So, I've hopped on the Vans Old Skool bandwagon, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. It might sound like an insignificant thing to admit to most, but it stems from a much more grandiose notion that if I buy into what society currently thinks is popular I've suddenly lost myself. 

I've found myself conflicted, and somewhat paralysed by this notion multiple times this year already. First with the rising popularity of Thrasher t-shirts, and now with these classic skate shoes. On one hand it seems pointless to even write about this internal conflict while so many real issues are happening around the world, but on the other hand, spilling my guts is cathartic. So here we go...

Somehow over the course of my twenties, it's become ingrained in me that buying into what society deems 'cool' is equivocal to failing. This likely stems from an obsession with Charles Bukowski and other writers with a similar vendetta towards the 'norm'. Or possibly results from an incessant need to be viewed as different. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Who's to say? Regardless of where it stems from, it's resulted in the avoidance of multiple Netflix series and countless fashion trends. No fun.

You see, I was so concerned with how others would perceive me if I bought into these trends that I no longer considered how I viewed myself. It's not as though I had never owned a pair of Vans before, hell this would be my second or third pair. But because I couldn't immediately convey that to others, I felt I would be judged. But today, I'm saying fuck it.

I copped these Old Skool Vans Classics in black at the newly opened NEON Stores on Queen St. West. And truthfully, it was this pseudo skate shop that reminded me why I wanted these shoes in the first place, regardless of whether the rest of society did as well. They brought me back to youth as a little skater chick who watched Viva La Bam and spent copious hours at the skatepark. 

So let them judge. From here on out, I'll move with the groove if, and when, it feels right – regardless of what others are going to say or think.

Shop The Look

Do you own a pair of Old Skool Vans Classics?
Let me know how you style them in the comment section below!

[*]SOME OF THE ITEMS FEATURED IN THIS POST HAVE BEEN SENT TO BRATTY B FOR PURPOSE OF REVIEW. ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED REFLECT MY OWN OPINION ON THE PRODUCT/SERVICE. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE SEE THE DISCLAIMER FOUND IN THE ABOUT ME SECTION.