Skip to main content

Forget flowers: Your Valentine deserves Jordans

Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG ($130)

Launch: Saturday, February 14, 2015 – 10:00 AM EST

Bred 1 low top
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When you arrive to pick up your date for Valentines, you could bring a dozen roses, but that would be boring, and flowers die anyway. Instead, give them the gift of a clean pair of Jordan 1 Lows in deep black and romantic Varsity Red. As the low-top rendition of one of the first shoes ever in the Air Jordan line, the midsole is graced with an off-white sail color for that vintage look that will remind them of how long you’ve been together. The Bred (a nickname given to black and red Jordans that stems from a leaked release calendar) makeup of the Jordan 1 is a timeless winner, and it shows your Valentine that you know the way to their heart.

Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Laser ($185)

Launch: Sunday, February 8, 2015 – 10:00 AM EST

Laser1-Backshot
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Of course, this may not be an old romance, you might need something a little more fitting for a first date. The Jordan 1 High with laser engraving keeps one foot in the past while finding ways to be modern and trendy, akin to giving your date a simple arrangement of white tulips with bright yellow centers. The sneaker is part of a line celebrating the 30th anniversary of the launch of the original Jordan 1, so Nike goes all out with the materials. An icy blue translucent outsole and Metallic silver swoosh break up the clean white upper, with extra insole and tongue adornments to commemorate the milestone in the brand’s history.

Air Jordan 7 Retro (GS) ($140)

Recommended Videos

Launch: Saturday, February 7, 2015 – 10:00 AM EST

AIR-JORDAN-7-RETRO
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While both Air Jordan 1s are available from toddler up through the full range of men’s sizes, Jordan Brand always reserves a pair of Retro Jordans for the small-footers, this time in the classic VII silhouette from 1992. They aren’t the first shoe to enjoy the “For the Love of the Game” moniker, taking inspiration from the title of Michael Jordan’s autobiography, signified by a stitched basketball heart on the rear quarter panel. This time around, dark grey nubuck is laced with fuchsia stitching for an extra pop, the sneaker version of a selection of blooming birds of paradise with tall, wide blades of grass.

30th Anniversary Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG ($140)

Launch: Saturday, February 14, 2015 – 10:00 AM EST

AIR-JORDAN-1-RETRO-HIGH-30TH-ANNIVERSARY
Image used with permission by copyright holder

At the last minute, Jordan Brand surprised us by confirming another two pairs of Retro releases in smaller sizes, both using pearl as a theme to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Jordan brand. The first takes the classic 1 model and swaps out the smooth leather for a heavily textured sandy upper. Mother of pearl finish, iridescent detailing and lace loops, and a teal collar bring extra pop to an otherwise understated shoe.

30th Anniversary Air Jordan 4 Retro ($180)

Launch: Saturday, February 14, 2015 – 10:00 AM EST

AIR-JORDAN-4-RETRO-30TH-ANNIVERSARY
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The second is a new take on the Air Jordan IV, a classic designed by sneaker great Tinker Hatfield. The entire upper is dressed in Iridescent pearl coating, with splashes of subdued color all over. instead of rubber logo and detailing, Jordan Brand has once again looked to laser etching and metallic additions to create a truly smooth, cohesive look.

All of the Retro Jordans have been remastered for this year with special materials and attention to design, in an effort to restore the quality of the original releases. They typically sell out within minutes, but if your date has small feet you’re in luck, because GS sized shoes tend to sit on shelves a lot longer. For a full selection of Jordan Brand sneakers and gear, head over to their page on the Nike website.

Brad Bourque
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brad Bourque is a beer and sneaker writer, retired fantasy football commissioner, and devout Portland Timbers. On the…
Audemars Piguet unveils the dazzling 38mm Code 11.59 Flying Tourbillon
A Code 11.59 with a selfwinding flying tourbillon
Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon

Audemars Piguet gave the Code 11.59 a beautiful retouch that takes it to the next level: the 38 mm Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon.

Every single element on this model, from the casing to the lug, screams luxury. For starters, the lugs are accentuated by brilliant-cut diamonds of multiple sizes. Audemars Piguet also set some diamonds on the casing to complete the whole look.

Read more
Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm: Retro vibes meet modern style in a compact design
Smaller Citizen Tsuyosa timepieces
Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm

Smaller case sizes are trendy, and every brand wants a piece of the pie.

Citizen just rolled out new Tsuyosa timepieces, designed to keep up with the changing times. While the brand worked on 40 mm Tsuyosa watches, it is now downscaling the size, just a little bit, to 37 mm. Thanks to its striking colors, the Tsuyosa collection has dominated the industry in the past two years. Well, this is the perfect time to take over again with a watch that has a compact size. Even though this watch is smaller than the 40 mm version, it still sits perfectly on the wrist.

Read more
Sorel, Madeira, and bourbon? Bardstown says yes with this Manhattan riff
This unusual recipe shows off the French Oak finish of a fine bourbon
Bardstown Bourbon Communion Cocktail

Bardstown is going bold with its latest cocktail offering --  the drink stars the bourbon brand's new release, its Cathedral French Oak bourbon. It also makes use of Sorel Liqueur, a hibiscus-flavored liqueur inspired by the traditional Caribbean tea drink. Hibiscus is a great ingredient to incorporate into cocktails, as it has both a sharp, berry-like quality and a floral softness, and Sorel incorporates ingredients like ginger, cassia, and cloves as well as hibiscus to give the liqueur a spicy note.

There's also Maderia in this cocktail, which is a much-maligned wine style but one that's becoming increasingly popular in cocktail circles, where its fortified nature and bold sweetness make it an interesting substitution for vermouth. In fact, this cocktail is really a kind of Manhattan variation, with bourbon rather than rye, the addition of a floral liqueur, and the use of Maderia in place of the vermouth.

Read more