season is shoes that incorporate prints. They could be graphic and brightly colored or more subtle but the mixing of prints and solids and various textures is hot hot hot! The results run the gamut from bright and bold to soft and romantic and some of our shoe brands have even managed to incorporate the print trend in really innovative and subtle ways. Enjoy this sampling of print shoes for spring and summer!

J Shoes Lucca

J Shoes really takes their footwear to a new level. Artistic in design and inspiration, the Lucca is a perfect example of this gorgeous trend. The bold black and white graphic print works beautifully with the canary yellow leather and the designers have put a lot of thought and work into the way these are put together – you’ll see it in the stitching, the yellow stripe up the heel and even in the sole of the shoe.

The wooden stacked heel finishes off the look of these intriguing and unique pumps. Pair them with a little black dress or something in a contrasting color for spring and summer and you’ll be sure to stand out in a crowd.

Poetic License Softer Side

If you like a more romantic and softer look, the Poetic License Softer side is the print shoe for you. The soft floral print is beautifully accented with three mesh rose buds and a gorgeous basket weave inspired wedge heel. The mixture of color and texture and the lovely print add up to a gorgeous, ultra feminine delight.

These Poetic License pumps are both sexy and romantically ladylike with a delicate peep toe and sling back style with pretty golden buckle. Perfect with sleek jeans or capris or a pretty summer dress, these Poetic License wedges are easy to fall in love with.

Sam and Libby Zees2

Looking for a cute print flat? The Sam and Libby Zees2 is an adorable ballet flat incorporating pretty prints and accenting them with sharp patent leather details. Ballet flats are perfect for spring and summer and can work with everything from jeans to your favorite suit.

Offered in three different print and color combinations and accented with a delicate bow, you’re sure to find one option that suits your summer wardrobe. I can’t decide between the pretty bright floral print and the adorable brown polka dot! As usual, Sam and Libby manage to offer an sweet shoe at an incredible value. Take advantage of this trend for a bargain!

Indigo by Clarks Souffle

Not everyone is ready for a shoe in a print because they aren’t as versatile as a solid colored shoe and Indigo by Clarks has the answer – these delightful peep toe flats incorporate printed fabric in the piping of an otherwise solid colored shoe.

This incorporates the print trend in a subtle way and anyone will enjoy the high quality materials and the thought that has gone into this shoe. The full grain leather and bold buckle complete the look and these shoes are as durable and comfortable as we’d expect from Clarks. Enjoy the print but in a classic shoe that will last you for many seasons to come!