That one who has never owned a pair of Converse raises his hand. No one ? That's what we thought. Offering (or affording) the mythical lace-up sneakers at the age of adolescence is almost a rite of passage. As adults, they continue to accompany us, as a comforting ally against the prices of some expensive and uncomfortable models.

During all these years of loyalty and love, are you only wondering why all Converse had holes in the sides? No ? We neither. Even more surprising, there is not one, but two answers to the presence of these metal holes.

Their first, somewhat obvious use is to provide ventilation to our feet. Initially designed to play basketball, the holes allow air to enter the shoe - just like the breathable materials with which many gym shoes are made - and help limit foot perspiration.

Their second function is much more creative. Indeed, they are partly designed to allow everyone to imagine lacing techniques of all kinds. Moreover, it turns out that during all this time, we have not laced them in the right way. In reality, the Converse have been designed to be laced zigzagging across the width of the shoe.

It turns out that there are even Youtube tutorials giving ideas and techniques of original Converse lacings, from the simplest to the most complex. At your laces!

Source: Marie Claire UK