Converse All Stars, Chuck Taylors and Jack Purcells

In 1917, the basketball world was revolutionized with the introduction of the Converse All Star shoe. Basketball player, Chuck Taylor, officially joined Converse in 1921 as an endorser. In 1923, Charles “Chuck” Taylor’s signature was added to the All Star patch and “Chuck’s” became synonymous with basketball. During World War II, Chuck Taylor All-Star shoes became standard issue for all soldiers and still remain the usual athletic shoes used for military training. In the 1950s, Converse began showing up on the feet of Hollywood elite and became the symbol of teenage rebellion, soon they were the number one choice of shoes with teenagers. In the 1960s, James Dean, the prototype of rebellion, was photographed wearing white Chucks. Today high-top “Chucks” are an American classic. With its unique ankle patch and molded sole imprint, Chuck Taylor shoes have sold over 750 million pair across the world. Chucks have even been listed in Vogue and GW as a fashion classic.

Available in either the high top or low top version, Chucks come in a variety of colors and patterns. Not only are they fashionable, but Chucks are also known for their comfort, due to their light weight and their eventual ability to mold to your feet. And of course, the price can’t be beat. For the price of one pair of Nike sneakers, the fashionable, savvy shoe collector can get five pairs of Chucks.

Jack Purcell shoes were introduced when badminton champion, Purcell, designed a shoe to provide protection and support on badminton courts. They became known for their quality, comfort, and style and are popular among vintage shoe collectors. In the 1970s, Converse purchased the trademark rights and still sells Purcell’s today.

Converse also offers special editions, like The Ramones edition and the Sailor Jerry edition, of which only 2,000 have been made. Three new designs, inspired by the band The Who, were created for High Tops as well as a special edition called 1Hund(red) which donated 15% of the profit to support AIDS relief. Converse also gave Kurt Cobain his own line of special edition Converse shoes as part of their 100th anniversary sales campaign, known as “Welcome to the Converse Century.” There will be several models of the shoes, including a series of high-tops, distressed the way Cobain often wore them and Cobain’s signature embroidered in the outer shoe.