What Does Retro Mean in Shoes? Guide to A Special Shoe Term
You are wondering what are those retro pairs of sneakers that some people mention. It is a vast shortcoming for all sneakers fans if you ignore this notion.
Recently, retro shoes have acquired new records related to amassing profits, far-out design, and reputation. It’s wide-reaching worldwide with an appealing vibe. This point ignites the curiosity of shoe lovers about retro’s meanings, which brands are the best, and how to create retro products.
Let us lend you a helping hand to unclog this! Also, we’ll highlight the difference between “Retro” and “OG.”
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What Does Retro Mean in Shoes?
Retro shoes are updated versions of older shoe models, with the originals referred to as OGs. These are re-released later with new technology and slight differences in material.
A case in point is the original model Air Jordan 7, whose retail price was lowered in 1992. After that, the Bordeaux hue was re-released as a throwback model in 2011 and 2015 (among various others). If you’re familiar with the Air Jordan brand, you know that a new model is released yearly. For example, in 1991, they relaunched multiple fresh colorways of the Air Jordan 6. The Air Jordan 7 and 8 are the same.
Even so, it’s unlikely to get the Retro deals anytime soon since around half of these models are often uncommon in the community. A relaunch might occur whenever Jordan and Nike see fit. Air Jordans have been around for quite some time. For example, the model “retro” throughout 2021 took inspiration from the one launched 23 years ago. Michael Jordan’s iconic number, worn at his career’s pinnacle, was 23.
Why Do Brands Launch Retro Shoes?
Because of its ageless design and eco-friendly appeal, the retro products line is viral. While some people just seek a nostalgic experience, others long for long-term items. Also, the retro footwear industry is now a thriving business open to anyone willing to go through enormous heaps of used clothing due to the pandemic-induced rise in ethical buying.
Retro design trends have recently come back into vogue due to the current criticism of quick homeware, the cousin of fast fashion. The re-released shoes’ accessibility has also led to an increase in the number of new buyers visiting retro markets. Retro, even better, is more affordable and can make a remarkable profit for the company. The first but extreme success of Air Jordan inspires multiple brands to pursue this iconic line of items, which is a shining example.
Retro Shoes Vs OG Shoes: A Quick Rundown!
Retro is the model with a slight variation from the original OG. Meanwhile, OG is the shoes’ original version without any changes in design or color. Quite a few consumers still need help telling Retro and OG apart, so we will analyze their differences in the most noticeable shoe line: Jordan.
Retro Jordan Shoes
Nike has produced numerous basketball footwear over the years. Still, Jordan shoes’ prestige has beaten any other model in the company’s long history. Despite Michael Jordan’s retirement from the NBA in 2003, his signature shoe line remains unrivaled in the global market. That means that there will be two distinct Retro Jordan releases.
The first pair is a replica of Michael Jordan’s actual game shoes. The other kind, dubbed “classic Air Jordans,” features some updates that make them more wearable for modern consumers. Nike releases this kind of shoe yearly to reclaim the greatest basketball player’s legacy. From the first Air Jordan I through the most recent XVIII, about 28 iterations were available to the public.
In the realm of sneakers, the reissued versions of these shoes are frequently referred to as “Retro.” Retro Jordans symbolize Michael Jordan’s cultural impact and enduring fame, not just in the basketball world but among all sneakerheads. While the retro footwear stays true to the original models’ blueprint, it differs in details, such as the materials utilized and the technologies employed.
OG Jordan Shoes
These shoes are sometimes called “OGs,” short for “originals” in the sneaker terminology dictionary. The acronym OG refers to the first version of shoe models, meaning there has never been a “retired” pair of Jordans.
Jordan Brand brings back a handful of classic sneakers with minor twists to the original designs and colorways. Numerous Air Jordan updated styles have been re-released (based on the OG version) more than once to capitalize on the brand’s notoriety.
Read more: What Does PADS Mean In Shoes? Does It Resemble DS?
Are Retro Shoes Fake Shoes: Best Tips To Distinguish
No. Someone might mistake retro shoes for fake shoes, as retro sneakers are the versions that are slightly different from the original ones. Yet they are still authentic. Buyers have to research sparingly and wait to judge something.
Due to their widespread recognition, offshore manufacturers regularly copy Air Jordans retro shoes. You can verify a pair’s genuineness by looking at a few specific aspects. Here comes a method involving the shoe’s style number that would help.
Step 1: Test The Box’s Quality
The box of authentic Jordans is robust. No gaps should exist, and the lid should fit snugly. An Air Jordan “Jumpman” logo will be on the box’s exterior and its lid. There shouldn’t be any fading or extra colors on the box, and the box’s surface will have a uniform texture.
Go to Google Images and have a quick comparison.
Step 2: Spot Logo Imperfections And Spelling Errors
Verify every word’s spelling on the box. Inspect the Jordan Jumpman logo to ensure it is complete and free of fading or odd-looking proportions. Everything on the box should be perfectly aligned with nothing out of place or crooked.
Check that the Jumpman logo exactly matches the one you find online.
Step 3: Seek The Manufacturing Sticker On The Box
An authentic sticker will be on the Air Jordan box’s side. Verify the shoe’s correct style name, shoe size, color scheme, and manufacturing nation. The words should be grammatically correct, spaced out evenly, and have a consistent look throughout the text.
There should be no air bubbles underneath the sticker, firmly adhering to the box.
A distorted or crooked sticker is a typical fake Jordans’ hallmark. This is a warning sign if it is sloppily designed or hard to understand.
Step 4: Set Your Eyes On The 9-digit Style Number
Each pair of Jordans has a style number on the outer sticker and after the manufacturing nation, often with nine digits. Ensure this number on the shoe’s box corresponds to the one you see on Nike’s website before purchasing.
Examples Of Some Retro Shoe Models
Waffle Trainer 2
The waffle trainer is one of the production’s most retro Nike trainers. This one is an excellent throwback to the past, as it retains the classic waffle outsole.
Owning something enduring the test of time is a relief in a society where fashion is constantly changing.
Adidas Stan Smith Shoes
The Retro Stan Smith was the first tennis shoe to revolutionize the sport. Adolf “Adi” Dassler came up with the idea for the shoe after realizing that a pair of solid flat-soled shoes would help him play better basketball.
Taking cues from Rag & Bone, Adidas revamped the sneaker with eco-friendly materials like recycled rubber, plastic, and a new fabric called Primegreen.
Stella McCartney Fabric Sneakers
Stella McCartney is known for updating timeless staples and consistently producing epic trainers.
Their ’70s sneakers are something to holler about with grassy-green suede detail at the heel, perfectly paired with worn cigarette pants and a bulky sweater.
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FAQs
What Is The Opposite Of Retro?
“Retro” is something recalling the past, so its antonyms can be new-release, new-school, modern, current, latest, contemporary, new-fashioned, modernistic, state-of-the-art, cutting-edge, and many more.
Why Is Retro So Popular?
Retro is prevailing in the sneakers community owing to its unique vibes and traits. Retro shoes’ classic looks can astound many at first sight, and these eco-friendly items stand out with their unique look and budget-friendly price.
What Makes A Shoe A Retro?
You first need the original shoe design or the mold from which the upper versions are made. Retro items can use different materials than their forerunner, with the manufacturers’ copyright surrounding their names and molds.
What Is Considered Jordan Retro?
The re-released iterations of these shoes are referred to as Retro, like Waffle One SE Nike Sneakers, which are evidence of Michael Jordan’s popularity and frenzy among followers. Jordan retro shoes must retain their original styles but vary in materials and technological advances.
