Men’s Editors’ Pick: Converse’s Sex Pistols Collaboration

Is your fashion style rebellious, irreverent, cutting edge, or just punk-inspired?  If these adjectives describe your style, then you will love Converse’s Sex Pistols spring 2016 collaboration.

If you are of certain age you are well familiar with the Sex Pistols, the UK’s preeminent Punk band. However, if you birthdate is from the 80s onward, your knowledge of the Sex Pistols may not be that informed. Although the Sex Pistols only survived as an intact band for a little over two years in the mid-70s, their irreverent distillation of British 70s rock n’ roll, as well as the fashion collaboration and influence on British fashion doyenne Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren set the stage for was later to become the British punk scene.

Anarchy, slash and burn, criticism of Britain’s royal family, rebellious energy and speaking truth to power was the order of the day with the Sex Pistols. And all of the frenetic energy was expressed in their antithetical attitude toward fashion. In contrast, the Sex Pistols were the antithesis of the Glam Rock era with torn clothes; Union Jack desecrated garments, and other pre-Punk fabrications.

Converse taps into the fashion of the Sex Pistols by releasing Chuck Taylor sneaks that conjure images of that Sex Pistol style. The collection features colors, materials and graphics inspired by the band’s iconic style and album art. The footwear collection features details such as stitch detailing and graphic overlays. Each style includes the iconic Sex Pistols logo on the tongue of the sneaker as well as in the foot bed. The apparel collection combines elevated fabrics and graphic executions that also represent the spirit of the Sex Pistols.

The spring 2016 Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Sex Pistols Collection will be available for purchase starting January 7, 2016 at specialty retailers, Converse stores and converse.com. The footwear will retail for a suggested price of $65–$80 USD with apparel ranging from $35–$140 USD.

—William S. Gooch