Trends come and go, but Converse sneakers have stood the test of time. These iconic sneakers have been around since 1908, and are still in style today. Whether you put in a lot of effort into your outfits or none at all, Converses are an essential staple of anyone’s wardrobe. So how have they stayed popular all these years?

Converse’s real start of popularity was in 1917, when the Converse All-Star basketball shoe was introduced. Converse, also known as “Chuck Taylors,” got the name when basketball Hall of Famer Charles H. “Chuck” Taylor signed with the company in 1921. These were now the “it” shoes to have in the basketball industry, and later became the shoe worn by the United States Olympic team in 1936.

Converse started off as a basketball shoe, then began a transition into the fashion world in the 1950’s. This was due to James Dean, who he was seen wearing his Jack Purcell Converse Kicks in photographs. Youth rockers and rebels all around began wearing the classic black and white kicks.

Now moving into the 1970’s, Converse came out with a new classic design called the “One Star.” The brand’s new bestseller featured a single star accent on the side creating yet again, an iconic look. The Ramones then switched over from their “PRO-Keds” to Converse, furthering the rocker trend.

Even into the 1980’s and 90’s, Converse continued to have an impact on all things sports and fashion. In 1984 Converse became the official sponsor of the Los Angeles Olympics. The United States played their way to a gold medal for basketball in these sneakers. However, not only did their athletic aspect of the shoe made them popular but also the appeal by rockers and rebels. Chuck Taylors became the essential footwear for bands like Guns N’ Roses and stars like Kurt Cobain. This look was even carried on to be adopted by bands such as Green Day and the All American Rejects.

It doesn’t stop there! Converses are still worn to this day, by celebrities and everyday people. They are a classic street style shoe, which can be worn casually or even dressed up. The most popular pair even to this day is the Chuck Taylor Classic in white. Through stars like Blake Lively, Sarah Jessica Parker and Miley Cyrus, Converse continue to make an impact on fashion today.