NYC Celebs and Paris Influencers Agree: *These* Are the It Nike Sneakers Right Now

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Gabrielle Union
(Image credit: The Image Direct)

Fresh off her appearance at the 2026 Met Gala, Gabrielle Union stepped out in NYC wearing a pair of black leather Nike Cortez sneakers that immediately made me pause mid-scroll. For a rainy day, she styled them with relaxed navy trousers, a white tee, and a sharp black coat. The Nike Cortez style has carried a certain cool factor since its debut in 1972 as one of Nike's earliest running shoes, but lately, the sneaker feels newly relevant. Maybe it's the ongoing obsession with retro sportswear, or maybe everyone is simply exhausted by overly complicated shoe trends, but the low-profile silhouette suddenly looks fresh again.

Union isn't the only one bringing the classic style back into rotation. Dakota Johnson has been wearing her brown suede Cortez sneakers around New York City with relaxed denim and oversize jackets, while Paris-based fashion influencers like Camille Charrière have been quietly endorsing the shoes for many seasons. Plus, the slim shape works with the wider-leg pants dominating fashion right now. Scroll down to shop the shoes for yourself.

How Cool Women Style Nike Cortez Sneakers

Gabrielle Union

(Image credit: The Image Direct)

On Gabrielle Union: Nike Cortez Leather Sneakers ($95)

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Dakota Johnson wears Nike Cortez

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On Dakota Johnson: Nike Cortez Textile Sneakers ($95)

a French influencer wears Nike Cortez

(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

Shop Nike Cortez Sneakers

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Erin Fitzpatrick
Erin Fitzpatrick
Associate Director, Fashion News

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern in 2011—back when the site only published a single story per day. (We have since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC and lives in Los Angeles. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2015, where she is now the Associate Director of Fashion News. From the Oscars to the Met Gala, she leads the site's entire red carpet coverage strategy. She specializes in celebrity and fashion news but also enjoys writing travel features and runway reports. She frequently contributes to WWW's social accounts and has a sizable following on her personal TikTok.