Most Converse shoes are designed to be narrow and thin. While the solid-colored versions of this iconic shoe are understated and versatile, the black and white checkerboard style offers the timeless look most people want. So, if you love the Converse classic look and still want to buy them, I recommend you buy a pair of low tops in your favorite color or shop for some crazy and fun prints. One of the main brands would likely be of better quality, Hamill said. According to experts, the benefit of taping -- and braces -- is mainly proprioceptive, in which the tapes contact with the skin induces the muscles to respond better and prevent injury. Im 47 and never had a pair of chucks. Made of canvas, it had a thinner rubber sole compared to the Converse All-Stars, which debuted in 1917 and in 1934 became known as Chuck Taylors. In my opinion, Chucks look great for men that are all about being comfortable and going for a relaxed vibe. The light fresh design is perfect for summer and it looks great with all manner of summer clothing. Compared, Converse sneakers boast genuine athletic features. In a larger study from 2001, researchers looked at more than 10,000 Australian basketball players, and didn't find high- or low-tops to be major risk factors for ankle injuries. Converse shoes are generally more comfortable than Vans. A 2017 report from Morgan Stanley estimates that Nike invested about $2.5 billion into overall research and development over the previous five years. Good question, Michelle. Whether it's cushioning air cells in the sole, new types of rubber for better traction, lighter materials, or even the more gimmicky inflatable ankle support of the Reebok Pumps, the basketball shoe has always been a marriage of form and function. In that case, it helps to loosen the laces at thetop. Canvas upper, durable rubber sole. Be certain they peak over the ankle too. The Best Prada Sunglasses for Any Occasion and Face Shape, 5 Brands Like Abercrombie & Fitch for that American Aesthetic. When you want to dress up, youll want to upgrade to high-tops and pair your footwear with high-waisted jeans and a flannel, crop top or designer shirt. You can wear your Converse with jeans and a t-shirt, sweater or cute top for a cool and casual outfit. But I am still not sold on the high tops because of their high ankle upperparts. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. "For everything we publish, we do 100 technical reports," said Matthew Nurse, the vice president of Nike's sport research lab in Portland. Although they strike a vintage tone, these low-profile suede shoes are easy to wear and always look fresh. Because large-scale epidemiological studies of athletes playing basketball are difficult and expensive, they're rare. 1) DONTcombine Chucks with a totally boring or meh outfit.. They are very sturdy and can last a long time depending on the kind of use you give them. How-ev-er,they dont perform miracles. I think that wearing them with skinny jeans wont necessarily make you look shorter, especially if your top is the same tone as your jeans. I am 61 years old, nearly 62. For a touch of elegance, accessorize with a sports watch and designer sunglasses. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel it. Marcus Woo is a freelance science writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area who has written for Wired, BBC Earth, BBC Future, National Geographic,New Scientist,Slate, Discover,and other outlets. My favorite color is red. Dont forget your crew socks! One of my favorite models had a Van Gogh painting on the canvas. Sure, shoes protect your feet. But from social status to social justice, shoes have always meant something more -- regardless of who's wearing them. For a premium, you can get their ComfyCush sublines, which offer more padding and arch support. Thank you, as I am new to wearing Chucks, this article really came in handy. But like with a ski boot, excess support transfers the forces -- and potential injuries -- upward to the knee. based on my experiences observing them on the streets. A dish with too many spices doesnt always come out like Chicken Con Mole. Low tops are super durable, and if the canvas is black like these Chuck Taylors you can expect it to endure quite a bit of dirt without looking haggard! From the classic Chuck Taylors to the latest Air Jordans, basketball footwear has usually meant high-tops, whose higher cut ostensibly provides support against sprains. I have low converse and just bought hightops! They add a serious boostof style to myriad looks or not. These sneakers come in several styles, but Vans offers more variety. These iconic footwear brands make several high-quality low-top and high-top sneakers as well as comfortable slip-on shoes. Whether scribbled or sketched on, roughed up and scuffed from countless concerts and everyday sneaker love, or worn clean to pay homage to Old School hoops, the Converse All Star is what you make it: an authentic lifestyle sneaker with a blank canvas for expression. Im right with you, Jane! But over the 20th century, high-tops remained the standard. "In any sport, I think shoes are very, very important," said Joseph Hamill, a biomechanist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. For this reason, Converse has a distinguished runway quality, boosted by their trademark design accents, like the All Star patch and the white toe cap. When it comes to womens footwear, youll find high-top sneakers with the classic design, platform bumpers and thicker outsoles or more eye-catching color combinations. When Nike bought Converse, they released the highly functional Chuck Taylor II sneakers. I love the red high tops with platform bc Im short. Even the first basketball shoes were cutting edge, with soles made of rubber, a new and expensive material at the time. But shoe companies do plenty of their own, unpublished work. It instantly makes me think of Liv Tyler during her teen years. I tried them repeatedly with socks, and although this solved the problem at the beginning, the crew socks werent tall enough and they would get sucked into the shoe due to the friction and bother me even more. The sherpa upper Sk8-His or multi-toned Classics make eye-catching statement pieces. Hey, thanks for your comment! Unless you want to splurge and buy from the more expensive comfort line, Vans sneakers have thin insoles with minimal arch support. As fashionable wardrobe staples, you can wear your Converse and Vans shoes with many different outfits to create an effortlessly stylish and cool look. When you wear Converse products, you create a culture of authentic street style simply by being yourself. I was a bit afraid of the added friction but the canvas is soft and I wore them with thin socks. Converse has come up with the Converse All-Star Modern,which is a totally comfyupgrade! But I do believe there are ways to and not to! The company started by designing skateboarding footwear and apparel, and has since become a mainstream brand that creates fashionable clothing. Chuck Taylors by Converse are the classic sneaker for cool, casual style when combinedwith the right outfit. Umm you totally can. Converse shoes fit a half size bigger than most sneakers so you should always go a half size down. If you are using a screen reader and are having problems using this website, please call 1-888-324-6356 for assistance in English or 1-866-322-9099 for assistance in Spanish. And the ankle patches on the early Chuck Taylors were also meant to cushion impacts, she said. Just make sure the strap leather matches the leather on your Vans. Nike researchers, he said, use motion-capture systems, sensors, cameras, and other tools to zoom in on how basketball players move. Message frequency may vary from 20101. (42 Awesome Ideas You Cant do Without). "The technology has gotten better, but the shoe by itself is probably not the end-all, and needs to be done in conjunction with an insole -- especially with a history of injury," he said. I love them. Both classic and iconic, the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Hi exhibits timeless high top sneaker style. The multitude of factors means the right basketball shoe must be specific to the individual. Their top line is the popular and iconic Chuck Taylors model, a versatile and athletic shoe that everyone recognizes. And all those factors have trade-offs. Their classic silhouette and sleek construction partner beautifully with chinos, a button-down, and a blazer. The whole look can be either super casual with or without a denim jacket, or work-approved if you add a classic extra-large blazer. Chuck Taylors were made for actual basketball players. This will result in fewer twisted ankles if youre an active person, or just clumsy like me! Offer is available for first-time mobile subscribers only. "The shoes themselves are designed to try and alleviate specific factors in terms of minimizing injury risk.". Converse has been making Chuck Taylor All Star and One Star sneakers since we started over a century ago, and now we work to make new street style classics. Which Are More Comfortable: Vans or Converse Shoes? If you put Converse Chuck Taylors side by side with Vans Sk8-His, youll see that Chucks are noticeably longer. The Science of Sneakers: High-Tops vs. Low-Tops, Kristen Nicholson: The Science of Athletes in Motion, Phil Skiba: When Math Meets Sports Performance, Dumbbell-Shaped Holes Make Electronic Skin More Breathable, Physicists Unspool What Happens When Fabrics Dry, We're Ending Our Coverage, But Science Goes On, Heated Debate Rises Over Hints of Superconductivity Above Boiling Temperatures, New Analysis of Pigs' Grunts Reveals How They're Feeling, Nicole Yunger Halpern: When Physics Marries the Past to the Future, James Poskett: Science Has Always Been Global. Low tops can also be worn with a myriad of outfits. See our disclosure here. Their basketball classic look is easily recognizable, particularly the red model. In the NBA, about half of players use custom insoles, made from a computer scan of their feet, said Osterman, the Wizards and Mystics team podiatrist. Today, about half of NBA players wear low-tops, according to Howard Osterman, the team podiatrist of both Washington's professional basketball teams, the NBA's Wizards and the WNBA's Mystics. In a perfect world, people could get a pair of white Chucks and black Vans to suit all types of outfits. Which is your favorite way to wear Converse? My first pair of high-top red chucks arrived today. Thats a good trick for elongating. With the brands signature athletic look, Converse shoes can be worn with any casual outfit and most smart casual ensembles. What you wear defines sport, street, and creative culture, and we have been redefining it with you all along. During the 90s, embellishing things with glue guns was definitely a thing, so go for it and add a little glitter to make your Converse unique! But, when it comes to injury, they're not everything. Im keeping my skinny jeans to tuck into boots in winter at least. It is important to note that Vans slip-ons are extremely comfortable and provide excellent short-term comfort for walking, skating and lifting. Conventional wisdom would say the prevalence of low-tops is a recipe for more injuries. Most men and women will style their Vans shoes with a pair of skinny jeans or straight-leg pants like Dickies and a graphic t-shirt, sweatshirt or hoodie for a universally-flattering finish. by the Smiths and Here with me by Dido. Those who wear extra wides can go for their average sneaker number size. Level up the boldness with a bomber jacket that matches the color of your Vans. In particular, two of the more recent studies found no difference between high- and low-tops in how much an ankle turns and in the up-and-down motion of jumping and landing. The Warriors' title hopes may rest on his precarious ankles, which he tapes and braces for every game because of his well-documented injury history. The original Chucks feature a flattering high-top ankle, though theyre also available as a practical and convenient low-top. Generally speaking, Vans and Converse are comfortable shoes that are great for everyday wear. Receive our style, fashion, and beauty updates. To get a popular athletic look, Vans high-tops and low-tops can be styled like trainers and paired well with jeans and fitted crew-neck shirts. With this stylish outfit, you can choose an earth-tone cable-knit turtleneck on cooler days or a sexy silk camisole shirt in the summer. Shoe companies also have big-money agreements with college teams, and have become embroiled in a scandal involving Adidas and multiple universities. 90sfashion.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Most Vans last for one to two years with moderate use and regular cleaning, making the brand affordable and well-made. In general, study results are mixed. Its sloppy, especially with worn-looking sneakers. While there are many popular styles, the Vans Old Skool sneaker and the Classic Slip-On are generally must-have footwear. It may be difficult to distinguish real innovation from marketing, but for the most part, shoe companies do pour considerable research into their shoes. Your Favourite 90s Dresses Plus Some Mistakes Wed Rather Forget, Modern Hipster Trends Borrowed from the Styles of the 90s, Closet Essentials: Versatile Ways to Wear a Black Skirt. As sneaker culture has flourished -- manifesting as a complex intersection of fashion, capitalism, politics, culture, race and society -- basketball shoes continue to be at the forefront of footwear technology. You can wear Vans with many different casual and smart casual outfits, creating a comfortable and cool look. The majority of college players also choose low-tops, said Patrick Talley, an athletic trainer for UCLA's women's basketball team. It isnt rocketscience to rock them. wear them. To be honest, I feel that capris no longer look that up-to-date. They sport a highly-favored silhouette thats low and long, a stitched upper portion, a white rubber toe cap, and the trademark All Star patch. Top it off with a blazer for more formal occasions or on cooler days. All rights reserved. I already have at least two more pairs waiting. Taping and braces can also benefit the recreational player who has recently twisted an ankle. Be it skinny jeans, mom jeans, or ripped jeans, they look relaxed paired with a t-shirt and cardigan or ready to rock with a leather jacket. But, it CANbe donewell. But those studies were biomechanical experiments, in which researchers measured the forces and movements in the feet of volunteers who ran, jumped, and cut in a lab. Cropped wide-legged jeans, however,canlookcool with high tops. Are you considering buying a pair of Converse to get your 90s vibes back? And none have conclusively implicated high- or low-tops in ankle injuries. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Well, in honor of our new Vice President Kamala Harris, decided now was the time. But that, my friends, is a topic fora wholenew post. Converse automatically make a statement as retro, artistic, ironic, irreverent, etc. Input your search keywords and press Enter. Converse trainers are made with top-quality materials. The two women pictured do look cute, but I wouldnt say that their outfits are particularly stylish. If you are going for a preppy look, tie a sweater around your neck, tie your high ponytail with your favorite scrunchie and keep your outfit minimal. When it comes to sneakers, Vans and Converse make some of the best casual shoes on the market. Here are12DOsandDONTsbased on my experiences observing them on the streets. Psst! Image credits:Abigail Malate, Staff Illustrator, Rights information: Copyright American Institute of Physics (reprintinginformation). Another great streetwear combo is to go for weathered and ripped denim with a graphic sweatshirt. You can also have fun with your favorite graphic tees. Dont forget you can also dress them up if you swap your activewear gear for some dressy pants and a matching jacket. It brings to mind long shorts and muscled tees, ripped jeans and rocker t-shirts, and above all a rebel attitude!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'90sfashion_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',882,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-90sfashion_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0')}; There are a ton of amazing prints to choose from, among them a paint drip design, customizable flower embroideries, washed denim in different hues, tie-dyed effects, and more. So glad you enjoyed it. Yes, shoes are important. Pair your footwear with cuffed slim-fitting black jeans, a long lightly-woven white shirt, a slim blue denim shirt jacket or a fitted leather jacket. Id rather wear low tops and go sockless or wear thin socks if I do so desire. Some of her favorite memories during the 90s include wearing bucket hats and trying to copy Rachels hairstyle. Chucks are usually made of cotton canvas, but there are other variations these days, such as leather. I have narrow feet so the idea of the hightops is my choice. They must allow for the foot's natural movements during play -- but not too much. The difference between victory and defeat can come down to a wayward bounce of the ball -- or a turn of the ankle. Text STOP to cancel. Today, Chuck Taylors remain Converses best-seller. At the highest levels of basketball, all players undergo rigorous strength and balance training to prevent injuries. Stylish and functional, Converse shoes feature Nikes athletic technologies. In the beginning, high-tops ruled the basketball court. They add a serious boostof style to myriad looks or not. The standard black shoes are a safe and timeless option for modern men. Some stylish men will wear Chuck Taylors with a fitted t-shirt and slim-fit jeans since these casual pieces generally match the tight design and silhouette of the shoes. Ankle boots were the norm in the late 19th century, and basketball shoes just reflected that style. You can choose from black, brown, gray, blue or orange Old Skool shoes to find the perfect fit for your outfit. Birkenstock vs. Dansko: In the Battle of the Brands, Who Comes out on Top? 35 Best Online Shopping Websites For Women, Tattoo Pain Chart: Least and Most Painful Spots To Get A Tattoo. Theycanlook frumpy or make legs look stumpy. And as many as 80 percent of NBA players use tape during games, Osterman said. At the collegiate level, trainers like UCLA's Talley make sure each player wears the right shoe. A cheaper shoe can be just as effective as an expensive option, he said. Keds vs. Toms: Which Relaxed Shoe Brand Wins? This post is a few years old, and I have to admit that my views have changed a bit. Both of the girls in the pics look cute. Always a popular fashion-favorite, Chuck Taylors come in black, white, red, blue and and several other lively patterns. Then, in 2008, Nike released low-tops as part of its Nike Zoom Kobe line, and with the boost from the Los Angeles Lakers superstar's endorsement, low-tops have since surged in popularity. What a way to prepare for being 62! These high-tops are youthful and chic, and come in countless colorways. I hope youve enjoyed these looks I spotted in Milan, New York, L.A., Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle, Converse are a classic. Show us your style by tagging us @journeys on social media. As a lightweight trainer, Chucks are equal parts fashionable and practical. It isnt written in stone, and it is constantly changing. There is plenty to choose from: slip-on sneakers, platform shoes, boots However, the two styles guaranteed to provide the classic retro look that we cherish the most are the All-Stars high top and low top models. Black all-leather slip-ons are a great way to dress up and style a smart casual outfit. But in general, strength and balance exercises might be even more important. The rubber bumper on the point of the shoe protects your toes if you are walking on rocky terrain or going boating, another great point for summer wear. When flipping through Vans catalog, youll find standard skater footwear as well as more versatile designs. Loved your article! This research helps designers understand factors like traction, the stiffness of the sole, the height of the heel, and stability in the foot's side-to-side motion. I personally still like to wear skinny jeans sometimes (Im 27 now), but its nice that a looser fit is appreciated. In most cases, Converse sneakers can be paired with a wider range of styles, allowing you to dress your footwear up or down to suit your desired look. To help you decide, weve compiled this guide on Vans and Converse shoes. And I am also a firm believer in being/dressing hip at any age. You can even switch out the jeans for an A-line skirt for a feminine and flirty twist. "The real reason why we had ankle-covering sneakers in the first place was that it was a reflection of the ankle boots that men were wearing," said Elizabeth Semmelhack, the senior curator for the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. Chuck Taylors by Converse are the classic sneaker for cool, casual style when combinedwith the right outfit. Another popular heritage line, the Vans Sk8-Hi is a high-top sneaker that features cool colors and trendy styling for a different look. For a rugged vibe, swap the jeans out for slim work pants and top your ensemble off with a denim or cargo jacket. The sleek and charming aesthetic remained, but comfort and performance technology was added. Converse is a popular American shoe company that designs stylish sneakers and apparel for men and women. The problem is that basketball demands a diverse range of motion: jumping, landing, running, sliding side-to-side, and everything in between.