New York Fashion Week's annual dead-of-winter occurrence has typically necessitated that attendees forsake body warmth and comfort in the name of style, whether in the form of a skin-baring skirt or barely-there stilettos. This year has been different--at least from what I saw in the footwear department. Super practical, old-school lace-up sneakers reigned off the catwalks. I spotted (above), , classic (below) as well as some inspired sleek sneaks by and (featured in the last image below). Chalk up this trend to the triple whammy of sidewalk snowdrifts, black ice and below-freezing temps (and let's not forget the imminent Nor'easter, A.K.A., Pax) beleaguering the city. The sneakers' unifying element is their simplicity, and despite their retro roots, they look fresh and new--a virtual style-180 from last year's neon, color-blocked varieties. This is a trend I'd be happy to wear all year round!

Photos: , , Pinterest