... this blogger gave to thee...
... seven custom Cons...
... six fancy dresses...
... five gold things!..
... four FX plushies...
... three midnight magnets...
... two tricks and treats...
....a tale of lovely lore.What comes after a dress shopping? Shoe shopping, or at least shoe appreciation. In previous years I've tried to pick shoes that could match up to the dresses from Day 6, in others I've gone ham showing off pairs from one particular brand. Well, I've done that once, last years choice to showcase Irregular Choice shoes was actually allowing me to gently bully my little sister into admitting that she liked at least one pair... and do you know what happened? SHE DID!
And she loved the most ridiculous pair in my book, the faux fur peep toes based on Animal from The Muppets pair:
It actually blew me away that of all the pairs I picked, these were the ones she loved, and that after years of her telling me how much she disliked the shoes from this brand, I'd actually found a pair she would like!
Today however I'm stepping away from bullying my little sister, and instead going back to basics with a true classic, Converse, because if I'm honest I wear four pairs of shoes consistently, a pair of black ankle boots, a pair of ballet pumps and either a pair of Converse Ct Lite Ox's (a thin soled variant that was discontinued) or a pair of traditional Converse 70 Classic low tops. And I fully admit that I am a ruiner of shoes, I will wear a pair until they fall apart and then I'll move onto the next pair until they fall apart.
There was a point in time where having dirty, holey, scribbled on Converse would have been ideal. It was a mark of pride for some people I knew that their originally white converse were now completely grey, or that the first thing they'd do with a brand new pair was go outside, rub them with dirt and scuff them up so they look old. Pristine wasn't the goal, grungy and lived in was. Unless you had some of the weird and wacky patterns or a one of the particularly bright colour the brand produced.
So for today I could show you seven pairs of cool Converse that you could go out and buy... or I can show you seven pairs of cool Converse that people have hacked and individualised, plus some of the ways you could turn a pair you're bored with into something unique to you. That sounds more fun, so let's go with that.
Painted/Drawing
Probably the easiest way to customise your sneakers is by drawing or painting on them. It takes minimal supplies, can take minimal effort and yeah, your skill level when it comes to art does play a role in painting on this particular canvas, but it can be as simple as flicking paint at them. This would lead you to creating a similar design, unique to you, which you'd pay £80 for if you were to buy the real thing in a shop.
Archive Paint Splatter Chuck 70 in Digital Blue from Converse
I'm not knocking buying that perfect pair of premade Chuck's, but there's fun to the individuality that you, and only you, can create.
It could be a simple floral like these ones from Kate Fitzgerald's Etsy shop, Original Kate...
Hand Painted/Embroidered Flower Converse by OriginalKate on Etsy
... something to show your love for one of your favourite artist, singers or films...
Hand Painted Van Gogh Starry Night Converse from MadCandies on Etsy
Totoro Shoes by Kayleigh29 on DeviantArt
... or your own art work...
It's as simple as picking up a pen, a paintbrush and some paint and going nuts. You could even use bleach to remove colour and designs from the canvas to create an interesting tie dye patterns.
Though it's probably wise to have some sort of plan of action, especially if you're using Converse as opposed to generic sneakers that cost a third of the price, because a sketch can't hurt, but your bank balance can.
Link || Archive Paint Splatter Chuck 70 in Digital Blue from Converse
Link || Kayleigh29 || DeviantArt
Link || Bobsmade || Website || Instagram || Twitter || TikTok || Facebook || Pinterest || DeviantArt || YouTube
Embroidery
Another simple, relatively inexpensive option for adding your own unique spin to your sneakers is embroidery, which of course Converse has embraced releasing editions such as the Chuck Taylors All Star It's Okay to Wander High Tops:
They're not complicated designs, they use micro florals and tiny icons to add a little flourish to your shoes, and if you look on Etsy hand embroidered sneakers are everywhere!
Custom Converse Chuck Taylor 1970s Embroidery Logo by CustomConversDesigns on Etsy
Converse Space Hand Embroidery by MEMEstoreBotique on Etsy
Again this means of customising takes minimal materials, in the end it's a needle and some embroidery thread, which you can get from online retailers for as little as a fiver, but it does take a little bit of basic knowledge. This genuinely only needs to be a very basic skillset in how to embroider, I promise, it's not as difficult as it looks, and if you take your time, watch some YouTube on how to do basic stitches, you'll be able to create simple forms like stars, little flowers and leaves, or even embrace your lack of skills and go more abstract and experimental.
Personally I have pairs of sneakers that I don't really wear, and are definitely on the boring side, so this is something I fully intend to do, because the worst that happens is I hate it, I have to unpick it all and I've waisted some time and some threat. This option is fully reversible (yes you might have some holes, but it's better than paint or dye you can't remove!) so great for the inducive among us.
There's a reason this kind of customisation has become so popular. It's relatively easy, can be really impactful and pretty, and if you exclude the time, can be pretty inexpensive to make but give you the equivalent of an expensive to buy product.
I keep mentioning it, but "it costs that much 'cause it takes me fucking hours..."
Plus if you're looking for a crafty hobby this could be really fun.
Link || Converse Chuck Taylors All Star It's Okay to Wander High Tops from Urban Outfitters
Hydro Dipping
Hydro dipping, water transfer printing, immersion printing, water marbling... if you've heard of any of these terms then great, but for those who haven't, it is the process by which a layer of paint, ink, dyes, pigment, polish or printable film is placed on the surface waters surface and then you dip your object through it, the surface tension of the water allowing it to bend and curve around the shape, coating its surface in your pattern
And that's a very basic explanation of the process, but it's one that has been all over social media, is doable at home, and can look very cool.
Converse Hydro Dip Dyed Chuck 70 Canvas LTD in Hi Black via The Sole Supplier
Converse Hydro Dip Dyed Chuck 70 Canvas LTD in Hi Multi via Base Blu
The hydro dipped edition Converse will most likely be done using pre-printed hydrographic films in a very precise project to give the best results on every sneaker, even down to the "unintentional" printing over the sole, label and laces, making it look like these were all errors embraced to give that grungy aesthetic.
But from the videos I've watched, there's definitely some trial and error in the process, but there's also lots of different ways for you achieve this effect, such as with spray paint:
Obviously these shoes aren't Converse, finding good examples of Converse wasn't easy, so these are all going to be purely for the process, not the sneaker. Anyway, the spray paint option seems to have been the most popular iteration online next to water marbling using nail polish, primarily for the vibrancy you get with the colour and the drama from the process. Understandable why social media picked it up as a fun activity. Monetarily however, unless you have a large supply of spray paint in your craft stash or plan to water marble everything you own, there are other cheaper options available to you, such as marbling in shaving foam.
Though this particular example is subtle, which I actually really like alongside the neon colours, marbling into shaving foam could lead to really interesting results depending on what amount or intensity of the acrylic paint, fabric dye, leather dye or marbling paint you use. It would also give you the opportunity to more thoughtfully pattern your marble and look at more tradition methods of patterning.
However, if you want to get that really beautiful water marble effect you see on paper, you could use a marbling kit, a tray of water and look at techniques such as Japanese Suminagashi, or the Western style of using combs.
I got kind of obsessed with watching these sort of videos for a little while during lockdown, and I can't remember exactly why, but for a little more accuracy and artistry in your hydro dipping surfaces, actual water marbling is probably a good way to go.
The final option bar having your shoes professionally hydro dipped is to use printable hydro dip film (and an activator) to add digital images to your sneakers, and Bryan Perrenoud a.k.a. Shmoxd has done a lot of weird and interesting experimentation with this technique, including on Chucks...
Part two of Shmoxd's videos shows him embroidering his sneakers, combining the two techniques.
Hydro dipping is definitely the customisation choice with the most methods to try, and it can lead to really interesting results but it needs a lot of trial and error to get the technique right.
Link || Converse Hydro Dip Dyed Chuck 70 Canvas LTD in Hi Black via The Sole Supplier
Link || Converse Hydro Dip Dyed Chuck 70 Canvas LTD in Hi Multi via Base Blu
Link || Bryan Perrenoud "Shmoxd" || Website || YouTube || Instagram || Twitter || TikTok || Facebook || Pinterest || Tumblr || Patreon
UV Colour Change
In 2019 Converse released a limited edition collection of UV colour changing sneakers, the collaboration with Market (previously Chinatown Market) turned a very pale pastel set of Chuck 70's into vibrant colourful ones when exposed to daylight.
The Converse X @ChinatownMarket Chuck 70, exposed to UV light for a few seconds, the canvas upper changes from a light palette to bold colors. Get yours now at https://t.co/4Y589XJLwk. pic.twitter.com/dPfPR8qaJR
— Converse (@Converse) August 2, 2019
I know it's not magic, but it's still magic, and it's fun that while these Converse were limited edition, you could still make your own pair in the colours you prefer.
Link || Converse X @ChinatownMarket Chuck 70 Low Top from Converse || Image
Mood/Thermochromatic
If you grew up during the 90's you might remember Global Hypercolour, the brand of t-shirts that changed colour with your body heat. and if you've got a ridiculous memory you might even remember Gino Ginelli ice cream, a brand that at one point came with a spoon that changed colour when you put it in the ice cream. I'm probably alone in remembering that one, but as a kid I loved both these things.
What most people will probably remember is mood rings, something I have such a nostalgic memories of these pieces of cheap kids jewellery which supposedly told you your mood by the colour they displayed. I just remember being fascinated by how the colour would change from black to green, to blue, to red and back again, and honestly if I had one now I'd probably spend way too much time playing with it... though I still have one from the 90's lurking in a jewellery box.
Mood Converse - Temperate Activated Color Changing Shoes via Dream a Little Bigger
Now this is one of the only sneakers on this list that Converse haven't introduced to their own line, and what a miss!
Created by Allison Murray of Dream A Little Bigger, in a step-by-step blog post, she explains how she uses Liquid Crystal by SolarColorDust (SFXC also carries similar products) to create this pair of black converse that harks back to that of the mood ring to create mood shoes.
They're very cool... or hot... depends on your feet, but I love this idea. There's something about those thermal mapping oil slick like patterns on the black canvas of the sneaker which just takes me back to being a kid and buying mood rings with pocket money. Even if these didn't change colour with heat, it would be a pattern I'd happily wear on a pair of sneakers.
Link || Dream A Little Bigger with Allison Murray || Website || Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Pinterest || YouTube
Link || Mood Converse - Temperate Activated Color Changing Shoes via Dream a Little Bigger
Link || Liquid Crystal & Thermal Products from SolorColorDust
Link || Liquid Crystal Products from SFXC (Special FX Creative)
Cut It Out
Converse x Free People Shredded Gladiator Sandals via Trend Hunter
Converse All Star Dainty Mules in Black & White via Schuh
Converse CT Gladiator Thong Sandals in Black via Sole Trader Outlet
Now, I'll set aside my hatred of flip flops for the sake of another weird and curious way of adulterating your sneakers, especially since searching for cut out Chucks I've becomes more and more enamoured of the ones with no cut outs but wedge heels, but also because my most worn pair currently have a hole in the canvas, so who am I to judge?
But if you're someone who loves a good foot revealing sandal and has a pair with a hole in them, perhaps this hack from Fashion designer Adam Selman, which featured as a step-by-step tutorial for turning your old Cons into espadrilles for Teen Vogue, might just be for you:
All it would take is a pair of old sneakers, a sharp pair of scissors and a steady hand. But remember, canvas doesn't grow back like your hair will, so if you're planning on doing the big chop and giving them the sneaker equivalent of a mullet, you better be ready because there's no going back.
Also, my question is, why? Why! Why would you do that to a nice pair of Converse? What did they were do to you?
Link || Converse x Free People Shredded Gladiator Sandals via Trend Hunter
Link || Converse All Star Dainty Mules in Black & White via Schuh
Link || Converse CT Gladiator Thong Sandals in Black via Sole Trader Outlet
Link || Designer Adam Selman Shows How to Make DIY Converse Espadrilles by Sarah Brody via Teen Vogue
Sk8ter Boi
Having been going through a bit of an early 2000's Avril Lavigne and Paramore revival recently, Sk8ter Boi seems like an appropriate title for this final and possibly most ambitious hack for your sneakers, the roller skate.
Converse Roller Skates from Feel Your Soul
Created by Jacob Zander for his start up, Feel Your Soul, these are a unique hack on the traditional sneaker which completely changes its use while retaining the iconic design of the Chuck 70's, and as someone who used to love roller blading when they were younger (though I had minimal success of regular skates), I fully approve of these.
It would be a major project to convert your Chucks into roller skates, but you probably have no idea the ridiculous amount of joy or how big my eyes got when I saw that not only did these exist as a product to buy, but could possibly - if you had the budget - be DIYable.
What can I say, these are just freaking cool and a unique way of customising your Converse.
And yes... in case you're wondering, I still have my rollerblades stashed in my parents loft.
Link || Converse Roller Skates from Feel Your Soul
For a sneaker which became life as a basketball sneaker in 1917, Converse have come a long way, and though synonymous with a particular silhouette and bright colours, they've created hundreds of interesting and different designs off of a few stock forms. They have collaborated with many artists, designers and brands, found new an interesting ways to keep their sneaker a staple in peoples wardrobes for over a hundred years. and still managed to retain lots of the original styling to the shoe which gave its reputation and appeal.
They're iconic, but they're also a blank canvas for creativity.
Cover them in glitter, bleach dye them, dye them, tie dye them, go to town with Sharpie or yours scissors, or even just add fun laces, customising Converse sneakers is a trend that's never going to stop, and the irony is that half the time customised shoes trends have ended up working their way into the ones you can buy off the shelf. Because a trend is a trend after all, so long as they don't steal another designers work and pass it off as their own...
@ceci.monge Ouch @converse #internship #design #smalldesigner #plzstopstealing #fashion #TWDSurvivalChallenge #fyp ♬ original sound - Ceci.monge
When it comes to you customising your sneakers, steal like an artist, not like a massive corporation.
And it doesn't need to be Converse! It can be any shoe, it just has to be unique to you and fun to make, because in the end, we're not really talking shoes today, we're talking crafts...
And now I kind of want to make sneaker roller skates... which would be a very bad idea.
Good night/day to you all. The much anticipated part three four eight coming soon to a browser near you...
Link || Wikipedia || Chuck Taylor All-Stars Converse || Converse (Shoe Company)
Link || 'It's a David and Goliath Situation' by Megan McCluskey via Time
Link || A Woman on TikTob is Accusing Converse of Stealing [...] by Rachel Askinasi via Insider
Listening: Sk8ter Boi - Avril Lavigne
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