TooMuchSexy.blog ‣ April 09, 2005 ‣ A Shoe Dilemma (blog)

Help me decide which to purchase:

• Vans Classic Slip-On, Black and White Checkered
• Converse Chuck Taylor Hi Tops, Red
• Converse Chuck Taylor Hi Tops, Pink

I’d go with the Vans without a second thought if I didn’t already own a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor Low Tops in black.

Nate ‧ Posted 3 years, 2 months, 3 weeks, 6 days, 10 hours, 8 minutes ago

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Comments

1. I think I’m going for the Red Chucks, because my shoe collection needs to be diversified. Too much black, white, and blue.

   — Nate 

1. Good, casue the Vans are absurd.  They remind me of that picture of you from Macworld with the clown shoes and the suspenders…

   — Arthur 

1. None of them look any good,
   you should instead go for these

   — Jon Berg 

1. What’s everyone think of these Converse Chuck Taylor - Peace John Lennon Hi Tops?

   I might buy a pair when I begin working full time, again.

   — Nate 

1. $65 for Converse is $40 too much.

   Just some background.  Converse filed for bankruptcy in 2001. Soon afterwards, a private investment group bought them out.  Now, Converse sneakers are “back” from the dead, but here’s the deal.

   Part of the way the way the new investment group saved the company was to do two things.  One, move manufracturing from the U.S. to China.  And two, raise the price to the levels they are now.

   So It’s really a bit weird and somewhat nauseating to see Converse and the John Lennon Estate working together now. It’s really too crass that the shoes are now made in Chinese sweatshops for less cost than before, but the sticker price is actually higher than they were when they were made in the U.S.

   I’d find another brand entirely in all honesty. I wouldn’t say they are an evil, but quite deceptive.

   — Jack 

1. The regular Hi-Tops are $45. I wish I could still buy a pair of shoes for $25 but don’t really think it’s possible…

   — Nate 

1. Actually, there are places that always sell stuff on sale for that low.  Saucony sneakers routinely go on sale for $29. Check out the real sneaker stores on 8th Street and on Bleeker.  Not as many as there used to be, but they still have them.  Even Foot Locker since Converse is now sold by them and they deal in high volume so they can go lower than most.

   Zappos routinely has low price sales.  Just have to watch and wait.

   You need to research, wait, and then buy.  If you buy impulsively you will always pay full price.

   And don’t be put-off by boutiques and skater shops and such. While they often have stuff at really high prices, they are inherently trendy and they will always sell what might be slightly out of season for a heavy discount.

   — Jack 

1. actually, jack, NIKE owns converse, and has for some time now.

   see?

   — marnie 

1. Marnie, never knew that but “some time now” is a bit of an exageration. Nike has owned Converse only since 2003. Only 2 years so far. But back before Nike bought them out, they were owned by an interim investment group that made all of the major moves to push production overseas.  I zoned out on the Nike aspect. And Converse doesn’t make prominent mention of the ownership on their website.

   Funny that only when the labor moves to ultra-cheap sweatshop-based Chinese factories did Nike jump in AND increase the price of the shoes across the board.

   — Jack 

1. while everyone argues about sweatshops and inflation, let me address your original question… go with the hi top cons. definitely in red. the pink will wear on your rather quickly i’m guessing.

   — sergeant fun 

1. It’s not $29, but the Designer Shoe Warehouse on 14th Street/Union Square has black Converse Chuck’s—high-top and low-top—for $34.90. Just go into the men’s department right near the windows that face Union Square, look in the sneaker section and they’re there.

   — Jack 

1. I just bought some Vans. The tabloid model. They’re nice shoes and very comfortable. Probably the most comfort I’ve had in a while.

   Would it be accurate to lump Vans in the same pile as Nike as far as infringing on human rights, utilizing sweat shops with poor conditions and ridiculous pay for the workers?

   They are made in China so I guess I may have my answer; must not be naive…

   — Leon 

1. I vote for the checkered ones!

   — anisoptera 

1. i don’t have time to check out all the comments here, but just thought i’d better say, DON’T BUY THE CONVERSE… they’re OWNED BY NIKE now… MADE IN SWEAT-SHOPS… don’t condone this sort of thing. i bought converse for years, but since about 2003 they’re the baddies too. go to http://adbusters.org and check out the blackspots, or customise yr own… peace, ha… Zincster

   — zincster 

1. I’ve heard that too zincster and considered never buying them. I dont anyway but could have in the future. I went to their web site and saw that they have a foundation and help young people:

   http://www.nike.com/nikebiz/nikefoundation/home.jhtml

   Is it just a cover to downplay the sweatshop accusations? dont know. but as mister swill would say “something to chew on”…

   — anisoptera 

1. er, anisoptera?
   do you work for the nike corporation,or own shares maybe? me thinks it’s known fact that they use sweatshops… what is it with this “accusations” thing? nike foundation? phooey

   — deanos 

1. ah, anisoptera does not work for the nike corporation nor has she ever. Own shares? lol. Thats funny.

   — anisoptera 

1. ah, anisoptera does not work for the nike corporation nor has she ever. Own shares? lol. Thats funny.

   

   — anisoptera 

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