This Under-$100 Retro Sneaker Is the MVP of My Spring Wardrobe

It gives any outfit that sense of: "I thought about this—but not too hard."

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three photos of Brooke Ely Danielson wearing Nike Cortez sneakers
(Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

Some sneakers have a moment. The Nike Cortez has had roughly six decades of them, and shows no signs of slowing down (literally and figuratively).

A little history: the Cortez was born in the 1960s, designed by Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman as a serious running shoe for serious athletes. It was the shoe before "the shoe" became a marketing phrase. Fast forward through several cultural rebirths, and here we are: the Cortez is firmly in the canon of things that are simply, undeniably cool. Fashion girls know it. The global population, broadly, has gotten the memo. I've known it for years. The Cortez lives in my wardrobe the way a great accessory should, quietly essential, never trying too hard (a balance I often try to strike).

What I love most is its range. On a travel packing list, it earns its real estate with ease in my packing cubes: one sneaker, many outfits. At home, it's my day-to-day default. I reach for it with jeans and a cashmere sweater when I want to look put-together. I also pair it with a slip skirt or a dress when I want an outfit to have a little personality, that particular brand of ease that says I thought about this, but not too hard.

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That's the Cortez's real superpower: it lends a grounding ease to anything, even looks that lean feminine or quietly formal. It doesn't overwhelm. It just... improves things. Comfortable, versatile, available in a genuinely excellent range of colors. Some shoes ask a lot of you. This one gives.

With Jeans and a Chic Jacket

Brooke Ely Danielson styles Nike Cortez sneakers in taupe with ankle-length jeans and an oversize brown jacket

(Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

With Denim on Denim

Brooke Ely Danielson styles a pair of Nike Cortez with a tan coat and denim layers

(Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

With a Slip Skirt and Sweater

Brooke Ely Danielson styles her Nike Cortez with a crew neck and satin brown skirt

(Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

Brooke Ely Danielson poses in a Nike Cortez outfit

(Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

With Cargo Pants and a Button-Down

Brooke Ely Danielson styles her Nike Cortez sneakers with olive cargo pants and a pastel button-down

(Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)
Brooke Ely Danielson
Brooke Ely Danielson
Contributing Editor

Brooke has held editorial positions at Shape, Glamour, and Vogue, as well as contributed to In Style, Well + Good, Mind Body Green and Aspen Magazine. Brooke has also consulted for several brands, including Aztech Mountain and Tory Burch. Brooke has also made on-air appearances on the TODAY show, Fox5 among other media outlets while in her role as the Fashion & Lifestyle Director at Shape magazine. She runs the Substack 12 Seeds.