In the name of discipline and equality, America’s private schools had strict rules, strict teachers and even stricter demands when it came to what you could wear. And faced with a uniform comprising a pair of trousers, a shirt and a jacket in either grey, navy or white, what students wore on their feet became one of the only vehicles of individuality. Easy to wear, and escaping the list of athletic-style shoes that were deemed unacceptable for the classroom, the Sebago Docksides quickly became an emblem of self-expression.

Co-founder of Highsnobiety Jeff Carvalho shares his own personal experience with the stylistic restrictions of private high school in Connecticut, his desperate desire to be different whilst balancing the anxieties of being “part of the crew”, and his love affair with the Sebago Docksides: a shoe that went on to define four of his most formative years. Grab your copy now to discover how during school hours, the humble deck shoe took on a whole new meaning.

Over the next few weeks, we’re giving you an exclusive insight into the first ever Sebago Year Book. Dedicated to loyal fans of the brand, fashion aficionados, and anyone and everyone who simply has a taste for the finer things in life, this exclusive publication pays homage to everything Sebago stands for, as told through the eyes of esteemed writers, business owners and members of the Sebago Yacht Club.