Old Skool Shoe
The first Sidestripe Vans, and still the brand’s most universal sneaker shape.
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Story & heritage
Vans’ history names the Old Skool as Vans #36, debuting in 1977 with the now-famous Sidestripe. It was the brand’s first skate shoe to incorporate leather panels for increased durability, turning Paul Van Doren’s “jazz stripe” doodle into the company’s clearest visual signature.
That mix of low profile, side flash, and reinforced panels is why the Old Skool moves so easily from skate uniform to everyday fashion staple.
Materials & craft
The official black/white Old Skool combines suede and canvas uppers with a reinforced toe cap, supportive padded collar, and signature rubber waffle outsole.
The Sidestripe is not just decoration here: it breaks up the low-top shape and makes the black/white version instantly legible even from a distance.
How to choose & style
Black/white Old Skools anchor almost anything casual: baggy denim, pleated trousers, cargos, shorts, slip dresses, or oversized tailoring. Keep the rest relaxed and let the stripe do the branding.
