Jordan 1 Retro High 'Rookie of the Year' (2018)

Introduction

Read Full Blog Here:https://imyourwardrobe.com/blogs/news/air-jordan-1-a-sneaker-icon

Today, we will uncover the details about the very legendary Air Jordan 1. Some say the sneaker that has changed the streetwear game forever. But, is it going out of fashion? We discuss our thoughts on the Air Jordan 1 and whether it will stay relevant in the years to come. 

History of Air Jordan 1

The Chicago Bulls used their third overall draft pick on Jordan, a 1982 NCAA champion who would go on to win Olympic gold later in the summer of 1984. It paid off when Jordan signed a five-year endorsement deal with Nike, reportedly worth $2.5 million plus royalties, an enormous outlay for an athlete not yet proven on the professional level.

The Air Jordan 1 was launched in 1985. It was designed by Peter Moore for Michael Jordan. The sneaker marked the beginning of a revolutionary relationship between Nike and the NBA rookie. This set the stage for one of the most famous sneaker lines ever made.

The NBA banned the original Air Jordan for not meeting the league's stringent policy on uniforms and colors. Jordan wore them anyway, and in turn, faced a $5,000-per-game fine. Recognizing a unique marketing opportunity when it presented itself, Nike was more than happy to pay the fine. And MJ rocked them all the way to his Rookie of the Year honor.

The only one from the entire Air Jordan series that sported the Nike Swoosh logo was this one. And even before the Jumpman logo, the OG shoe had the Wings logo: a basketball with wings stretching out of both sides and Air Jordan printed above the ball. The Wings logo was filed for trademark by Nike on May 7, 1985.

Why Air Jordan 1 Became So Popular

This popularity of Air Jordan 1 is attributed to a few of these reasons:

Iconic Design

Air Jordan 1 is such that the visible Nike swoosh and the Wings logo design really pulled it off from all the other sneakers. Notably, high-top and bold colorways made the shoe stand out on and off the court.

Cultural Impact

Since its release, the Air Jordan 1 has represented much more than just a basketball shoe. It became a part of cultural phenomena, accepted in all kinds of subcultures: skateboarding, hip-hop, and fashion. It's exactly this feature of the model, breaking beyond the initial purpose and becoming an icon of style, which is what gave it a special place in sneaker culture.

Limited Releases and Collabs

It has gone through a number of limited releases and big-name collaborations over the years. From artists to special releases, those have kept this shoe in high demand, often skyrocketing resale prices.

What Makes Air Jordan 1s Stand out?

Classic Colorways

There have been countless colorways issued for the Air Jordan 1 since it first came out. Among them are Chicago, Royal, and Shadow—all three very special in their own respective way, and most of them will come with their stories and coteries.

Modern Iterations

Although the original design will always be close to the heart, modern materials and technologies have become part of the Air Jordan 1. From updated cushioning to new colorways, these iterations keep the sneaker fresh and relevant.

How to Authenticate Air Jordan 1

With the crazy demand and resale of the Air Jordan 1, the counterfeit business has gone into overdrive. Here are some ways to ensure that your sneaker is authentic:

Check the Box:

The boxes in which the Air Jordan 1 authentic pairs will come in are of high quality with correct labels and no spelling errors.

Inspect the Materials:

The materials used to construct authentic Air Jordans are always of high quality and clean stitching. Check for inconsistencies in the fabric and stitching patterns.

Examine the Insoles:

There are specific insole patterns with cushioning on authentic Air Jordan 1s. Check the materials and correct branding.

Smell Test:

You will find that authentic Air Jordan 1s smell fresh from the factory, and counterfeits smell strongly of chemicals.

Check the Seller:

Buy from known sources to avoid buying counterfeits. Im Your Wardrobe has that box checked.

How Air Jordan 1 Fits

The Air Jordan 1s are true to size, but there is a slight fit difference between the models. These include:

Air Jordan 1 High:

It fits true to size, and it gives a nice, cozy fit with additional support at the ankle.

Air Jordan 1 Mid:

True to size, relatively speaking; just as the high-top felt, only without the high-top collar.

Air Jordan 1 Low:

Fits true to size and provides a much more casual and versatile take.

Are the Air Jordan 1s Comfortable?

The answer is yes. The Air Jordan 1s are comfortable because of its padded collar and tongue, which gives comfort around your ankle area, while the insole is okay and can provide enough support to wear daily. Although not with the latest Nike technologies, this classic design backed up by reliable comfort helped the shoes gain a huge following among sneakerheads.

Rare and Well-Known Air Jordan 1 Collaborations:

Air Jordan 1 High x Travis Scott Mocha

One of the most hyped collaborations, the Travis Scott Mocha features a unique reverse Swoosh and premium materials. Its resale value can go as high as $3000 NZD.

Fragment x Air Jordan 1 High

Hiroshi Fujiwara's Fragment collaboration is one of the most coveted models from any Air Jordan collaboration. The model exudes simplicity while coming off highly in quality of execution. Here and there, this retail pair often goes for over $5000 NZD in resale.

Air Jordan 1 High x Off-White Chicago

Virgil Abloh's deconstructed take on the classic Chicago colorway easily makes it one of the most coveted Air Jordan 1's. Resale prices for this model can surge over $9000 NZD.

Union LA x Air Jordan 1

In collaboration with Union LA, Jordan Brand offers this fresh new spin on the Air Jordan 1, which brings forth the idea of retro style in a modern build. These kicks resale for about $4500 NZD.

Air Jordan 1 High Bred

The Bred colorway is an ultimate grail to many, which hits upwards of $2000 NZD in resale.

Where to Buy Air Jordan 1 in New Zealand?

At Im Your Wardrobe, we're the premier sneaker marketplace for all sneakers and in particular the Air Jordan 1. But why?

Guaranteed Authenticity

Each and every pair of Air Jordan 1s are authenticated by us through a rigorous multi-step process. When you shop with us, you have the assurance of buying 100% authentic Air Jordan 1 sneakers.

Wide Selection

We stock the largest selection of Air Jordan 1s in New Zealand. With over 200 different Jordan models the choice is yours.

Shopping Made Easy

Fast and reliable shipping is provided right across the country from Auckland, New Zealand. We use express signature courier shipping for all orders, this ensures your order arrived to you and is not left at your doorstep.

Trusted by Many

We have the most 5-star reviews of any sneaker store in New Zealand, by our very satisfied customers. Don't trust our word, trust our customers word.

Read our reviews here: https://imyourwardrobe.com/pages/reviews

Easy Size Exchanges/Returns

Shop with confidence. We offer size exchanges and returns so you can shop with confidence. If you pick the wrong size, we've got you covered.

Read our returns policy here: https://imyourwardrobe.com/pages/returns-exchanges

New Zealand Owned and Operated

We are proudly NZ-owned and operated! Shopping locally with us means none of the worries associated with overseas taxes or customs delays. Everything ships direct from Auckland, New Zealand—with no hidden fees.

Im Your Wardrobe: Your Number-One Streetwear Marketplace

AtIm Your Wardrobe, we are fans of sneakers just like you and we take it very seriously. Making sure our curated selection is always updated with the latest releases and exclusive items. 

Our team of experts authenticates every product to guarantee its authenticity. We'll bridge that gap between sellers and buyers so the streetwear community can have confidence in accessing the most limited items out there.

Will the Air Jordan 1 stay relevant in the sneaker culture?

Like any other sneaker the Air Jordan 1 will have it's ups and downs. However, the strong history of this sneaker really makes it hard to forget about. The classic style is something that can be dressed up or down this making it very wearable. The question is, will you be wearing the Air Jordan 1 in 2025?

Conclusion

From a purely basketball-oriented shoe to an elevated status of streetwear icon, few shoes have left a mark on sneaker culture like the Air Jordan 1. Versatility, cultural relevance, and innovative design keep sneakerheads around the world in a swoon. Check out our picks at Im Your Wardrobe for authentic Air Jordan 1's to bring your shoe game to the next level.

Relating Links:

Jordan 1 Lows: https://imyourwardrobe.com/collections/jordan-1-low
Jordan 1 Mids: https://imyourwardrobe.com/collections/jordan-1-mid
Jordan 1 Highs: https://imyourwardrobe.com/collections/jordan-1-high
All Jordans: https://imyourwardrobe.com/collections/jordan
All Streetwear: https://imyourwardrobe.com/collections/streetwear
All Sneakers: https://imyourwardrobe.com/collections/allsneakers
About Us: https://imyourwardrobe.com/pages/about-us
Sizing Guide: https://imyourwardrobe.com/pages/sizing-guide
Returns & Size Exchanges: https://imyourwardrobe.com/pages/returns-exchanges
Shipping Policy: https://imyourwardrobe.com/pages/shipping-policy
Authenticity: https://imyourwardrobe.com/pages/authenticity

jordan

jordan 4

air jordan

air jordan air

jordan 1

jordan 4s

air jordan1

jordan air jordan 1

jordan shoes

jordan 3

nike jordan

sneakers

rare sneakers

NZ sneakers

air jordans new zealand

air jordan nz

nz basketball shoes

sneaker nz