Old School Shoes

I get shoe envy all the time mostly because I don’t hold my head high enough when I’m walking (yes, slouchy is my middle name…).  I would never guess that I would get shoe envy from looking at Clarks shoes though.  Especially the PROPER Clarks classics like the desert boot and the wallabee shoe.  I see guys dressing down the Clark classics like desert boots and wallabees in such a way that makes me wonder ‘Hmmm….I could do with a smart/casual shoe that’s a little rough around the edges for de-girlyfying outfits…’.  I have seen a few girls wearing wallabees with cute ankle socks and trapeze dresses and have shot similarly envious looks their way.  In the same way that I used to wear Converse with everything, perhaps I’m searching for my all-occasion shoe that will take me everywhere that will have little chance of looking too generic simply because lots of girls will turn their noses up at what are supposedly ‘Old People’s shoes’.      

(Outfits running through my mind seeing as the shoes have posessed my mind… dresses from selected from Intermix)

So when I surf onto the Clarks Originals site in my quest, the enticement grows…especially when I see these cream desert boots with crochet inserts.  I know I know…the point is to take the classic robust shape of a desert boot or wallabee shoe in rough suede or blasted leather (both finishes look great too…) and use them for maximum girly/masculine contrasting effect.  However, the lace ones are irresistable in the way that they’ve already done the job for me by combining girly and boyish into one shoe.  Knowing me, I’ll try both the easy and hard routes but my dad swears by the robustness of Clarks desert boots and wallabees so hopefully I’ll be rocking the more classic taupe suede ones with my granny-wear. 

Wallabees: 

Desert Boots:

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Categorized as Shoes

13 comments

  2. I like the idea…it reminds me of the movie Amelie since it’s fairly close to how the protagonist of that film wore her clothes- cardigans, sweet dresses and clumpy shoes.

  6. i love clark wallabees still. don’t wear them anymore but did for a long time. there’s a variation with a side-tie that’s really cute and a tiiny bit more feminine.

  7. *shiver*
    I hold a grudge against wallabees after being made wear them in school.
    The horror!
    The deser boots are groovay though.

  8. The desert boots mwah.., but the wallebees?.. ugh! Ugly, Ive seen other girls combine it and well it didnt look soooo bad, but still theyve looked better with other shoes on. Please susie, dont make that mistake; DO NOT BUY THEM!
    http://mrschocolate.blogspot.com

  9. Ooh! I’ve been wearing Wallabees since college. I generally hate closed toed shoes that aren’t at least 2 inches high, but these are great with jeans when it’s totally ridiculous to be wearing flip flops, peep toes, and/or strappies.
    I know they look funny in pictures, but if paired with the right jeans, they complete a cute fall/wintery look without looking too “booty” or athletic.

  10. a lot of girls in hong kong were wearing wallabees with their ouffits a couple of years ago. just the way that susie describes it. it’s not a new concept…
    but they do look a bit silly if the wearer has short legs…

  11. Jessica, I wasn’t implying it was a new concept…just that my hankering for it has been rejuvenated….
    But yes, you’re right….short legs and wallabees isn’t the most flattering thing in the world but does illict the oh-so-cute thing especially when worn with knee high socks and above the knee skirts…
    I’m def. sold on the desert boots…will try and nab a pair in the sale… I’ll hold back on the wallabees though perhaps…

  13. i’m from the netherlands and i think it are very ugly shoes but it can be fun with a little dress and pants. You can try!

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