Vans is stealthily bringing back its top-selling shoe from the year, and it's sparking a buzz that's hard to ignore!
If you've been keeping an eye on the sneaker scene, you know that Vans – along with the entire vulcanized skate shoe market – is riding a wave of renewed popularity. These shoes, made with a special vulcanization process that fuses the sole directly to the upper for that iconic, flexible feel (think classic skateboarding vibes), are making a comeback. While Vans, owned by VF Corp., hasn't quite hit the explosive hype of its peak 2010s era just yet, standout drops like the Old Skool 'Souvenir' have injected some serious excitement into the brand. And now, the much-coveted original colorway of this style, which sold out fast, is getting a fresh restock from select stores.
Let's dive deeper: The Souvenir Vans Old Skool in its debut Warm Brown variant is hitting shelves again on Monday. Even though it's called Warm Brown due to the leather accents, the shoe's main hues are a faded green accented with colorful splatters. This design takes inspiration from Chanel's 'On the Pavements' Messenger bag from Karl Lagerfeld's spring 2015 'BoulevardChanel' collection – a chic, runway-ready piece that's all about blending high fashion with everyday wear.
Now, here's where it gets interesting, and maybe a bit controversial: Vans hasn't officially dubbed this an outright collaboration, and the brand hasn't publicly admitted to drawing from high-fashion roots. But former Vans designer Greg Betty spilled the beans, confirming the concept during his time as the lead for color and trends at OTW by Vans and Vans Premium. Betty, who also contributed to Bottega Veneta-inspired woven designs, has since moved on to a senior role in streetwear at Nike's Jordan Brand. It's fascinating how these influences trickle through the industry, isn't it? And this is the part most people miss – the subtle ways designer crossovers shape what we see on our feet, even if they're not shouted from the rooftops.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Nike is coincidentally launching its own Air Force 1 Low 'Bouclé' style soon, which some are comparing to the coveted Vans colorway. But with the lengthy timelines involved in sneaker development – often spanning years from idea to release – it's doubtful Nike directly copied Vans. Still, the similarities have got sneakerheads debating: Is this just parallel inspiration, or something more? It's a reminder of how trends can converge in unexpected ways across brands.
Vans didn't stop at the debut drop; they followed up with a deep burgundy version, and whispers suggest even more thematic twists are on the horizon for 2026. For those still chasing the original Souvenir Vans Old Skool, opportunity knocks soon. Sign-ups for Kith's raffle are live right now, and Lapstone & Hammer is running a Monday raffle from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. The price point? A reasonable $125.
What do you think – should brands like Vans be more upfront about their high-fashion nods, or is the mystery part of the fun? Do the Nike similarities change how you view these releases? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have your own take on this sneaker saga!
