Facts
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Top
Low Top
Extremely popular sneakers because of their price range, versatility when it comes to style, and freedom of movement. Almost everyone is guaranteed to have low-top sneakers in their shoe rotation.
Mid Top
Mid-top sneakers extend toward the ankle for a little more support and hold. These lie somewhere in the middle between low-top and high-top sneakers in terms of usage and popularity.
High Top
Sneakers with collars that go above the ankles for optimal hold and support are some of the most sought-after models in lifestyle shoes. Most of these shoes take their roots from basketball and have easily or fashionably crossed to mainstream wear.
Good to know
Regardless of cut, it's always good to start with sneakers that can be worn for the daily grind, also called as "beaters" by some, as these are usually cheaper, easy to clean, and still gives that lifestyle "edge" before going for those wallet-thinning models.
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Inspired from
Sports
Sneakers dominantly take their heritage from running, basketball, skate, tennis, training, hiking, and football. Still retaining a few of their performance-based technologies, these sneakers have transcended their respective niches and have successfully and popularly transformed themselves as staples of fashion footwear.
Casual
Sneakers designed for a laidback, "cool" vibe that is built for lifestyle wear right from the get-go.
Good to know
Brands are now blending elements of performance and casual appeal in basically every sneaker. One can hardly go wrong with a sports-inspired sneaker or a simple casual shoe.
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Collection
Good to know
Shoes sharing the same inspiration, history, materials, or technologies are routinely assembled under one compilation for the convenience of those who may wish to categorize or label their own collection as such. The classic collections like the Adidas Originals, Air Max 1, Air Force 1, new balance classic sneakers, and the Classic Leather head the pack of frequently asked about collections.
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Price$55
Rankings
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Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top History
The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top has a long and interesting history that covers, amazingly, more than a century. The shoe first found its way in the market in 1917. The silhouette was produced by Converse, a rubber shoe company that first specialized in manufacturing galoshes, and was named the All Star. It had a natural brown canvas upper with black trimmings and featured a high-profile construction.
The shoe wasn’t intended for basketball but the sport of netball and soccer. Basketball was a fairly young sport then, having been conceived of barely 26 years before by a Canadian-American named James Naismith. Although the unique construction of the shoe was something that wasn’t seen before and was deemed by a few to be good for the sport of basketball, it never really enjoyed the success it did until Chuck Taylor entered the scene.
Chuck Taylor was a basketball player and skilled salesman who joined the Converse All Star basketball team in 1923. He quickly saw the potential in the silhouette and pitched the shoe wherever he held basketball clinics. Due to his exceptional marketing strategy, sales of the high-top sneaker skyrocketed. It became so popular that in the 60s, 90 percent of basketball players, from college to professionals, wore the All Star High Top sneaker.
Converse recognized Chuck’s efforts by adding his name to the shoe’s ankle patch detail nine years after he joined the company, in 1932. The shoe was from then on, known as the Chuck Taylor All Star.
The construction of the model has been largely unchanged since its debut although a few minor updates have been added to the shoe. Converse has also released a low-top version in 1957 and numerous colorways, a few iterations, and some collaborations since then.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Style
Although once geared as a performance shoe, the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top has developed into a casual sneaker that has attracted the notice of people from all walks of life, including celebrities in the grunge and pop culture scenes. The retro silhouette has a timeless look that is easily matched with everything short of a suit or gown.
For a cozy everyday look, match the Chuck Taylor All Star High Top with ripped jeans and a knit or button-down shirt. A boxy shirtdress, for women, can give off a stylishly easy look. To glam it up a bit, men can pair the sneaker with a crisp cuffed shirt and trousers while women can wear it with a mini dress and a retro jacket.
Fit & Sizing
The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top is a unisex sneaker with a wide selection of sizes to fit most foot lengths. The measurement is based on men’s sizes which range from 3 to 18. Women’s measurements can be taken by going down two sizes from the listed dimensions for men.
The model tends to run larger than standard sizing, so users are advised to go down a half size for a better fit. Since the shoe also has a flat sole, a cushioned insert might not only add comfort but provide a solution for the size difference as well.
Notable Features
The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top is a classic that has been a wardrobe staple for most. The shoe features that simple but timeless look that has captured the attention of generations of sneaker fans. It may not carry any newfangled shoe technology, but it’s still a comfortable and flexible shoe that’s built to last.
Additional Info
- As a testament to the shoe’s popularity in the game of basketball, in the first-ever NCAA game that took place in 1939, both teams were wearing Converse All Stars.
- The band, The Rolling Stones, made the Chuck Taylor their official sneaker for their 1989 Steel Wheels Tour.
- The ankle patch which bears Chuck Taylor’s name was his idea. It was added in to provide more support for the shoe.
- The Converse All Star was the first model to feature a “non-skid technology.” This was in 1917.