Feb 7, 2009

They’re Ba-ack.

Sister Mercy, Bossy isn’t kidding. You can run but you can’t hide. The Wallaby is back.

Yesterday Bossy took the train into the city and she saw this shoe two times in as many minutes, and then she threw herself on the tracks. The end.

What say you?

permanent link to post

93 comments

1. 1
   on February 7th, 2009 at 11:59 am
   caleal said:

   Maybe I’m to young to know where, exactly, these shoes are coming back from (Australia? Hell?) but I do know one thing. I hope they make a speedy retreat to wherever that place is.

   Not since the Croc have I been so personally insulted by a shoe.


2. 2
   on February 7th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
   Mimi said:

   Good God! I wore those in the late 60’s and we called them desert boots. Ugly then, ugly now.


3. 3
   on February 7th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
   Momo Fali said:

   I probably shouldn’t say that I dig them, but I do. Them shoes are groovy.


4. 4
   on February 7th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
   HAGERDASH said:

   You old.


5. 5
   on February 7th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
   GreatAunt said:

   My husband has had a pair of these forever. I’ve never liked them and I won’t be telling him they’re back.


6. 6
   on February 7th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
   blackbird said:

   oof. I kinda think I like them.
   Is that bad?


7. 7
   on February 7th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
   alana said:

   my grandpa likes them. he’s 95, ’nuff said!


8. 8
   on February 7th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
   patois said:

   Go ahead and hate me, I can’t wait to find a pair. Now, the next time your train-crumpled body happens across someone wearing them, please kindly ask for the store from which they were purchased. (Of course, I wear mom jeans, so.)


9. 9
   on February 7th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
   nono said:

   It think we called them Earth shoes. Early 70’s I believe was when I had a pair…..I don’t think I will be revisiting them this time around. I’m not that Earthy any more.


10. 10
    on February 7th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
    Smalltown Mom said:

    No, they’re not Earth shoes. Earth shoes had the heels slightly lower than the toes. The Wallabys aren’t nearly as funny looking.


11. 11
    on February 7th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
    Nance said:

    What say I? Make room on those tracks, I’m right behind you.


12. 12
    on February 7th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
    junebug said:

    You can’t keep a good man down.


13. 13
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
    Unemployed Susan said:

    I’ve seen worse.


14. 14
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
    Emily said:

    I say ewww! As I wrote on my blog, some fashions should NEVER return!


15. 15
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
    AnnP said:

    This is hilarious! I haven’t thought of Wallabys in a long time…7th grade it was. And then I’m saying the word over and over and…ahhhh, this is great!


16. 16
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
    Lizzy said:

    When I was little I called my mother’s Wallabys her “old hunting shoes”.
    She didn’t hunt.


17. 17
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
    jen said:

    I’m having a flashback to 4th grade, when Kelly Mitchell, the beautiful popular girl wore these and I begged my Mom to buy me some and she did and I wore them every day and thought I was beautiful and popular, too.

    I wasn’t.


18. 18
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
    Ginny said:

    I think I might like a pair again! At 60, I am happy with what makes my feet feel good….and, just for the record, I think those uncomfortable, high priced, high heels are ugly.


19. 19
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
    kerry said:

    Good God no.


20. 20
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
    SnowWhitemommy said:

    Ugly then….still ugly now!
    Ethan Allen Elementary School…..Ditto jeans and Wallabys….what a flashback!


21. 21
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
    Jean said:

    Blecch!


22. 22
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
    hollywood said:

    Don’t they have an ugly cousin that is a boot? Not quite a moccasin not really a boot, but not a shoe? What were those called. I hope I don’t have to start seeing those shoes……..


23. 23
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
    krisitn said:

    Chuckabees were their cousins. Shudder.


24. 24
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
    Wendy said:

    Nope, they’re not Earth shoes, nor are they desert boots. They’re Wallabys and they’re hideous and comfortable and since I wore them back in the early 1970s, I will NOT be wearing them again. Did it once – done. Same with bell bottoms. Never again.


25. 25
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
    clickmom said:

    It was bound to happen. Have you noticed there are Earth Shoes walking around there too? Next stop POLYESTER!!


26. 26
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
    MemeGRL said:

    My mother loved her Wallabys. Her orthotics worked so well in them!
    As to me, I will wear any shoe that is comfortable so I can’t point fingers.


27. 27
    on February 7th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
    Daisy said:

    Makes me miss my Wafflestompers. Hello junior high school!


28. 28
    on February 7th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
    MariaV said:

    They get a 10 for comfort and a 0 for looks. But … they aren’t any worse than Ugg boots, IMHO.


29. 29
    on February 7th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
    Andrea's Sweet Life said:

    I think I just threw out my husband’s old pair last week. Although, for the record, I have never allowed him to wear them in the 11 years we’ve been together. I’d have hated to make him walk 10 paces behind me.


30. 30
    on February 7th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
    whyleana said:

    My 79-year-old father would argue that they never left. I will say one thing: they sure age well.


31. 31
    on February 7th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
    Half Assed Kitchen said:

    I had some in the 70s, so they make me a little nostalgic. But, yeah, they’re pretty bad.


32. 32
    on February 7th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
    Grandma J said:

    I loved those things. We called them desert boots too, but that may have been a So CA thing. I’m gonna fine me some more…they were comfy


33. 33
    on February 7th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
    kate said:

    mental patient shoes.


34. 34
    on February 7th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
    Jenn @ Juggling Life said:

    I’m from SoCa and we called them Wallabys. I’ll definitely be following the fashion rule that states that if you wore a trend the first time around you cannot wear it the second time around. Besides, who wants to relive Jr. High?


35. 35
    on February 7th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
    Jillian said:

    We were just in the city in Midtown for a couple of hours and were fortunate to not see a single pair. Those shoes are hideous and I have a hard time believing any self-respecting NYC resident would be caught dead in them, LOL.


36. 36
    on February 7th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
    ashley said:

    Both my Dad and I had a pair. I was too cool in mine. Haters.


37. 37
    on February 7th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
    EricaB/Crazy Momma said:

    Ugly. ’nuff said!


38. 38
    on February 7th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
    Nellyfrittata said:

    If you are tempted to get some Wallabys, resist the urge and get some Chuck Taylor Converse high tops instead. That way, your feet will be comfortable but you will be cool, instead of dorky. Chucks transcend all genders and generations!


39. 39
    on February 7th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
    Bossy\\\'s Friend Martha\\\'s Sister said:

    Never had them, never will, not even if they put a pointy heal on the back! Yuck pooooie! I Only want to see them on re-runs of Welcome Back Kotter!


40. 40
    on February 7th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
    Tiaras & Tantrums said:

    I have to say – I wore these when I was in high school and I LOVED them and I still wish I had a pair!!!!


41. 41
    on February 7th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
    Reeb said:

    Ew.

    Interesting, though, to see what age the sight of these transports the various readers back to.


42. 42
    on February 7th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
    rory said:

    Jeez, I haven’t seen those since the 70’s. What’s next? Hip huggers and tube tops?
    Groovy baby.


43. 43
    on February 7th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
    Bossy's friend Amy said:

    I love Wallabee’s and have owned two pair in my lifetime – a pair in the 70’s and a pair in the 90’s (early, grunge period). The husband also owns a chocolate brown pair and wears them on stage to gigs(very trendy).


44. 44
    on February 7th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
    Bossy's friend Amy said:

    I almost forgot to wish Bossy a very happy it may or may not be her birthday…


45. 45
    on February 7th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
    rb said:

    I remember expaining to a friend why a guy wasn’t date-able with just this sentence: “He wears Wallabys.”

    She completely understood.


46. 46
    on February 7th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
    jp said:

    I had a pair in 9th grade, everybody did. My most vivid memory? Stubbing my toe and falling face first to the floor in the middle of the Library!

    Carpet & Wallabees= Face Plant

    No Thank You!


47. 47
    on February 7th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
    hana said:

    Well, darn it, I went to the Target website and they are out of stock!
    Zappos has them for three figures. Clarks makes them.
    I’ll have to mask my disappointment by eating some more chocolate or like most of us here in So. Cal, just put on my flip flops and go!


48. 48
    on February 7th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
    Portia said:

    That’s a whole bunch of wrong.


49. 49
    on February 7th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
    Ms. Cranky Pants said:

    Tim Gunn, deliver us from this evil.


50. 50
    on February 7th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
    boots586 said:

    We called them chuckaboots in IL in the far distant past.


51. 51
    on February 7th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
    Heide said:

    As I recall, they were comfortable. But I’m not old enough to be that comfortable again. Gaaaaaah!


52. 52
    on February 7th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
    HAGERDASH said:

    Next comeback will be those sandals made from thick twisted rope with rubber painted on the bottom and licorice swimsuits.


53. 53
    on February 7th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
    Ree (the other one) said:

    Oh mah holy hell. No. NO.

    Please Dog, no!


54. 54
    on February 7th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
    Naomi said:

    I loved my Wallabys. I sure would get another pair!


55. 55
    on February 7th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
    Maria said:

    Must have them.


56. 56
    on February 7th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
    Mini Van Bohemian said:

    Oy.


57. 57
    on February 7th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
    sugarpie said:

    Oh Bossy…

    I think they’de be ok for anyone who doesnt remember them from the first go ’round. Other than that, why bother? There are so many cool looking shoes available now. For freaking cheap too! DSW (discount shoe warehouse) is the best. Chucks are ok, too, it you don’t care about them lasting, buying stuff from sweatshops, etc.


58. 58
    on February 8th, 2009 at 12:02 am
    Jacquie said:

    we used to call them hush puppies


59. 59
    on February 8th, 2009 at 12:12 am
    linda said:

    Holy S*#t – that’s what I say.


60. 60
    on February 8th, 2009 at 1:31 am
    Rochelle said:

    Ew. Those make crocs look awesome.


61. 61
    on February 8th, 2009 at 11:36 am
    La La said:

    When I see things like this, I have to stop and ask myself…. who the hell ARE these people who decide what’s in and what’s out and why, for the love of GOD, have they not been assassinated yet?


62. 62
    on February 8th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
    Kathy said:

    Thems some fugly shoes.


63. 63
    on February 8th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
    MariaV said:

    I saw someone wearing parachute pants today and nearly puked.


64. 64
    on February 8th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
    The Cheap Chick said:

    What’s next, Zubbas???? I don’t care how comfy something is, ugly is ugly. If you want cute comfort, try Sketcher’s kicks or Chucks. You don’t have to be ugly to be comfortable, people! Dare to be cute!


65. 65
    on February 8th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
    Sharon said:

    horrible


66. 66
    on February 8th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
    wrh said:

    I say they’re not as bad as the pegged, over-dyed, acid-washed jeans I saw the other day.


67. 67
    on February 8th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
    HeyJoe said:

    I WILL say that I do like the original Clark desert boot.
    http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41M5KYJKVPL._SS400_.jpg

    Mmmm crepe soles….

    The Wallaby, not so much.


68. 68
    on February 8th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
    dgm said:

    Honey, they’ve been back for a while now. I’m rather fond of them, then as now. What I long for is the return of “truckers”–does anyone else remember that shoe? They were popular during the heyday of the Wallaby and the Earth Shoe (at least in southern Va.)


69. 69
    on February 8th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
    Michelle said:

    Are those moccasins with a high ankle? Egh.


70. 70
    on February 8th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
    sista #2 said:

    Hey…..I wore these in the 70’s!!!!
    We called these bad boys desert boots.
    Oh yes….
    I loved me my desert boots.

    peace
    #2


71. 71
    on February 8th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
    Mr Farty said:

    Oh aye. Shoes.


72. 72
    on February 8th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
    Cindy Z said:

    Looks comfy


73. 73
    on February 8th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
    Sparx said:

    Desert boots. Uck.

    Oh, was it a birthday? Happy?


74. 74
    on February 8th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
    Jacmo said:

    Hush Puppies. Love em. Not that I consider them good looking but back in the day their function was perfection. And I recall my feet looking particularly small-ish in mine.


75. 75
    on February 8th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
    Chesapeake Bay Woman said:

    Oh hell to the NO. These were just a step away from the whole Berkenstocks-with-white-tube-socks look, which was only two short steps from JUST SHOOT ME NOW.


76. 76
    on February 8th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
    Bush Babe of Granite Glen said:

    Why are all the ugly boots from Australia? Ugg boots and now these… And WHY are these called Wallabies? We have a very good football team by the same name – and I’m pretty sure they don’t wear these!!

    The world is just full of mysteries!!
    
    BB


77. 77
    on February 9th, 2009 at 12:29 am
    Gretchen said:

    I had TWO pairs in the 70’s – very comfortable! My dad was thrilled to buy these for me when I was in high school. I can see my kids trying to have me committed if I tried to wear them now. But they sure were comfortable, and it is my duty, after all, to try to embarrass my kids as much as they have embarrassed me!


78. 78
    on February 9th, 2009 at 1:23 am
    Christine said:

    All I can say is… Hell to the no!!!!!!!!


79. 79
    on February 9th, 2009 at 7:36 am
    The Cube Monkey said:

    Ugly like the Croc…
    Unfortunately, like the croc, they are one of the most comfortable shoes you will put on. ugh!
    Why in gah’s name can they not come up with a good looking comfortable shoe? Cuz feet are ugly??


80. 80
    on February 9th, 2009 at 9:29 am
    cindy said:

    These have been back for quite a while now in the South. My daughter was dying for a pair about 2 years ago, so I got them for her and they’re EXPENSIVE now! Shoulda kept the ones I had in high school!


81. 81
    on February 9th, 2009 at 9:51 am
    Sandy Shoes said:

    Oh, lord! I almost didn’t marry my husband when he showed up on our 2nd date and had on a pair of these. Blechhhh! I promptly tossed those things and we’ve been together for 16 years now. My mom called them chukaboots.


82. 82
    on February 9th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
    Maggie Garcia said:

    I LOVE the Wallaby! It looks so Native American and shiz.


83. 83
    on February 9th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
    amberstar said:

    Oh my good gravy…I thought those things had gone totally away, We called them something else, but being sort of Alzheimerish today we can’t remember.


84. 84
    on February 9th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
    Heidi said:

    No. Alibi.


85. 85
    on February 10th, 2009 at 11:11 am
    Calamity Anne said:

    A blast back to the past!!! I wore those shoes (well, NOT that exact pair) during the 70’s. Did I just date myself???


86. 86
    on February 10th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
    jandondi said:

    The Caveman Cometh. yuk.


87. 87
    on February 11th, 2009 at 11:25 am
    jennifer said:

    Yep. 12 year old daughter has them and says they aren’t comfy. Wears her Sperry’s instead – that look like DEXTERS OMGosh that I shunned back when I was in school. What is it with ugly shoes? Flip flops are the only shoe worth owning.


88. 88
    on February 11th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
    Eliza said:

    I’m sorry, but flip flops are not shoes.


89. 89
    on February 11th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
    foolery said:

    My grandfather wore only those shoes(the Hush Puppies brand) and the desert boot, EVER. Unless he was painting the bird house that day, for which he had painty boots.

    It never once occurred to me that I could own a pair. And, as a person who once wore spiral perms, acid-washed mom jeans and puffy shirts AT THE SAME TIME, I have no business getting all hoity-toity about those shboots.


90. 90
    on February 12th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
    steph said:

    my husband loves those damn things


91. 91
    on February 12th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
    Amber Lee said:

    Oh I have seen plenty of fringed leather and denim bags making an show. Not happy at all.


92. 92
    on February 13th, 2009 at 10:14 am
    Hula Hank said:

    Hello orthopedic moccasins! Did they happen to be worn by Grandma Barfs-in-the-Gutter?


93. 93
    on April 14th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
    greengumbyone said:

    I wore them all through Junior High. They are incredibly comfortable, and when worn with pants, look very nice.