STREET FASHIONS

The Nike brand, with its distinct V shaped logo, quickly became regarded as a status symbol in modern urban fashion and hip-hop fashion due to its association with success in sport.

Beginning in the 1980s, various items of Nike clothing became staples of mainstream American youth fashion, especially tracksuits, shell suits, baseball caps, Air Jordans, and Air Max running shoes with thick, air cushioned rubber soles and contrasting blue, yellow, green, white, or red trim.

 Limited edition sneakers and prototypes with a regional early release were known as Quickstrikes, and became highly desirable items for teenage members of the sneakerhead subculture.

By the 1990s and 2000s, American and European teenagers associated with the preppy or popular clique began combining these sneakers, leggings, sweatpants, crop tops, and tracksuits with regular casual chic street clothes such as jeans, skirts, leg warmers, slouch socks, and bomber jackets. Particularly popular were the unisex spandex Nike Tempo compression shorts worn for cycling and running, which had a mesh lining, waterproofing, and, later in the 2000s, a zip pocket for a Walkman or MP3 player.

From the late 2000s into the 2010s, Nike Elite basketball socks began to be worn as everyday clothes by fans of hip-hop and young children. Originally plain white or black, these socks had special shock absorbing cushioning in the sole plus a moisture wicking upper weave. 

Later, Nike Elite socks became available in bright colors inspired by throwback basketball uniforms, often with contrasting bold abstract designs, images of celebrities, and freehand digital print to capitalize upon the emerging nostalgia for 1990s fashion.

In 2015, a new self-lacing shoe was introduced that will officially release in 2016. Called the Nike Mag, it had a preliminary limited release in 2015, only available by auction with all proceeds going to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

As if our egos weren’t swollen enough already, Nike has just released a cool new edition of its classic Air Max 1 that pays tribute to Toronto. 

Dubbed The 6, the minimalist sneaker was designed by a Canadian, and includes all sorts of practical new features northerners will appreciate, like rubberized outsoles and military-grade leathers to protect against harsh elements. 

Why do we deserve such a high honour from the sneaker gods? In Nike’s own words: “Recently, the city of Toronto has earned pop-culture accolades, thanks to a cultural renaissance that spans sport, music and entertainment.” (This guy might have something to do with it.) The shoe will be available December 6 at Nike.com and select Toronto boutiques including Lost and Found, Community 54, Nomad and Capsule Footwear.