A Love Letter To Vans
Thank you to the most timeless shoe of all time.
When it comes to timelessness, there are many garments you can throw into the ring;
The white Oxford shirt
Grey sweatpants
Fisherman’s sweaters
Even with footwear, you could talk about a series of timeless classics;
Timbs
Chuck Taylors
even a pair of New Balance 990 could be considered timeless.
But despite all of the staples, there’s one shoe brand that is the pinnacle of timelessness
Introducing…
✨Vans✨
Nothing comes close to the effortless and coolness that Vans brings to the table. From a wardrobe staple for surfers and skaters in the 70s to a wardrobe staple for the fashionbros and ladybros (and literally everyone) today.
During peak doom scrolling algorithm times (2020-2021), Despite always being cool, Vans also hit their own peak thanks to the (then called) Vans Vault, where consumers were offered an array of collaborations and premium models that added a familiar, yet nuanced footwear option for their fit pics; however, this pop culture stardom can be traced back all the way to the 70s.
Thanks to fashion being a hamster wheel of trends, I’ve witnessed Vans blow up multiple times throughout my life, but never once have I seen Vans become… outdated.
How is this possible? Staying true to their roots? Maintaining classic silhouettes? Smart Collaborations?
The answer: All of it.
Very few brands are able to achieve such ethereal status on the hierarchy of footwear brands. It’s the shoe brand that doesn’t focus too much on their competitors. They stay in their own lane and enjoy life. I think a lot of that comes from their deep history in skating and surfing — it’s just about loving life, man.
From the 70s, all the way to the new millennium 20s, Vans have stayed true to their core models. Yes, they’ve introduced some new models along the way, but they don’t stand the test of time like a pair of Old Skools.
Famous Models
I want to start this segment by prefacing that there are a number of famous models in the Vans catalogue, but for the sake of time and words written, I’m going to put similar/adjacent pairs into the category. They don’t have any special names, but the models look fairly similar, and my points of discussion on the groups are fairly interchangeable.
Slip Ons:
Introduced in 1977, I don’t think you could find a more classic slip-on than Vans’ Slip-On model. While it is not the most popular of the trinity I’ll be talking about, they definitely have their place on the podium of timelessness. They’re sleek, understated, and easy to wear (stylistically and functionally). My experience with Slip Ons is fairly limited, but I did own a checkered pair in high school because I was into Ska music like all the cool kids were in the 2010s!… right? We all liked ska music back then, didn’t we…?
There was just one problem with my pair of Slips Ons… They were too big. For a lot of my teenage life where I thought I was still growing, but it turns out I wasn’t; I was buying size 12 shoes, thinking I would grow into them/thinking that was my size. Boy, was I wrong, and wearing the checkered Vans made me realise I was. This was also around the time when my parents still bought my clothes and shoes for school, so I had to wear them.
The only problem with wearing Slip Ons is that you look goofy if you buy a size too big— literally and figuratively.
If you do buy a pair of Slip Ons, please make sure that you buy your correct size, or even go down half a size.
Authentics / Era:
Both models are almost identical. The Eras model has extra padding around the ankle and an extra suede patch stitched to the heel. The Authentic is the Vans’ shoe. As in, the first model that they created. Later they introduced the Era model, which took a more functional approach to skating by having extra durability around the heel and extra padding for comfort/safety.
To be honest the Authentics are aesthetically more pleasing. Keeping an itty bitty model at its most minimalist phase makes it a classic.
Today, I think Authentics are the middle child of Vans’ catalogue, but like, the middle child of a famous family. Overlooked but still very nice.
I remember getting my first pair of Authentics. I think I was 15 at the time. They were burgundy uppers with black laces. In Australia, most people wore the core three— black, red, or blue— So having them made me feel like I was better than everyone else because I didn’t follow the pack… while still wearing the trendiest shoe…
Out of these two models, I actually owned a pair of Eras first. They were a taupe suede with blue canvas. I bought them while travelling in the US with my dad. They were a size too big and I wore them to Disneyland. I got them saturated on Splash Mountain. I then thought it would be a good idea to chuck them underneath the back windshield of our car to make them dry quicker, and they sizzled and remoulded in something otherworldly…
Today I would consider this silhouette group to be a very '‘ifykyk’ type of model. While they were heavily popularised in the early 2010s (aka swag era), they have since sat in the shadows of Vans’ most popular model, Old Skools.
Old Skools / Sk8-His
Ahh the creme de la creme. Piece de resistance. Old Skools. Your favourite Jawnz Enthusiast’s favourite jawn. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a soul say bad words about our beloved Old Skools (Yes, Sk8-His are here too, but don’t think about that too hard).
When you hear about the brand Vans, usually you’re going to think of a pair of Old Skools you had back in high school. Truly a work of art. The classic stripe. The shape. The comfort.
Also introduced in 1977, Old Skools took the skating culture by storm, and honestly, who can blame the bros? They look sick!
Both the Old Skools and Sk8-His hold vastly different shapes from the previous two groups. Featuring more panelling and more lace holes for a more secure lacing set up.
Not to brag, but I remember being the first kid at my skool to rock Old Skools. A new school year was approaching and I needed a new pair of shoes. I wanted Vans, but I didn’t want to go down the Authentics / Era route because everyone was still wearing them. So I subverted expectations and copped a pair of black Old Skools.
No one at school cared, but I thought they were sick. I wore them everywhere. The true definition of a beater sneaker.
Vans relevance to today.
Today, Vans don’t need to rely on flashy, fast trend cycles to stay relevant—they comfortably sit in the upper echelon of effortless swag. They’ve reached that rare status where the shoes speak for themselves, no hype machine required.
While I think there are plenty of stellar collaborations out there, I firmly believe Vans performs better with their inline gear. Don’t get me wrong, some collabs are fire—Vault drops, limited-edition artist pairs, the occasional Supreme link-up—but at the end of the day, nothing beats the classics. A clean pair of Old Skools, Authentics, or Sk8-His will outlast any trend and slide into almost any wardrobe.
The beauty of general release Vans is that they’re low-key but never boring. They age well, go with everything, and avoid that “trying too hard” vibe. Just make sure you’re copping the right ones—solid colourways, good materials, and maybe a premium line if you want that extra touch. They’ll do more for your rotation than any hyped-up drop ever could.
Vans Vault (RIP) / OTW / Premium / LX
It’s important to know that you can’t just buy any pair of Vans. you need to make sure you acquire the correct ones.
For Vans enthusiasts, the brand offers a more premium selection—often labelled LX (short for luxury, most likely). These pairs usually come with a slightly higher price tag, but here’s the thing: they’re not hard to find on sale if you keep an eye out. And when you do, it’s a steal for what you’re getting.
The difference is all in the build. The shape feels less flimsy, more structured, and just cleaner overall. The materials get an upgrade, too—think richer suedes, tougher canvas, and sturdier insoles. It’s like Vans but levelled up. The silhouette stays true to the classics, but the execution feels sharper and more polished. They don’t scream for attention; they just look right.
These premium versions used to fall under the Vans Vault line, which had that insider, “if you know, you know” vibe. Vault has since evolved into Vans OTW, but the quality remains top-tier. The cool part? Vans has made these premium models way more accessible now. You don’t have to hunt through niche boutiques—they’re popping up in regular retailers under the simple “Premium” tag.
Collaborations:
I know earlier I said Vans do better with their inline gear, but it doesn’t mean you can’t find some diamonds in the Vans Vault (now OTW)… idk if that joke lands.
JJJJound Old Skool (2017)
*Mariano sighs*
Yes, of course I’m going to talk about a JJJJound collab every chance I get! And I have spoken about the brand in the past so go give that a read.
As with most JJJJound products, it looks like your standard GR pair—but that’s exactly what makes it so spectacular. It’s not about being flashy; it’s about perfecting the basics. And, as I said before, I usually think Vans' inline pairs outshine the collabs, but this? This feels like the best of both worlds.
You get fresh, thoughtful colourways without losing what makes Vans so iconic. The shape, the materials, the vibe—it’s all intact, just dialled in with that signature JJJJound approved touch. Some people might look at this collab and wonder what the hype’s about because, yeah, it’s simple. But that’s the point. The appeal isn’t just in the shoe itself; it’s in the whole experience.
From the clean design to the minimal packaging and the curated shopping experience, JJJJound knows how to make something feel special without overdoing it. It’s less about chasing trends and more about appreciating the little things done right. And if that’s your vibe, this collab nails it.
below I’ve attached a video of the shopping experience people got when purchasing the collaboration
Notre x Vans Old Skools
Notre has done a number of collaborations with Vans, but this drop was the one that really put the partnership on my radar.
The standout detail for me? That reworked stripe with the handshake. It’s such a simple tweak, but it completely changes the vibe—turning an everyday sneaker into something that actually means something. It’s all about unity, no matter where you’re from or what you’re about. Just a clean, thoughtful design with a message behind it.
And let’s talk colourways—all four were nailed to perfection. I grabbed the red pair for myself and copped the blue ones for wifey. But if I’m being honest? I should’ve doubled back for the navy. I passed because I told myself, “You can get a blue and navy pair anywhere…” Classic case of overthinking. Present-day me would definitely tell past me to stop being an idiot and just stick to the classics.
Because, really, the blue and navy pairs just work. They’re timeless, versatile, and somehow feel more "Vans" than most Vans releases. They're the kind of shoes you reach for without thinking and never regret. Lesson learned.
If you’re reading this, I have a sneaking suspicion that you have a pair of vans collecting dust in the back of your closet, and that’s ok! I’ve been there. But I highly encourage you to piece them into your next fit.
Why can't they just bring back the elite colorways they produced for the authentic gum sole? That's what I want to know.
Still wishing I would’ve gotten the JJJJound vans 🥲