One thing fashion is not necessarily known for is practicality. Especially during the haute couture displays of Fashion Week, when the sky is the limit for designers' imaginations and the shoes models sport to walk the runway are equally as elevated, one doesn't see much emphasis placed on comfortable wearability.

During recent Fashion Weeks, however, one trend that literally hit the streets of New York, London, Paris and Milan was the sneaker. Some of the most stylish women and men in the industry were sporting tennies as they rushed to runway shows. It's the ways in which they wear them that make these sneaks chic.

Images by InDigital

Here are some of our favorite styles and street-style shots paired with shoes you can shop now.

Real running shoes showed up surprisingly often on the streets of the fashion cities. It's a styling feat (yes, and styling feet) to make track shoes work with designer duds, but a segment of ladies and gents were able to execute on it. Modern athletic shoes incorporate design elements like prints, patterned weaves, trending colorways and accent fabrics. So not only do they cushion soles while you make tracks, but they come in a wide variety of styles to complement trousers, dresses and skirts. Maybe just skip the tube socks.

SHOP: athletic shoes

A crisp classic, the Converse Chuck Taylor® provides a sturdy foundation for a surprising variety of outfits. As cool with jeans and wide-leg trousers as they are tomboyish with dresses, there is a reason this sneaker has been around since the All Star® version originated in 1917. Each season, Converse rolls out the shoe in new colors or prints, while always maintaining the tried-and-true construction.

SHOP: Converse
SHOP: adidas SHOP: Vans

adidas might as well be the official sneaker of off-duty models and busy Fashion Week editors. Both Superstars and Stan Smiths are perhaps more ubiquitous than that season's it-bags on the fashionable ladies who hang outside the shows. Another sneaker classic, adidas' trainers also undergo seasonal refreshes, but the traditional all-white, navy-striped or green-trimmed combos still seem to be the preferred versions.

SHOP: Pop-In@Nordstrom x Vans

Vans are another popular sneaker at Fashion Week, especially among off-duty models. Most popular-or most snapped by the paparazzi-are the SK8-Hi high top sneakers and the checkered slip-on style. Vans shoes were first created fifty years ago in California to help boaters grip the surface of their ships. Their sticky soles soon caught on with the local skate community. Since the '90s, the shoes have been popular with skaters and concert goers. Still a signal of youth culture, you'll spot the shoes on streetwear enthusiasts during the Fashion Weeks.

SHOP: Designer sneakers SHOP: all sneakers

Looking for an authentic fashion take on this old sole? Our latest Pop-In@Nordstrom features the latest interpretations of this classic including several rendered by Nordstrom VP of Creative Projects Olivia Kim.

Many designer labels are also getting into the rubber sole business. Sneakers aren't too pedestrian for storied fashion houses like Givenchy, Prada and Balenciaga. The universal rule among these different labels seems to be to break all of them: metallic leathers, platform soles, beads, fur, studs and sequins adorn crazy constructions that diverge freely from their athletic forerunners. Is irony the intent in the elaborate embellishments on what's usually functional footwear? Perhaps initially, but now designing tennies seems to open the door to creativity and play in an industry that admittedly can take itself too seriously.

-Britt Olson