Coloured Soles and Statement Vellies

The vellie is a conservative shape with a century behind it. That is exactly why it takes colour so well: the form is so familiar that a bright sole or an unusual upper reads as a deliberate choice rather than as a novelty shoe. Coloured sole vellies work precisely because the shoe underneath is so familiar.

Why it works

A statement shoe usually fails because both the shape and the colour are unfamiliar, so there is nothing steady for the eye to hold on to. A vellie in mustard is still unmistakably a vellie. The silhouette does the reassuring and the colour does the talking.

Coloured soles

The subtler option, and the more wearable of the two. A traditional tan or brown upper with a red, pink or blue sole looks entirely normal from above and reveals itself when you walk. If you are unsure about a statement pair, start here.

Coloured uppers

Olive and green behave almost like neutrals in a South African wardrobe. They work with khaki, denim, stone and white, and they are far less demanding than people expect.

Mustard is the most striking of the range and the best with denim and with floral or linen dresses.

Pink and pastel read as summer shoes and are strongest against white, stone and light denim.

The one rule

Let the shoes be the loudest thing. A statement vellie with a patterned shirt and a bright bag is three arguments at once. The same shoe with plain denim and a white shirt is a single, clear one.

Ageing

Dyed leather fades slightly with sunlight over years, most noticeably in the brighter shades. This is worth knowing rather than worrying about: it happens slowly, and a faded olive vellie tends to look better than a new one. Coloured rubber soles hold their colour almost indefinitely.

Care

Treat coloured leather exactly as you would tan. Neutral cream rather than a tinted polish, because tinted products on a coloured upper build up unevenly. Suede and nubuck in any colour want a brush and a protector spray, never cream.

Where to find them

Coloured soles and uppers run through the ladies and unisex ranges. Vellies Shoes with Pink Sole at R795 is a straightforward place to start.

Frequently asked questions

Are coloured vellies harder to wear than tan?

Less than people expect, because the shape is so traditional. Coloured soles under a neutral upper are the easiest entry point, since they only show when you walk.

What goes with mustard or olive vellies?

Denim, khaki, stone and white. Olive in particular behaves almost like a neutral in a South African wardrobe.

Will coloured leather fade?

Slowly, with sun exposure, and mostly in the brighter shades. Faded olive and mustard usually look better than new. Coloured rubber soles keep their colour almost indefinitely.

How do I clean coloured leather vellies?

Neutral cream rather than tinted polish, which builds up unevenly on coloured leather. Suede and nubuck want a brush and protector spray instead.

Can you wear statement vellies to work?

In a relaxed office, yes. Coloured soles under a brown or tan upper are the safest version, since the shoe reads as conventional until you move.