Watching the perfectly-preened peacocks at Fashion Week has become quite a predictable slideshow of attendees and social media influencers, all decked out in a wardrobe of standard issue It fashion items of the season. But judging from the most arresting snapshots of attendees at the ongoing Fashion Week, there seems to be a footwear movement that’s a leg up from the norm. These girls really made it work (cough, cough).

You could call this one giant leap forward for heavy duty footwear: Workwear boots, construction boots, Jarhead boots and Timberlands outdoor boots (the actual hiking ones, not those heeled versions Beyonce wore circa her Destiny’s Child days) stood out among the sea of booties, heels and thigh-high boots for these women who are still braving the winter chill.

As unfeminine and clunky as these shoes are, the trend picks off from where the ugly shoe and ‘Frankensneaker’ left off. Their tough and “I-mean-business” appearance delightfully goes well with anything from mannish ensembles, rock-chick getups and the model-off-duty uniform.

Incidentally, the movement segues nicely to the Pre-Fall ’18 trend where the heavy duty shoes anchor looks from brands like Sacai, MSGM and Gucci. At the latter, the designs, inspired by trekking shoes, help complete its signature fashion magpie look, while MSGM pairs the boots with voluminous skirts and a ’50s-inflicted wardrobe. For a primer to the style, we suss out some of our favourite picks in stores now.