Converse Shoes: A Favorite for Feet Everywhere

My fascination with Converse shoes first came about when I saw The Edge wearing them live in concert. I had always known that he wore them, but they became particularly special to me once I saw them in person. I remember that night in St. Louis well. The Edge had just ripped into "Until The End of the World" for U2's encore performance and the arena was pitch black. Suddenly, a frenzy of bright white lights began to flash and I watched as he came running around the stage with Bono at his heels. I could see those white rubber toes flying towards me from a distance at first, then he passed where I stood in the next instant. Those canvas beauties were directly in my line of sight. I can't recall ever feeling so enamored over anyone's feet, but that did it for me. Ever since that night, I've built Converse shoes up to be the ultimate rock stars in footware.

Converse shoes run in mens sizes, which means you have to be careful when you buy them. I wear a size 7, but I'm typically a size 9 in womens. They come in all the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and beyond. You can even specialize which color(s) you'd like your new Converse shoes to be on the company's web site. One side can be red, the other black, and the tongue, orange. But, if you're not into paying the $40 fee sans shipping and handling, it would be a good idea to check Ebay for your particular style. They're much cheaper if you find a good auction and there are many styles available. I've personally seen a great range of styles and colors, including a spin on Dorothy's red slippers in "The Wizard of Oz". The exclusively red shoes were bedazzled with a vast array of ruby sparkles, but I just didn't have the guts to buy them. So, if you're not that into the crazy side of Converse, shoe laces are also another option to consider. There are so many colors and styles available and they can greatly add that extra something to them. Even if your pair is old and worn out, a new set of laces could liven them up your "Chucks".

One of the most intriguing things about these shoes is in its company's long history. The Converse Rubber Shoe Company was opened in 1908 and made some of the first exclusive tennis shoes for the sport, which was newly invented. Only later did they become popular in basketball, as "Chuck" Taylor, a basketball player himself, became the face of Converse shoes in 1921(hence the shoes' nickname, "Chucks"). However, despite the popularity these shoes obtained among athletes in the 20th century, I was recently advised to not wear my All-Stars in a PE class. It's true that technology has produced more comfortable shoes for both tennis and basketball, but I decided to wear them anyway. They gradually become more comfortable once you wear them down a little.

Almost every time I open my closet for a pair of shoes, I reach for a pair of Converse's. My staple pair is black with a red line that runs along the base because they match anything, even dress clothes. You may think that's slightly uncouth, but Ellen Degeneres wears hers all the time with her dress suits. Kirsten Dunst wore her trusty Converse sneaks under her extravagant dresses in "Marie Antoinette" for comfort. I've even worn them to a few "formal" family functions and yet I still get compliments on them. They're just made of canvas and rubber, but they sure do draw a lot of attention to your feet. My mom actually complimented me on my choice of shoes, as she told me that she used to have a light blue pair when she was my age. In fact, my grandmother became excited over last Christmas when she saw me wearing my black pair. "I had those when I was young!" she said with smile.

My most recent Converse purchase involved a bright new pair of pink high-tops. I love the reaction I get when I wear them. I work at Target as a cashier and decided to wear them once. My supervisor's reaction was unforgettable. But, as of yet, I only own a couple pairs of Converse and they're all high-tops. Even though they take a few minutes to tie, (so they aren't too loose or too tight) I think it's absolutely worth it. When you buy low-tops, you don't get that "All-Star" seal on the side with the big blue star and Chuck Taylor's signature. They may be easier to put on, but they're just not the classic kind.

So, in the end, whether it's because of The Edge, the many styles and colors they're available in or because of their history, I will always treasure my Converse shoes. Its simple rubber and canvas design has never gone out of style and I don't imagine that it ever will. And, after one hundred years of going strong, I believe that they'll still be the world's favorite go-to shoes even one hundred years from now.