As we anticipate the coming of a new year, let's play a little game called "Which shoes trends would you like to see die?"
The game is so fun, you see -- you can pick Uggs, jellies, Crocs, gladiator sandals... the options are endless! We'd add those "five finger" barefoot running shoes to the mix, for looking utterly silly and also a bit painful for running over gravel.
Unfortunately, it seems Vibram FiveFingers and similar sock-like sneakers aren't going anywhere. Footwear News has released its "Readers' Choice: Hot Topics in Fashion" asking readers which shoe trends were biggest in 2011 and which will explode in 2012:
WHAT WAS THE MOST POPULAR TREND THIS YEAR?
26% Barefoot/minimalism
18% Vintage/Americana
15% Lightweight running
10% Espadrilles
8% Ladylike silhouettes
8% Color-blocking
8% Flatforms
6% Menswear-inspired looks
1% Other
And which of those trends will be biggest in 2012? Barefoot/minimalism, apparently.
To which we say: nooooo! We're pretty sure the only fans excited about the barefoot trend are hardcore workout nuts and Prince Harry, who picked himself up a pair in San Diego this year.
The overwhelming support for five-toe sneakers makes us doubt the poll -- who are these people and where is their fashion sense? But one thing gives us comfort: the readers voted Lady Gaga as the celebrity who should launch a shoe line.
Which would be awesome, obviously. To get a sense of what those shoes might look like, here's a quick look back at the shoes Lady Gaga wore this year. Read more of the Footwear News poll results at WWD.com.
