All You Need To Know About Converse - Step Up Your Style For Less

Trends come and go, style lives forever - and no shoe brand knows this more than Converse, which has long been the go-to option for all sorts of people, young and old… and it’s certainly showing no signs of stopping, well over 100 years since the first Converse All-Star hit shop shelves.

Converse itself first started off life in 1908, the brainchild of Marquis Mills Converse. As the legend goes, the hapless Marquis took a tumble down the stairs and, in his quest to ensure that he would never suffer such a fate again, took it upon himself to develop a pair of shoes with rubber soles to help reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls.

A most commendable endeavour, of course, and it led to the creation of one of the world’s most recognisable and well-loved brands - but who could possibly have imagined that a company only initially selling stuffed boots with rubber soles would go on to become a household name, stocking everything from high tops and low tops to platforms, wedges, sandals and lots, lots more.

It didn’t take long for Converse to start currying favour and in 1910, just two short years after inception, shoes started flying off the shelves. But it wasn’t until 1915, when Converse started targeting athletes specifically, that the brand really took off, with basketball starting to become more popular as a sport.

Enter Chuck Taylor!

The lightweight nature of the Converse shoe, coupled with its famed rubber sole, made it perfect for the game… but the company scored a real slam dunk when they hired b-baller Charles ‘Chuck’ Taylor and the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker was born.

What made the All Star particularly special, a cut above other basketball shoes, was features like the heel patch which was positioned on the inner rather than the outer, with the aim being to afford ankle bones a greater level of protection.

The diamond tread pattern (check the bottom of your shoes!) was what really made a difference to athletic prowess, however, as its design meant that players could stop dead in their tracks and push off in different directions… perfect for the pivot and swivel needed in basketball.

Converse actually had its own basketball team - perhaps unsurprisingly dubbed the All Stars - and one of their star players was none other than ol’ Chuck himself, also the manager and coach of the team… and a Converse salesman, helping to promote the shoes he so proudly sported on the court.

When the Depression hit hard in the 1930s, brands had to find ways to stand out - and Converse did this simply by sticking the words ‘Chuck Taylor’ on the signature heel patch of the All Star… and, as it seems, the strategy was a huge success!

Brand evolution

Come the 1940s, other shoe manufacturers were beginning to catch up with Converse and as technology became more advanced, leather started to become the material of choice for athletic footwear, which rather left Converse in dire straits.

Or so it initially seemed and if there’s one lesson in particular to be learned from this stalwart of shoe brands it’s this: adapt or die. Converse made the excellent decision to bring out a low-top version of its famous basketball high-top, which brought it to the attention of non-sporting folk, so it was able to pivot successfully when its athletic sales dwindled.

After that, there really was no stopping the brand and Converse soon became synonymous with youth, individualism and counter culture.

The likes of The Sex Pistols, the Ramones, Kurt Cobain, Robert Plant, Hunter S Thompson, John Lennon and many, many more were big fans of the All Star and it soon became a symbol of rebellion and nonconformity.

The legend never dies, it seems, and Converse trainers are still insanely popular today. If you want to get your hands on a pair, make sure you take a look at all the amazing student discounts, deals and offers we’re running at the moment, thanks to our once-in-a-lifetime partnership with Converse itself. Enjoy!

15% off Converse

There’s nothing better than getting your favourite sneakers at cut-down prices, so you’re sure to love the fact that we’re offering 15 per cent off Converse at the moment - the perfect opportunity to give your wardrobe a bit of a refresh.

Whether you’re after the classic Chuck Taylors, a pair of One Stars or if you’re looking for something new and innovative, you can get your hands on everything Converse-related with your TOTUM membership. It’s never been easier to set the trends!

Check out the new summer collection!

Sign up for a TOTUM membership and give your wardrobe the summer kick it needs with Converse’s amazing new low-profile collection, with all the latest fresh designs up for grabs at discounted prices. Looking good has never been easier - or cheaper!

Summer is all about making a statement and with more good weather hopefully on the way after a week or two of nothing but rain, you’ll certainly want to strut your stuff in your new Converse kicks.

Your TOTUM membership helps you to make huge savings on all sorts of shopping opportunities, not just your favourite shoes. Cut the costs on everything from food and drink, travel, technology, wellness and many more, with over 800 discounts from over 400 top brands available.

Get your hands on double stack Chucks!

Looking for a bit of a pick me up? The double stack Chucks are just the ticket, at twice the height of the regular soles… the tallest Converse platform yet!

There are high and low top designs available, featuring all the usual heritage details and featuring all the usual levels of comfort, with the lightweight design helping you to feel balanced and stable, even when you’re a few extra inches off the ground.

Redeem this offer today with your TOTUM membership… and start living your best life!