Clarks
Clarks is a British shoemaker and retailer founded by Cyrus Clark in 1825 in Street, Somerset. Its headquarters is still in that small town. The business began with sheepskin rugs, then grew into slippers and shoes after his younger brother, James, made use of leftover scraps. Today Clarks is best known for the Desert Boot and the Wallabee, as well as school shoes for children aged 4 to 12. For secondhand buyers, this long history is useful to know. The models have gone through many generations, and an older pair can differ from a later one, because production in Britain gradually stopped and some of it was moved to Asia.
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Clarks' origins can be traced back to 1821, when Cyrus Clark went into partnership in a wool and leather tanning business in Street. In 1825 he moved to a site on High Street and made rugs from sheepskin with the wool left on. Around 1828, his younger brother, James, began using scraps that were too short for rugs to make slippers called Brown Petersburgs. From 1833 James became an equal partner and the business took the name C. & J. Clark. In 1851 the two won a gold medal at the Great Exhibition for a long galosh made of gutta percha.
The business nearly went bankrupt in 1863. William Stephens Clark, James's son, led the recovery and became the first person in Britain to mechanise shoemaking. In 1904 the Clark family recruited John Walter Bostock from Massachusetts to bring American factory methods to Street. In that period the premium-quality Tor line and the more affordable Wessex line appeared. Clarks began selling directly through its own shops in 1937. In 1945 it launched children's shoes in four width fittings, together with a foot-measuring device to help shop assistants.
After the war, the number of factories grew to 17 in the south west and south east of England and in South Wales. Its share of the British market rose from 1.1 percent in 1945 to 9 percent in 1970. The Desert Boot reached America through Bronson Davis, who saw it at the 1949 Chicago Shoe Fair and set up a sales representative office in 1950. Domestic production then shrank. Factories began closing from 1978, some production was moved to the Far East from 2005, and the last British factory closed in 2019.
- Desert Boot: One of the shoes most closely tied to the Clarks name, and the model that opened the way into the American market in 1950.
- Wallabee: Another well-known Clarks model, which in 2022 to 2023 came in a collaboration version, Raheem Sterling x Clarks Originals.
- Tor: A premium-quality line from the early 20th century, made on the principle of standard models.
- Wessex: A more affordable, style-oriented shoe line, which came after the Tor line.
What we check before listing
We look at the condition of the sole first: how thin it is, whether it wears unevenly, and whether any part has started to come away from the upper. The stitching and glue at the sole joins need to be neat, with no gaps or rough repair marks. On leather or suede, we check for cracks, water stains, bald patches in the nap, and uneven fading. The insole and interior are checked for odor, damage to the lining, and footprints that are too deep. We read the size label and the country of production as a rough clue to the age of the pair, because production began moving from Britain to Asia in 2005, but a label does not determine authenticity.
Caring for it
Brush off dust with a soft, dry brush after wearing. For suede, use a dedicated brush and avoid too much water. For smooth leather, wipe with a damp cloth, then apply a modest amount of leather conditioner. Store in a cool place with good air circulation, and fill the inside with shoe trees so the shape holds.
FAQ
Is Clarks always made in Britain?
Not always. Clarks comes from Street, Somerset, and produced in Britain for a long time. Since 2005 some production has been moved to the Far East, and the last factory in Britain closed in 2019. So a secondhand pair can come from a different country of production.
What is the best-known Clarks model?
The Desert Boot and the Wallabee. Clarks is also known for school shoes, especially for children aged 4 to 12.
Are secondhand Clarks school shoes worth buying?
They can be, as long as the condition is good. We usually check the sole, the heel area, and the insole, because children's shoes wear out quickly at those points. Size is best matched to the insole length, not only the number on the label.
How do I choose a size for secondhand Clarks?
Compare the insole length with your foot, and look at the width of the shoe too. A secondhand shoe has already adjusted to the previous wearer's foot shape, so ask for photos or interior measurements if you are unsure.
References
Facts summarised and rewritten from the sources above (CC BY-SA licence).