Let’s be real: 2020 was bonkers, and not in a good way. It feels like we’ve lived through a decade, not the first year of the decade. So many important and memorable moments took place this year that will continue to live on in popular culture and consciousness well into the future. As this year winds, let’s take a moment to reflect on where we’ve been to honor the recent past while we work to make new lives in the present.
Travis Scott Cactus Jack Face Mask Brown
What’s more 2020 than a face mask? How about a Travis Scott face mask? The human brand collaboration was able to partner with the coronavirus and drop a Cactus Jack branded face mask in the middle of a public health crisis. This piece is one to hold on to so you can show your grandkids what kind of drip you had during a global pandemic.
Nike Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Black Mamba City Edition Swingman Jersey Black/Gold
The January deaths of Kobe and his daughter Gigi now seem like foreshadowing for this deadly year. All these months later, it still seems unreal that the Black Mamba is gone, especially with his sneakers and other apparel that continues to release and only increases his posthumous popularity. Nike’s City Edition Swingman Jersey, with his number eight on the front and 24 on the back, is a great way to honor the drive, passion, and tenacity that made Kobe one of the greatest players of all time. It also speaks to his willingness to change, grow, and push the boundaries of whatever he did. Now that’s some Mamba Mentality that’s going to be needed in 2021.
Nike Vintage Ad 1986 Be True To Your School Puzzle
In 1985, Nike inked deals with the University of Michigan, University of Kentucky, University of Iowa, Georgetown, Syracuse, St. John’s, and UNLV to make the OG Dunk High their team’s official shoe. Some 35 years later, Dunks are having a huge moment in 2020. Even if you’d rather cop today’s latest and greatest like the Chunky Dunkys, the Grateful Dead Bears, or Travis Scotts, you can still rep the history of this all-time silhouette. And with Dunk-mania looking to continue in 2021, now is the best time to flex your sneaker knowledge.
BAPE Go Vote Tee #2 Black
The 2020 presidential election witnessed the highest voter turnout in US history. In what proved to be one of the most important elections of the last century, it seemed everyone had an opinion, and everyone was involved. Through all the noise, the message was clear: Go Vote! And this is exactly the message BAPE delivered on a pair of tees released in October. Even though the 2020 election is over, the tees’ message of civic involvement is always on point. Now and forever: Go Vote!
Jordan 4 Retro Union Off Noir
The past year has been hard, making thoughts of the future feel flimsy and foolish. So it’s no surprise that nostalgia reigned supreme in a pivot to sneaker retrofuturism. Beyond industry-standard retros, retrofuturistic kicks presented the future as imagined in the past. And there was no better retrofuturistic sneaker than the Jordan 4 Retro Union Off Noir, which took inspiration from the 1980s’ visions of the future. This collab captured the zeitgeist as we all tried to figure out how we ended up in this mess. We’re still no closer to answering “how,” but at least we have fire sneakers.
Nike SB Dunk Low Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Dunky
Once again, Dunks were the toast of the culture, with some of the craziest collabs and longed-for retros to come out. But one Dunk was the dunkiest dunk that dunked in 2020: the Chunky Dunky. The Nike x Ben & Jerry’s collab was an absolute genius, from concept to design and packaging. If there is one sneaker that encapsulates Dunks in 2020, it’s the Chunky Dunky. The sneaker is so good that ice cream might be the second-best thing Ben & Jerry does.
Dior x Jordan Wings Socks White
The Dior x Jordan collab officially dissolved any remaining barriers between luxe and street in the fashion world. In the wake of Jordan 1, Dior and Jordan released a capsule collection of apparel and accessories. The capsule was every bit as opulent as the sneakers without the super limited numbers. Grab a pair of socks and represent that you were there when any distinction between high and low evaporated, except for the price.
Nike Kaepernick Icon 2.0 Jersey Black
Colin Kaepernick was right in 2016, he’s right in 2020, and he’ll be right in 2021. The need for equity and justice played across screens big and small this year. Things became so obvious that even the NFL publicly apologized, except to the one man who deserves their apology the most. Grab a jersey and keep pushing.
2020 Panini Los Angeles Lakers NBA Finals Champions 30 Card Team Set
Let’s chalk up the Lakers’ 2018-2019 season as a dry run for LeBron James. For the 2019-2020 season, and with Anthony Davis in tow, Showtime returned to Los Angeles. The set includes 15 player cards with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, eight highlight cards, three celebration cards, and team photo card, and a Lakers logo card. Additionally, head coach Frank Vogel gets his own card and another LeBron card for Finals MVP. If you’re a Lakers fan, a LeBron fan, or a fan of basketball, the 2020 Panini set is perfect for you.
Kith For Major League Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers Script Cap Royal Blue
Do you know the last year the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series? When was the last time the Lakers and the Dodgers won a championship in the same year? If you said 1988, you’re right. It’s been 32 long years since the Dodgers have been able to share the championship spotlight with their basketball counterparts. The Kith Dodgers Script Cap in Dodgers Blue is the perfect way to let everyone know you never lost faith. Be sure to bring that championship swagger with you all year long.
