Fashion types are forking over big bucks for sneakers these days — Barney’s has the $995 Giuseppe Zanotti sneaker wedges, $795 Louboutin high-tops, $470 pre-distressed Golden Goose trainers and ubiquitous $730 Isabel Marant Burt sneakers to prove it. A glance at your surroundings in NYC’s coolest neighborhoods will prove the sneaker is back from its banishment to Equinox and New York Sports Clubs. What’s more, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Chanel, Moschino and more showed sneakers on the runway this past fashion month.
The good news is that sneakers are comfortable. The bad news: if you’re used to wearing heels, boots or flats, incorporating tennies into your non-workout wardrobe can be daunting. How does one wear running shoes to work without looking dowdy? Is it possible to pair trainers with jeans and not look like Danny Tanner? What does Karl Lagerfeld think? Click through this slideshow for some inspiration.