Classic color blocking never goes out of style. The Air Jordan 1 Royal is one of the most well-known and sought after Jordan colorways of all time. New styles come out every year, but nothing can compare to the classics.
Jordan Brand has been pushing out “reimagined” pairs recently. The concept gives classic colors a breath of fresh air. However, the new sneakers aren’t hitting the same for everyone. They require a certain level of appreciation; otherwise they are just another concept that can be easily under-appreciated and undervalued.
Royal History
It’s no secret that the Air Jordan 1 came out in 1985. However, it is not as well-known that Michael Jordan actually never wore the Royal 1s on an NBA court. Having spent most of his career in Chicago, MJ typically wore Bulls’ colors (red, white, and black). So how did the Air Jordan 1 Royal become so iconic and one of Jordan’s favorite color combinations?
The Royal 1s were actually one of the first pair of Jordans the public saw MJ wear. One of the first Air Jordan posters shows Michael Jordan wearing the Royal 1s with a matching royal and black sleeveless Flight suit on a runway. The iconic photo taken by Chuck Kuhn sparked the sensation surrounding one of the three original Air Jordan 1 colorways (the other two- Chicago and Banned).
The only picture of Jordan wearing the Royal AJ1s on court was when he was playing a pickup game on a cruise ship. The iconic photo shows MJ wearing the sleek Flight suit made famous in the original poster along with the original Air Jordan 1 Royals.
Although Jordan never wore the royal and black classic in an NBA game, the sneakers still became an instant classic. Since 1985, the Royal AJ1s have been re-released multiple times. Sneaker enthusiasts everywhere appreciate the original Jordan 1 colorways; if they didn’t exist, there wouldn’t be all these new collabs and color combos coming out every year.
Air Jordan 1 Royal 2017
Every so often Jordan Brand re-releases classic colorways. Every time a new release comes out, people instantly compare the newest version to the previous and even several prior releases. While some re-releases are better than others, nothing can top the originals. The 1985 Royal 1s will always be superior to other versions just like the original Chicagos and Breds compared to their own re-releases.
Instead of solely comparing the 2017 pair to previous releases, the main focus will be on what makes this pair so special and unique. With a release date of April 1, 2017, the Royal 1s quickly became one of the hottest Jordan 1s to drop that year with a retail price of $160. Following the Bred 1s release in September 2016, the Royals were highly anticipated for obvious reasons.
Sneakers in 2017 weren’t nearly as mainstream as they are today. If the same Air Jordan 1 Royal released today, they wouldn’t be as appreciated for many reasons. First, many new “sneakerheads” in today’s age don’t nearly appreciate original colorways as collectors who have been around for numerous years. Also, the market is so saturated right now; releases come out virtually every day.
Many people won’t feel as bad about missing out on a pair in 2023 compared to 2016/2017. Now, a new release is right around the corner. The AJ1 Royals will always be a classic no matter what shape or form they come in.
Many people won’t feel as bad about missing out on a pair in 2023 compared to 2016/2017. Now, a new release is right around the corner. The AJ1 Royals will always be a classic no matter what shape or form they come in.
Air Jordan 1 Royal Reimagined
Reimagined pairs have been a new commodity on the sneaker market. After the release of the Lost and Found Jordan 1s and the Air Jordan 3 White Cement Reimagined, Jordan Brand has quickly realized a way to capitalize off a trend. The Air Jordan 4 Bred Reimagined is expected to release early 2024 as well.
The AJ1 Royal Reimagined doesn’t have as much hype as other Jordan Reimagined pairs, but these sneakers are still a solid option for any royal fan. The materials are different from what is generally expected on an Air Jordan 1. With a full suede build instead of the tradition leather construction, things already take a different approach to the classic colorway.
Also, the Royal blue on this particular pair is much brighter and vibrant than the Royal blue on the 2017 AJ1. Sneaker enthusiasts sometimes get hung up on tweaks and modifications amongst releases like materials and colors. However, at the end of the day, every release isn’t supposed to be identical.
The Reimagined Royals aren’t meant to be a copy of the originals. They are reimagined for a reason.
The Air Jordan 1 Royal Reimagined takes a unique approach as the sneakers are a refreshing twist on a classic colorway. This pair definitely isn’t for everyone; however, they are extremely accessible and plenty of pairs were produced.
Coming in at a retail price of $180, the Air Jordan 1 Royal Reimagined officially release November 4, 2023. Early pairs from SNKRS Exclusive Access have already started to go out to customers.
Royal Rumble
The ‘Royal’ color block is one of the most iconic colorways in the history of the Jordan Brand. Sneaker enthusiasts will continue to debate which re-releases are the closest to the originals. However, if people take the time to appreciate the history and multiple iterations of the Royal 1s, they will be able to fully understand the cultural significance of the three original Air Jordan 1s.
New colorways continue to come out every year. Countless colorways are influenced by the Chicagos, Breds, and Royals. Jordan Brand will always come out with releases that appeal to the masses. Every now and then, colorways come out that will break barriers and push boundaries. However, the OG colorways will never go out of style. Jordans wouldn’t be where they are today without the influential originals.
Every now and then, colorways come out that will break barriers and push boundaries. However, the OG colorways will never go out of style. Jordans wouldn’t be where they are today without the influential originals.
