The same is true of the Converse 1970s line. Although the world’s most recognizable shoe brand had been around for decades, in the 1970s Converse decided to make a few tweaks to its sneakers. The 1970s Converse line included features like thicker soles and heavier canvas uppers. This higher quality meant that if you bought a pair of converse during this time period, you were likely still rocking them 10 or 15 years later—scuffs and frayed laces be damned!
Like the other items of the decade, Converse sneaks were built to a higher quality, but once the seventies were over, Converse continued to re-invent itself, releasing lighter weight shoes and diversifying its market even more.
The features that sprang from the 1970s-era Converse faded away from a while, only to resurface decades later.
Fortunately, what’s old becomes new and highly sought after once more. Like many vintage classics of the era, items from the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star 1970s line are making a comeback. And luckily, here at Baggins, home to one of the largest Converse collections out there, we are pleased to offer the Converse 1970s special collection in both men’s and women’s styles.
Let’s take a closer look:
The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star 1970s Hi Top Parchment (Re-Issue) faithfully reflects Converse’s 1970s design updates, offering Converse fans a real throwback to what every cool baller was wearing on the court in the seventies.
The new take on the original basketball shoe features aluminium eyelets, cushioned insoles, and detailed stitching. The triple-stitch details and high-quality left-hand twill make for a vintage look in the most timeless silhouette of all time. Also available are the Chuck Taylor All Star 1970s Low Top Parchment . Super versatile, super cute.
Yes, the 1970s inspired Converse reissues also come in colours. We’re loving the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star 1970s Hi Top True Navy/Black/Egret, which is a combination of the Classic Core Navy Chuck Taylor Hi Top with the Converse All Star Chuck '70.
On the darker side, the Converse Hi Top 1970s Monochrome Black is a step above your classic Chuck Taylors.
Do you see how the rubber covers more of the shoe? That’s the telltale sign this shoe design is a throwback to the 70s, and what you can’t see with the naked eye is the higher quality canvas and the better insoles, which offer a little more lasting support.
Next up, the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star 1970s Hi Top Black highlights vintage details such as the stitching on the side wall and a vintage license plate.
For so many of us, when we close our eyes and someone says the words “Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars” this is likely the exact image we conjure up…
Or, if you’re feeling funkier, perhaps this is what a proper pair of Converse kicks look like in your mind:
The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star '70 LES Archive Print Chili Paste/Kyonite/Egret features all of the 1970s standardized features along with its fun, bright, geometric pattern.
So, just to recap, the 1970s Chuck Taylor All Star Reissues feature:
• Slightly higher rubber foxing that follow the look of the MADE in USA Chucks
• Added cushioning and a slightly wider toe box
• Vintage details such as the stitching on the side wall and a vintage license plate
• Super heavy-duty canvas that is more durable and thicker
• Rubber that covers more of the shoe
• Thicker insoles
Many of these features that honour the 1970s Converse line aren’t all that distinguishable, yet any collector or Chuck Taylor enthusiast will not want to miss this limited edition line. At Baggins, we go through a lot of these since they aren’t available in some parts of the world.
So what else was Converse up to in the 1970s, besides boosting their shoe quality?
1969 – The legendary Chuck Taylor (yep, a real person) is inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969.
1971 – Converse introduces seven colors of the shoes, helping them appeal to more than just athletes.
1972 – Converse introduces the One Star, a suede low-top with a star accent on the sides. They quickly became the brand's “other” bestseller.
1975 – Converse begins to pay athletes to wear their products, starting when they gave Julius “Dr. J” Erving an endorsement deal. They were the “shoes of the stars” as you can see in this 1977 commercial.
[embed]https://youtu.be/fAtEuaEoRUQ[/embed]For more Converse options, please browse the rest of the Converse collection at Baggins, either in-store in Victoria, British Columbia, or online using our web store. We are stoked to offer free shipping within Canada on orders over $49.
The 1970s Chuck Taylor All Star Collection is flying out the door, so act fast to ensure you are able to grab a piece of history in your size.
While they aren’t officially from the 1970s Converse line, you can still pay homage to the decade with items from other Converse collections, like select items from the Sex Pistols Collection and the Black Sabbath Collection.