Willaby, Wallabee... - YouLookFab Forum

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Willaby, Wallabee...

CarolS

Veteran

Maybe I'm very slow to this, but I've been noticing Wallabee-type shoes at retail (the original from Clark's plus other brands - sometimes in colours or patterns).

For most of my life I wrote this off as the most uncool shoe ever. Probably right up there with Birks (which I now love).

So, question -- has anybody else noticed this style of shoe making an appearance? Angie, is this a trend, a fringe, a blip? Anybody wearing it, and if so, how are you styling it? Lovers? Haters? Indifferent?

Added a find to illustrate what I mean. And this article claims they are "cooler than ever" -- at least in Britain....

Clarks Wallabee Chukka

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36 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

Runcarla

Veteran

Possibly a fringe trend? Articles like the one you linked have been popping up for about a month, and some street stylers and bloggers have adopted the style.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I have seem some similar looking shoes lately

JAileen

Veteran

These were in at my high school in 1971. I had a pair and loved them. They were the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn.

CarolS

Veteran

Ah - thanks, Carla.

Seems they are having some kind of moment, Chewy!

Jaileen, they certainly have a reputation for comfort, which is always intriguing to my fussy feet.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yup. I've seen them -- they are definitely trending.

Indigoprint

Veteran

Me too. I did a double take!!

CarolS

Veteran

i don't know why this one takes me by surprise!

Sal

Veteran

Haha - these were huge at our high school too in the 1980s.

We called them Nomads (made by Clarks) but I see they are now called Wallabee's.

I had the Treks which had a seam down the middle and were chocolate brown.....

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rachylou

Veteran

I haven’t seen them trending in my area - they have always been the province of one or two ultra cool people in these parts. So always around but not in numbers.

CarolS

Veteran

Interesting, Sal. I've only ever known them as Wallabees.

I was aware of them in the past, but don't recall them being particularly trendy or popular in my school, anyway.

notsaf

Veteran

Yup, totally happening! I love them!

I'm pretty bummed I missed out on these this summer: https://loefflerrandall.com/pr.....a-pbl-ecru

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LJP

Veteran

Yes - certainly trending - though not at mass market yet . I think they’re great ! Ah , I shouldn’t say not at mass yet . I’m sure Zara has one , and Free People had them last year in interesting colours .

CarolS

Veteran

Well, notsaf, aren't those just the cutest things?! Sorry you missed out. How would you style them, if you don't mind me asking?

Rachy, I am so uncool that I did not know these were cool.

indigoprint -- right!?!?

CarolS

Veteran

Lisa, well, here I am slowly catching on...

Vildy

Veteran

Saw a lot of articles about them a year or two back but were for menswear.

DonnaF

Veteran

I also had Wallabees in the early ‘70s. But these (in the Find) are what I’ve had for the last year or two. Has a bit of a heel.

GOLO Maux Genuine Calf Hair Oxford

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notsaf

Veteran

I have lots of cropped wide legs that I wear in the summer almost exclusively, and often with white Birkenstocks, so I would have used these in the same way with heavier tops to take me into the first weeks of autumn. Also maybe with dresses + a denim jacket in the same season I could even see wearing them with longer pants if I could get the length right like the woman in the article you shared. I'd love to see if you try them!

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FRAME High Waist Raw Hem Crop Wide Leg Jeans

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Vildy

Veteran

Here they are on Prince Harry

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Anonymous

We call them chukkas around here

CarolS

Veteran

interesting, Nikki. I think of chukka boots as not having the raised seam.

CarolS

Veteran

Vildy -- those are similar, but the ones I'm seeing have the raised seam. I'd call those desert boots or chukkas, as Nikki called them.

Kate

Veteran

I love both chukka boots and Wallabees, and they may be just the ticket for the casual, hardwearing brown shoes I'm looking for.

Indigoprint

Veteran

They do go by different names. When I wore them they were chukas. But I am thinking wallabe could be more accurate. I have also known them as desert boots.
love the song reference takes me back.....

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks, notsaf. Those sounds like great ideas. I am intrigued.

CarolS

Veteran

The different names people use inspired me to do a bit more digging...

It seems both desert boots and wallabees are called chukka boots. At least on Nordrom's site they are. Wallabee chukkas and Desert chukkas.

Apparently "Desert boots fall into the category of chukka boots, so while all desert boots are chukka boots, not all chukka boots are desert boots. All chukkas are ankle length with a lace-up design, but what makes the desert boot different is its crepe rubber sole, which offers extra grip and added comfort."

I'm getting an education here.

Clarks Desert Chukka Boot

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Clarks Wallabee Chukka

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Sloper

Veteran

I also remember them well from the 70's - didn't own a pair, though.

And I also remember a fashion editorial in Vogue - 2007. Styled in a Moroccan location shoot. A memory worm for sure! I don't know if the idea went anywhere back in 2007 though.

Another similar idea I've recently seen on Instagram - felted wool booties with pompoms ("Valeshy").
https://www.instagram.com/oneofakind.la/

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yes I have noticed them online as well. Definitely a throwback.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Hmm interesting - I like desert/ chukka/ wallabee boots on guys (I feel they're a good in-between 'smart casual' shoe that plug a much-needed climate hole in menswear). I've seen it in that capacity a few times round here, though most guys seem to prefer 'true' laceup (i.e. combat) boots, like Palladiums.

On me, though? I always felt desert boots were just too 'floppy' (softly unstructured?) to look 'right' - like moccasins. Plus I try to avoid suede for practical purposes (rainfall).

I like the versions @notsaf & @DonnaF posted though - maybe because of the more 'structured' (chunky) soles?

CarolS

Veteran

Same, Zaeobi -- desert boots (non raised seams) are the ones I was most familiar with around here, and they were mostly on guys.

There are some interesting wallabees out there -- and not all suede anymore. I saw a quilted one that was intriguing, and there are some fun colours. I'm curious to give them a try on sometime and see how they feel -- the first test for any shoe - but I'm still working on deciding how I feel about the look for myself.

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