The humble Veldskoen an international trend

It certainly isn't uncommon to see the return of trends many years after we breathed a sigh of relief in the belief that we'd seen the last of the flowing kaftans and high waist trousers of the 70's or the big hair and jumpsuits of the 80's. Not that uncommon, either, you might argue to see clothes or shoes originally designed for their practical wearability - like cowboy boots, riding boots, jodhpurs and even overalls - to have their moment on the catwalk. I do wonder, however, how many South Africans would ever have foreseen the rise in popularity of the humble Veldskoen (fɛltskʊn) or vellies. 

Yes friends and fashion trendsters, the origin of those funky comfortable 'desert boots' find their humble beginnings in South Africa as the velskoen (later veldskoen) and have for the greater part of my life time, been reserved for dads, farmers and those likely to opt for two-tone shirts.

Nathan Clark may have popularised the 'desert boot' design, but these shoes have been around since before The Great Trek  (they are thought to find their origin withe Khoisan) and it's actually Shier Veldskoen, who hold the title of most popular brand. Amazing that this Swartkopmund based company has been going since 1938, but it's not surprising when you see how they have adapted their product to move with the times and current trends.

How cool are these guys in their veldskoen/desert boots? Copyright Shier Shoes.

I love the fun and funky homepage images, which have fun incorporating the brand's origin and location with current trends.  Shier shoes is perhaps not the company which immediately springs to mind when considering brand development, but it certainly will now be on my radar.

These hide vellies are great. I wonder if I can convince my father-in-law to donate his most recently acquired skin towards a pair of these for me? 

I know that his wife will be on board with anything shoe related.

Fashion facts to drop into casually drop into conversation over the weekend.

Hope it is a fabulous one.

Nikki, Alex and Nick (whose hunt for desert boots inspired this post.)

'Boet, it's vellies you're after and we can't wait to see them'.

x

This information is courtesy of the ever faithful Wikipedia. Thanks for satisfying my curiosity.