Know When To Say When Pt. III

So Vane and Sebago get hammered, hooked up and I'll be damned if they didn't produce one hell of an ugly baby.  It's a shame too considering just how awesome this collaboration could have been - we're talking some of the most classic, cheap shoes that are pretty much perfect this time of year getting a slight tune up.  "Future Heritage", which is what they are calling the collaboration, is a term that conjures up both intrigue and fear in many people since such a phrase references both the concept of "reimagining" and "messing with what's proven".  This ultimately puts a ton of pressure on the brand(s) in terms of which way they take things and in this case I am inclined to feel the latter.

My problem isn't with the more "traditional" boat shoe models (though I wouldn't ever think of buying them for myself ) because I can see them working out for all the Kanye and Pharrell wannabees.  They are clean shoes that I'm sure will top off some denim quite nicely for the average streetwear dude - ain't no harm in giving those kids boat shoes they can get stoked on.  What I cannot even remotely fathom are the abominations seen below.  Everything about them is totally wrong and in the process destroys the heritage concept both brands set out to represent with the collaboration in the first place.  Discounting the patent leather all together these shoes bastardize multiple styles in a strange trying way to hard Frankenstein-ian manner.  Throwing a beef roll penny loafer strap on a lace up deck chukka is just plain ridiculous - not even counting the blatant lack of functionality, it just looks awkward as shit.   So yeah, I can't get down with this collaboration at all regardless of how much I like the two brands involved.  In aiming for the stars, and out doing all the other collaborations on the market, Vane and Sebago missed the mark...by a mile.  Save your money and buy yourself a pair of original Docksides - and skip the patent leather.  If this is the future of heritage I'm washing my hands clean and damn do I feel dirty.

-L.A.S