Nike Sportswear Holiday 19:
Collection Overview
This season sees Nike Sportswear introduce a selection of designs that look to both the past and future of the brand. No strangers to innovation, their new footwear styles push the boundaries of contemporary styling through a variety of materials in varying opacities that provide a futuristic take on classic silhouettes whilst a host of their most celebrated vintage models have been reproduced using materials and accurate details that harness the original spirit. Complementing these, an accompanying range of graphic t-shirts present lighthearted graphics and reworked logos alongside seasonally appropriate jackets inspired by heritage sportswear and outdoor gear.
Paying homage to their dedicated sneakerhead fans and the ever growing hype culture that surrounds Nike, the Waiting For The Drop T-Shirt sits in line with other light-hearted artwork of the season. A cartoon illustration shows a branded team orange coloured tent pitched up with a pair of feet wearing monochrome trainers hanging out the end, next to a shoe box and potted plant. Similarly, the Just Do It T-Shirt references the slogan that started it all, illustrated across shaved heads with a clippered Swoosh tick, Nike Air and text designs. Taking things back to the ‘90s with a vibrant neon graphic, the Remix 2 T-Shirt will bring an air of summer to any winter ensemble with its bright pops of neon, whilst the Seasonal Truck T-Shirt gives a subtle hint to the holiday time ahead with a ‘50s style illustration of a truck made from a distinctive orange shoe box - no doubt on its way to deliver the best new season goods. 
Offering more protection from the elements, a variety of outerwear reflects influences from sportswear, outdoor wear and streetwear, capturing Nike’s varied fanbase and creative style. Presented in two different aesthetics, with a sleek black / off noir colourway as well as retro colour pop options, the Winter Half Zip Hoodie uses a combination of plush polyester fleece with durable nylon inserts for a striking effect against a casual pullover. Flashes of kumquat and game royal enhance galactic jade and sail tones whilst highlighting details such as the quarter zip fastening, front slanted entrance pockets and hood. Also available as a Sherpa Fleece Gilet, which you can pair underneath a waterproof shell for additional warmth, or wear alone during warmer spells and around the house. The Club Half Zip Hoodie and Half Zip Fleece also offer lightweight coverage with a similar aesthetic, whilst the Tech Pack Synthetic Fill Jacket caters to those looking for something a bit more serious with an insulating synthetic fill within a more technical silhouette.
2019 has seen a rich array of historic marathon footwear introduced in homage to each of the models history - for those who weren’t able to cop a pair the first time around. First released just a year apart from one another, both the Air Tailwind 79 and Daybreak Shoes have been reintroduced in the last couple of years. Suiting bold colour tones and more low-key hues, both are crafted from a combination of fabrics dyed to selected colourways that result in an authentic portrayal of the original, now retro styles. New pumice and black colourways of the Air Tailwind 79 utilise a combination of nylon for the uppers - as opposed to mesh on earlier models - with protective suede around the front of toes, back of the heel and along the laces border. Also known for its part within running history, the slightly more streamlined Daybreak Shoes draw obvious inspiration from the Tailwind but with a more prominent tread pattern and straight tongue to toe profile, topped with a woven label showing a gradient graphic first seen on the Classic 2 T-Shirt. Likewise the Blazer Mid ‘77 delivers a distinctly vintage basketball design that offers further protection around the ankle - and looks particularly good with light wash denim. 
Continuing the colour focus whilst perfectly combining history with modern construction methods, the range of Air Max 270 Shoes utilise modern no-sew construction techniques across the uppers for a distinctively smooth finish, alongside textural details such as bar tack stitching, a curved lacing system and cut out overlays. Each individual colourway takes inspiration from a variety of sources, including the preceding Presto React model, Pop Art and the 100th anniversary of Bauhaus.
Showing their next generation of groundbreaking footwear, the Air Ghost Racer Shoes combine speed, stability and comfort whilst bearing a striking resemblance to the original 1998 design. Presented in three distinctive, modern colourways these iterations have been updated with a full-length Duralon BRS-1000 midsole and faux-carbon fibre inlays. Looking further ahead in time but carrying a similar contemporary aesthetic, the Nike Air Vapormax LX takes key influence from the Air Max 95 “Neon” which was revived in 2018, and takes it one step further with transparent overlays across the uppers and a super bouncy outsole.
Three concept driven labels have also been introduced this year, each representing Nike’s legacy in experimentation, utilitarian problem-solving and vanguard style. In tribute to Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman and his part within the Army’s 10th Mountain Division during World War II, the ‘10th Collection’ welcomes two dramatic silhouettes, the React Ianga and React Sertu, which both pave the way for hybrid footwear and tap into the idea of urban exploration with elements borrowed from the military and traditional moccasins. Likewise, the Drop Type LX Shoes are also a part of the new N.354 family, which pays homage to another of America’s great figures, record breaking runner Steve Prefontaine. Demonstrating Nike’s extensive archive and continuous explorations into the past, present and future, the Drop Type Premium Shoes offer a more elegant take on the design with leather uppers and matte rubber overlays, whilst the nylon and suede editions display a raw but playful aesthetic, both in reference to the prototype stage of production.
Furthering this and capturing the rebellious spirit of sport of which Nike is both inspired by and the key influencer of, the N110 DIMSIX Signal FK Shoes debuts an engineered Flyknit yarn which reveals the construction of the shoe, whilst an abundance of textures and layers demonstrates some of the brands best avant-garde work. 
Ensuring you’re set up for season, you can browse the full Nike Sportswear range online at Always in Colour and selected pieces are available in our Exeter menswear store, located at 137 Fore Street.
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