One Day in Pompeii

I remember when I first learned about the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.  It was fourth grade, I think, and I was completely fascinated from the get-go.  When a guest visited the classroom and asked what we were learning, I gave a whole rundown of Pompeii, Herculaneum, dates, times, the whole shebang.  The guest replied with a slightly bewildered, “Wow.”  When I visited Pompeii on a high school summer trip, I think I literally skipped through the city, I was so happy to actually be there.  My friends thought I was suffering from heatstroke.

I am a nerd.

But you can see why I’m excited about the One Day in Pompeii exhibit at the Franklin Institute!  It’s got wall frescos and sculptures that adorned the homes, jewelry that adorned the people, and er, some of the people.  Some of the plaster casts even showed what that people were wearing.  I don’t know if shoes are included, but those Pompeians may have worn something like these on their last days.

The Break My Heart by Gentle Souls has a nubuck leather upper… straps and straps of golden nubuck!  (Or yellow, blue, gray, silver, black, or a second gold.  That’s right: if this gold is not quite right, there’s a second gold.)  It’s lined in soft deerskin and laces up the front… simple and beautiful.  Yours for $195 from Online Shoes.

The Plato-S by Steve Madden is a little tougher-looking than the first, what with the varying studs and the three buckles.  You don’t actually have to use the buckles since there’s a zipper, but zippers aren’t historically accurate.  Use the buckles if you want to feel like an ancient Italian.  Also available in brown; your choice for $80 from Zappos.

Aah, simplicity itself.  The Braided Gladiator Sandal by Fashion Lab is only a few strands of braided faux leather, but it would look so chic with, oh, pretty much any summer skirt or dress ever made.  A zipper up the back lets you in, and they’re also available in black or gold.  They’re all different prices, but the silver is $19 at Dr. Jays.

The Lightning Gladiator by Coconuts has all these interesting loops on its leather upper… the more I stare at it, the dizzier I get!  Also available in black or silver; your choice for $60 from DSW.

One Day in Pompeii runs through April 27—and it’s open 'til 9 PM Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays!  I do love that.  Evening admission alone is $18, but daytime admission is $27.50 (though you do get the rest of the museum in that as well).