Forever plaid
These? Yeah, they're killer aren't they?" says 24-year-old Dan Efran, showing off his Draven tartan plaid slip-ons at Herrell's in Allston. The sneakers are a tribute to the Sex Pistols, with the band's name on one shoe, and their classic "Pretty Vacant" on the other. Efran wears the look well, pairing the plaid kicks with jeans cut so thin that his legs resemble pipe cleaners. But he confesses over his chocolate pudding ice cream that he's never listened to the Sex Pistols.
"I just liked that they were slip-ons . . . and that they're plaid," he says.
The same 1980s revival that helped to usher striped sweater dresses, leggings, and eyeliner on willowy male rockers back into vogue is responsible for the return of another Reagan-era essential: The slip-on canvas shoe. Forever associated with Jeff Spicoli and Southern California skate and surf culture, the shoe was developed by Vans in 1979 and exploded in the early 1980s. Over the past two years, the slip-on has staged a serious comeback, and this fall the plaid that is dominating slip-ons has moved into laced sneakers as well.
"It's funny how they evolved," says Steve Mills, director of footwear for Vans. "We threw plaids we liked on a canvas shoe, and surprisingly they did well. They've done well every season. That's the thing about plaid. Unlike argyle or other prints, they're classics." -- CHRISTOPHER MUTHER
1. Gravis, Royale Mid
Tweedy British flannel meets the basketball court in Gravis's almost high tops, $95.
2. Gravis, lowdown in black plaid
Cozy and sophisticated wool slip-ons offer a classic perspective on the usual plaid, $55.
3.
Saucony adds just enough plaid to turn its classic running shoe into a fashion statement.
4. BC Footwear, Go Ahead Skulls
The subtle skull print lurking beneath the plaid on these demure and girlie skimmers adds a hint of danger, $35.
5. Vans for Marc Jacobs
The collaboration between the fashion guru and the skate sneaker maker is a plaid that works perfect with jeans, $85.
6. Vans, plaid #14
A limited edition, laced unisex sneaker that could work at the country club or the nightclub, $50.
7. Saucony Originals in desert palm
The Peabody-based Saucony updates its vintage Jazz with a splash of plaid.
8. PF Flyer Grounder Low
A playground-inspired look is updated in madras, $58.
9. Draven, Vacant slip-on
The tartan plaid slip on is a tribute to the Sex Pistols' 1977 classic "Pretty Vacant," $43.
