Kamala Harris said she loves her Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars because they feel personal while also representing a shared point of connection. In a 2020 interview, she called her Chucks “a statement about who we really are” and said people from different backgrounds could recognize something of themselves in the shoes.
What Harris said about her Chucks
Speaking with Joe La Puma for Complex’s Sneaker Shopping series, Harris explained that the shoes mattered to her as more than a fashion choice:
“I love my Chucks … you know, I think it’s maybe people don’t expect it, but also it’s a statement about who we really are. Everybody has their inner kind of Chuck look.”
“I also think it has to do with the fact we all wanna go back to some basic stuff about who we are as a country. Chucks—whatever your background is, whatever language your grandmother spoke—you know, we all at some point or another had our Chucks.”
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Converse Unisex Adult Chuck Taylor All Star High Top, Optical White, 13 Womens/11 Mens
- This style runs large. Order a half size down.
- Canvas upper for that classic Chucks look and feel
- OrthoLite cushioning helps provide optimal underfoot comfort
- Diamond-pattern rubber outsole
- Iconic Chuck Taylor ankle patch and All Star license plate
Harper’s Bazaar’s October 26, 2020, coverage of the interview reports these remarks. Harris’s explanation centers on familiarity and common experience: she saw the shoes as a personal style choice that could also resonate across backgrounds. Harper’s Bazaar’s coverage of Harris on Complex’s Sneaker Shopping.
Which Converse shoes did she wear?
Contemporary campaign reporting identified Harris’s sneakers as Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars. The Washington Post described the pair she wore when arriving in Milwaukee in September 2020 as black, low-rise Chucks. The paper also reported that she wore them regularly on the 2019 campaign trail and had several pairs, including white, off-white and black versions; Harris had also hinted at owning a sequined pair. The Washington Post’s report on Harris’s Chuck Taylors.
Rank #2
- This style runs large. Order a half size down.
- Canvas upper for that classic Chucks look and feel
- OrthoLite cushioning helps provide optimal underfoot comfort
- Diamond-pattern rubber outsole
- Iconic All Star license plate
How the shoes became part of campaign coverage
Chuck Taylors stood out against the more polished footwear often associated with political campaigning. The Washington Post described them as retro-style street shoes with cultural associations; that framing is the newspaper’s analysis, not a motive Harris stated. The same report recorded varied online reactions, including people sharing photos of their own pairs and saying they planned to buy Chuck Taylors.
Two reporters’ videos of Harris arriving in Milwaukee had nearly 8 million views on Twitter by Tuesday morning, September 8, 2020, according to The Washington Post. That figure counts views of the videos, not Converse sales. The company declined to provide specific sales figures.
Rank #3
- This style runs large. Order a half size down.
- Canvas upper for that classic Chucks look and feel
- OrthoLite cushioning helps provide optimal underfoot comfort
- Diamond-pattern rubber outsole
- Iconic Chuck Taylor ankle patch and All Star license plate
The Post also recounted a campaign-staff anecdote: at a New Hampshire stop, Harris had forgotten her own Chucks, and a staffer lent her a pair because the ground was muddy. According to that account, Harris wore them through the event and later signed them to thank the staffer. Her sister Maya reportedly called the shoes Harris’s “go-to.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Harris’s reported washing tip
The Washington Post reported that Harris recommended removing the laces before washing the shoes, to avoid discoloration near the metal-framed lace holes. That is her reported tip, not a complete set of manufacturer care instructions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This style runs large. Order a half size down.
- Canvas upper for that classic Chucks look and feel
- OrthoLite cushioning helps provide optimal underfoot comfort
- Diamond-pattern rubber outsole
- Iconic All Star license plate
Rank #4
- This style runs large. Order a half size down.
- Canvas upper for that classic Chucks look and feel
- OrthoLite cushioning helps provide optimal underfoot comfort
- Diamond-pattern rubber outsole
- Iconic All Star license plate
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