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The Rise of the Slouch: A Bold New Converse x Vaquera Chapter
There are collaborations, and then there are moments when two creative worlds collide so dramatically that you can practically feel the fabric ripple. The Converse x Vaquera Slouch Wedge release belongs to the latter. This partnership transforms the beloved Chuck Taylor All Star into something entirely new: part theatrical costume, part wearable sculpture, and part subculture rebellion. Unveiled at Vaquera’s Fall/Winter 2025 show, the XXXHI and XHI Slouch Wedges take the nostalgia of classic Chucks and warp them into elongated, slouching giants that beg to be seen, photographed, and obsessed over.
Bryn Taubensee, Vaquera’s co-founder, summarised the attitude perfectly during the debut, explaining that the team wanted to keep the iconic elements of the Chuck but “remove the laces and supersize the upper.” The result is a silhouette that feels familiar yet totally alien, like something pulled from a DIY fashion fantasy and dropped straight onto the runway.
A Closer Look at the Converse x Vaquera collaboration…
XXXHI Slouch Wedge / XHI Slouch Wedge
The two variations – the sky-high XXXHI and the slightly more grounded XHI – feel like siblings with equally dramatic personalities. The XXXHI stretches up past the knee with unapologetic theatricality, while the XHI lands just below the knee for a look that’s still outrageous, but a little easier to integrate into day-to-day styling. Both silhouettes are wrapped in a synthetic waxed canvas that gradually softens with wear, developing a lived-in texture that adds even more personality to the already exaggerated design.
What makes these shoes truly clever is the hidden architecture beneath the showmanship. Inside the towering upper sits a concealed wedge that adds height without shouting about it. An internal framework inspired by Chelsea boots keeps the structure solid, combining elastic webbing, a tongue, and heel pull for ease and stability. On the outside, Vaquera’s imprint appears in subtle but striking details such as a custom debossed ankle patch and a reworked heel license plate that nods to Converse traditions while refusing to play by their rules.
Every element of the design feels like a playful contradiction. The shoes evoke satire but are crafted with sincerity. They exaggerate proportions yet remain surprisingly functional. They’re runway-level dramatic but ready for the street – assuming the wearer is bold enough to command the attention that comes with every step.
The release also marks an important milestone in Vaquera’s ongoing relationship with Nike and Converse, offering a first glimpse into a larger, experimental design partnership that will evolve further with future footwear updates.
The Drop Date!
The Converse x Vaquera XXXHI Slouch Wedge / XHI Slouch Wedge is AVAILABLE NOW at Vaquera and Dover Street Market, Converse.com & select global retailers. Shop via the banner below!
Never miss a drop again with The Drop Date App!
What is the Converse x Vaquera XXXHI Slouch Wedge?
The Converse x Vaquera XXXHI Slouch Wedge is a high-fashion reinterpretation of the Chuck Taylor All Star, featuring a dramatically extended upper that rises above the knee and a hidden wedge sole inside. The design blends Vaquera’s avant-garde sensibility with Converse’s iconic sneaker DNA.
How much do the Converse x Vaquera Slouch Wedges cost?
The XXXHI version debuted at a retail price of £165.00 the UK, while pricing for the XHI variation varies by region and retailer.
When was the Converse x Vaquera collection released?
The shoes were released globally on 8th November 2025 via Vaquera and Dover Street Market, followed by a wider retail and online launch on 11th November 2025 through Converse, SNKRS, and select stockists.
