The Wallabee. Iconic, classic, tacky, crepe-y, lovely, comfy...there are a plethora of words that seem apt to describe Clark's second most popular shoe (Desert Boots reign supreme). Curious styling matched with quality materials render the Walls, at least in my opinion, a perennial classic.
Introduced in 1965, the Wallabees have had many different connotations. My first exposure to the shoes was through early 20-somethings who wore beat to hell Walls that they'd has since 15 or 16. I became aware, however, of the fact that the shoes have been much more than marks of longevity. Experiencing a heyday in New York City during the 70's and 80's, the Wallabees are extremely, and I mean immensely, popular in Jamaica (a new book about the islands love affair with the shoe is set to come
out). Wu-tang Clan repped them in their prime, wearing the Walls in odd combinations of dual colors, with Ghostface serving as unofficial spokesman. Regardless of this funky amalgamation of cultures and subcultures that seem to adore the shoes, Clark's Wallabees have never truly "gone out of style".
So that brings us to the present. I personally have noticed a spike in popularity, particularly in fratty and preppy circles. Several of my friends have Wallabees that they wear, and on occasion we have Wallabee Wednesday. To me, the intrinsic beauty of the Walls is their versatility. Literally everyone, regardless of their sense of style, can pull of Wallabees. Wear them with shorts, wear them with pants, wear them in plaid, wear them in feudal banner colors; they all look good (the opinion on shorts seems to vary from person to person, I like the look, even though it's distinctly fratty). I've found that Wallabees weather nicely as well, and instead of looking ratty wind up appearing broken in, like you've earned your creases.
As if the look of the Walls wasn't enough, they are as comfortable as...well they're just really damn comfortable. The Wallabees I have are the boot style in sand suede. Typically, I wear them with pants, as any good man should. But earlier this week, I was feeling markedly fratty, and decided to indulge my inner GTH (pictured above I am wearing them with white Adidas socks, seersucker shorts and a white polo; open to opinion). The low tops, however, look much more natural with shorts (also pictured is one of my friends with the taupe brown low tops).
So what do you think of Wallabees? Multifaceted icon or odd looking fashion faux pas?
Introduced in 1965, the Wallabees have had many different connotations. My first exposure to the shoes was through early 20-somethings who wore beat to hell Walls that they'd has since 15 or 16. I became aware, however, of the fact that the shoes have been much more than marks of longevity. Experiencing a heyday in New York City during the 70's and 80's, the Wallabees are extremely, and I mean immensely, popular in Jamaica (a new book about the islands love affair with the shoe is set to comeout). Wu-tang Clan repped them in their prime, wearing the Walls in odd combinations of dual colors, with Ghostface serving as unofficial spokesman. Regardless of this funky amalgamation of cultures and subcultures that seem to adore the shoes, Clark's Wallabees have never truly "gone out of style".
So that brings us to the present. I personally have noticed a spike in popularity, particularly in fratty and preppy circles. Several of my friends have Wallabees that they wear, and on occasion we have Wallabee Wednesday. To me, the intrinsic beauty of the Walls is their versatility. Literally everyone, regardless of their sense of style, can pull of Wallabees. Wear them with shorts, wear them with pants, wear them in plaid, wear them in feudal banner colors; they all look good (the opinion on shorts seems to vary from person to person, I like the look, even though it's distinctly fratty). I've found that Wallabees weather nicely as well, and instead of looking ratty wind up appearing broken in, like you've earned your creases.
So what do you think of Wallabees? Multifaceted icon or odd looking fashion faux pas?
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