The Iconic Shoe that Brought our Sidestripe to Life: This is the Old Skool The Old Skool was our first footwear design to showcase the famous Vans Sidestripe—although back then, it was just a simple doodle drawn by founder Paul Van Doren. Since its debut in 1977, this low-top silhouette has established itself as an icon in the skate, music, and fashion scenes. Consistently the go-to shoe for creatives who do things their own way, this Old Skool can stand up to whatever you throw at it, thanks to the addition of Cordura fabrics that are resistant to abrasions, tearing, and scuffs.