If you follow any Japanese street style blog, it’s inevitable that you’d have come across a pair of these babies – creepers “crept” their way back into fashion in 2011 thanks to big name labels such as Dolce & Gabbana, and have definitely become a hot commodity on the streets of Tokyo.

Classic Creepers

As I mentioned in my last post, the full name for these shoes is “brothel creepers”. Way back when they originated in the years following World War II, soldiers based in the hotter climates of North Africa had to wear suede boots with hard-wearing soles in order to cope with the harsh climate. After leaving the army, many soldiers reused the shoes when schmoozing the nightlife of London, hence the – ahem – colourful term eventually coined to them.

Suede Creepers

The shoes made a resurgence during the Teddy Boy period of the 1950s, which became an important influence of Dolce & Gabbana’s Fall 2011 collection. Fast forward to today and creepers in all shapes, colours and styles can be found on the fast moving feet of the youth in Tokyo.

Red Leather Creepers

The style of the shoes themselves gives off a playful, slightly rebellious look and – as you can see from some of these pictures – the differences in material and colour play a part in encapsulating the unique style of the wearer. Which style is your favourite – the classic chequered look or a look that is slightly more offbeat?

Images courtesy of TokyoFashion.com