all-stars
I've always been a big fan of classic Converse sneakers and can't remember a time in my life when I didn't own a pair. They are classic, last for years (my current pair is four years old), are comfortable (okay, only with socks) and add a touch of tomboy charm to everything.
While tidying up my inspiration folders the other day, I realised many of my favourite street style pictures involve a pair of Chucks. Hence this post, a little love letter to a true wardrobe all-star.
The Sartorialist definitely appreciates Chucks, and props to him for capturing a diversity of looks; his pictures show the incredible versatility of Chucks and how they suit a broad range of styles -
And then there's Vanessa Jackman and Maya Villiger, who capture them the way I like to wear them -
Above, Vanessa Jackman
Maya Villiger
The best thing about Chucks is that when a pair gives way, you know you'll be able to replace them without difficulty. That's not an easy thing these days, when fast fashion rules.
Pictures from the sartorialist, vanessa jackman here, here, and here, turned out
Comments
I've been looking for summer shoes but this post reminded me that maybe I don't really "need" to buy shoes, and that chucks are a great option (at least until I have too much extra money haha).
Great photos and inspiration, and I agree with PPP yours are perfect. I love the easy way you wear them.
Alice: They're so all-American, I agree! I used to wear the black and cream ones but I like these ones better I think.
And I think these are great summer shoes - I like how they look with sundresses.
CamisaBlanca: Thanks! I think of these as my muck-up shoes too - they're my fave travel shoes because they can rough it out a bit but they're also stylish.
I love the high-top style too, my last pair was a pair of black high-tops. There's something a little bad ass about them.
I feel when I have to replace mine because I like them best battered - I feel so strange in a crisp new pair.
Fleurette: They chafe my feet a bit so I prefer them with socks, plus I hate my sweaty feet in canvas shoes...I feel gross at the end of the day. I can only skip socks when it's all-leather shoes.
Catherine: I assume you mean the slip-ons? I never quite took to them, and I haven't tried a pair in years so I cld be wrong, but I remember they were heavier than I liked, and also they're so padded all round that I felt a bit clumsy. And I can wear low socks with Chucks but I can't with Vans and I find canvas shoes uncomfortable without socks.
Apparently, when THEY had gone to high school in the late 1960s, only very very poor kids wore chucks, and dad didn't want people looking down on me for not being able to afford "real" sneakers!
oh, fashion...
chrisbean: I know exactly what you mean! sneakers trends got quite "posh" for a while but I still like the scruffy feel of these best. nice and unpretentious.
editor: haha! i'm perfectly comfortable in mine, but then i generally find all sneakers to be comfortable because i grew up in them - they fit pretty much like the canvas school shoes we all had to wear as part of our uniforms, and are definitely more solidly comfortable than those.
garderoben: cool, would love to see picts of those on your blog then!
LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(Sweden)
minima/maxima, a blog about minimalist style
Agree that it look great with white dresses for spring/summer!
http://herribbonsandherbows.blogspot.com
Hope to see that post soon!
maria: Thanks, hope you had a good one as well.
petrichore: You're right! They get through light puddles and rain quite well.
Eileen: I had no idea they're so hard to find. They're heavy and quite smelly (the rubber) to start off with I suppose, haha. I don't like wearing any canvas shoes without socks, so I always wear my Chucks with socks (including very low "invisible" ones), and I find them perfectly comfy that way.
miss comfy: I wear them year-round!
Ginta: I had one pair that I loved and almost cried when I lost them - high-tops, with the canvas covered with grey jersey, with white laces. Very simple, but subtly different. I bought them in Berlin. I spent a year looking for them after I saw lost and til now to no avail, and til now I still miss them.
It's quite lovely to be able to let things go without too much regret.
LN: Agree!
Alexandra: I'm sure someday you'll get it just right.
Kaÿte: I quite loved that outfit as well. Such a great attitude.
MJ: Mine are really grimy, but luckily I like them that way. haha.
Joy: I guess Chucks are iconic, but there are so many great canvas sneakers that are good in their own way, like Jack Purcells, Keds, and Tretorns. My love of Chucks is probably sentimental.
I love my cream ones but I think black is pretty good as well...a little more badass, haha. The cream ones have more of a "preppy" vibe.