I styled the Converse wedge heel sneakers for a week
IN PARTNERSHIP WTH CONVERSE
WORDS BY FASHION JOURNAL
“After five days of experimenting, I know there are lots of ways I can rock them.”
Here at Fashion Journal, we love a silhouette that challenges us to think more creatively about styling. By now, we’re well acquainted with the outfits that pair best with our ballet flats and riding boots, and while it makes our mornings much more seamless, it can be easy to fall into a style rut.
For this reason, the September release of the Isabel Marant x Converse Chuck 70 Wedge had us talking. Now, Converse’s next heel offering – a revival of the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star Wedge with the classic Chuck design in black and white – has us eagerly debating the many ways we can style it. Sure, an indie sleaze-inspired outfit would pair perfectly with a shoe that was released at the height of the genre, but that’s almost thinking too narrowly.
For more style inspiration, head to our Fashion section.
Eager to see what other interpretations could be given to styling the shoe, we invited graphic designer and content creator Josephine Ainscough to style the Chuck Taylor All Star Wedge for a week. From playful layers to mini skirts to pairing it with a simple maxi dress, Josephine proved just how versatile the shoe can be.
Day one
Initially, the thought of styling the Chuck Taylor All Star Wedge sneakers was a little daunting. Especially because I suck at wearing heels and I had decided to break them in by gallivanting around the Botanic Gardens. To ease my fears, I paired the black wedge with a recent favourite outfit: a matching blue gingham set from Ruby (a small brand from New Zealand), paired with the latest Szade x Briwok glasses. Just like the other Chuck Taylors that had graced my feet, they were super comfortable and to my surprise, you couldn’t even tell I was wearing a wedge given the hidden heel and long pants.
Day two
With a newfound confidence in my ability to rock a wedge sneaker, I got playful with my ‘day two’ look. Using a crisp white Neil Vernon shirt as a starting point, I opted for a front-cinched waist, pairing it with my kilt from Hydra Opia. I added light grey stockings, and accessorised with swirl earrings from Briwok and a leather studded bag to finish off the outfit. This look felt like a bit of me. Walking around with my sister, I noticed that unmistakable, powerful feeling you get from wearing heels – except this time without the sacrifice of stumbling around on blistered feet.
Day three
I wanted to keep the third outfit stupid simple, which, for me, often means wearing a co-ord set or one better, a dress. The white wedge was an obvious but chic pairing with a voluminous maxi dress from Incu and silver Hibiscus hoops from Briwok. To offset what I felt was leaning towards a hyper-feminine outfit, I wore a thrifted distressed baseball cap I scored in Indonesia on holiday last month. This was the most comfortable I’d felt so far in the Chuck Taylor All Star Wedge, three days down and looking forward to the final two looks.
Day four
As I crept closer and closer to my next hair wash day, it only made sense to re-wear the same baseball cap from yesterday. I layered a bejewelled red tank top from Named Collective over a striped button-up from Djerf Avenue, worn with a skirt I thrifted from Lost and Found Market in Melbourne and Briwok hoops (is anyone surprised by my choice of jewellery at that at this point?). Today felt different, though, because my legs were out. And that felt like real exposure therapy in wedge sneakers. Thankfully, I managed to evade my fear of cankles and I think the look really worked out.
Day five
As the week wrapped up, I planned on spending a lazy Monday public holiday doing not very much. My ‘day five’ look prioritised comfort: I paired a Japanese structured button-up with very wide and baggy coated jeans from Cos. My outfit felt reminiscent of how I used to wear my beloved black Chuck 70s from back in the day. The only difference was my incognito heel and the extra added height. A few weeks ago I couldn’t foresee myself owning a pair of wedge sneakers but after five days of experimenting, I know there are lots of ways I can rock them.
To play with the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Wedge for yourself, head here.