The purple Chucks.
The last time I wore canvas shoes was in my primary school days. Then came Nike and Reebok with their high tech shoes fitted with pumps and air cushions, and slowly canvas shoes weren't so attractive anymore.
Fast forward some 20 years and I find myself wearing a pair of canvas shoes - the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars, or as fans would call them, Chucks.
I didn't specifically look for Chucks. I actually wanted a pair of Pallas shoes, that in retrospect, look very similar to Chucks.
As I'm wont to do after any purchases, I did some research online and discovered the rich history behind Chucks. It seems that many Americans grew up wearing Chucks and today, they're still attracted to them. It's probably due to nostalgia, but it could also be because Chucks have a down to earth appearance. It's simple and reminds people of simpler times. It also doesn't hurt that many famous people wear Chucks and that Chucks appear in many movies.
This led me to wonder. Why didn't the Malaysian made Pallas shoes achieve similar status in Malaysia? They look like Chucks, even down to the pattern on the soles. Most Malaysians would have probably worn them when they were young. Perhaps the only difference is that no rich and famous Malaysians wear them.
Chucks on the left, Pallas on the right.
It's quite a shame because the Pallas Jazz-Star is every bit as attractive as the Converse. It's definitely not as well made nor quite as comfortable, but at RM24, it's a good compromise.
My red Pallas Jazz-Star
Maybe it will take 100 years, as Converse celebrates its 100 year anniversary this year, before Malaysians begin to appreciate our very own, home grown, ever fashionable, ever humble pair of canvas shoe - the Pallas Jazz-Star.
I did my part. I bought a pair of Pallas Jazz-Star to complement my Chucks, and enjoy wearing them every day at work.
I did my part. I bought a pair of Pallas Jazz-Star to complement my Chucks, and enjoy wearing them every day at work.
2 comments:
i just exchanged my blue supra for one of this. i was like cool, i have got myself a pretty good deal. on closer look i saw something really unfamiliar- PALLAS JAZZ STAR.....WTF. i totally felt conned n shit but on second thought it looks exactly like the converse in terms of details, comfort and all. totally smooth on the feet. you get the springs on ya step.... literally! sweet.... i was like wow. great copy cat ish stuff. but, for 29 bucks compared to my 179ers 4 my supra i said fuck it let me just rock this shit out........... good shoe though. my peeps still think its the converse
i am looking for pallas shoes here arround kuantan. they are hard to find. maybe need to buy them from pallas official website. btw, i my chuck accidently left in my home town when i came back from hari raya cellebration. i bought my chuck in 2014 that is for my graduation day, sadly in the whole hall, i am the only student who wears sneekers. i use that conv for daily use to work, i am just a computer technician. so its ok for me to wear jeans and sneekers. haha. conv so reliable to wear. now its time for me to try our local made sneekers. now pallas price is arround rm40-80.
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