Episode 9 - Last Drop of The Year

talk about some sneakers. And I figured that, you know, we kind of wrap up two thousand nineteen and kind of talk about the different things that have happened this year in the fashion world and like different trends and kind of like where they're going for two twenty. The last five years have been really interesting because you know, me getting into the game a little bit late. I know, I'm probably gonna get crucified by a lot of like

old heads in the game. Um, but me kind of getting into sneakers around like two thousand four, two thousand fifteen, there was a big paradigm shift between going from Nike to Adidas and because of the Easy brand, because of Kanye, you know, just coming from myself when I was in middle school and in high school, I exclusively war Nike. I only like Nike shoes. I don't think I ever

had a pair of Adidas up until that point. Um, So whenever I was playing soccer or basketball or whatever last sport I was playing, I was always wearing Nike. And you know, I never really had an interest for Adidas. I just never really liked the brand that all that much.

And you know, me being like such a die hard Kanye fan, when I saw him wearing the Ultra Boost and like, genuinely I thought it was like a really cool silhouette, and you know, me being you know, partially a hype piece, I was like, you know, when I got to check this out and I heard that they were like the most comfortable shoes like ever at the time.

So right when I went went to college, I ended up buying myself a pair of Cosmic Boosts and that was like the first pair of Adidas I ever wore, ever bought and war and it was so comfortable, and like, I couldn't afford the Ultra Boost at the time, and I couldn't even find them, so at that time, the Ultra was like the hype shoe. And if you walk into a foot locker or a chance or whatever. You would never be able to find them just sitting on the shelf, and if you were, it would be like

a size like sixteen or something ridiculous. So at the time, I think the shift went from Nike to Adidas, and I have a feeling that in the last couple of years has definitely started to shift back. So in two thousand fifteen, Easies were like the biggest thing. I'd say two thousand fifteen to seventeen, it was like easy, easy, Easy jumped over jump Man, and I feel like jump Man kind of started jumping back. So it was interesting because I always like, really like specific shoes growing up.

I like Blazers, I liked Jordan's ones. There was even a few pair of SBEs that I was into it also, But I never really was a big sneaker head. I was mostly into shoes because I was I was mostly in the sneakers because of the sports I was playing. So whatever sneakers, I felt like, we're like the best ones on the court or on the field, We're the

ones I always got. I never really thought about it from like a streetwear um point of view, because growing up in California, you know all I all I wore was banned and converse growing up, so it was kind of like, you know, a little different. But I mean I I did have a few pairs of Nikes, like I had cortes Is. I had uh one pair of blazers in middle school that my my mom bought me that I was obsessed with. That's all I wore in middle school, just those blazers. So the blazers have like

a you know, dear place in my heart. I actually got them, I think, like a size too big so I could wear them longer. And you know, I at the time, I had I think in one or two pairs of sneakers like I most. Um now, you know, times of changes, it's a little different. Um. Fortunately, I have like, you know, over two hundred pairs of shoes now and I only were like five of them on rotation.

But you know, it is what it is. And I would say in the last two years, there's been kind of like a shift when it comes to sneakers, like I exclusively, I have been seeing people only wear Nike. And you know, obviously Kanye has been releasing new stuff. But you know, I have a feeling that the Adida's hype kind of died down when they really just flooded

the market with like the cream whites. That was kind of like the first hit, and then after that when they were only releasing V twos in like basically the same color ways over and over again, like the sesame, like the like the like the light brown versus like you know, kinda like the citron or whatever, or the new color ways of the V twos, it was all earth tones, and I kind of like what they did with UM with with coannated with the new five hundreds,

like the purple color way. I thought it was cool, you know, at least kind of like take away from the whole earth tones thing. That's why I was like a big fan of the frozen yellows and the blue tints because they were kind of like in their own lane, you know what I mean. And I felt like for a year straight, like the only easiest that we're coming out were V twos and you know, some seven hundreds, but you know, it was just pretty much the same color way over and over again, and people were getting

tired of that, I guess. And then Jordan's once kind of came back around with um you know, Travis Scott and um a bunch of big artists getting back into Jordan's ones. So I would say in the last couple of years, people definitely started migraining over the Nike. I mean it's not just it's not just Travis too, It's like, you know, off Whites, uh, nikesb s had like a big revival. I'm just trying to think, like even even like a lot of like Supreme sneakers too, were kind

of coming back. And now like the whole game is Nike. You know, everybody's wearing Nike. Know not not a lot of people are wearing Easies anymore. I remember, like back in two fifteen, like every celebrity and their mother was wearing Easies. It was like justin Bieber and the the Kardashians and the Jenners and you know, all like the big artists and actors. Everybody was wearing easy He's like

that was the thing. And like I love that time because the Easies are super comfortable, and Jordan Ones definitely are not in the most comfortable shoe in the world. But Kanye had like the whole comfort kind of like comfy look, you know, with the really comfortable sneakers with like sweatpants and like a baggy hoodie or something like that. That was like the thing, and now I feel like

things are kind of shifting, you know. Uh, A lot of the culture is kind of stepping into kind of like lower key for lack of a better word, brands like um, well, I know a lot of artists are getting into Japanese brands like a Capital or Saka like Adidas, like comfortable, like baggy, geasy season esque clothing to now kind of like you know, patchwork and you know, ugly sweaters.

Like the sweater I'm wearing is um from a Japanese brand called Capital, and it's just like you know, it's just very itchy, but it looks awesome and I love it. And I don't know why, but I just think that fashion has changed. Obviously, it always changes, and there's always

like a circulation um. You know, old old things keep reviving and becoming new, you know, kind of like with Virgil dig with a millionaire sunglasses with Louis Utan, like there was a millionaire one point oh and those the Millionaire one point one and I think killed it, and you know, there's always that revival. So I feel like in two nineteen and kind of going into two thousand twenty,

it definitely has become exclusively Nike. It's just you know that that that's what people want to wear, Like people are only wearing off whites, people are only wearing Jordan's, and you know, it's a bummer. And honestly, I thought that the Easy was going to kind of come back a little bit with the Aliens, because I love those, Like I was so happy that Kanye finally released a new silhouette like the three eight. I personally love them.

I think they're I think they're super super dope and um that was actually like the first Easy in a long time where I was like, I need to get my hands on these and I will wear them and they're super comfortable. I think the design was unique. I really like the change. I remember like last year when they kind of leaked some images of the outsold and people were getting excited, and now I really felt like

that was going to be kind of the revival. But even that true, they dropped it I think three times. So I was really hoping that that the the Alien Um or the Easy three eight was going to be

kind of like the revival of Easy. And like Adidas, I'm kind of hoping that the Easy brand as a whole in twenty will kind of follow in the footsteps of like the Alien and release new silhouettes and more unique color ways, like more wearable color ways that you know, I think the biggest problem with like so many of these Easies were there was such insignificant differences between two color ways that people wouldn't want to buy both because they'd be like, oh, this looks just like the five

for example, like the bone white versus the salt like it looked almost exactly the same, or like the blush even like the Superman yellow didn't even look that yellow looks very similar to like a blush. So I really hope that if they had released new color ways that they're different enough where people would want to buy all of them, you know. Like I know, I'm Easy busted, but I did actually skip out on a couple of yearsies.

This year. It was it was really bummed out, And I really hope the next year kind of like they'll follow like the trend of the you know, the Alien three eight to kind of make it more unique and to have a different color way and silhouette, so I'd be really excited to see how that plays out in and I'm excited to see the new Nike sneakers too, But you know, me, being easy busted and a die hard Kanye fan, obviously, I really hope that Easy is kind of like make a revival next year because so far,

you know, the Zebras are dropping again in a week a week from the time of this recording, um and I think December twenty one or something like that, like they're coming out again. I think this is the fourth time or the third time. I actually saw this really

funny meme on Twitter. It was it was a guy putting clown makeup on, and the first stage was resellers buying Zebras for a thousand plus, right, which is funny because I was actually one of those guys and I ended up selling one of my pairs and I feel

really bad for the person who bought them. But then they restocked, and then the second stage was the guy putting more clown makeup on, because when they dropped for the second time, they were only going for I think three four hundred bucks or maybe four I don't remember, And then they dropped again, and then and then the third stage was the guy like putting his wig on, and then the fourth stage was he was like in full clown makeup with like the red nose and so basically,

you know, clowning people who purchased the Zebra at a thousand dollars like the first when it came out, And honestly, I'm bummed out too, because the Frozen Yellow was the same way. You know, I ended up getting my pair early, and you know, I didn't pay for him, but they were going for about two thousand dollars early, and I should have sold them because now I still have him and they're worth it like two fifty bucks. But honestly, at that time, I really liked that shoe and I

kept it. I wore it, and you know, I missed out on some money, but at the time, you know, I really like that you and I still do. I still like. That's one of my favorite VI twos, even though like a lot of people don't like it. They called them make chicken. But I really hope that they don't focus on just pushing out the same thing over and over again, and I hope they really come up with some new color ways and new silhouettes. And as for Jordans. I think that they're they're on the same path.

I really like, you know, because a lot of people are like, oh, you know, um, what are you talking about? Jordan Ones have so many different color ways and they look so similar, like a black toe looks so similar to Chicago or whatever. And I mean, at the end of the day, the Jordan one is such an iconic shoe and it came out in so Easis, came out when like two thousand fourteen or two thou fifteen, I

can't remember. Um, I think it was two thift There's only been four years, whereas like a Jordan's it's literally been like thirty years, like over thirty years. Think about that for a second. And then also I feel like with a lot of the Jordans Ones, they had different like stories behind them. It wasn't just a color way, like with like the Fearless Pack of like of like highs and mids that just dropped and you know, different

collaborations with different artists. I think the problem with the Easy brand is like it's so attached to Kanye that it's kind of hard for them to like do a collab with someone else, Like even if us a color way that was similar to one dropped that had a collaborative partner with like another logo or something. I guarantee they'll sell out because you know that that's kind of how it is with Jordan's. I don't know. I think Jordan's. Jordan is on the right path. Um, Jordan Brand is

on the right path. I think is gonna be even bigger year for them. Um. I'm just excited to see kind of like the new color ways and different models that they drop through off White and you know, maybe Travis and I don't know, like if there's the rumors that Off White's gonna stop after after I don't know about that. So I'm really excited to see the direction it's gonna head in terms of fashion, in terms of

like the design. But at the same time, I'm also really interested to see kind of like what kids and the youth are are going to be into next year, like or what are artists gonna be wearing, Like what's gonna drive the culture. So it's gonna be interesting to see.

And you know, it's been a it's been a nice few years, you know, seeing exactly what I see, seeing the kind of like ups and downs between Adidas and Nike and back in two thousand fifteen, two thousand and sixteen, like Easy really did jump over the Gumpman, and I really feel like Easy kind of has been a little bit behind. And you know, in terms of sales, I'm sure Easy is doing incredible, like they're still selling out

every time, but in high quantities. But in terms of like the culture, it's just, you know, it's tough because like even like v Ones, like Turtle Doves and Pirate Blacks and moon Rocks and Oxtra toans, like they dropped a lot, Like Turtle Doves used to go for three grand, like people used to want them like crazy, pay any amount of money for them, and they really dropped to like around a thousand, which is still a lot. And I'm so happy that they're holding their value, and I'm

still happy that people aren't like overwearing that shoue. Like I rarely see people wearing v ones, and I rarely see people wearing seven fifties. So whenever I see that, like it's always like really cool because it's like, oh damn, like you don't really see that a whole lot, but out with like zebras and creams, like I almost see those every single day, like at least five to ten

people wearing them. So, you know, at the same time, I'm really happy that Kanye fulfilled this promise and said that everyone's going to have a pair of eacis one day, and it's it's good. But at the same time, I think, I think that it was a little bit too early and he and they jumped the gun a little bit

with the easies, um with the V twos. So I'm hoping, you know, things will get better next year and then you know, we can just hope for the best obviously, So I'm really excited to see, um where sneakers head next year, and you know, give me your your guys opinion, Like if you guys listen to this, like shoot me, d M, tell me what you guys think about the change.

So kind of stepping away from like the sneakers and color ways, I want to really talk about the culture because I feel like in two thousand and fifteen with the Easiest, easies were such a driving force in the culture. Easies were kind of like the first shoe that a lot of people fell in love with or got that got them into sneakers, kind of like kind of like me, I'm I'm not gonna lie. Growing up, Um, I never

really understood like the story behind sneakers. I definitely had like a few friends and in my school who were in the sneakers a lot and I and they complimented my shoes, and I kind of unknowingly was into certain shoes that I didn't know it would be worth a lot. We're not not even worth a lot, but just like good color ways that are kind of respected in like the sneaker culture. I really feel like the first shoe

I really fell in love with it. I was like, damn, like I really need that shoe was back when I saw Kanye where the Easy One Blink in a music video, and I was like, well there was like the dopet shoes I've ever seen. Obviously, the red Octobers still it to this day my favorite shoe. And then when the Easy Adida and when the Day Diseases came out, I was like, you know what, I need to get a pair of these. I don't care. You know, the retail

price was two hundred bucks and I just got into it. So, um, long story short, you know, I'm sure you guys have heard the story a hundred times. You know, I got I got my job. I worked at Starbucks for two years, saved up a bunch of money, ended up paying resale for one shoe that was real. So that was like the first shoe that got me into it. And like I immediately once I got h M, I put them on foot. I didn't even care. I immediately put them on foot. I worm that day. I was so happy.

And that's kind of like the shoe that got me into sneakers. So with a lot of people, you know, and I know I'm going to get a lot of backlash for that, but hey, if you're gonna hate, just think back to the first shoe that got you in the shoes. And it's not about it's not about time. I guarantee you that there was a shoe when you were a kid or whenever. Now you were like, damn, I need this shoe, like I love this shoe, and

then that's the shoe that got you in the shoes. Right, it doesn't really matter when it's just a matter of if you respect the culture and you're still collecting shoes to this day. But anyway, I really feel like the easy not only with me, but with a lot of people too, Like I know so many people who like the Easy was like their first shoe that they were like,

holy sh it, I need that shoe. So with all of that said, kind of like the easy hype at the time was a driving factor for like sneaker culture, Like it became so mainstream and I feel like a lot of old heads and quote unquote o g s in the game who've been collecting shoes for like twenty years, I would say that the culture is like absolutely different. It's like completely changed. My good friend Dre, you know, he's been collecting for twenty years and he noticed like

a huge change. He said, like, um, you know, even even as recent as like five years ago, reselling and collecting was like such a niche kind of you know, if you know, you know, crowd. It was like it

wasn't like everybody was just ready to go. And um, it's like you know, with the marketplaces like stock x is like so easy to buy and sell stuff, that kind of everybody has become a reseller, which has hurt the market in so many different ways, and it's also benefited the market in a lot of other ways as well. So I'm interested to see like what is gonna bring.

Is it gonna only make sneaker culture stronger, is it kind of kinda is it kind of gonna die out a little bit or is it going to continue to grow, because I mean, it's it's been an insane growth the last few years. It used to be you know, very niche, like small market. Now it's like billions and billions of dollars are in retail now with sneakers. So it's it's

pretty incredible. But I'm really excited to see kind of like the direction that it heads in because you know, me being kind of like from the outside looking in and now being from the inside looking out, It's it's interesting. It's super interesting. Like a lot of people are are still like obsessed with the easies, like that's the only thing they want to wear. Like every time I go to a sneaker corner, I'd say, like at least a third of the people in the building, you're wearing easies.

You know, it's normally like a little bit younger crowd, but it's they're all wearing easies and they weren't supreme

and stuff. So you know, the way that the way that trends work is I feel like it takes a little bit of time for them to catch up and kind of go to the next thing, like kind of like with NIKESBS for example, Like they were a huge, huge thing this year because of their revival from like you know, people like Travis Scott and Wally like wearing them, Celebrities and stuff who are skaters obviously who were wearing all these crazy sbs. Like I can tell you guys

I could come up to like Andre heky Croatian style. Um, when I was talking about earlier, he's I'm not going to pretend like I've been, you know, collecting SB since I was five years old, because there's some svs that are pretty much as old as I am. But he was the one who like really got me in the s B. He's like, dude, these are gonna be like the next thing. And coincidentally, he's the guy who sold

Travis Travis Scott all his SBS. So you know, it's up for interpretation, but in my opinion, I really think that Travis was the one who brought him back. And you know, Travis probably had some sort of influence from Dre and being in Project Blitz, so that resurgence kind of like it happened. Everyone was into s b's, but I feel like the market and the entire culture didn't

really get it until recently. So like a year later, Like I can't even tell you how many sbs that I bought, like six seven months ago, when you know the market was still high. But now like I bought it, for example, like a Stucy Dunk Stuicy Nike SP I've I paid. I think I want to say, like four fifty for them, and now they're going for dred So that's like a times three multiplier. Um. And let's see what else I got. I got. I got the Papa Papa Bear NIKESB highs I paid. I think I want

to say five fifty for them. Now they're going for a thousand plus maybe even two thousand depending on the size. Um, I bought a bunch of bucks, uh three fifty pop. No, I think they're going for about a thousand dollars. So now it's like the height the height of like the SP hype. I would say, like, it's like, now it's

the height. And then I feel like maybe like six months to a year, it'll kind of start dying down and the next thing is gonna come and a lot of people think air forces are gonna be the biggest thing. That's actually something I wanted to talk about. I think that two nine was like the year of the NIKESP, like the the revival, right, and I think two thousand twenty it's going to be air forces. I just have

a feeling. I just have a feel, like mark my words, like you better the thing next you everyone's gonna be wearing forces like it's already people are starting to get it, and people are starting to wear air forces. But you know, get your hands on whatever you can now, because you know, just remember remember what I said, Just remember this conversation, and remember this podcast. This um you know it could it could potentially make you a lot of money, you know,

if you if you sit on some stuff. But no, I'm just kidding. What give you guys? An example of one shoe that I really really like. It's it's called the one twelve pack. I'm pretty sure that DJ Clark Kent was the one who designed it. I'm pretty sure. But there was um an air Max one, an air Trainer one, an air Force one, a Nikes B and

a Lebron eight. So that shoe is so far, I'm pretty sure they're from two isn't in twelve And literally they're going for like a hundred fifty bucks on stock Ax, which which blows my mind, like that that should be a very expensive shoe in my opinion, because I think it's super dope. It's old, and I mean just just wait, like next year, like just wait, that shoe is gonna

be crazy, Like I already wore my pair. So anyway, guys, if you guys agree with me or disagree, like, make sure you guys shoot me a d m Um would love to talk to some of you guys about it. And with all that said, I'm gonna kid you guys next time on Legit Check. Appreciate you guys. I miss you guys. Next week piece