The Continuous Uprise Of The Converse All Stars

Just like Coco Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier or Ralph Lauren, Converse developed a classic look that has spanned generations. And Converse shoes can be seen throughout the halls of Arrowhead High School.

“I’m not sure how it happened or who started it, but Converse, especially the white ones…have really been coming back in style I’ve noticed,” says junior Dominique Fortune.

These shoes are known as Chuck Taylor All-Stars or Converse All Stars, but nicknames for them are, “Converses,” “Chuck Taylors,” “Chucks,” “Cons,” and “All Stars,” according to Wikipedia.com. They were also one of the first specifically designed shoes to be worn for basketball.

On Yahoo.com, in the article, “Why Did Converse Come Back In Style?” they stated that, “With these uprising shoes coming back in style, it’s a look that people enjoy and want to buy over and over again. It even becomes part of history.”

Converse All-Star shoes were created by the Converse Rubber Shoe Company by Marquis Mills Converse in 1908 in Malden, Massachusetts. Chuck Taylor was an American basketball player, and a shoe salesman. When Taylor was hired by the Converse sales offices in Chicago, he suggested changing the design of Converse to provide enhanced flexibility and support, and also including a patch to protect the ankle. His suggestions were adopted. By 1932, Chuck Taylor’s name was added to the patch, and the shoe became the Chuck Taylor All-Stars. The Chuck Taylor All-Stars sneaker is the most successful selling basketball shoe in history, according to Wikipedia.com.

According to Wikipedia, the design of the Converse has remained largely unchanged since its introduction. The Converse shoes still consist of a stitched upper portion, a toe cap (usually made of white rubber), and a sole (made of brown rubber).

“They are perfect for fall. They look really good with skinny jeans, leggings, sweaters and scarfs. I wear mine almost everyday to school,” says senior Andi Eckl.

With a plethora of styles, Converse shoes also come in multiple colors. From plaid to stripes, and green to orange, Converse has a wide variety of options.  The originals–the Chuck Taylor All Star Classics–come in multiple colors ranging from white to bright pink. If individuals are looking for a different option, there’s the $100 Converse called The Chuck Taylor All Star Chrome Leather. The shape is just like the classic Converse high tops, but these shoes are dipped in a rich silver color, and of course, made in leather. To find more Converse styles and types, check out converse.com.

Converse shoes average around $25-$95 depending on the design and style. They are available for purchase on www.converse.com as well at stores like Famous Footwear and Foot Locker.

“Everyone has been getting them lately, and I think we’re all starting to notice that they go really well with a lot of outfits. I’m not sure why we ever stopped wearing them. I love them and I just bought myself a white pair a month ago,” says senior Alli Kroeninger.

“I remember wearing them to school when I was in elementary school and then they completely got out of style. Recently though, they’re coming back. Not only have I noticed [this] at Arrowhead but [also] on Pinterest. There has been a lot more posts about them and showing ways you can pair them with outfits that a lot of teens our age would wear,” says senior Maddie Hemmer.