As the day ended, the most popular "casual" choice wasn't even a shoe. and pool sandals were the top-searched footwear of the year, proving that in 2017, luxury was as much about comfort as it was about the "flex". The Wildest, Weirdest, Most Wonderful Shoes of 2017 - Vogue

But 2017 wasn't just about athletic performance; it was the year of the "dad trainer." The had just stomped onto the scene, its oversized, chunky sole dividing opinions but ultimately defining the chunky sneaker trend. Nearby, fans of a sleeker look were sliding into Balenciaga Speed Trainers —those iconic sock-style sneakers that made it look like you were wearing nothing but high-tech knit and a rubber sole.

The year was 2017, and the streets felt like a high-fashion runway where the "ugly-chic" aesthetic had finally won. Walking through the city, you couldn't miss the dramatic shift in silhouettes; it was the year of being "extra".