Today I hate Converse trainers
This post is almost definitely going to leave me out of favour with the majority of readers as I am well aware that even the title of this post will leave many of you with boiling blood. However, you could at least hear me out?
On Good Friday there was an article in the Guardian about how converse trainers are the footwear of rock stars. It explains (accurately) how Converse have been worn by some of the greatest names in rock'n'roll including The Clash, Kurt Cobain and Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. However, and this to me is where the problem lies, they are also endorsed by the likes of Paul McCartney (who I might take this opportunity to point out is 65) and Ricky from the Kaiser Chiefs. Hmmm.
I like Macca as much as the next person but he's 65 and sadly has just-passed-midlife crisis written all over him. I honestly love Paul, and hate to be mean but over the past ten years has begun to resemble a drunk Uncle at a wedding waving and doing peace signs all over the place. He has also been guilty on many occasion of wearing a perfectly nice tailored suit with bright coloured converse trainers. Personally, if you're going to opt for a suit then you should keep it classic especially if you are over 50.
I can't even begin trying to explain why Ricky Wilson isn't cool. If you really must know, watch this clip (why is he wearing a CATS t-shirt? Is Andrew Lloyd-Webber suddenly cool?) and realise how unbelievably untalented they are. The narrator John Thompson introduces them saying, "They are best known for their football terraces anthem, I predict a riot." Riiiiight, and we all know how much talent goes in to writing football terrace anthems. It essentially involves a bit of abuse, something you can shout easily and a bit of anger. Altogether now, THE REFEREE'S A WANKA.
Anyway, I digress...
I am sure that Converse trainers and the most comfortable shoes ever made and they're a classic etc etc but please can people have some originality?! Yeah sure you can get them in a range of colours, patterns, shapes but why not walk away from the band wagon and see what else is out there. From what I've heard, trainers are designed to be comfortable so I'm sure that stores such as OffSpring are packed with soft shoes that mould to your feet. If you are more interested in comfort than style then why not opt for a pair of crocs!
For me, converse are inextricably linked with midlife crisis. They're what 30/40 something men wear to show the rest of the world that they're still in touch with the youth of today. They probably wear them with a pair of jeans and a Ramones/ The Smiths t-shirt, too much of a stereotype? Go to HMV/Fopp or any good record store on a Saturday and see how many men fit this description.
My final beef with this trainer is the fact that a lot of people I have met who wear them claim to hold no interest in fashion what so ever. If indeed this be true, how did they find out about converse in the first place? It's a trend and definitely a fashionable item whether I like it or not. Anything that is taken on in mass by the general public becomes a trend thus if you buy in to it, you become a follower of this trend.
In the early-mid nineties when grunge was still very much alive Converse were an acceptable item, however, now I feel they have gone too far in to the mainstream, they have 'sold out' if you like and their new advertising campaign which cashes in on their rock star endorsers just proves this. People are always going to wear them but please, the next time you need a new pair consider the other sneakers that are out there.
Rant over.
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