Vans just announced that it will add a playful layer of nostalgia to the dynamic K-fashion scene through a bold collaboration with Dooly the Little Dinosaur, one of the country’s most cherished and long-standing cartoon icons. Read on to learn more about Dooly, the full details of Vans’s limited-edition Seoul City t-shirts collection, when and where to get the Vans x Dooly drop, and the fans’ reaction to this exclusive drop.
But First, Who Is Dooly?
Since his official public debut in the 1980s, Dooly the Little Dinosaur has charmed every Korean, from children to adults, with his mischievous grin and cheeky antics. As a cultural icon, he evokes fond memories for many Korean millennials, who spent their childhood watching his animated adventures and reading his comic strips during their leisure time. By featuring Dooly as a skater, Vans captures this nostalgia alongside the Seoul city vibes, playfully symbolizing the Korean youth’s cultural evolution.
More About the Drop
For Vans, which has built its global identity around skateboarding, authenticity, and youth culture, collaborating with a national hero like Dooly reinforces the brand’s commitment to celebrating local narratives while keeping its original brand spirit. With printing of “SEOUL” across the brand’s OG logo and the Dooly character riding a board, the t-shirts perfectly combine a global brand identity with local nostalgic storytelling.
What mainly sets this collaboration apart is its emotional resonance. Many Koreans grew up chasing Dooly episodes, so seeing the character reimagined as a trendy skate icon now creates a powerful emotional loop between childhood memories and modern streetwear fashion. This intergenerational bridge attracts a broader audience, from nostalgic millennials to intrigued, curious Gen Z shoppers, discovering Dooly for the first time.
Beyond the Dooly graphics, these t-shirts are crafted to meet Vans’ quality standards. Made from premium cotton, they offer both comfort and durability. Their availability in clean white and bold black colors provides versatile styling options. With high resale potential, especially among collectors of Seoul-themed streetwear, quality matters. Buyers can expect thick, long-lasting fabric, reinforced stitching, and bold print finishes.
When and Where to Buy It
Domestically in South Korea, shoppers can get access to the collection in three primary ways:
- Vans Korea Online Store: Launching July 3, it offers convenience and access, though popular designs may disappear quickly.
- Vans Retail Locations: Visiting a physical store may help, especially those at brand showcase spots like the Gangnam flagship (Vans’ first of its kind in Asia).
- ABC Mart Stores: Selected branches will carry the tees; ABC Mart is renowned for trendy collaborations.
Its official release date was July 3, 2025. It’s now available on the Vans Korea official website, but the t-shirts will gradually hit multiple other sales channels, including all physical Vans stores nationwide and selected ABC Mart branches, an outlet well-known in Korea for distributing top sneaker and streetwear brands. Unfortunately, for now, the brand hasn’t announced any plan to expand the drop’s distribution channels to other prominent global K-fashion marketplaces like MUSINSA Global. Given their limited quantities, these tees are expected to sell out quickly, so global fans will need to find alternative ways to shop overseas.
What Fans Are Saying
Though the drop is still upcoming in some channels, reactions across social platforms like Instagram and X are already strong. Vans Korea’s official posts hinting at the collaboration generated excitement. Fans have responded with nostalgic enthusiasm, and some even said that they shopped on Vans for the first time because of this collaboration.
Beyond the Dooly Drop
While Dooly is the star of the Seoul City collection, it extends its creative reach to embody more aspects of Seoul’s vibrant culture. In addition to the playful dinosaur design, t-shirts emblazoned with “Seoul Tiger,” “Speed Gimbap,” and “Seoul Night” round out the lineup, each highlighting a unique facet of the city’s character. “Seoul Tiger” channels the city’s fierce and bold side; “Speed Gimbap” captures the hustling energy and love for street food; and “Seoul Night” evokes the electric nightlife that lights up Korea’s capital. These designs elevate the “Seoul City” theme, celebrating both nostalgia and city pride under the Vans ethos.
Korea is increasingly recognized as a fashion-forward place. Through collaborations like this, Vans captures its capital’s dynamic vibe and exports it globally, offering global fans a slice of K-fashion in a very unique way. In a way, these “Seoul City” tees are cultural ambassadors, transporting Seoul’s energy to wardrobes in Japan, Europe, and North America.
Whether you’re intrigued by Dooly’s cute and mischievous flair, love Seoul’s cultural resonance, or simply appreciate a sharp streetwear design or a resale value, the Vans x Dooly “Seoul City” t-shirts might be worth taking up space in your closet this summer. They blend memory, city culture, skate aesthetics, and limited availability into a product experience that transcends fashion. For those in Korea this summer, or anywhere else, this drop offers more than clothing. It’s an opportunity to carry a piece of cultural heritage into the present.
As Seoul continues to command attention on the global fashion map, collaborations like this underscore its growing influence. Vans’ choice to shine a spotlight on Dooly reflects not only nostalgia but an emotional tie to Korean identity, giving every wearer a reason to feel pride, connection, and style.
Interested in the global fashion brands’ Korea-exclusive fashion drops? See New Balance’s Korea-Exclusive T-shirts here.
