Celebrities Love Converse Shoes — Here’s Why the Basketball-Turned-Lifestyle Shoe Is an Icon (2024)

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Few sneakers are as historically rich and celebrity-loved as Converse‘s Chuck Taylor All Star style. These comfortable canvas sneakers have over a century of relevance: They’ve been spotted on all-star athletes throughout the 20th century, and more recently, on A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, and Rihanna.

There’s a reason celebrities are always sporting Converse — specifically the classic Chuck Taylor All Star style — they’re timeless. On red carpets, stages, and out on the streets, celebrities have been wearing this shoe for decades. Sneaker trends may evolve, but one thing that hasn’t changed is that singers, models, and actors won’t stop wearing the versatile Chuck Taylors with everything from baggy jeans and trousers to dresses and gym clothes.

Converse Chuck Taylors are supremely versatile — few sneakers can transcend style aesthetics as well as these kicks. Chuck Taylors had a red carpet moment in the early 2000s, with Avril Lavigne sporting a scruffy black pair on the red carpet at the 2002 Bilboard Music Awards, and again at the 45th Grammy Awards in 2003. Selena Gomez notably paired the shoes with multiple layered, girly red carpet outfits in 2007, also opting for the classic black style.

Converse have remained in the spotlight since these early aughts red carpet sightings. Emma Roberts has kept the style in constant rotation since 2016: When she’s off-duty, these are her go-to shoes no matter if Roberts keeps it casual while attending Paris Fashion Week, while catching a flight in her coziest pajamas, or when she’s at the park with her son. In October 2021, Kristen Stewart opted for a tattered army green pair to add edge to a beige blazer and trousers. And we can’t gloss over the recent (and arguably most iconic) celebrity look featuring low-top black Chuck Taylors: Lady Gaga’s stripped down 95th Oscars performance. The casual look featured not only a pair of ripped jeans and an oversized shirt, but a timeless pair of Converse.

This obsession among stars has basketball to thank for its fame. Now, the shoe has been seen across the span of decades off the court, styled with outfits for any occasion. This is all thanks to what started out as a small rubber shoe company in the 1900s. Their simple shoe design has become timeless.

History of Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Sneakers

In 1908, Marquis Mills Converse founded the Converse Rubber Company in Malden, Massachusetts. Before it became the casual, everyday shoe brand we know and love, the company specialized in crafting utilitarian rubber-made items such as galoshes, hunting boots, and tires. In the mid 1910s, the company expanded their production to include basketball shoes, catering to America’s growing interest in the sport. Converse created “The Non-Skid” basketball sneaker, a high-top sneaker complete with a canvas upper, leather ankle guard, leather laces, and court-gripping rubber outsoles. Converse renamed these sneakers the All Star sneaker in 1919.

Enter Charles “Chuck” Taylor, an American semi-professional basketball player who joined the growing company as a salesman and marketer only four years later. His love of the shoe led him to passionately sing its praises while hosting basketball clinics throughout America, introducing the sneaker to top players. By early 1934, Converse put Chuck Taylor’s name on the shoes as a testament to his achievements in promoting the shoe. Converse’s big break came at the 1936 Berlin Olympics: During the first Olympic basketball championship, the USA team took the gold while wearing All Stars with red and blue stripes. This led Converse to become the top basketball shoe for decades to come: It would later grace the feet of legends like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

Fast-forward to the ’60s, and Converse chopped the high-top model to create the All Star Oxford. This low-top version of the sneaker featured a canvas upper, fitted heel counter, and the same lightweight feel and arch support found in the original All Star, but with less likelihood of chafing around the ankle. Converse also dropped seven colorways outside of the existing black and white options. Teams could now color-coordinate their uniforms to their shoes — and they did, as 90 percent of professional and college basketball teams wore All Stars at the time. Around this period, All Stars’ popularity began creeping off the court, with men wearing them as lifestyle sneakers.

The black colorway of the All Star High Tops were the shoe of choice for T-Birds in “Grease,” which debuted in 1978, paving the way for Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars to become one of the lifestyle shoes that defined the ’80s. Throughout this decade, we saw Converse on the feet of celebrities outside the athletic space: Notably, Matthew Broderick wore the comfortable men’s shoe in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”

Today, there are an endless amount of colors and patterns to choose from — and people can even design their own pair of Converse. The style is so renowned that brands like Stussy, J.W. Anderson, Maison Margiela, Comme des Garçons, and even Nike have created their own iteration of the style, marking its domination in the fashion industry.

The Best Celebrity-Loved Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Shoe Styles

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Sneakers

The brand’s original-inspired design has been stars’ go-to style for lifestyle wear since the ’80s. The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Sneakers feature a lifted design made to increase ankle support while being versatile enough to seamlessly blend into any style and aesthetic. A few celebrities that recently sported the multifunctional shoe include Emily Ratajkowski, who styled a black pair with a relaxed fit that included a light yellow trucker jacket and simple gray hoodie. White Lotus star Haley Lu Richardson went offbeat with her pair, styling it with vibrant checker pants, an oversized graphic t-shirt, and a loose leather jacket. Kaia Gerber kept it sporty with leggings, a cropped sweatshirt, and a white pair of high tops.

For a pop of color, Roberts wore a lavender pair of Chuck Taylors for park day with her son, styling them with jeans and gray tie dyed hoodie. Gigi Hadid isn’t a stranger to the trend either, as the model debuted a mismatched sweater vest with a classic black pair of high tops. We also can’t forget when Maude Apatow dressed as a Chuck Taylor Converse for Halloween last year.

Chuck Taylor All Star Classic Low Top Sneaker

Just like the All Star High Tops, the looks you can pair with the Chuck Taylor All Star Classic Low Top Sneakers are endless. Rather than an over-the-ankle look, this design frees your ankle. Whether you prefer an all-black look similar to Hadid’s fall streetwear outfit, or you like to add a pop of color to your gym fit much like Addison Rae did with a purple pair, this version of Converse is easy to style. The shoe made an appearance in “Sex and the City 2,” during the scene where Carrie Bradshaw arrives in New York City. The vast amount of colorways allow you to easily tie together a look, whether it’s a summer dress, denim maxi skirt, or a pair of trousers.

Chuck Taylor All Star Lift Platform Sneaker
Platform boots aren’t the only elevated shoes you can sport this season. Converse has hopped on the lifted shoe trend with its All Star Lift Platform Sneakers that’ll add a couple of inches to your outfit. The platform sneaker can range from 1.5 inches to a little over 2 inches tall, bringing your style to new heights. Jessica Alba has been spotted numerous times wearing the white colorway of this lifted sneaker, pairing them with sweatpants, white jeans, and slip skirts. In 2021, Blake Lively switched into a pair while wearing a floor-length cutout Prabal Gurung dress on the red carpet for the “Free Guy” movie premiere.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Sneaker

• Colorways: Black, white, red, yellow, navy, black monochrome, charcoal, white monochrome, ivory, purple, green, blue, and custom
• Size range: Men’s 3-18; women’s 5-20
• Best for: Everything from going out to staying-in looks
• Materials: Canvas upper, rubber sole
• Retailer Availability: Converse, Amazon, Revolve, Urban Outfitters

Decades later, Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Sneakers still reign supreme among practically every generation for its adaptability and style. The soft canvas upper provides breathability and ankle support while the lace-up features provides further customizability.

What reviewers say: “Converse shoes are literally the only shoes I ever wear because they can do everything and just last forever. I run a lot for fun and skateboard, and this shoe is perfect. It’s lightweight and tolerates everything I put it through. Love it! 10/10.”

Chuck Taylor All Star Classic Unisex Low Top Sneaker

• Colorways: Black, white, red, yellow, navy, black monochrome, charcoal, white monochrome, ivory, purple, green, blue, and custom
• Size range: Men’s 3-18; women’s 5-20
• Best for: Casual or dressed up looks
• Materials: Canvas upper, rubber sole
• Retailer availability: Converse, Amazon, Revolve, Urban Outfitters

Consider the Chuck Taylor All Star Classic Low Top sneakers a staple piece to own no matter if they’re scuffed or fresh out of the box. The smooth canvas upper can easily be paired with everything from denim looks to a flowy sundress.

What reviewers say: “You can’t go wrong with Chucks! Consistent sizing and fit. Don’t even have to break them in — comfortable from day one! I want a rainbow of these shoes!”

Chuck Taylor All Star Lift Platform Canvas Sneaker

• Colorways: Black, white, astral pink, peach, saddle, navy, and custom
• Size range: Women’s 5-15
• Best for: Casual or dressed up looks
• Materials: Canvas upper, platform rubber sole
• Retailer availability: Converse, Free People, Nordstrom

Take your look to new heights in a pair of platform Converse that don’t just come with an elevated sole, but also feature additional cushioning to keep your feet cozy. Inspired by the ‘90s girl bands, these All Star Lift Platform Canvas Sneakers can go from edgy to dressy with just a simple outfit change.

What reviewers say: “LOVE my Chucks. Make me wanna get a second pair just for backup. The platform actually makes it more comfy for my 5’2” self. I will wear these from now til forever.”

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Lugged High Top

• Colorways: Black, white, utility, sand dune, cargo khaki, deep bordeaux, gray, gold, and custom
• Size range: 5-11
• Best for: Streetwear and casual styles
• Materials: Canvas upper, platform lugged rubber sole
• Retailer availability: Converse, Amazon, Nordstrom

Say bye to flat soles and hello to an elevated lugged look. This new take on the classic look not only adds height but added grip thanks to the chunky rubber bottoms.

What reviewers say: “​​I’ve had these for a while now and they’re still one of my favorite shoes! I love anything platform so these did it for me. Super comfy and go with almost every outfit.”

Meet the Author

Rylee Johnston is a New York City-based writer who covers shopping, entertainment, lifestyle, and celebrity news for outlets like Buzzfeed and The Today Show.