Jessica Karl, Columnist

Can I Still Wear Sneakers to Work?

Loafers, riding boots and Mary Janes are gaining in popularity while sports-inspired shoes are fading in fashion.

Slobby chic?

Photographer: Andres Kudacki/Bloomberg

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You can always tell it’s January by looking down — not at the salt on the sidewalk, but at everyone’s feet. Or, so, that’s what my mom used to say during our annual mother-daughter shopping trip to the city. The next time you go out, you may be surprised to see that many people’s shoes are conspicuously free of street grime and slush stains. Why? Well, we’re sporting the fresh-out-of-the-box shoes we got for the holidays. Just look at the unscuffed mustard-yellow kicks of your humble newsletter writer, who — disclaimer! — is not getting paid to share her sartorial choices, but will do so anyway out of the kindness of her heart.