Vans blends hiking gear into the Old Skool skate shoe inspired by vintage Chanel handbag

Vans is dropping a new version of its popular Old Skool sneaker that takes design cues from a high-end Chanel handbag, according to fashion publication Hype Beast. The Old Skool 36 "Souvenir" features a unique spray-painted textile upper that combines different colors to create an aged, vintage appearance. Brown leather details cover the toe, heel, and eyestays, while light brown laces and a dirty off-white midsole complete the weathered look. The shoe also includes multicolored tweed material on the side stripe and tongue lining, giving it a luxury fashion feel.

What makes this release special are the Vans-themed pins that buyers can attach to the upper part of the shoe. Hype Beast reports that this design seems directly inspired by vintage Chanel bags, bringing high fashion elements to skateboard culture. The sneaker maintains the classic Old Skool shape that has been popular since 1977, but adds these premium materials and finishes. This release shows how Vans continues to experiment with new looks while keeping its core design unchanged.

The timing of this release comes as Vans appears to be testing new design directions beyond traditional skate culture, as noted by outdoor gear experts at Gear Patrol. The brand has been exploring different markets lately, including its Mountain Edition series that transforms classic sneakers for outdoor activities. However, the Old Skool 36 FM represents something different; it brings outdoor styling into city wear rather than making shoes for actual hiking or camping.

This version features breathable mesh-like cotton instead of solid canvas, plus rubberized eyestays that connect to the signature side stripe. The famous Vans side stripe itself gets an upgrade with 3D-injected synthetic material instead of regular leather. Gear Patrol explains that the shoe includes outdoor-inspired features like daisy-chain tongue webbing that keeps laces secure, plus a rubberized toe cap and heel for extra durability. Despite these outdoor-inspired elements, the sole design focuses on urban use rather than trail gripping, showing Vans' interest in blending different style worlds.

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Sneaker culture website Sole Retriever provides background on the inspiration behind this design, explaining how the Chanel connection runs deeper than just visual similarity. The original Chanel On The Pavement Messenger bag came from the brand's Spring/Summer 2015 collection as part of their graffiti series, which was unusual for the luxury house. That bag originally sold for around $4,400 but has reached prices as high as $15,000 in resale markets, showing its cultural impact.

The Vans version captures the washed, painted vintage look almost exactly, while the tweed jazz stripe mirrors the bag's premium materials. According to Sole Retriever, the burgundy interior lining copies the inside of the original Chanel bag, and the pre-worn vulcanized rubber sole adds to the vintage aesthetic. The vintage-style pins scattered across the shoe reference street culture and customization trends. This collaboration between luxury fashion inspiration and skateboard brand execution creates something unique in the sneaker market. The shoes will be available starting Thursday, July 31, through Vans online, with wider retail availability following on Friday, August 8, priced at $125 for all colorways.