- Converse is best known for its iconic One Star high-top trainers
- The first One Star trainer was developed way back in 1917, while the company itself was started back in 1908
- Converse became popular for its ‘Non-skids’ of rubber soled shoes
- This is the first time Converse has released a sandal
Because summer is almost here, Converse has pulled the wraps off the One Star Sandals (and because toes deserve to see the light of day, too).
The One Star shoe features a completely new design, along with a cross strap in soft suede featuring that iconic One Star logo. Along with the updated look, you get an EVA memory foam sole that has been built for additional support.
The shoe comes at an important time for the sandal-wearing community. Socks and sandals – generally the style world’s most gross faux pas – is now very much back in fashion. Recent sock/sandal advocates include Kanye West, Justin Bieber and Tyler the Creator.
The sock-meets-sandal phenomenon came about at the intersection of two interesting ideas. The first, that wearing sandals is nice and comfy. The second, sometimes your feet get cold when they’re exposed to the elements. But over the years, the cozy slip-on footwear became unsuitable for wearing outside. Those times have – rather happily – passed.
Socks and sandals are now genuinely fashionable, and rocking a pair of these Converse One Star sandals along with a cool and trendy sock is currently the height of Spring Summer 2019’s grunge-heavy style movement.
Just be wary about your sock choice. Nothing will ruin a look like this than by pairing these One Stars with ugly toe-warmers. Look for a sock with some texture and colour (preferably one that looks good against the sandal’s strap colour).
Converse as a brand started way back in 1908, as a rubber company. Eventually, the company’s founder – Marquis Mills Converse – designed the forerunner of the modern All Star shoe under the name of ‘non-skids’.
The brand wouldn’t go gang-busters until 1921, when a semi-professional basketball player called Chuck Taylor joined the company. He suggested several additions to the shoes, including better ankle support, which were adopted into the design.
At the time, there weren’t very many individual sport-dedicated trainers, and so the All Stars became popular in several of the United States’ major basketball leagues. The rest, is history.
