How To Style Air Jordan 1s Like A True Sneakerhead

There are not many more iconic and influential sneakers than the Air Jordan 1s. Since its creation in 1985, the Air Jordan 1 quickly rose to stardom on and off the basketball court due to Michael Jordan’s dominance and legacy. It remains one of the best Jordans of all time to this day. 

If you are looking for the best ways to style your favorite pair of sneakers, this style guide will get you covered with tips on making the most out of your kicks. Check our style guide on the key differences between the Nike Dunk vs. Air Jordan 1 if you need a refresher too.

3 sneaker heights, endless style possibilities

There are three styles to choose from in Jordan 1s: low-top, mid-top, and high-top. The style you select should be based on your own preference. Style is subjective, and you shouldn’t wear something just because it’s cool or more popular. The quote “look good, feel good” is true here, and whatever makes you feel confident is the best style for you.

With this being said, high-top Jordans are the original look and are still the most popular style of Jordans in modern times. 

However, Low top AJ 1s have seen a recent spike in popularity because of their versatility in styling and outfit combinations. 

Which colors?

Considered one of the best luxury sneakers for men and a perennial favorite amongst women’s white sneakers, Nike’s Jordan 1s can command a premium price tag for rare colorways. There are over 100 different Jordan 1 colorways, but here are the most iconic ones:

• Air Jordan 1 Black/Red (‘Bred’/’Banned’) – Also known as Air Jordan 1 Patent Red
• Air Jordan 1 White/Black-Red (‘Chicago’)
• Air Jordan 1 White/Black/Red (‘Black Toe’)
• Air Jordan 1 Black/Royal Blue (‘Royal’)
• Air Jordan 1 Black/Grey (‘Shadow’)
• Air Jordan 1 White / Natural Grey 
• Air Jordan 1 White / Blue (‘Kentucky’ / ‘Storm Blue’)
• Air Jordan 1 White / Black (‘Panda’)

The Air Jordan 1s also have a selection of notable collaborations, with the most popular being the Air Jordan 1 x Travis Scott edition.

What to wear with Jordan 1s

Wear neutral colors to let your Jordan shoes stand out. Your Jordan 1s are the star of the show, so you can’t go wrong with an all-black or all-white outfit. As long as your clothes are neutral and relaxed, your shoes will shine like Michael Jordan on the basketball court.

How to style Jordan 1s with sweatpants

Tapered pants and sweatpants are the go-to look for the majority of Jordan owners. Sneakerheads love to show off the entire shoe, and tapered pants precisely allow this. 

How to style Jordan 1s with jeans

Denim jeans with a slight slack are the best pants to wear with Jordan 1 kicks. It offers the most versatile look with a modern streetwear style. Furthermore, it allows you to show off the entire Jordan 1s without anything blocking the upper range.

You can also pair your Jordan 1s with khakis or black slacks. As long as the fit of your pants is proper, the type of pants you wear is not as important.

How to style Jordan 1s with shorts

The most critical piece of your outfit if you choose to wear shorts with your Jordan 1s is, in fact, your socks.

Standard white or black crew socks are perfect to wear with your shorts. This is because you still want your kicks to be the star of the show. 

Specific outfits with Jordan 1

Let’s discuss a few specific Air Jordan 1 outfit styling combinations:

• Solid-colored cargo jeans, logo tee
• Nike sweatpants, plain white tee, Nike woven track jacket
• Cargo pants, solid grey hoodie
• Black jeans, black sweatshirt
• Denim tapered jeans, white tee, flannel shirt

How to avoid creasing Jordan 1s

The first step is to find the proper fit. If your Jordans are too big, the front of the shoe will bend as you walk. If your shoes are too tight, they will crease and bend whenever you take a step.

To find the right-sized shoe, push your foot to the front of the shoe and check the gap at the heel. Your index finger should fit inside the gap without needing to force it in and without much space around it.

However, you may be wondering how to avoid creasing the Jordan 1s you already have. In this case, you can wear crease protectors and learn to walk more carefully. 

Leather shoes will crease no matter what, and there’s nothing you can do to prevent Jordan 1s from creasing. But you can lessen creases by keeping them appropriately stored in shoe trees and putting them on with a shoe horn.

A large portion of the Jordan 1 community even prefers their Jordans with creases because it adds a layer of style and character. 

How to tie Jordan 1

There is some heated debate within the Jordan 1 community about the best way to lace up an iconic pair of Jordan 1s.

Below, there are three great ways to tie up your Jordan 1s for a comfortable and fashionable look:

Crisscross Lacing

This style embodies the ultra-casual look because you actually don’t even tie your Jordans. With the crisscross lacing method, you can either keep your laces pulled tight to the top of the shoe’s eyelets or keep them loose by only lacing halfway up the shoe and keeping them untied.

1. Create a horizontal bar at the bottom of the shoe;
2. Grab the right lace and place it through the next left eyelet by going through the hole;
3. Repeat on the left side;
4. Continue crisscrossing the shoelaces through each eyelet, forming X’s as you proceed;
5. Leave the laces untied.

Window Lacing

The window lacing method alleviates some of the lockdown at the top of your arch. This method essentially leaves a ‘window’ of space halfway between the lacing system.

1. Thread each end of the laces into the bottom eyelets to create a horizontal bar;
2. Start to lace the Jordan 1s in a crisscross pattern;
3. At the third eyelet from the bottom, take the lace and place it directly over and through the fourth eyelet right above it;
4. Repeat the same pattern on both sides using the third and fourth eyelets;
5. Continue crisscrossing to the top of the shoe;
6. Tie a bow with the laces.

Loop-Back Lacing

Unlike traditional crisscross lacing, loop-back lacing twists two loops together to create a distinctive X’s look up the sneaker.

1. Create a bar at the bottom of the Jordan 1s by running the left end of the lace through the bottom-left eyelet and the same with the right lace bottom-right eyelet;
2. Cross the middle of the laces, between the bar and the ends, to form an X;
3. Make a second X below the first X;
4. Take your left lace end and place it through the right eyelet;
5. Continue this pattern up the shoe and then tie a bow.

Michael Jordan wearing Jordan 1

Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan 1s in 1984 and 1985. He also wore modified versions throughout 1986. These specific Jordan styles displayed the iconic Chicago colorway with the red, black, and white design. Michael Jordan also wore the Jordan 6 Retro Black Infrared when he won his first NBA championship in the 1990 to 1991 season. 

Frequently asked questions about Jordan 1s