Chaos or Devotion?
Michael Jordan’s birthday was a couple of days ago and with the usual scroll though publication listicles and various tributes there was an screeching absence of acknowledgement (to me) to the third most famous (or infamous) thing attributed to him beyond his career in the NBA and his iconic sneaker line with Nike that coincided. That’s right—the Michael Jordan jean, a cut of denim so baggy it alludes silhouette, thus, leaving it completely intrinsic to Michael Jordan and him alone. Through the years, they’ve taken on a life of their own, becoming preserved in meme culture and appointed as the epitome of dad-style dressing. I, however, have come to view them differently over the years: First, in a humorous fashion that still lingers from time to time but these large, far-reaching swaths of denim have grown on me in an endearing way as a symbol is unwavering fidelity to one’s self, one’s vision, one’s personal style.
As I’ve gotten older, the search for the perfect dress, the perfect skirt, the perfect crewneck sweater and t-shirt has, at times, led me to a quarry of frustration and wondering if I will ever find my “perfect” uniform or brand upon which to bequeath all my shekels. It’s something I’m thinking will have to be a moment of happenstance like the subject of this here post. For instance, via fashion archivist’s, Shelby Christie, Instagram story and GQ, I learned that Jordan happened upon his (literal) larger than life cut because his suit tailor at the time, Chicago-based Alfonso Burdi, gifted him a suit before it was bespoke with intentions to alter it later but he loved the loose silhouette so much he wore it as is and placed an order for 13 additional ensembles that day. He liked that the additional fabric hid his bowed legs. (We all have Chicago and bowed legs to blame or admire for this pant reinvention— dealer’s choice).
I briefly touched on the serendipitous relationship between Jordan and his suit maker to say that where others see chaos, I ,admirably, see devotion. Organic brand and silhouette loyalty is missing. Are we all praying that one day God will burn the factory that holds the pattern for these jeans? You’re damn right but Jordan has a genuine relationship with the silhouette he wears because he enjoys the fit and it serves a purpose for him. He’s gone through several style iterations, as we all have, and this is the one that stuck while he was in his thirties. The clothes met him where he was in life. The same way I advanced from above the ankle, cropped jeans that were honestly on the verge of peddle pushers (🤦🏽♀️) to being the woman I am today, a loyalist in straight legged Levi denim. There is something about a stranger inquiring about my jeans and without pausing I proclaim that I am, unequivocally, a “Levi’s girl”, hinting at both my allegiance to my hometown of the Bay Area and a great pair of jeans that give me, an assless wonder, cheeks.
This is not attacking the sartorial “right to choose”. I enjoy the variety and I like to be surprised but I wonder if we are hopscotching every season to a different brand because everyone is trying to be everything to everyone and not focusing on their strengths. There is something very romantic to me about having a reliable source for a sweater, a t-shirt, and the other things that compile the assemblage of things that go into our wardrobe.
I never thought I had a link with Michael Jordan outside of memes because I don’t wear sneakers that often and I don’t know his stats by heart. I understand that he’s a fashion icon of the 90s but since taking a step back, and letting his good and bad fashions marinate overnight, I was able to form a bond with him over my admiration and aspiration to his level of brand loyalty and devotion to the things that are true to him whether the world cheers or sneers. Salut to bowed legs and oversized jeans for being the unlikely catalyst for a valuable fashion lesson!
