#shegotgame - Is that (Red) Velvet? Styling the new Air Jordan XI Heiress Collection Sneakers

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Dec 1

When you're a small shoe size and a moderate sneaker collector, it's not always to find rare or limited footwear. Often, the dopest pieces aren't even in available in "midget" sizes. I'm a size 4 or 4.5 grade school (GS) which is equivalent to a 5.5 or 6 women's shoe. It might not sound that small, but often the coolest colorways are limited to men's, which many of us in the baby feet community cannot fit into - we're relegated to "shrink and pink" models and often, poorer quality materials.

In late 2014, Jordan Brand announced that they would be doing extended sizing, making GS pairs available to a bigger market, extending the special grade school colorways up to size 11 (or men's 9.5). Then in spring 2016, the Heiress Collection was introduced which features select female specific Jordan models made up in premium materials and exclusive makeups, some that are even turning the heads of male customers who finally know what it feels like to want a shoe that just doesn't come in their size! This has meant that we're finally getting better quality sneakers in small sizes.

One of the shoes that's building that hype is the Air Jordan XI "Night Maroon" or "Red Velvet" colorway done up in, of course, velvet. I was lucky to have one of the first pairs seeded out. Unfortunately, it's been raining since I received the pair so my photographer Simone and I had to improvise with a little hotel room photoshoot to ensure that we kept the shoes safe and got some on-foot looks.

The sneaker is a much higher quality than I'm used to being offered in a grade school size. The velvet is soft to the touch and has sheen without being too shiny or cheap feeling. The rest of the upper is a soft suede-type material, the midsole is white and the outsole is an icy burgundy while the carbon fibre potion is a burgundy and black. The gold details really pop on the maroon color. The gold stitching is on the heel tab and tongue and there are shiny gold lace tips along with a metal Jumpman instead of a stitched one on the upper. All these luxe elements adds up to a higher price tag - $220 USD.

Personally, I really like the shoes. I tend to stick to the Jordan III, I and XII silhouettes as the Xis can be tough to style due to the cut of the shoe. Thankfully I already own a burgundy velvet jacket that just happens to match perfectly with the shoes...along with my maroon hair and lipstick. Can you tell what my favorite color is? Will you be picking up the shoes for yourself or someone else and are they worth the $220? Let me know.