In the last supper of New England-y textiles, duck canvas, colorful tweeds, and weathered leather would all be invited. And in the rich, varied tapestry they have helped create, including manufacturing livelihoods and aesthetics through the garments of laborers, workers, students, and everyday people, it's hard to deny their influence on us over the years.
So when it came time to approach Round 3 with Clarks, it all fell into place. In a two-fold ode to New England, we figured it was about time to combine our love for the region's textile history with the Wallabees' long-standing grip on classic style.
Building from the southernmost point, our quintessentially New England Wallabee sets sail with the model's signature slim tan crepe sole which adds a perfect slice of height and bounce - coil springs not needed.
From there, we road trip up the coast to the mid-top upper, a mosaic of old-world textile lineage consisting of speckled tweeds with a curriculum of character, duck canvas inviting hard wear, and a road map of weathered leather. Pulled together with zig-zag stitching, our tenured Frankenstein patchwork is complete. As is the reputation of hardwearing fabrics from the region, sure they look great now but the true magic will reveal itself over time as the wool gets perfectly matted down, the canvas starts to weather, and the leather begins to crease. Pair that with an outsole whose edges start to slightly soften and you have yourself a perfectly seasoned chowder. But even the best recipe is not complete without the oyster crackers.
Featuring brass eyelets, alternate rope laces, and stamped dubraes, the joy of simply tying your shoes hasn't hit this hard since you learned the loopty-loop and pull. Closed out with a first-of-its-kind boat collar with leather trim, an homage to the long history of boating, fishing, and or getting seasick, depending on where you fell on the spectrum, the boat shoe might be back, but this is what it wishes it could be. Maybe next year skipper.
Release Info: Thursday, March 27th, 2025
Available online at 12PM EST on a first come, first served basis. Additional pairs available on Clarks.com
