The Best Vans Old Skool Models, Ever
It became heavily associated with music as well as action sports, particularly rock, and later hip hop. Fashion-savvy rappers including A$AP Rocky and Kanye West are two of the style’s greatest musical proponents, while fellow lyricist Tyler The Creator has put his name to several collaborative pairs via his GOLF imprint.
The Old Skool’s fashion-icon status has been a long time in the making, but it really began to crystalise in the 2010s. The shoe became a firm favourite of fashion insiders, peaking when haute-streetwear visionary Virgil Abloh used the style as footwear for OFF-WHITE’s SS17 show.
What Makes The Vans Old Skool Great
The Vans Old Skool is the world’s most accessible piece of fashion footwear. A simple, suede and canvas kick that has skaters salivating and style columnists clamouring at its mere mention. It’s subtle, timeless and has remained relatively unchanged over the 40-plus years it’s been in production.
And why should it be altered? The Old Skool is a certifiable classic. A rudimentary skate shoe that has managed to infiltrate the world of high fashion, stopping off at the feet of all the most influential celebrities along the way.
That’s before we even get onto the Old Skool’s versatility. This is a true example of a piece of does-it-all footwear. Jeans, check. Tailored trousers, check. Joggers, check. Shorts, check. It would take an active effort to make this sneaker look bad, which is why it’s a must have for any stylish man.
How To Wear The Vans Old Skool
The Old Skool is restrained, clean and simple. These are qualities that make it straightforward to style. Even so, this is a casual shoe at heart, so it makes sense to wear it that way.
One thing to keep in mind is colour – the Old Skool comes in a varied palette and subdued options like black, white and blue are always going to be easier to style than neon pink or rainbow checkerboard. That said, if you have chosen to go for a more vibrant variation, just make sure nothing else in your outfit is competing for the spotlight. In other words, keep things simple.
