Footwear
Apr 29, 2021
by Sidney Pacampara
Converse Renews the Chuck 70 With Plant-Based Dyes and Recycled Hawaiian Shirts
by Sidney Pacampara
Apr 29, 2021

The Converse Chuck Taylor has been the go-to canvas of creativity, collaboration, and self-expression for many years. As a true icon, we’ve seen countless iterations with almost any material and color you can imagine. Now, Converse is reimagining this classic with the intention of helping create a better tomorrow. The global footwear brand has recently released two capsule collections of sustainable Chuck 70s – a collaboration with London-based vintage retailer Beyond Retro, and the “Plant Color” Pack.

Converse’s first sustainable collection finds the brand teaming up with the UK’s Beyond Retro for the “Tropical Shirts” pack, a celebration of vintage island style made up of one low-top shoe and high-top. Over 7,000 tropical shirts were saved from hitting landfills, and instead, used to grace the Chuck 70 in a bold, distinct design. 

converse chuck 70 tropical shirt beyond retro plant colors pack sneakers release shoes Hawaiian recycled materials based renew sustainable Taylor all star
Converse

By teaming up with Beyond Retro, both companies were able to source secondhand Hawaiian shirts from across the U.S. The upcycled approach is a great reminder of how materials can be found almost anywhere whether that’s traditional and classic, innovative and new, or existing materials that can use a second life. 

Complementing this approach includes elements like 100% recycled laces, an outsole made with about 13% recycled manufacturing waste, and a tongue and heel stay made with about 36% recycled polyester and about 13% recycled cotton.

converse chuck 70 tropical shirt beyond retro plant colors pack sneakers release shoes Hawaiian recycled materials based renew sustainable Taylor all star
Coverse

The “Plant Color” Chuck 70 uses a nylon upper with an asymmetrical patchwork design on the high-top’s sides. The sneakers are available in two different colorwarys, a rose taupe and yellow gravel. These rich tones were achieved by using dye extracted from actual grapes, onions, and other plant-based materials. A true “farm to sneaker” style, as Converse calls it.

Both the “Plant Color” and “Tropical Shirt” Chuck 70s are available now on converse.com, with prices ranging from $90 to $120 USD.

converse chuck 70 tropical shirt beyond retro plant colors pack sneakers release shoes Hawaiian recycled materials based renew sustainable Taylor all star
Converse

In related footwear news, ASICS is dropping its most planet-friendly collection ever tomorrow.