I'm usually pretty impartial about new fashion trends unless I really love something. But, this upcoming trend…shin guards “stylishly” affixed to your heels and flats...what would you call this? "Shin guard chic?" It's pretty outrageous, in my opinion. I'm can’t say I’m a fan.  But as the folks at Trend de la Creme noted, the shin guard is in!

shoes by Posso the Spat

Legwarmers, strappy gladiator sandals, and fringe cowgirl boots are three leg-high styles that were widely embraced. We learned what we could wear with them -- mini skirts, skinny jeans, and mini dresses, respectively. But, what will we wear with shin guards? Lacrosse cleats? Hockey mitts?

Sports jokes aside, it appears that shin-guard-like pieces will be affixed to currently common shoe styles including platform wedges, gladiator heels, and flats. This style will probably be worn with close-fitting or leg-baring garments such as sporty mini dresses, oversized shirt dresses, and even skinny jeans, which don’t seem to be leaving the scene any time soon.

This shin guard trend is new. So new, in fact, that it has only appeared on Resort 2009 couture runways thus far. These runway photos are proof that fashionable chin guards are on their way in and are not just a figment of my style imagination (or nightmares).

Jean Paul Gaul Gaultier, Bernadette Pencov

I’m curious to know what you fashion junkies and/or sports fans think about this upcoming fashion trend. Whether or not shin guard shoes will make Spring/Summer 2009 Ready-to-Wear collections, time will tell. If they do, and trickle down to your local Saks or even Macy’s stores, would you wear them?

Photos from Trend de la Creme