If we can point out one prominent style shift this year, it’s that comfort became key. Thanks to Elin Kling hitting the streets in pajama pants and Alexa Chung attending major fashion events in flats, stylish fans were given the sartorial green light to rock whatever felt good, without apologies. This newfound freedom eventually led to the fashion girl’s fling with the sneaker, which street-style photographer Tommy Ton selected as the most surprising trend of 2011.

"After years of towering around in sky-high heels, it was only a matter of time before fashion insiders came back down to earth and slipped into something more comfortable," Ton tells Style.com. "Embraced by tastemaker Phoebe Philo as she makes her Celine bows and also seen in countless editorials, the sneaker has become the shoe of choice."

As for the rest of Ton’s list of best off-runway fashion statements, the biggest trend was color, Hanneli Mustaparta‘s toned abs gave us the best reason to hit the gym, the best signature pose came from Natalie Joos, and Kate Lanphear wore the most lethal accessory, which was a double claw ring by Dominic Jones. See the rest here. 

Photo: Tommy Ton