Gucci Tennis 84 Retro

Gucci? On Sneaker Freaker? No, we haven't decided we're too bougie for Nikes, but we gotta shine some light on these iconic Gucci Tennis sneakers for a minute here. During the early '80s, Gucci decided to create their very own version of the tennis sneaker that was popular at the time. Taking cues from the adidas Rod Laver Super and similar silhouettes from that period, Gucci released an ultra expensive alternative made in Italy with premium leathers and nylon — complete with that unmistakable Gucci bi-colour detailing — for the yuppie crowd of the excessive '80s. The Gucci Tennis quickly became a status symbol of wealth and excess, "Maybachs for the feet in their heyday" as our frequent contributor Gary Warnett put it, and the most desirable sneaker for any hustler worth his weight in dookie chains. Long before Buscemis, Balenciaga Arenas or the Y-3 Qasa, the Gucci Tennis was the first luxury sneaker embraced by the street and its influence can still be felt today. So if you have the grip and the velour tracksuit still on deck, head to Nordstrom now to pay tribute to the d-boys and sneaker fiends that paved the way for our culture today with this new retro release.