8. Deathly Hallows Old Skool | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Vans' New Harry Potter Collection Is The Perfect Evidence As To Why Ravenclaw And Hufflepuff House Needs More Representation

You can't make several detailed shoe designs for Gryffindor and Slytherin and hand Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff generic designs and expect people to just be okay with it.

3063
Vans' New Harry Potter Collection Is The Perfect Evidence As To Why Ravenclaw And Hufflepuff House Needs More Representation

Vans are usually known for coming out with some pretty cool collaborative collections. In the past, they've done Disney, Marvel, and even Van Gogh.

So when the company announced that they were teaming up with Harry Potter to make a "magical" line, thousands of Harry Potter fans got their wallets ready to spend their money on yet another pair of shoes.

But, when launch day came around, a lot of people looked at the options and were left unsatisfied and felt cheated. These people, like myself, were either Ravenclaws or Hufflepuffs. Vans had done us dirty just like every other brand out there that sells Harry Potter merchandise.

When you go into, say, Hot Topic, and walk to the Harry Potter section, you are greeted with a sea of red (Gryffindor) and green (Slytherin). Which is nice, if you belong to either of those houses. But if you're not, you have to dig through clothing racks and look behind other things with the hope of seeing blue (Ravenclaw)or yellow (Hufflepuff).

Gryffindor, of course, gets the largest amount of merch since pretty much all of the protagonists were Gryffindors and then the antagonists were Slytherins.

In the original movies, there were a few background Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, but it really wasn't until Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them did we finally see a Hufflepuff main character. Thankfully, Hufflepuff is getting some more recognition and respect.

Still, that doesn't make it fair for Vans to put out several shoes geared towards Gryffindors and Slytherins, and then one pair each for Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. With designs that are lazy and subpar.

Let's go through the collection, starting with the blatant "House" shoe designs.

1. Gryffindor Sk8-Hi

images.vans.com

A very cool design that proudly shows off your Gryffindor Pride and can be worn with most outfits.

2. Slytherin Era

Vans Shoes

I really like this design. It not only shows off Slytherin colors but also has a scaly texture, in honor of their serpent mascot.

3. Ravenclaw Authentic

Vans shoes

Now, this is just ugly. Sure, the Ravenclaw crest is on the tongue, but checkered, really? And the colors aren't even correct! They should be blue/bronze, not blue/silver/white! And what outfit would these ever go with?

4. Hufflepuff Slip-on

Vans shoes

This design is so lazy. "Let's just make a black slip-on with a yellow insert and slap a Hufflepuff Badger patch on the top!" I've seen shoes on Etsy made by Indie Brands that were more creative than this.

5.Obligatory Marauders Map Slip-on

Vans soes

The Marauders Map design is pretty iconic in the fandom, but I have to say, I personally think it's overrated. It's plastered everywhere on merch, and when it comes down to it, it's geared towards Gryffindors anyway.

6. Snitch Old Skool

Vans shoes

Okay, now these are pretty cool. The Snitch ball is a golden charm on the shoelaces and the wings spread out on either side. Plus, they can probably be for any house, so long as you love Quidditch.

7. Death Eater Sk8-Hi Platform RB

Vans shoes

Another pair for Slytherin. Although, the green metallic shift is really cool.

8. Deathly Hallows Old Skool

Vans shoes

This design is also one that can be favored by any house, but with the Deathly Hallows symbol always being associated with Harry Potter himself, it's hard not to imagine these as a Gryffindor pair as well.

9. Deathly Hallows Slip-On

Vans shoes

Same with these.

10. Daily Prophet Comfycush Era

images.journeys.com

The Daily Prophet paper print is another overused design in the Harry Potter fandom. Especially when it shows the front page with Potter being the Undesirable. Another shoe for Gryffindor!

11. Transfiguration Comfycush Sk8-Hi

images.journeys.com

This is actually my favorite pair out of the entire collection, and even though they're covered in Harry's lightning bolt scar, they can be worn by any house. Plus, they glow in the dark!

Along with the shoes, Vans has also put out designs for shirts, bags, socks, etc. You guessed right, there's only one design for Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, but plenty for Gryffindor and Slytherin.

It's sad that the books and movies have been out for so long now, and the Harry Potter fandom is growing every day, sorting more and more people into houses that aren't just Gryffindor or Slytherin, and we still can't find equal representation for merchandise.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

444442
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

17981
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

42321
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

21736
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

322147
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments