Vans Authentic Canvas True Black Trainers
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DRAWING THE LINE: Vans, Vans and more Vans
Waffle-soles are all well and good; in fact, they're positively iconic — but what sets each silhouette apart? Fortunately, if there's one thing that TOWER does well, it's separating the yes from the no, the yin from the yang... the Old Skools, from the Slip Ons and Sk8 Hi!
Vans: a Californian original
Founded by Paul Van Doren and brother Jim alongside partners Gordon Lee and Serge Delia in 1966, Anaheim was the birthplace of California's revolutionary footwear brand. From there, the brand grew and grew...
Quick to move from function to fashion, Vans became both a performance staple for board sports and a cultural touchstone — seen on skate ramps, in music scenes and on city streets around the world.
The icons
Just three years before TOWER opened its doors to London’s footwear family, VANS introduced the Style No.98 - a laceless, simple trainer that gave wearers everything they needed beneath that iconic waffle sole.
Today, we know it as the VANS Slip-On, one of many core styles now available in-store and online at tower-london.com. Its simple, laceless design has made it a wardrobe staple for decades.
Effortless and adaptable, the Slip‑On’s clean profile — often seen in checkerboard and seasonal prints — helped it leap from subculture favourite to mainstream must-have.
Having been introduced one year after its low-cut, laceless counterpart, the VANS Sk8-Hi took skate-shoe functionality and made it suitable for day-to-day wear, filling a market left by the classically styled Slip-On.
Now you can rock your favourite high-top with a little more sole by lacing up VANS platformed Sk8-Hi — or keep it simple by slipping into another pair of your all-time favourites. Its padded ankle collar and durable construction made it a favourite among skaters and style-conscious wearers alike.
The Sk8‑Hi balances protection and style, and seasonal reinterpretations — from platform soles to monochrome colourways — keep the silhouette fresh while staying true to its skate roots.
New-school styling with Old Skool footwear: VANS’ vulcanised soles are a perfect example of timeless design.
Launched as VANS' first skate shoe to feature leather panels, the Old Skool evolved into a canvas for founder Paul Van Doren’s ‘jazz stripe’ — a doodle that later became the brand’s signature. Decades on, it's as relevant as ever — a go-to for anyone after classic skatewear with enduring appeal.
Worn with everything from denim to tailoring, the Old Skool proves skatewear can be sartorial without losing its edge — a signature silhouette that bridges subculture with mainstream style.
These three silhouettes map the story of Vans' ascent: simple, functional design that evolved into cultural shorthand. At TOWER we celebrate that legacy, stocking the canonical choices alongside seasonal takes that keep the brand modern and relevant.
Shop Vans at TOWER
Vans Authentic Canvas True Black Trainers
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Vans Authentic Black / White Canvas Trainers
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Vans SK8 Hi Black / White Trainers
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