Women’s gladiator sandals are inspired by the footwear worn by ancient Roman warriors, characterized by their distinctive, cage-like strap design. The multiple straps crisscross over the feet and climb up to the ankle, mid-calf, or all the way up to the knees. From modern styles to vintage designs, there are many styles of women’s strappy sandals on Etsy, with gladiators being one of the top trends.