We Didn't See This Must-Buy Coming . . .

Throughout my shopping past, there have been certain bags, shoes, or dresses I've laid eyes on and knew, instantly, that I was in love. Whether that was followed up by an impulsive swipe of the credit card or simply months or yearning and/or saving depended on my bank account and more.

Conversely, there have been some items I've initially encountered and wrote off as not for me, only to come creeping back a few months later singing a different tune and thinking I might just need to make it official. That's exactly what happened with knee-high gladiator sandals. When they first showed up on the scene, something about the height felt off, and I stayed away, rocking my leather no higher than the ankle bone. It kind of felt like a done deal, too, until this year's festival style [1] brought two fabulous pictures of pretty-perfect Spring outfits where the women made micromini hemlines work, thanks to flat sandals that extended to the knee. Just like that, I was scouring the web for the perfect pair for formerly unbelieving me.

Source: Getty [2] and Angela Pham/BFAnyc.com [3]

Festival Fashion: Knee-High Gladiator Sandals

Spotted at Coachella, Melodie Monrose wore her tawny-colored flats with a white slip dress and denim shirt knotted at the waist. The look is sexy but practical, too, since she was spending the majority of her day in scorching hot desert sun.

The vibe of the sandals themselves can be rather fierce (ahem, they're called gladiators after all), but by juxtaposing them against something softer, they feel fit for a very chic lady.

Festival Fashion: Knee-High Gladiator Sandals

This snap might've been one of the very best from all the festival street style we've seen so far [4]. By extending over the knee, the sandals are definitely aggressive, and cutoffs or microshorts wouldn't have felt nearly as sweet as the minidress she selected.

The pattern and color both have a retro feel that's adorable for Spring. It goes to show that it's always worth thinking outside the box when it comes to accessories; the normal finish for a boxy shift dress might be demure flats, but strong boots really take it up a notch.