Honestly, if you’ve spent any time on the internet over the last few years, you’ve probably seen the Millie Bobby Brown Converse collaboration pop up in your feed. It feels like one of those things that just exists in the background of pop culture, right? But here’s the thing: most people think it was just a one-off marketing stunt where a celebrity slapped their name on a shoe and called it a day.
That’s not even close to what actually happened.
Millie didn’t just sign a contract; she basically moved into the design studio. At fifteen, she became the youngest person ever to collaborate with Converse. That's a massive deal. Most kids that age are worried about biology midterms, but she was busy debating the exact shade of "petal pink" for a rubber foxing tape. It started back in 2019 and turned into this multi-year saga that changed how a lot of us look at the classic Chuck Taylor.
The Whale in the Room
Let’s talk about the ocean thing.
The first "Millie By You" drop was obsessed with whales. Not just "oh, whales are cute" obsessed, but deeply rooted in her own childhood memories of Spain and a genuine interest in marine life. She chose orcas. Why? Because they’re powerful but also kinda misunderstood—a vibe a lot of teenagers probably relate to.
This wasn't some generic corporate pattern. You could actually go onto the Converse site and customize the hell out of these things. We’re talking ten different colors and prints. You could change the laces, the eyelets, even the pinstripe on the sole. It was DIY before DIY became the "it" aesthetic for every brand on Instagram.
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Beyond the Fish
By the time the second and third collections rolled around, the vibe shifted. It wasn't just about the sea anymore. It became about this mantra: "Be You." It sounds cheesy when a brand says it. But when you see a sixteen-year-old girl who’s grown up in the spotlight—facing constant scrutiny—putting "Be You" on a removable chenille patch? It hits different. The 2021 collection even brought in Thai illustrator Pauline Wattanodom. They spent six months virtually co-designing these graphics during a time when the world was basically shut down.
The standout from that era? The pinky-swear illustration. It was all about female empowerment and friendship.
Why These Shoes Are Actually Different
If you’ve ever worn a standard pair of Chucks, you know the struggle. They look cool, but after four hours, your arches feel like they’ve been through a trash compactor.
The Millie Bobby Brown Converse collections often played with the Chuck 70 and the Platform versions. For the uninitiated, the Chuck 70 is the "fancy" version. It has a thicker canvas, a cushioned insole, and a vintage-style license plate on the heel. It's actually comfortable.
Here is a breakdown of what made these drops unique:
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- The Insoles: Every pair has Millie’s personal logo tucked inside. It’s a small touch, but for collectors, it’s the "tell" that it’s a real MBB collab.
- The Materials: She experimented with things like chenille patches and multi-colored metal eyelets.
- The Vegan Factor: Most of these shoes were built on the standard canvas and rubber foundation, making them a go-to for the vegan-friendly crowd.
- The Customization: This is the big one. Most celeb collabs are "take it or leave it." With these, you were the co-designer. You could make a pair that was 100% unique to you.
The Resale Reality
So, can you actually buy them in 2026?
Well, yes and no. The original "Millie By You" customization windows are long gone. Those were limited-time events. If you go to the official Converse site today, you might find some standard inventory or a new "Stranger Things" themed drop, but the specific MBB custom palettes are retired.
However, the secondary market is absolutely booming.
You’ll see pairs on eBay or Depop ranging from $45 for a well-loved pair to over $150 for the "Petal Pink" Chuck 70s in mint condition. The "Be You" patches are especially hard to find now because, let's be honest, people lost them. If you’re hunting for a pair, look for the model number 567299C or 567300C. Those are the "Love" and "Be You" variants that people still obsess over.
How to Actually Style Them (Without Looking Like a Costume)
The biggest mistake people make is trying to match the shoes too perfectly to the outfit. If you’ve got the whale-print high-tops, don’t wear a blue shirt and blue pants. You’ll look like an extra in an aquarium commercial.
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Instead, lean into the contrast.
- The Platform Hack: Since many of Millie's designs are platforms, wear them with wide-leg trousers. It gives you height without the pain of a heel.
- Mix Textures: Take those chenille-patched Chucks and pair them with something slick, like a faux-leather jacket.
- Color Blocking: If you have the multi-colored eyelet versions, pick one minor color from the shoe—like the yellow eyelet—and wear a sock in that exact shade. It’s subtle but looks intentional.
What Really Matters
At the end of the day, the Millie Bobby Brown Converse partnership worked because it felt earned. She wore Converse on the red carpet long before she had a deal. She was "that girl" who refused to wear heels to an awards show because she wanted to dance and stay comfortable.
That authenticity is why people are still searching for these shoes years later. It wasn't just about selling footwear; it was about the idea that you can be a global superstar and still just want to wear sneakers and doodle on your shoes.
If you’re looking to grab a pair now, your best bet is hitting the resale sites. Just be careful with sizing—Chucks notoriously run a half-size large. If you’re a 7.5, you’re probably a 7. Trust me on that.
Next Steps for Your Search:
Check the "Past Drops" section on the official Converse website to see the high-res archives of her designs for inspiration. Then, head over to a verified resale platform like StockX or GOAT and search for "Converse x Millie Bobby Brown" to see the current market value for your size. If you're lucky, you might still find a "New in Box" pair from the 2021 Pauline Wattanodom collection.