Styling the One Star
Laid-back style is like good bed hair: it’s hard to replicate and nailing it is usually more to do with luck than effort. This is especially true for today’s sneakerheads, who favour the effortless and understated, seasoned on occasion with a pinch of high fashion.
A growing group of fashion-savvy footwear enthusiasts are leading the rebellion against the overpriced and ostentatious, and in doing so, they’re embracing the clean, the minimal, the old school, especially on-foot.
So what sneaker springs to mind? There is only one. The Converse One Star. Revelling in its youth-led renaissance, the sneaker has become the go-to shoe for those who nail nonchalant. To show us how it’s done, we rounded up a rabble of Instagram aesthetes.
This outfit from nascent streetwear icon Leo Mandella’s is a case study in pulling off a blend of high and low. He’s married the One Star with Italian luxury, pairing a Prada windbreaker with Tyler, the Creator’s GOLF le Fleur. The best part? The spot-on execution of blue and white up top paired with blue and white down low. And not only that, but Guy Gully knew where to stop, resisting the urge to overcook a simple fit. The rest takes a backseat while the killer jacket and One Star shine.
Street chic succeeded grunge after normies appropriated the latter, leaving a tangle of Levis and red plaid in their wake.
Street chic is anchored in the same values — an aversion to pristine, an attraction to all things blue-collar — it’s just packaged differently. Like grunge, beaten sneakers are a street chic staple, hence the style’s affinity for One Stars — the sneaker that looks better and better as it chalks up battle scars of a life well lived. Try the look with a loose-fitting work pant and white tee. Throw on a windbreaker or low-key souvenir jacket for added layer and subtle flair.
This outfit from nascent streetwear icon Leo Mandella’s is a case study in pulling off a blend of high and low. He’s married the One Star with Italian luxury, pairing a Prada windbreaker with Tyler, the Creator’s GOLF le Fleur. The best part? The spot-on execution of blue and white up top paired with blue and white down low. And not only that, but Guy Gully knew where to stop, resisting the urge to overcook a simple fit. The rest takes a backseat while the killer jacket and One Star shine.
The ability to put together a preppy outfit without looking like a Brooks Brothers mannequin is an underrated skill. An easy way to stop yourself from going full 'Hamptons dad' is to throw your boat shoes overboard and put on some sneakers. More specifically, slip on some One Stars. With these inherently rebel-infused shoes on-foot, you're free to go ham on tailored denim and trim crew necks without feeling out of touch.
Here, Maisie Williams and The Internet frontwoman Syd the Kyd show you how to nail ‘comfy and cosy’ without looking like you’ve spent the whole day scoffing chips on the couch. Branded long sleeve tees edge the pair’s vibe away from athletic wear and towards street style, and accessories add a touch of luxe. The styling tip: colour coordinate your sneakers and top like Maisie has done, or wear white on top to let your One Stars pop, like Syd.
Tyler, the Creator is a style icon for skate-rats. His Converse colab saw the One Star remodelled in a manner true to the streetwear and subversive skate labels he grew up on, elevated with his own floral twist.
When not decked in jewellery or head-to-toe prints, Tyler's bread-and-butter look is that of a 16-year-old loitering in a parking lot. Here, the quintessential skate rascal aesthetic comes together with a beat-up bucket hat and long-sleeve rugby top. Slim-fitting pants are hacked off mid-shin to inject a bit of personal flavour, as well as to spotlight minimal sneakers and matching tube socks. This a look everyone can recreate.
The One Star and British 'casual' culture are long-time friends. With their 70s roots, the two share strong ties with that decade's rambunctious youth, and with the mischief makers who followed in decades thereafter. In 2018, the British casual is still influencing modern fashion across the globe. Here we see an example of how to approach the simple, understated look. First off, don't stop at one coat - throw an overcoat over you coat. Underneath, a preppy shirt or turtle neck should be tucked in to straight-leg pants. Round it out with a clean One Star and you're ready to make some noise in the terraces.
Hypebeasts are maligned just about as often as they re-up on Supreme (so, pretty constantly), but that's only because so few beast well. There's an art to the look, and it's all about being on the fringe. Those searching for inspiration on how to hypebeast with the best should look to Europe. A European hypebeast typically avoids in-your-face showboating, instead opting for lesser-known pieces by hype-heavy brands; think less Off-White belts and more plain sportswear paired with several-seasons-ago Supreme. Underpin the 'fit with a sneaker that's weathered a few trends and you won't cringe when you deep dive on your timeline next year.