On August 24, 2021, Gwen Stefani was photographed on a grocery run with her son, Kingston, at Bristol Farms in Hollywood, California.
While the outing was low-key, it highlighted a styling formula Stefani has returned to throughout her career: combining bold, personality-driven clothing with comfortable footwear rooted in skate and street culture.
Gwen Stefani keeps it casual in a denim-on-denim outfit, finishing the look with checkerboard Vans Slip-On SF sneakers while grocery shopping with her son Kingston Rossdale at Bristol Farms in Hollywood on August 24, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Stefani embraced the classic “Canadian tuxedo,” pairing a striped denim button-down with distressed straight-leg jeans. While double denim can sometimes feel heavy or overly coordinated, the checkerboard Vans introduced a casual skate-inspired element that kept the outfit relaxed and approachable.
Rather than relying on heels or statement boots, she let the sneakers reinforce the look’s everyday nature, creating a combination that felt practical yet still reflected her signature punk-influenced style.
Stefani’s checkerboard Vans also demonstrate why the denim-on-denim trend has remained relevant for decades. While some celebrities dress up the Canadian tuxedo with pumps or stilettos, others lean into its casual roots with sneakers and flat sandals.
For more examples, see how Kim Kardashian elevated a double-denim look at Paris Fashion Week with Saint Laurent suede pumps, how Heidi Klum paired her Canadian tuxedo with Birkenstock Arizona sandals, and how Camila Cabello embraced head-to-toe denim with statement heels. Each outfit highlights a different approach to styling one of fashion’s most enduring trends.
Gwen Stefani loads groceries into her SUV while showcasing a relaxed denim-on-denim look paired with checkerboard Vans Slip-On SF sneakers and a casual top-knot hairstyle (Credit: Mega / WENN)
The mom-of-three skipped the jewelry, save for her engagement ring, and hid her face behind a black face mask.
She then added a hint of color to the look with lime-green artificial nails and kept everything else simple with a casual top knot and barely-there makeup.
Colored racing stripes running down the sleeves add a sporty twist to Gwen Stefani’s oversized denim shirt during a grocery run in Hollywood (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Stefani’s Vans Slip-On SF sneakers updated the brand’s iconic checkerboard slip-on, a silhouette that dates back to the late 1970s and remains one of Vans’ most recognizable designs.
The surf-inspired SF version added comfort-focused features such as UltraCush cushioning and a collapsible heel that could be worn mule-style.
The low-profile sneakers balanced the volume of her oversized denim shirt and relaxed-fit jeans while reflecting her long-running preference for skate- and punk-inspired footwear.
Gwen Stefani finishes her Canadian tuxedo with Vans Slip-On SF checkerboard sneakers, featuring a collapsible mule-style heel and checkerboard-wrapped midsole (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Checkerboard Vans have been a recurring part of Stefani’s off-duty wardrobe for decades, making them a natural choice for a casual grocery run.
Her then-15-year-old son, Kingston, whom she shares with ex-husband Gavin Rossdale, kept things comfy in black-and-green cat-print shorts, a Ripndip black tee, and black fuzzy slides.
Kingston Rossdale helps unload groceries in a Ripndip graphic T-shirt, cat-print shorts, and black fuzzy slides while accompanying his mother, Gwen Stefani, on a Bristol Farms run in Hollywood (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Why Vans Remains One of Fashion’s Most Enduring Sneaker Brands
Stefani’s checkerboard Slip-On SF sneakers also serve as a reminder of Vans’ lasting influence beyond skate culture. While the brand’s checkerboard pattern has become a recognizable part of casual fashion, newer releases continue to attract strong interest from collectors and sneaker enthusiasts.
As of June 2026, Vans’ LX Old Skool 36 Pearlized Pack “Black/Navy” was generating significant resale activity on StockX, with many pairs selling for several times their original $100 retail price. The demand highlights the continued popularity of Vans’ most recognizable silhouettes, from the Old Skool to the iconic checkerboard Slip-On worn by Stefani.
👟 Explore Gwen Stefani, Vans & Skate-Inspired Shoe Style:
- 📏 Gwen Stefani’s boldest heels and shoe-size profile trace how the No Doubt icon uses everything from platform pumps to edgy designer footwear to amplify her signature style.
- 🏁 Her Vans Sk8-Hi airport look shows how skate sneakers fit naturally into Stefani’s punk-influenced off-duty wardrobe.
- 👟 The enduring appeal of Vans Old Skool sneakers explains why the low-profile skate classic remains a favorite for casual celebrity styling.
- 🖤 Emily Ratajkowski’s white Vans Old Skool street-style outfit pairs the skate staple with oversized layers and polished jewelry.
- 👠 Gwen Stefani’s GX “Haru” sandals bring her red-and-black punk-glam palette into a strappy heel from her own footwear line.
Gwen Stefani’s checkerboard Vans were more than just a comfortable choice for a grocery run—they represented one of the most recognizable shoe designs ever created.
If you’re interested in how Vans transformed a simple checkerboard pattern into a global footwear signature alongside icons like Nike’s Swoosh, Converse’s Chuck Taylor patch, and Christian Louboutin’s red soles, explore our guide to the world’s most recognizable shoe brands.
The feature examines the design details that allow certain shoes to be identified at a glance and explains why Vans remains a lasting force in skate, streetwear, and celebrity fashion.