Vans

OOOOh a whole shop dedicated to Vans shoes and clothes! My inner teenage skater girl wanders in and before I know it I’m looking at black trainers with flames on and T-​shirts with ‘vans’ in big letters across the front. I am brought back to the present when a girl working in the shop asks me if I’m looking for anything in particular or just browsing. I then realise where I am and confirm the ‘just browsing’ option.
If you’re a current fan of Vans for the style or the skating element then this is your heaven. There is a wall of shoes selling maybe every type of Van shoe style and design. There are a few racks of casual clothes of the latest fashions — checked shirts — and classics that never go out of fashion — jeans.
I would be more enamoured with this shop if it weren’t so expensive! It seems a bit strange that the grubby skater look has such a price on it these days. The shop is in a really nice part of town too, near the Victoria Quarter. I can’t see many genuine teenage boys (from Leeds) who are into skating going in here and spending their pocket money but maybe I’m out of touch with this market as the downstairs section is dedicated to skating.

When I hear Vans, I instantly think about my emo days where I wore two studded belts, the skinniest skinny jeans and skateboarding t-​shirts. Vans were the Mecca of all shops to me, however these days I’m glad to say I’m out of that phase, thank god.
I did however venture into Vans not long ago and was surprised to see how the company, clothes wise has progressed. Of course you’ve still got your typical Vans attire — plaid shirts, skateboard tees and high-​tops.
The first floor is mostly shoes and menswear. Prices here are more expensive but you’re paying for a well-​known brand that is established on good quality and long lasting materials. Upstairs is ladies wear with more shoes suited to ladies.
Everyone in this shop is very friendly and on cue to assist. The store surprisingly is quite small; I say surprisingly as from the outside it looks very grand and big. It’s situated just outside Victoria Quarter, the perfect location for any shop to thrive and for us to enjoy.