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Wallabees and I go way back. I got my first pair when I was in college over twenty years ago. Two things about them appealed to me at the time:
- The unique, classy yet cozy look, like a slipper and a boot had a baby.
- The fact that the Wu Tang Clan was such a huge fan of the shoe, wearing it on album covers, rapping about it, and generally providing street cred to an unlikely recipient: British moccasin-style footwear.
I’ve since aspired to always have a pair in the rotation. And a couple decades later they are still the most laid back dressy shoe or the dressiest laid back shoe in my arsenal. They are absurdly comfy, add a little pizazz to any outfit, and still remain an all-time IYKYK shoe.
How did Clarks create such an icon? Read on to learn more about how the Wallabee has remained relevant for almost 60 years.
We like
- Unique moccasin style
- Looks great dressed up or dressed down
- Super comfortable style
- A pop culture icon
We don't like
- Crepe sole can get dirty
- Suede uppers don’t hold up well to the elements
History in the Making
Clarks has been around for over 200 years. The brand began in 1825 in England, when the Clark brothers used the cut-offs from sheepskin rugs at their tannery to make slippers. In the following years, they expanded their footwear lineup and continued to grow. Then, in 1950, Nathan Clark created the Desert Boot (another iconic style that I got married in – the Wallabee wouldn’t pass muster with the wife as a wedding shoe).
Lance Clark, the sixth generation of company proprietors, came up with the Wallabee in 1968. He was inspired by a moccasin created by a German shoe company. At first, the new style didn’t do well on its native soil. Yet it took off in the American counter-culture scene.
In the 1970s, the Wallabee became popular in the Jamaican dancehall scene. A decade later, Jamaican immigrants to New York City made the shoe a hit in the city’s burgeoning rap culture. The Wu Tang Clan then helped bring the shoe to the masses, rapping about it and donning it on album covers.
In the 90s the shoe finally came full circle, when bands like Oasis and The Verve started wearing Wallabees, causing them to gain popularity in England. And then they had a moment in the 2000s as the preferred shoe of Breaking Bad’s Walter White.
Clarks is still collaborating with fashion brands like Moncler and coming up with new iterations and special editions of the silhouette, like the Wallabee Lite. Remaining this relevant for almost 60 years is a testament to the shoe’s enduring style.
Versatility x Comfort = Icon
Part of what has kept Wallabees a cult favorite for multiple decades is their versatility.
Looking for a shoe that you can wear to work that won’t blend in with every other office shoe? Look no further. Pair Wallabees with chinos and a button down and they provide a touch of class. Some would argue that they even work as a wedding shoe (though as I learned, beware the groom that attempts it).
Looking for a casual weekend shoe that you can wear with jeans and a t-shirt? The moccasin style is easygoing without being underwhelming. In our modern age of wearing sneakers just about anywhere and everywhere, it’s nice to have an option that is more refined without being stuffy.
The fact that Wallabees can be dressed up or dressed down is part of their appeal. I wore them with sweatpants in college, and though I’ve since upgraded my pant game, I haven’t needed to upgrade my shoe game.
The Comfort King
Yet no style would last this long if it wasn’t also a pleasure to wear. Wallabees are beloved in part because they are such a comfortable shoe.
It all starts with the tubular construction. Each shoe is made from two pieces of suede that are stitched together. This provides a full wrap of leather around the foot, enveloping it in premium materials.
This upper is then attached to a crepe sole. The sole offers a firm and supportive ride, while providing enough give and flexibility for all day wear. It also provides solid grip, and is naturally water-repellant, so you can wear your Wallabees in a variety of conditions, though I wouldn’t splash around in too many puddles with them, as suede is vulnerable to stains.
A True Original
The Wallabee shows no signs of slowing down. It is the ultimate chameleon, providing a little accent on the outfits of multiple generations. And though every season can be Wallabee season, fall might be the optimal time for suede moccasins. So go ahead and pull the trigger on a pair of your own. Whether you are lounging, dining out, or taking a stroll, you’ll have a hop in your step walking in the footsteps of legends in this iconic style.
