Chuck Taylors by Converse are the classic sneaker for cool, casual style when combined with the right outfit. It isn’t rocket science to rock them. But I do believe there are ways to – and not to! – wear them. Here are 12 DO’s and DON’Ts based on my experiences observing them on the streets.
1) DON’T…
combine Chucks with a totally boring or meh outfit.
Converse are not your ordinary sneaker. Over the years, they’ve gone from the basketball court to the red carpet. How-ev-er, they don’t perform miracles.
2) DO…
use brightly-colored Chucks to add a pop of color to your ensemble.
3) Or DO…
let your outfit do the popping, and let the Chucks stay coolly in the background.
4) DON’T…
set up a competition between your patterned Chucks and other eye-catching pieces.
A dish with too many spices doesn’t always come out like Chicken Con Mole. Balance is key.
5) DO…
wear your fun, patterned Chucks with a low-key, simpler, or coordinated outfit.
6) DO…
definitely DO wear brightly-colored Converse with a popping outfit.
Converse automatically make a statement – as retro, artistic, ironic, irreverent, etc. And so, combining colorful Chucks with an equally outfit can be tricky – like wearing stripes with stripes. But, it CAN be done…well.
7) DON’T…
wear your Chucks with no laces or loose ones.
It’s sloppy, especially with worn-looking sneakers.
HOWEVER, Converse high tops can sometimes make a girl’s ankles look gangly and disproportionate. In that case, it helps to loosen the laces at the top. Another way to make your ankles look more proportionate is is to wrap the laces (as seen below).
8) DON’T…
wear Chucks with long, baggy jeans. It brings them dangerously close to the SNEAN (read: sloppy) look.
Cropped wide-legged jeans, however, can look cool with high tops.
9) DO…
wear them with skinny jeans and pants, especially if you cuff or shorten the hem.
10) DO…
wear them with leggings and athleisure.
11) DO…
wear Chucks with flirty, short-hemmed skirts and dresses.
12) and finally, DEFINITELY…
wear them with a midi/maxi skirt or dress!
Wondering why I didn’t mention knee-length dresses? They can look frumpy or make legs look stumpy. But that, my friends, is a topic for a whole new post.
I hope you’ve enjoyed these looks I spotted in Milan, New York, L.A., Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle, Converse are a classic. They add a serious boost of style to myriad looks – or not. Which is your favorite way to wear Converse?
* This article was updated in May, 2017.
Psst! Have you heard? Converse has come up with the Converse All-Star Modern, which is a totally comfy upgrade! You can find them HERE.
