Squeaky clean sneakers may just be a thing of the past.
Sold out in less than 24 hours, Vans’ new sneaker features a pre-worn style with muddled coloring, tweed fringe detailing, and laces and soles that appear dirty – though they are brand new. The Premium Old Skool Shoe in Souvenir Warm Brown went live on the Vans website late July 30 and by the next day, the sneakers were already sold out. The Vans website, as of July 31, states that 118 people had purchased the sneakers.
Originally $125, the limited-edition sneakers are now available for between $500 to $1,600 on eBay.
Here’s what we know about the Premium Old Skool Shoe and what Vans fans think about them.
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The canvas of the low-top skate sneakers appears spraypainted with brown leather overlays. The sneakers feature multicolored tweed strip detailing and Vans-themed pins on the sides for “bag-like embellishment.” The laces are a dark, off-white and the white soles appear dirty, though they are brand new.
The sneakers appear to be inspired by Chanel’s On the Pavement messenger bag, a part of the designer’s Graffiti Collection, first introduced in 2014. The messenger bag, which is only available for high-dollar resale prices online, features the same spraypainted, muddled brown coloring, multicolored tweed detailing, vintage-style pins and overall distressed apperance. A version of the messenger bag is available on the Sotheby’s website for $15,150.
Vans brushed off comparisons in a statement to USA TODAY, saying the shoes were rooted in its creative branding.
What are people saying?
On Instagram, some of the comments on a vague Vans Instagram post promoting the sneaker’s launch July 30, criticized the shoe’s design.
“I want ’em and get the reference. Very good creative direction, but take one step back and they do lowkey look like barf,” one Instagram user commented on the Vans’ post.
Other creators and social media users are upset that the shoes were sold in such a limited run, with the sneakers going live on the Vans’ website, and available in some retail stores, ahead of the date and time Vans promoted on social media – 9 a.m. ET on July 31.
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Vans in its statement told USA TODAY that the official launch of the sneaker was July 31.
The pre-worn trend
Vans is certainly not the first brand to tap into the pre-worn style. Actually, Golden Goose is known for the trend, releasing its popular line of distressed sneakers in 2007, which continue to dominate the “pre-worn” market. Golden Goose’s top-selling Super-Star sneaker, which sports a “dirty, scuffed” sole, is nearly $600.
In 2021, New Balance released its “Protection Pack,” a line of sneakers that appear to have torn fabric. Last year, Puma released a collaborative sneaker with A$AP Rocky called “Inhale Distressed.” The $130 sneakers, now sold out, came in a grungy box and appeared covered in grease.
And earlier this year, Nike released its Air Force 1 Low in “Dirty Triple White.” The $130 sneakers appear dirty, creased and scuffed despite being brand new.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Distressed Vans ‘Old Skool’ sneaker sells out before official launch
