If any article of mortal footwear could possibly compete with Hermes’ winged sandals in terms of divine perfection, it would be Nike’s Air Force Ones. Sleek, seamless, chunky and thick-soled—with both athletic as well as aesthetic function—these timeless, wondrously defiant yet humble kicks are my style godsend. Elevating the classic white sneaker onto an otherworldly pedestal, their transcendent vibes recast and transform the wearer. Whether supplying a cool, irresistible finish to any look or airbrushing my classier appearances with indomitable street style, Nike’s Air Force Ones, colloquially known as AF1s, are inherent to style supremacy. In addition, they provide a rare example that uniformity can actually forge deeper connections through shared experience.
Anyone who has ever stepped foot in an urban setting has likely encountered the awe-inspiring sight of AF1s. Though they made their debut 40 years ago in 1982, becoming the first basketball sneaker with Nike technology worn on the court, AF1s have remained a streetwear staple and cultural icon ever since, fueling the modern rise of sneaker culture (Nelly dedicated a rap song to them). At a relatively affordable cost of $100, with retro vibes and wide versatility, it is no wonder that they have become the most popular sneaker in the U.S. All of America serves as a blacktop for these kicks—across decades, these are first and foremost statement shoes, affirmations of street savviness and communion over shared surfaces.
While uniformity and ubiquity in fashion are usually slammed as “basic” by Gen-Zers, in my opinion the universal appeal of AF1s allows them to achieve something unusual in the cultural sphere: an ability to transcend socioeconomic boundaries and cultural divisions. These might be my parents’ shoes, yet even that would-be embarrassment somehow doesn’t diminish their appeal. Like the sneaker itself with its five styles, (super low, low, mid, high and super high), as well as different straps and colors, AF1 wearers come in all forms: ballers, VSCO girls, fast-food workers and even suburban moms. While various other brands of white sneakers have made resurgences in the past, from Adidas, Filas, Reeboks or Superagas, these carry the best track record for both endurance and popularity.
During their most recent comeback beginning in 2020, I initially opposed AF1s. I discounted them as plain, common and worst of all, basic. They were ubiquitous, and I craved uniqueness. After a while, however, I figured there was a reason for their popularity. Upon lacing up my very first pair two summers ago—replacing my slippers to celebrate my return to society after quarantine—I felt a revitalizing rush of Cinderella-esque confidence, energy and pizazz. Rapidly, a metamorphosis occurred.
I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter who you are or what you’re wearing, but as long as you’ve got on a pair of AF1s, you’ve instantly been ushered into this invigorating orbit. In airports or on sidewalks, in restaurants or in stores, you feel a shared identity and culture with other AF1 aficionados. You’re not conforming so much as conferring with others and creating a shared experience. An automatic alliance is communicated through these shoes. Likewise, their ubiquity doesn’t make them commonplace, but in fact elevates them. Beyond their stylistic value to the individual, AF1s also bestow us a cultural force, uniting and supplying common ground rather than dividing.
Like all shoes that have grown in popularity over the years, variations upon the original design have invariably attempted to oust their predecessor. Yet it is the classically sleek, all-white AF1 that triumphs through the ages. Feel free to add a few colorful swooshes, neon or otherwise, to your kicks, but ultimately all you need is the original shoe. Crisp, clean white sneaks provide any style with a powerful juxtaposition that is forever beguiling. In their simplest state, these imperishable shoes continue to boost my stylistic visions. Even dirty and scuffed with everyday use and much love, these shoes are eternally dope. Even with a spacesuit or an emo cardigan, AF1s complete the lewk. The key to empowering confidence? AF1s. The best part of any ’fit? You guessed it: AF1s.
Photo courtesy of Helen Katz/ECHO
