Today, from CONVERSE, available at FASCINATE_ANNEX, FASCINATE_THE R (Osaka Shinsaibashi store), and FASCINATE_KYOTO (Kyoto Kawaramachi), we will explain in detail the diverse appeal of the globally beloved "ONE STAR", its history, sizing, and more!

ONE STAR items here

The History of One Star: From Birth to Present

Debuted as Leather Basketball Shoes

CONVERSE was founded in the United States in 1908 as a shoe brand. It has produced numerous masterpieces and has today established itself as a staple fashion item. The One Star debuted in 1974 as the successor model to the STAR & BARS (also known as "Jack Star"), which originally appeared as a basketball shoe.
The star logo on the side is iconic, and its simple upper and rubber sole provide a light and comfortable wearing experience.

Phantom Model: Long-Awaited Revival

Although the One Star gained support from the time of its release, due to overlapping issues such as material supply and unexpected manufacturing problems, production was halted in just a short two-year period from 1974 to 1975. However, responding to passionate requests from Converse fans, it made a splendid comeback in 1985 as a Japan-made model. This revival proved once again the popularity of the One Star, which had been spoken of as a phantom model.

Established as a Fashion Icon

Although the One Star once disappeared from the market, it came back into the spotlight and began to appear in various models. Not only among existing fans but also in the 1990s, it gained popularity as it rode the wave of countercultures such as skateboard culture and grunge fashion.
Even today, the TimeLine series, which is based on the concept of rewriting history from Converse’s rich archive, has released faithfully reproduced revival models, down to details such as the last (shoe mold) used at the time, upper patterns, star size, and heel label, demonstrating its solid popularity as a fashion icon.

The Reason It Continues to Be Loved by Many

The Distinctive One-Star Logo

When talking about the One Star, the distinctive one-star logo placed on the side is essential. This was born from removing the two side lines of the predecessor model STAR & BARS, resulting in a more refined and simple design. This boldly simple design is arguably the most important element that clearly distinguishes the One Star from other Converse models.

Luxurious Materials

The typical materials used in the One Star are leather and suede, which have been adopted since the early models. While leather shoes are now the mainstream for basketball shoes, when the One Star was born about half a century ago, canvas fabric was the norm. From that background, it can be said that it was a model that embodied innovative approaches and cutting-edge construction at the time. The leather model has updated the materials used with each era, and currently, glossy and luxurious glass leather is used.

Cultural Influence and Popularity

Matches Various Fashion Styles

The One Star’s simple and attractive design has been incorporated into various fashion styles across eras since its debut. In particular, it became widely known as an icon of grunge fashion in the 1990s. It’s easy to pair with a wide variety of styles, from casual outfits to street fashion and even semi-formal looks, it matches well across a wide range of coordinates.

Loved by Celebrities

When talking about the popularity of the One Star, the presence of celebrities and influencers is indispensable. Starting with Kurt Cobain, a symbolic figure of grunge rock, many musicians have loved the One Star and spread its style around the world. Even today, fashion icons like Tyler, The Creator support the One Star and continue to have influence on new generations.

Deep Ties to Cultural Scenes

From its birth to today, the One Star has been deeply involved and has continued to influence various cultural scenes such as fashion, music, and skateboarding. The support of celebrities and influencers is also a major factor in its popularity. Its simple yet versatile design and comfort are reasons it is supported by a wide range of people.

CONVERSE ONE STAR Size Review

From here, we introduce the actual sizing based on our staff’s wearing experience.

If you’re struggling with sizing, we hope you’ll find this helpful.

Men’s Staff Worn Size

・Usual size: 26.0cm (When wearing adidas STAN SMITH)

・Instep height: Normal

・Foot width: Normal

・Toe: Normal

・Worn size: 26.0cm

・Fit impression: Just fit

Women’s Staff Worn Size

・Usual size: 23.5cm (When wearing adidas STAN SMITH)

・Instep height: Slightly roomy

・Foot width: Slightly roomy

・Toe: Slightly roomy

・Worn size: 23.5cm

・Fit impression: Half size down

Staff Fit Review

The women’s sizes in this model feel slightly larger than other models.

If tightened too much, it may cause pain where the upper panel hits the base of the ring toe.

The men’s 26cm felt just right in terms of width and instep height.

For women who usually wear 23.5cm, we recommend going half a size down as the fit will be more relaxed.

Is CONVERSE ONE STAR Sizing Large or Small?

Based on our staff’s reviews and feedback from customers who have tried them on in-store, though it varies by individual, we recommend half a size down for women’s sizes and true to size for men’s sizes.

If you're unsure about which size to choose, please refer to the CONVERSE size guide, which includes measurements for all 7 models along with staff reviews.

At our company, we offer CONVERSE ONE STAR in a wide range of sizes from men’s to women’s.

CONVERSE products are available at FASCINATE_ANNEX (Osaka Shinsaibashi store), FASCINATE_THE R (Osaka Shinsaibashi store), and FASCINATE_KYOTO (Kyoto Kawaramachi). Please check them out if you are nearby.

Click here for the full CONVERSE product list