Vans is bringing back its Pearlized Old Skool 36, adding a new Fluoro Lime colourway to the series alongside the return of its Navy version.
The pearl detailing is familiar by now, but the latest colour combinations make the shoes hard to overlook.
The concept hasn’t changed much: pearls and crystal embellishments meet distressed uppers and worn-looking sidewalls. It’s an unusual combination, especially when paired with colours this bright. The shoes look dirty, but then you notice the pearls. It’s not exactly an elegant take on the Old Skool, and perhaps that’s what makes it work.
The colourways range from Fluoro Lime to Navy, with a particularly bold mix of green, red and blue. There’s also some monochrome versions for those who aren’t quite ready for all that colour at once. Although even the black-and-white pair has enough detailing to stand out against an everyday outfit.
The Pearlized Old Skool 36 continues Vans’ recent interest in giving its classic silhouettes a more decorative treatment. The same pearl and crystal details have appeared on other styles, including the Classic Slip-On, but the Old Skool remains one of the strongest versions of the idea. It’s not the first time Vans has played with the beauty of imperfection, either. In its OTW by Vans collaboration with Julian Klincewicz, the brand also explored worn-in aesthetics, turning signs of wear into part of the design itself.
The Fluoro Lime colourway drops on November 12, followed by the Navy restock on November 19. Black/Marshmallow arrives on November 27, with Red following on December 10. The releases will be available at Vans.com, selected Vans retail stores and wholesale partners.