If you gave Will Smith's character from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” his own colorway of the Air Jordan 5, what do you think he would do with it? Would he use some loud neon colors? Maybe a flamboyant print? Mismatching details?
In 2013 we got the answer to this question in the form of the Air Jordan 5 “Bel-Air,” inspired by the hit 90's sitcom. This year, Jordan Brand plans to give us the alternate ending that we didn't know we wanted with the Jordan 5 “Alternate Bel-Air.”
While the “Alternate Bel-Air” stays mostly true to the OG pair, there are some minor changes. Most notably, the sneaker trades in its original “Cool Grey” upper for a stark-white one. The sneaker also features more saturated neon colors than its predecessor.
The white leather sneaker is contrasted by a “Court Purple” midsole, with mismatched “Racer Pink” and blue shark teeth accents. The sneaker also features mismatched Jordan branding on the heels and tongues, with the left sneaker receiving “Ghost Green” Jumpman logos and “23” embroidery, and the right sneaker receiving “Racer Pink” branding.
The inside of the sneaker features a multicolored retro-style print on the sockliner, to contrast the black tongues, eyelets and laces. The sneaker is capped off by an icy translucent outsole with “Ghost Green” hits.
If you've ever watched an episode of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” you've probably noticed that Will Smith's character loves the Air Jordan 5, which explains why the silhouette got the “Bel-Air” treatment. But, these “Bel-Air” colorways are not the only ones that have ties to the show.
In 2018, Jordan Brand released the Air Jordan 5 “Fresh Prince” to celebrate Will Smith's 50th birthday. The sneaker featured the classic “Grape” color scheme, but notably did not feature laces, to pay homage to the way Will Smith wore his Jordan 5s on the show. The sneaker released alongside a gold friends and family pair that was limited to just 23 pairs.
It's been 24 years since the final episode of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” aired, but the Jordan Brand connection will ensure that the shows legacy will live on for years to come.
The Air Jordan 5 “Alternate Bel-Air” Drops 8/15
When styling the Air Jordan 5 “Alternate Bel-Air” I think it's important to let the sneaker do the talking. With such a strong theme and color palate, it could be easy to drown out the shoe with an outfit that's too loud.
I recommend pairing the sneaker with a pair of the light-wash Levi's 511 Slim Fit Jeans. The light-wash fits the 90's theme, while the distressing details on the knees provide a bit of modernity. Complete the outfit with a classic Champion Reverse Weave Pullover Hoodie in black, to compliment the sneaker's tongue and lace details.
If you prefer a more eye-catching outfit, I recommend pairing the sneaker with a pair of Jordan Jumpman Poolside Shorts. The shorts feature strong neon pink and yellow color-blocking, with a retro-style pattern similar to the pattern found on the sockliner of the shoe. Complete the outfit with a white crew-neck t-shirt to let the sneakers and shorts do the heavy lifting.
