Let us start with the basics.

I am not exactly a sneakerhead by definition, but I do appreciate a good shoe, and I am keen on fashion. I believe I have a style, one that most almost always includes tennis shoes.  If there is one sneaker that dominates my current wardrobe more than any other it is a pair of white Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars. Be it high-top or low-top, I have purchased a white pair every year for the last 7 years.

Before I settled on white I owned an assortment of different models. In kindergarten my favorite pair was covered with multi-color dinosaurs (re-released fall 2007). The rubber souls had a tread that left dinosaur footprint behind in your tracks.

Who doesn't like some dinosaur-laden kicks?

Summer 1989, most of my classmates, growing up in Chicago, coveted the Air Jordan IV, featured in Spike Lee’s “joint” Do the Right Thing. However, a film that opened only one weekend earlier inspired the shoes of my desire.  A pair of Cons, black canvas on black rubber covered with yellow Batman logos. Now apparently I was not the only child interested in these “bat-shoes,” because we searched the entire city only find one pair with the Joker pattern. I tried them on, but I have always fought for good, and could not bring myself to support a villain.

Too bad they didn't re-issue these in tribute of Heath Ledger

In High School, my parents were more frugal when it came to purchasing footwear. I continued to wear Converse, mostly the classic black, because they were affordable. This is probably the same reason they were worn by The Ramones in the late 1970s and became a staple in my, and others, “punk rock” wardrobes… not to mention they went well with a studded belt.

Today, I work in the films industry in a business casual office. I show up in a button-down shirt, slim slacks, and most days topped off… or more appropriately, bottomed off with a clean white pair of Chucks. They may not be as flashy, exclusive, or collectible as your Jordans, Dunks, or Nike Air Force Ones, but they achieve their perfection in the simplicity of their design and should not be overlooked by enthusiasts. Although I purchase other shoes I still always find myself coming back to Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars.

Kent

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