Strutting down the street with an unmissable swagger, a pep in each step, often boils down to just two things: a killer track and great shoes. The way songs electrify the body, causing a spark that extends from head to toe, is a feeling that musicians and diehard music lovers alike often reflect in their choice of footwear. Their go-tos imbue a cool factor and make a statement. They convey a sense of self. And few styles express personality as strongly across a variety of music genres as the new Premium Old Skool Music Collection from Vans.
Indeed, the Old Skool, introduced in the late ’70s, was Vans’ first skate shoe to debut the “Jazz Stripe”, now known as the famous Sidestripe. What started as a random doodle by Paul Van Doren has become the unmistakable hallmark of the Vans brand. The original Old Skool also incorporated leather panels for increased durability. Initially released as the Vans Style 36, the sneaker would eventually serve as a blank canvas, attracting a diverse, discerning, and loyal fan base that began to customize their own pairs—particularly in underground music scenes.
Over the following decades, the Old Skool garnered icon status. Everyone from pro skaters and surfers to hypebeasts and Hollywood’s A-listers own several pairs as a means of self-expression. But it is the music world that continues to raise the sneaker’s profile from the past to present. Punk and hardcore rockers have burst on stage in Old Skool kicks. Some of the coolest hip-hop artists in history have made them part of their MO. And the boisterous bands that played tours in the Y2K era are deep-dyed devotees.
All of which goes to show that the Old Skool is the epitome of versatility, a shoe that breaks through culture barriers, a symbol of unbridled individuality and nonconformity. “With roots deep in skateboarding and punk music, its unapologetic attitude endures. Its style evolution consistently defies norms, notably during the 2010s when women paired them with dresses, redefining fashion trends. Today, as women continually redefine style and amplify individuality, the Old Skool remains an outstanding statement piece”, says Mira Bourdon, Director Global Product Merchandising – Lifestyle Footwear at Vans. As Mira observes, it is both symbolically and literally perfect for self-expression.
To highlight the evolution of the Old Skool and its lasting influence on music and skate culture, Vans recently held a Global Media Summit and experience in Los Angeles, where the brand celebrated the new Premium Old Skool Music Collection: three eye-catching versions, each representing a musical era that helped put the sneaker on the proverbial map. The Premium Old Skool Music Collection features limited prints and colors inspired by defining eras of the Old Skool in music, all in a Vans Premium build with enhanced cushioning, improved fit and archival design details. Check them each out below, and then make sure to get hands on the one that fits your vibe.
Punk/Hardcore
The Paranoyds for the Premium Old Skool Music Collection
Punk and hardcore is raw, wild, and wonderful. The sounds are empowered and powerful. Sets are bold and in your face. And representing this magnetism and ferocity is bold leopard print and standout solids of the Premium Old Skool.
Y2K Concert Era Inspo
Voice of Baceprot for the Premium Old Skool Music Collection
Picture an open-air arena—the crowd energized, ready to jump, bob their heads, and jam to a lineup of the latest and greatest bands in pop punk, alt rock, and metalcore. There’s a heat, an intensity in the air. The overall vibe is magnetic. You must be at the annual traveling music festival that dominated the Y2K era. It’s a scene that is personified to a T by classic checkerboard, two tones and flame print versions of the Premium Old Skool.
Indie Hip-Hop
HiTech for the Premium Old Skool Music Collection
The turntables are on fire, churning out rhythmic beats that are smooth and steady. The MC adds spoken-word into the mix, building a sound that is as cool as it is commanding. It’s hip-hop, and the scene is lively. The vibrations fill the room, pulling breakdancing b-boys to the center. Their moves are slick, sporty, and pronounced—all characteristics captured by the blue and colorful versions of the Premium Old Skool, which also features gum soles.
