Rules for Converse - YouLookFab Forum

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Rules for Converse

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hi Everyone!

I decided to get a pair of red converse low tops for trekking around campus (my Me Toos are the only pair I currently have that can make it 8 hours). Here they are (the red ones):

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/108000.html

Are these okay? I've never worn shoes like this before. For those of you who do, what are the rules? Do they only go with skinny/straight leg jeans? Can you wear them sockless with walk shorts?
I still want to be smart casual, I don't want to look sloppy. I know they won't go with everything I have, but there are a few outfits I have that I think they would be okay with, like these (amongst others):

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....0811-1.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....0631-1.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....0575-2.jpg

Am I on the right track?

Thanks for you help!

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

Amanda

Thanks for asking these questions, Ana. I'm interested in a pair of converse also but don't know what the "rules" are.

Maya

Veteran

I know some women can pull off straight legs with Chucks, and Angie has mentioned this is perfectly acceptable, but I definitely don't prefer it on myself. I always stick with bootcuts. Somehow there is too much shoe showing and I feel like it makes my size 6 feet look big and clumsy. I also feel short and stumpy somehow. Chucks are definitely a lot sleeker and funkier than most athletic shoes, but they're still not as delicate as a ballet flat or a slip-on sneaker, so I like to keep them from looking too heavy by covering them up a bit more. In short, straight legs are fine but if you find that you don't like the look, don't worry about it. Someone else here had the same issue and we discussed it a few weeks ago. I think it might have been Marianne.

I don't prefer them with walk shorts. Looks too teenybopperish to me. Definitely not skirts or dresses, though I doubt you would wear them that way.

Converses are casual-casual. I don't think you'll ever be able to bump them up to smart casual. I'm not sure if I'm right about this, but that's my impression. Casual isn't bad and it doesn't mean yoga pants and sweatshirts. If you're walking a dog, zipping around campus, going for a walk in the park, or attending an outdoor concert, casual is perfectly acceptable and I think preferable to SC.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yoooohooo. Converse queen at your service! Yay! Another Converse convert. Remember to put cushy insoles in for extra comfort.

There are loads of Converse styles to choose from, but I like the most basic retro ones with WHITE laces best. (Like the ones you’ve posted. Retro Chuck Taylors). I have those in black, yellow and tomato red. Might get them in grey too. I also have pair of back pinstripe and tweed Chucks with cream laces and soles that I bought in London. I wear those in Winter only. They sound hideous but they are super funky and not “young looking” .

I am in total agreement with Maya. I wear my Chucks with straight Ieg jeans – but not skinnies. I’d feel too much like a teeny bopper like that. But my straight legs are quite skinny so I’m being obtuse. Converse are casual. They do not make the smart casual mark. So your bottom options are:

o Straight leg, bootcut and wide-leg jeans (any colour)
o Casual pants

No skirts, dresses or walk shorts. Greg has two pairs of Converse – grey and black. He lives in them. Brendan might like them too. Greg’s look like this and he wears them with long baggy shorts and secret socks ( those your can’t see), or jeans. I think this look is fine for blokes, but butch for lasses:

http://zeta.zappos.com/product.....lor/139483

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yoooohooo. Converse queen at your service! Yay! Another Converse convert. Remember to put cushy insoles in for extra comfort.

There are loads of Converse styles to choose from, but I like the most basic retro ones with WHITE laces best. (Like the ones you’ve posted. Retro Chuck Taylors). I have those in black, yellow and tomato red. Might get them in grey too. I also have pair of back pinstripe and tweed Chucks with cream laces and soles that I bought in London. I wear those in Winter only. They sound hideous but they are super funky and not “young looking” .

I am in total agreement with Maya. I wear my Chucks with straight Ieg jeans – but not skinnies. I’d feel too much like a teeny bopper like that. But my straight legs are quite skinny so I’m being obtuse. Converse are casual. They do not make the smart casual mark. So your bottom options are:

o Straight leg, bootcut and wide-leg jeans (any colour)
o Casual pants

No skirts, dresses or walk shorts. Greg has two pairs of Converse – grey and black. He lives in them. Brendan might like them too. Greg’s look like this and he wears them with long baggy shorts and secret socks ( those your can’t see), or jeans. I think this look is fine for blokes, but butch for lasses:

http://zeta.zappos.com/product.....lor/139483

Nicole

Veteran

I especially love to wear my Chucks with loose baggy pants...but being an inverted triangle, I can wear loose baggy pants.

My husband especially likes that look on me.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Okay, thanks for the clarification. My "skinny" jeans are actually straight legs (14"-15" leg openings), so I think they should work. I don't have any bootcut jeans yet, but might invest in a pair this fall (right now I'm really liking straight legs). I don't think I'd wear anything wider than a bootcut at this point.

So, if Converse are casual, can I still wear them if the rest of my outfit is smart casual (as those I posted above are), or would that looks strange?

Thanks again for the advice!

sannes

I think these outfits would look great with red converse. Were you thinking of getting lowtops so that you could combine them with shorts/skirts/dresses? I agree with Angie that that might look a bit odd. But then, if your sticking with longer pants, I would definitely suggest getting high-tops, that just looks so much chicquer when the pants rise up, much more polished and fitting with the rest of the -tres chic- outfits.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Sannes. I actually wasn't planning on wearing these with shorts/skirts/dresses--I got low tops because I don't like the feel of the high tops on my ankles. I did think about when the pants rise up, but my pants are long enough that they don't rise up that much anyway, so I just went with the low.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

1st and 3rd outfits will work well with Converse. I don’t see “silky” tops working with the look. Does that make sense?

Shari

I think some people can carry off chucks with a dress or skirt for that punk/rocker look, but that is not most of us. And while guys look cute in Chucks with khakis, I'm not sure that works with us gals.

I adore Chucks and once had a pair that fit, but they run so narrow that my wide duck foot just can't fit them. I sometimes find knockoffs that run a bit wider - have a silver pair from Targay. I am thinking about sizing up and trying them again. But for now I'm sticking with my vintage Saucony Jazz, so comfy and supportive!

Shari

Ana

(website)

Veteran

That makes sense, thanks Angie.

Munequita

I know what you mean about converse sneakers. They are a bit hard to get used to wearing with more 'nicer' tops instead of tshirts. I wear mine with outfits like the 3rd one you posted because I feel like jeans, camis and cardigans work perfectly with this look. I was in school last year and this was my go to look. I accessorized with a short chunky pearl necklace. I also prefer using straight and bootcut jeans, but I prefer bootcut ones because of the same reasons Maya stated.

I own a pair of mary janes converse sneakers too and these are my favorite as I find them to be more streamlined over the retro chucks. These are so comfy too! :

http://zeta.zappos.com/product/7239196/color/39399

shell

Sounds like you basically have it sorted out, Ana. I'm sure they'll look smashing!

Are you planning to wear them with the red specs and lipstick? I'm just worried it's gonna be a whole lot of red! I'm sure you can pull it off, but I guess that's my only concern.

Becky

Veteran

Thanks for the info about the width, Shari. I was contemplating trying Converse, but if they run narrow, that's one option I can mark off my list!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

They come in wide too, Becky. I have a WWW client in Chucks. Go for it.

shiny

Veteran

I haven't tried mine with my straight legs yet, but I can vouch for the fact they look super-cute with my citizens huttons, which are flared at the bottom. Also bootcuts - naturally!

I *have* worn them with denim clams - when walking on the beach this past spring. It was a practical matter.

I have black and red (both knock-offs from Payless) and so far I've worn the black much more than the red. More versatile for my wardrobe.

I wear ped socks with mine - they don't show at all but make them more comfy and prevent blisters.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all the tips and information, everyone!

I just got my red lowtop Chucks in the mail today (Zappos is fast!). I think they look good. They are brighter red than the classic high top ones are, which I like. My only question is that they seem fairly long. Is this normal? Do you think I should have gone down a half size? I usually wear a size 8, and ordered that size for me (it's the men's size 6 since they are unisex). Zappos says to order a 1/2 size down for men, but not women. They are at least a thumb and a half long on the toe, even with pretty thick socks on. Maybe I should order the 7.5 and see how they work?

Also, I'm really digging these:

http://zeta.zappos.com/product.....lor/152535

Thanks everyone!

Becky

Veteran

Thanks for the tip, Angie. I knew they came in wide, but I figured if it's a narrow wide, it wouldn't work. I guess with zappos, what do I have to lose??

Ana, I'd definitely try a half size down. Free shipping and returns for whichever doesn't work!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Go for it, Becky!

Ana, I take half a size smaller in Chucks too. Perhaps try half a size down.

Kyle

Veteran

I have a pair of grey Converse. Had to order them one size smaller. Besides wearing them with super casual shorts or cargos, I wore them with a pair of pretty straight leg jeans and a kind of funky Zara jacket, as shown here. My son thinks it's amusing that we have the same shoes (his are black).

http://i302.photobucket.com/al.....jacket.jpg

Tanya

Veteran

Yay Ana, you got pretty red Converses. Can't wait to see all the great ways you are going to wear them. The printed ones a re really cool. I am seriously considering a grey pair like yours Kyle.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I ordered a size 7.5 and I'll send back whichever doesn't work. I'm going to see if there are ways I can wear them so that they still look nice and put together. I think it's going to be fun.

I think the grey would be perfect for you Tanya!

shiny

Veteran

Ana, I can't say for converse because mine are knock-off's BUT....

If you walk a lot, your feet probably need the extra room. Feet swell during the day and with lots of street pounding. I have been finding lately that a 1/2 size up in flats and sneaks (including my converse knockoffs) works really well - even if initially they feel like they are slipping off my feet and are too long.

My running sneaks are in my "regular" size 6 but they have a wide toe box (as all running sneaks tend to have) so they already and naturally accomodate for foot swelling.