From Ridgemont High to 'Damn, Daniel,' Vans Is Still Kicking It at 50

The staying power of SoCal's classic skater shoe

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One afternoon, a sun-tanned 21-year-old actor named Sean Penn sauntered into the Vans store in Santa Monica, Calif., in search of a pair of comfortable shoes. Penn, who had recently landed a movie part playing a SoCal stoner dude named Jeff Spicoli, picked out a pair of slip-ons in a checkerboard pattern. Back on the set, Penn liked his new sneaks so much he told director Amy Heckerling he wanted to wear them on camera.

Photo: Nick Ferrari

"The stylist contacted Vans, and they ran a bunch of shoes up to L.A.,"

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