Sunday Staples: Chucks
I’ll neither confirm nor deny that a kitschy fetish for alliteration dictated the aim – and title – of this feature; hopefully a recurring feature, too, unless public disgust dictates that the plug be pulled- but, as I intend to simply highlight the staples of a men’s closet (feathery boas, jumbo paisley power ties, etc.), I don’t forecast that end. And what better timing for a debut than the most media-hyped, Internet-trafficked holiday of the year, Super Bowl Sunday? SHEI-bound online reroutes are inevitable, especially when Dwight Freeney’s nursing a bum ankle (dude’s gotta do something during all that down time).
But to lend credibility to the title: Sunday is a day of reflection, be it of the religious strain or simply casting memory on the week that was; a time to unfurl the paper, stare bleary-eyed into your coffee, and ask “what the hell is wrong with the world?” Because, let’s face it, this is hardly a swiftly tilting planet- we’ve hit some turbulence, suffice to say. Political, social, cultural uncertainty (“Glen Beck” umbrellas all three), calls for a constant; a reliable, everlasting institution. Does fashion fit this mold? No, probably not- literature, philosophical texts, and history books weave a better security blanket in times of hysteria. But the aura and memories attached to a few favorite sartorial standbys provide an impenetrable warmth – albeit material – removed from the world. Maybe.
Chuck Taylor All Star. White Lo-top. Cream of the shoe crop.
So, I’ll introduce the inaugural “Sunday Staples” with a nod to a timelessly designed, jack-of-trades piece of footwear : Converse’s Chuck Taylor All Stars. Converse has been churning out Chucks since 1917, and have since been the choice shoe for hipsters, grunge enthusiasts, and the homeless guy combing your garbage for recyclables. They’ve been your father’s shoe, his father’s shoe, and so forth, whether he’s staring down the paps (doubtful) or scored Lakers’ tickets from some dude in midlevel management. Not that ol’ Chuck’s strictly outfitting men- the androgyny and versatility of the All-Stars pad their staple status, as seen on the vampish Kristen Stewart.
More specifically, and with due respect to the ever expanding structure/color palette of the Converse spread, I prefer my Chucks to be white lo-tops (as modeled by the late Hunter S. Thompson). I respect a shin-scraping Supra Skytop and the gall of Reebok to arm its shoe with a pump, but the simplicity and clarity of design of a white, lo-top Chuck is refreshing in the increasingly gaudy shoeinverse (did you see Kanye’s collab with Louis Vuitton?). Not to mention the patriotic red, white, and blue colorway makes me want to unleash a primordial, Howard Dean-like yelp for Americcaaa! Kind of.
A few repressed summers ago, as a sales associate for a popular teen retailer, management informed me that I could wear either sandals or All Stars; I chose the latter, and thus sprung an ongoing relationship with me and Chuck. Unfortunately, Michigan winters dictate that I bench the shoes come November, but through thick, thin, and potential gangrene I’ll bust them out every now and then. Canvas, unfortunately, isn’t the prime shield against the elements, but come warm weather they’ve developed a watermarked patina reflective of another winter survived. Poolside with the Sunday Times in hand, mint julep on deck, and Chucks baking under the sun– that’s a staple.
Except I don’t own a pool.
This dude is excited about his Chucks. So am I!
Not to toot my blogging horn, but just found this on the day’s blogosphere: http://hypebeast.com/2010/02/timeless/
Awesome! Gotta love these Sunday Staples. I look forward to the beginning of the week just so I can read your blog. I also totally dig the chucks- timeless!