A sneaker that’s mostly black, but not really
The Air Jordan 17 Retro Low SP Black Pack is a reminder that nostalgia can be expensive—and sometimes just a shade of gray.
The story
Jordan Brand is releasing a 'Black Pack' of retro Air Jordan models, including the Air Jordan 17 Retro Low SP, with a November release date and a $245 price tag.
Source: wwd.com
Our reading
The Air Jordan 17 Retro Low SP Black Pack is a sneaker that looks like it was designed by someone who thinks ‘black’ is a color, not a mood. It’s mostly black, but with a grayish tone that suggests the designer was trying to be modern while still being nostalgic. The only thing that’s not gray is the leather, which is supposed to look like stingray. It’s like a fashion version of a ‘meh’ emoji.
It’s strange that a sneaker that was once sold in a metal briefcase is now being sold in a ‘face box’—a retro box that’s not even functional. The only thing that’s functional is the price tag, which is higher than the original $200, even though the briefcase is long gone.
The sneaker is supposed to be a tribute to the 2000s, but it feels more like a tribute to the idea of the 2000s. The only thing that’s really from that era is the price, which is now $245. That’s not a lot of money, but it’s enough to make you question why you’re paying for a sneaker that was once sold in a briefcase that no one actually used.
