Forget stilettos and platforms: Scarlett Johansson's 'barefoot running' trainer hailed biggest shoe trend of the year

Fashionistas may cry out in disgust, but this year's most popular choice of footwear was neither a red carpet slipper nor even a chic street shoe.
According to Footwear News' Readers' Choice poll, it was none other than the not-really-a-shoe-at-all barefoot running sneaker.
Companies like Vibram FiveFingers are favoured by Hollywood beauties like Kate Hudson and  who work out regularly and keep fit by running.

Trendsetters:   running in Malibu in barefoot shoes (left) Anna Kendrick wears flatforms as she arrives to work on Twilight movie (right)

Readers of the trade title not only voted the five toed minimalist slippers the most influential footwear this year but also believed that next year would see an explosion in the trend. 

 For the most part the rest of the list reads like a throw back to the Nineties. 

TOP SHOE TRENDS OF 2011

• Barefoot/minimalism  (26 per cent)

• Vintage/Americana (18 per cent)

• Lightweight running (15 per cent)

• Espadrilles (10 per cent)

• Ladylike silhouettes (8 per cent)

• Color-blocking (8 per cent)

• Flatforms (8 per cent)

• Menswear-inspired looks (6 per cent)

• Other (1 per cent)

Espadrilles as worn by Lea Michele  and clumpy 'flatforms' beat even the wing tips, brogues and lace-ups in the popularity stakes.
Other trends included 'colour blocking' seen in both footwear and fashion.

Coming in second to the ugly duckling running shoes is 'vintage/Americana' that covers a range of footwear from the lace up worker's boot to the Converse All Star.  

Surprisingly, the ubiquitous platform sported so often by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Lady Gaga didn't even merit their own category.
In fact 'Ladylike silhouettes'  which most probably included platforms and stilettos made up only a feeble eight per cent of the vote.

The highly theatrical songstress joined royalty in the winners' circle by coming in second to Kate Middleton as a top five trendsetter of 2011 and also earned the credential, 'celebrity who should launch their own shoe line.'
At least we can breathe a sigh of relief that Jellies, Crocs and Uggs didn't make it on to the list.