The Back To School Basics
Since 1966, Vans has had two feet planted firmly in skate and surf culture, and has grown to be equally revered in the worlds of action sports, music, art and street fashion. Vans are now synonymous with the effortless cool of Southern California style, and these are five of our most iconic silhouettes.
The laidback and comfortable Slip-On has been an emblem of skate and surf culture since its debut in 1977. From music festivals to movies, the black and white checkerboard Slip-On is immediately identifiable as a Vans signature, and was even Jeff Spicoli’s shoe of choice in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
It doesn’t get any more classic than this, and this shoe was named for a reason. The Authentic has been a Vans staple since the company was founded in 1966, and it has been worn by skaters and surfers ever since.
The Old Skool appeared on the scene in 1978, and was the first shoe to feature the now iconic Sidestripe. Drawn by company founder Paul Van Doren and originally dubbed the “jazz stripe,” the Sidestripe is Vans’ most enduring emblem of creativity.
The Sk8-Hi closely followed the Old Skool in 1978 and was the second design to show off a Sidestripe. Its style and above-the-ankle padding took skate shoes to the next level. In the decade since, the Sk8-Hi has since become a wear-everywhere staple and an enduring symbol of street culture.
