The resurgence in Vans on many a catwalk and amongst the fashion great and good shouldn’t distract from the fact that the brand never went away. 

They have been making timeless casual footwear since 1966, and have been adopted by skaters in a mutual love affair since the 70s. 

Since then their appeal stretches far beyond skateparks and empty swimming pools, as the likes of the Old Skool, Sk8-Hi and Slip-Ons have achieved deserved ubiquity. 

This collab with legendary US store of power Opening Ceremony contains exceptional monochrome leather versions of the aforementioned Old Skool and Sk8-Hi .

I have plumped for the LX Sneaker as arguably the best of the bunch though. I must confess that I’m not sure where the name ‘Prison Issue’ came from, but assume that it may relates to the shape being similar to shoes issued in ‘The Big House.’ 

That said, I’d swiftly empty myself on a skateboard anyway save for my lack of jail credentials, so am hoping that these shouldn’t deter from such a sterling piece of footwear. 

The black is strong, but it’s this beige leather incarnation which is ticking all the boxes for me. 

Soft leather, three straps across, and matching sole unit add up to understated niceness of the highest order, and I’m pretty sure your lack criminal record or gnarly skate props won’t impact on your ability to buy them, or fix up in one of the nicest shoes I’ve seen in some time. 

VT Prison Issue LX Sneaker £95.86