Clarks Polyvelts

[remember]

I remember being desperate for a pair of these de rigeur shoes back in the 70s! They were quite a fashion statement at the time - for boys and girls - and a favourite with sensible parents. They were brown, leather lace-ups and had a strange ridged sole that made it feel like you could do absolutely anything in them. Of course, they were not at all feminine, but were popular, nevertheless. Much like Doc Martens in a way...

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[Silver Bear]

They were Polyveldts, not 'Polyvelts'. I don't know how they got the name. At my boys' boarding school in the 70s we could wear our own clothes in our free time. I went through a Polyveldt phase when I was about 12-13 and used to wear them with Wranglers and an Army jumper.