Could Chanel Be The Key To Reviving Gladiator Sandals?

This time last summer, there were signs that the heeled, knee-length gladiator was on route to a comeback. Kylie and Kendall Jenner caused a Google search spike for the style, despite their obvious practical drawbacks – how do they stay up? Do you need a team to help you get in and out of them?

To most of us, a Jenner wearing a certain look is not reason enough to buy especially when the aforementioned style is likely to cut off your blood circulation and prompt Russell Crowe comparisons. But there was more to come. Rihanna wore a DSquared2 pair to the Met Gala this weekend, which apparently took her an hour to get on. Again, probably not enough for the majority of adult women to invest.

Then came yesterday's Chanel cruise show, inspired by ancient Greece. Once again, humankind's oldest footwear was wheeled out. They wove up the toned calves of models in colourful shades of yellow, blue, orange and pink. Their block heels were created in the image of ancient Greek columns, complete with signature scrolls.

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The unarguable fact is these are not easy to wear – they required lean, toned calves that have preferably seen sunshine in recent weeks. They also demand time – you'll need lots of it in order to artfully tie them up your legs with enough even space in between the latticework to ensure they stay up. People will also tell you that they're perfect holiday sandals. This isn't true – anyone who has seen or experienced the tan lines or indeed sunburn caused by what resembles a butcher's twine grid will attest to that. The irony in all this is that they're supposed to give off an air of bohemian breeziness, but when in fact they're more complicated than most kinetic architecture.

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The positives? There is something of the Amazonian and battle-ready about them akin to Xena the Warrior Princess. Kate Moss looked great in them, as did Sienna Miller both of whom channeled their inner Grecian goddess back in 2008. Patti Boyd proved their alleged carefree appeal when she wafted round 60s California in a purple suede pair.

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Will Chanel be enough to make us invest? Instagram-ready these shoes may be, but the proof will come this summer when the social media holiday snaps begin.

From: Harper's BAZAAR UK