Grecian and Roman Trends for 2008
Greco-Roman Women's Fashion in Grecian Gowns & Gladiator Sandals
The current trend in Grecian dresses and Roman gladiators is hotting up this summer. This perfect partnership is about high-fashion, femininity and style.
This year it is time to go Grecian, as Greek gowns and Roman Toga dresses take on a new lease of life. With Ombré and 70s Tie Dye goddess gowns, and south of the ankles, a modern twist on the gladiator sandal, from pretty embellished flats, chunky platforms, to warrior-woman lace-ups.
Grecian Gowns
The trend first emerged on the runways last year, with celebrities such as Kate Blanchette and Katie Holmes clamoring for this elegant red carpet look. Designers Lanvin, Vera Wang and Donna Karan have proved a popular choice with celebrities in the goddess gown stakes, and in addition to the traditional drapey dresses, there are goddess-style wrap dresses which complement almost any figure.
There are flirty gladiator mini-dresses and elegant maxi Grecian gowns. Including strapless and one-should designs. According to Net-A-Porter, in their online magazine, “Grecian looks have returned in a myriad of mythical guises.”
Feminine draped dresses in the style of Grecian goddess gowns have been enthusiastically taken from the runways and into high-street stores. This season’s current craze in Ombré, a feminine, more sophisticated version of the tie dye, lends itself perfectly to flowing Grecian gowns, with its graduating colors and slimming styles.
The Appeal of Grecian Gowns
Part of the appeal of the Grecian and gladiator dress is their beautiful fluid fabrics in chiffon, satin and silk. They have put “Feminine” back into fashion this season. Soft, front draping is ideal for concealing a fatter tummy and big hips and will gently skim the stomach area, hiding those bits which you don't want on show!
Offset a feminine drapey dress with a structured box clutch and a pair of gladiator sandals. If you are short, avoid looking like a sack of potatoes in a Grecian style by adding high-heels, to lengthen your silhouette. Beware of one-shoulder asymmetrical styles if you don’t have the poise to carry them off. If you tend to walk more like a duck rather than a runway model then go for a strapless or two-shoulder style!
Hot Grecian Looks
Looks of the moment are Alberta Ferretti’s mythical chiffon toga-style dress (£855) and Vera Wang’s draped toga(£775). Runway looks in dramatic full length goddess gowns include Alberta Ferretti’s Mythology print gown (£2,020) and Rachel Roy’s Helena asymmetric gown (£615). All are currently featured at Net-a-Porter’s “Grecian for the night.”
Roman Gladiator Sandals
Gladiators are the perfect accompaniment to the elegant goddess dress, toughening up the look or making it even more feminine, with a pair of gladiator-style criss-cross flats.
From the runways of Balenciaga and Givenchy to the feet of Gwyneth Paltrow or Kate Moss, Gladiators are teamed with maxi dresses, minis, full-flow skirts and jeans and pants suits. This it shoe of the season has now mophed into so many variations, that according to Elle, style report “Gladiator Sandal Trend,” the stiletto suddenly feels like yesterdays news. No longer the traditional low-heeled, strappy leather sandal of Roman warriors. We are seeing four-inch high versions with colored laces, buckles and bows, such as Balenciaga’s knee-high boots or Givenchy’s chunky hardware.
Summer Sandals
The gladiator trend has influenced summer sandals, which are getting tougher and more ferocious by the minute, with wide-straps, chunky buckles and wedge heels. Burberry Prorsum do some multi-strapped warrior-woman style wedges, with 5inch- raffia heels (£295)
More feminine versions of the gladiator include Miu Miu’s coral patent and gold metallic leather straps (£235) or metallic criss cross lace ups (£180), a perfect accompaniment to a mini-length toga dress. These provide a welcome alternative ot the done-to-death ballet flat.
This summer even sees the emergence of the gladiator jelly-flat, Givenchy’s ferocious waterproof shoe (complete with logo) for the beach or swimming pool.
Gladiator Shoes for Fall 2008
Looking forward to fall fashion for 2008, the gladiator sandal morphs into shoe-boots, with heavy duty footwear for the cooler seasons. Christian Louboutins Sometimes shoe boots £430 and Marc Jacobs strappy flat boots (£240) are examples of what to expect this fall. Givenchy’s Fall 2008 ready-to-wear runway collection includes some heavy-duty gladiator over-the-ankle-boots and chunky metallic sandals.
