The way people may throw on some Adidas Sambas or Asics Gel-Kayano 14s today is the same way people were treating Nike KD 4s or LeBron 9s back in 2011. It used to be totally normal to see someone rocking basketball sneakers with a pair of jeans to get a fit off, before the off-court fad ultimately faded into obscurity. Unlike Air Jordans and other Nike retro models such as the Air Foamposite One—which have been fully embraced as lifestyle silhouettes despite technically being basketball sneakers—actual, modern basketball shoes are now rarely seen outside of the gym.
However, throughout 2024, we’ve seen one b-ball sneaker begin to restore the feeling: Anthony Edwards’ Adidas AE 1.
The Adidas AE 1 is arguably one of the best new sneakers to release this year. And it isn’t just making headlines because of its expert-level marketing campaigns or the young Timberwolves star’s highlight reel plays. People are actually wearing the AE 1, with multiple colorways selling out and members of the sneaker community rallying around each new release. As such, more and more people are looking toward the AE 1 to complete their outfits.
Kordale “K.O.” Toomer, an Atlanta native and owner of Atlanta-based sneaker platform ATATF, is one of the AE 1’s biggest supporters. K.O. was instantly drawn to the AE 1 for its connection to Edwards, who is a fellow ATL native. Don’t be surprised to see K.O. lacing them up in every colorway—even samples that have never been released to the public. He owns every single pair.
“It has this sleek, unique, futuristic look so you can casually rock it and not look too wild,” says K.O. “On the human side, Anthony Edwards is a young Black male from my hometown. He’s looked up to as a superhero. That’s another reason I’ll always champion what he has going on.”
According to K.O., any style of shoe can fit seamlessly into everyday wear. “People chase their Explore page and look at that as the ceiling for how to put something together, but there are other ways to wear things,” he says. “Let people figure out how they want to wear their shoes. Stop calling it ‘lifestyle.’ We can turn anything [into] a lifestyle, no matter what the shoe is.”
Below, K.O. has shared with us some ideas on how to style the AE 1s beyond the basketball court.
Adidas AE 1 “Stormtrooper”
Styled with: White Rope Laces, $5.95
Adidas FC Bayern Goalkeeper Icon Jersey, $70 (on sale from $120)
Nike x Stussy Insulated Pants, approx. $206~330 on StockX
RGB Freight Trucker Hat, $100
Off-White Catalina Sunglasses, $325
ATATF Socks V2, $16
KO: “This is my favorite colorway, the “Stormtrooper.” I’m a huge fan of ’90s colorways. It feels timeless.
I had to go with the Adidas goalkeeper top. I offset it with the puffer Stüssy pants, which give you more texture than some black jeans. I like how baggier pants sit on the AEs. It looks phenomenal.
It’s an athletic look, but you can get away with it inside of the club. There’s a thin line between doing too much and not doing enough; this outfit hits that gray area. In Atlanta, we are all overheated. Fashion hurts, bro. [Laughs.] You won’t catch me jacketed up in 95-degree weather. We just not doing that.”
Adidas AE 1 Low “Lucid Green”
Styled With: Fear of God Military Wool Wide Leg Pants, $1,695
Fear of God Wool Gabardine Cropped Lapelless Blazer, $1,895
Rick Owens Drkshdw Tommy Embellished T-Shirt, $312 (on sale from $445)
Bottega Veneta Bv1122s in Green, $360 (discounted from $617)
Tom Ford Black Rib Socks, $83 (on sale from $130)
“Like I said, the AE 1s look phenomenal when you throw baggy pants on. So I went for this baggier trouser and a baggier Fear of God blazer. When I’m wearing normal clothes with AEs, I play with the colors, but when you are at a wedding, you can end up looking real goofy. We have to black all the way out. The Chanel brooch aligns with the color of the shoe, the Lucid Green AE 1.
I’m not a huge fan of Air Jordan 1s to a wedding. We not doing no Air Jordan 11s.”
Adidas AE 1 “Georgia Red Clay”
Styled With: Neon Green Roshe Laces, $3.95
Westide Gunn Nacksaw Jim Duggan Tie-Dye T-Shirt, $125
Ambush Denim Bucket Hat, $143
Cease and Desist Winged Logo Biker Jorts, $450
Novocaine Showroom Rose Marble Eyewear, $130
StarChain World Multicolor Gold Planets Wallet Chain, $425
ATATF Crew Sock in White & Green, $16
“I’ve actually worn this look before. This tee from Westside Gunn’s Fourth Rope is one of my favorites outside of some of my vintage Stüssy tees. I love the tie-dye effect. These shorts are from a homie’s brand, Cease and Desist. I’m a huge fan of jorts, even before it was a big trend.
The accessories are pretty much driving this outfit. We have an Ambush denim bucket hat, Novacaine Showroom glasses, and a StarChain World chain. I’m calm when it comes to putting together an outfit, but the accessories can take your [look] to where it needs to go. Accessories show that you actually care.
It’s also colorful enough to spark conversations. Every time I wear this shirt people ask where I got it from. People ask who makes the glasses. I think that should always be the goal. Fashion is a universal language. It brings people together.”
Adidas AE 1 “All-Star”
Styled With: Circulate Base Camp Cargo Pant, $130
Circulate Atelier Snapback, $40
Prada Brique Saffiano Leather Bag, $2,250
Neon Green Rope Laces, $11.99 (on sale from $14.99)
Balenciaga BB Corp T-Shirt in Yellow, $287
Oakley BXTR Metal Sunglasses in Prizm 24k Lenses, $176 (on sale from $220)
ATATF Wear Your Fucking Shoes Socks in Black, $16
“Brunches are full-blown parties here in Atlanta. This fit allows you to look calm, but still make a statement. You got your neon green Balenciaga tee with two pieces [from] Circulate. Shout out to Corey [Populus]. I’m putting Corey next to Balenciaga. We got to be grounded, man. We are of the people. A good piece is a good piece, no matter who makes it.
I had to include the Prada bag so there’s somewhere to put my phone and wallet, even though Corey provided us with pockets on the cargoes. Sometimes you don’t want to utilize [those] pockets. They just look good.”
Adidas AE 1 “Velocity Blue”
Styled With: Fear of God x New Era Fitted Hat, $99~200 on StockX
Diet Starts Monday Denim Shorts, $148
JAEE Ant T-Shirt, (not for sale)
StarChain World Multicolor Planets Wallet Chain, $425
“I love jerseys. I’m just not the guy that goes to the sports event in a jersey. I go to the art gallery in a jersey. We went to the club in a jersey. [Laughs.] Why would I want to show up to the game with a jersey and look like 50,000 other people?”
Adidas AE 1 Low “USA”
Styled With: Bait USA Rope Laces, $10
Vintage 1996 Atlanta Coca Cola Flag Jacket, $55
Vintage 1996 Atlanta Olympics Champion T-Shirt, $60
Vintage 1996 Atlanta Olympics Coca Cola USA Warm-Up Track Pants, $29.99
Vintage 1996 Atlanta Olympics 100th Anniversary Hat, $225
ATATF Battery Ave Crew Sock V2, $16
“I went fully USA—in Atlanta, USA means ‘United States of Atlanta.’ I threw a little tracksuit on. If you’re jogging or walking the dog, why not? Your dog may pull you a little bit, you might be able to up the ante in regard to your speed. [Laughs.] And I’d swap in the American flag laces from Bait.
The 1996 Olympics changed the trajectory of Atlanta. It is something that I’m passionate about. The great thing about vintage is that you can collect things that you’re passionate about. If you’re a huge fan of SpongeBob, hey man, go chase some old SpongeBob stuff.
When you get into the why of things, that makes it fun. It brings back the thrill of the hunt, walking into whatever store and seeing something like, ‘Is this what I think it is?’ It’s the tangible things that make you remember moments in your life. That’s why I love picking up vintage pieces.”
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