Jordan Brand Nods to the Nineties With Chicago Bulls Capsule That’s Selling Out Online

By Tim Chan

Tim Chan

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Growing up in the Michael Jordan era was a thrill for sports fans, as “His Airness” dominated NBA headlines and highlight reels each week with poster-worthy dunks and plays that left amateur ballers jaw-dropped and jealous. The Chicago Bulls star led the team to six championship titles and was a 14-time All-Star during his illustrious career (which also included a brief comeback stint with the Washington Wizards), cementing his status as one of the NBA greats.

But Jordan’s time in the league was also memorable for another reason, with the flashy star ushering in an unprecedented era of must-have merch. Millions of kids and adults alike (this author included) lined up at the mall for T-shirts, hoodies, baseball caps and Starter jackets adorned with the Bulls logo and the team’s red and black colors. Wearing a Jordan jersey, meantime, was the ultimate status symbol, a sign that you were as confident and cool as number 23 himself.

Eventually, Jordan got his own line of shoes and clothing under Nike, which the company dubbed, “Air Jordan.” The brand featured the now-iconic “Jumpman” logo, inspired by a photograph of Jordan leaping in the air while playing with the USA Dream Team in the 1984 Summer Olympics. The first Air Jordan sneaker was released in 1985 and other popular shoes followed soon after (with many of them becoming collector’s items now reselling for hundreds of dollars online). In 1997, Jordan and Nike introduced “Jordan Brand,” which expanded the collection to include apparel and accessories, in addition to footwear.

Now, fans can relive the Nineties nostalgia with a new Jordan Brand capsule that nods to the original Chicago Bulls logo and Michael Jordan branding. The collection offers pieces you can wear to a basketball game or to your college reunion alike, with contemporary streetwear styling mixed with vintage-inspired touches. Here’s a look at what to pick up from the new capsule — dubbed the “Jordan Flight Essentials” — online.

Jordan Flight Essentials Boxy Graphic T-Shirt

This T-shirt features the red Bulls logo with the Jordan name in block letters and stylized retro font. The phrase “Most Valuable Player” sits underneath. The T-shirt is made from 100% cotton and treated with a special finish to give it a lived-in look and feel, but the relaxed and boxy fit gives it a contemporary touch.

Jordan Flight Essentials Boxy Graphic T-Shirt

$45

You can also get the T-shirt in black with the same fit and finish. Both T-shirts are available in men’s sizes XS to 3XL (though they are designed for unisex wear). These Chicago Bulls Jordan tees are selling quickly online so we recommend adding to cart while your size is still in stock.

Jordan Flight Muay Thai Shorts

$90

You can also pick up a pair of Jordan Brand shorts, which have the same red, black and white colorway and official Chicago Bulls logo on the front. While Nike markets these as “muay thai shorts,” they’re reminiscent of the Jordan basketball shorts we used to buy as teenagers to shoot hoops in the gym or wear to the park. The shorts feature an elastic waistband and a Jordan-branded label at the top.

Jordan Flight Muay Thai Shorts

$90

The same shorts are available in black as well, with the same details. The polyester shorts are lightweight and breathable and great for your next workout or run. They hit mid-thigh or just above the knee. The Jordan shorts are available in sizes XS to XXL.

Jordan Jumpman Pro Sneakers

$150

And if you really want to kick it old school, Nike is selling these Jordan Jumpman Pro basketball shoes, inspired by the iconic silhouette first released in 1997. The shoes were revolutionary at the time for its higher, mid-ankle silhouette, lace-up tongue and pull tab at the heel. The re-released sneakers (above) feature the same aesthetic touches, only updated with the latest Nike Air technology for more cushioning and responsiveness. These shoes are available in multiple colorways in men’s sizes 7 to 18, though a number of sizes in this Black/White/University Red color combo are already sold out online. Grab your size while you still can.

Worth noting: while the Jumpman Pro sneakers were part of the Jordan line, the shoes didn’t actually debut on the feet of MJ — the first person to wear the Jumpman Pros was Milwaukee Bucks star, Ray Allen.

You can shop all of the latest Jordan Brand releases online at Nike.com.