Authentic Chuck

(Image from metrophotochallenge.com)

I can't say I know much about fashion. I'm a pretty simple guy when it comes to clothing. I have always been that way. At times I felt strange for not having a desire to wear clothing blasted with company logos, especially in my younger years. But as I have grown, the plain style has grown to suit me well. One thing I enjoy most out of any piece of clothing, is a great pair of shoes. I'm not talking about accessorizing and owning ten different pairs to match my mood for the day, but rather a few good pairs of shoes to get me by until they eventually disintegrate into mangled rubber and canvas. Two styles that share similarities, as well as my appreciation, are the Converse Chuck Taylor lo-tops, and the Vans Authentic. Both are simple, functional shoes that have served their purpose for far longer than I have been able to wear them.

(Image from consumie.com)

The Converse All-Star was first produced in 1917 as Converses answer to the public need of a Basketball shoe. The shoe did not catch on until renowned basket ball player of his time, Chuck Taylor, adopted the allstar as his main shoe for playing in. From there, the shoe grew throughout the world of basketball, continuing to grow until it had become the standard shoe for any serious basketball player. The original All-Stars were a rubber vulcanized sole, with a high-top canvas body, consiting of 16 lacing eyelets, as well as two additional eyelets for ventilation. The shoes most notable feature is the rubber toe cap 

that is a continuation of the sole. 

(Image form Zappos.com)

The vans authentic originated in 1966 as the “#44 Deck Shoe”. The design consists of a “waffle grip” vulcanized rubber sole, a canvas body, and ten lace eyelets. What started out as simple sturdy shoe grew to prominence in the 1970s when skateboarders discovered their perfect fit for the sport. The shoes have been popular amongst kids, teens, men, women, punk rock bands, hip hop artists, and basically everyone in between.

 Both of these shoes share a similar design, as well as use of materials, however, they look signifcantly different. The Converse toe cap and elongated body contrasts with the Van's all canvas and slightly shorter body. The all star originated as a basketball shoe, while vans originated as a leisure shoe that eventually was adopted and praised by the world of skateboarding. Converse also initially started on the east coast, while vans originated here in sunny California. Aside form these differences, the shoes are actually very much alike.

Both vans and converse have developed into a footwear phenomena in terms of the amount of boundaries they have crossed. People from all walks of life have worn these shoes. Both shoes now come in various patterns and colorways, including limited and custom made editions.Both claim some association in the world of alternative music such as punk or grunge, as can be seen in the converse sporting Ramones, or vans equipped bands of modern punk. Although vans originated the skate shoe, converse has caught onto the hype and even has their own skateboarding line and team. 

Converse and Vans have become synonymous with american popular culture. They have covered the feet of millions while those wearing them set trends and broke boundaries. Not only were these trendsetters able to accomplish such feats, but they were able to do them with nothing more than some plain canvas vulcanized shoes tied to their feet.