Styles: Converse Shoe Grammar

HERE'S AN ARGUMENT no couple should die without having: Is "Converse" a plural or singular noun? Example: "Honey, should I refer to those two pairs of stinky, disgusting Chuck Taylors as your 'Converse' or your 'Converses'?" Conversi? Conversices? Conversae? A complete declension of this noun is probably impossible, but the question still stands.

Of course, to stage this debate, one must first have multiple pairs of the sneaker in question. And even the canvas ones are pricey these days — a pair of low-top men's Chucks (also known as All Stars) are $42 at Zappos.com.

Thus, the opening of the Converse online outlet is a major deal for fans. Go to Converse.com/outlet for nearly 400 styles; the ones pictured cost, from top down, $28 (from $47), $36 (from $60) and $33 (from $55). We suggest the uppermost pair, which depicts tiny broken hearts, for the spinster in your life.

As if that's not enough from the confusingly named brand, a new line of One Star clothes and shoes is selling at Target. (One Stars look like All Stars with a few differences in grommets, stitching, etc.) The six men's pairs go for $30 to $40.

And we say the plural's just "Converse."

Photos courtesy Converse.com