The Nike Cortez ‘Midnight Navy’ Is Perfect for George Costanza

‘Cantstandya! Cantstandya!’ The unfortunate nickname for George Costanza, the loveable loser played by Jason Alexander in Seinfeld, may be pretty funny, but the character has the last laugh because his footwear game is fresh. His navy pair of the Nike Cortez is an enduring wardrobe staple throughout the show, and this upcoming ‘Midnight Navy’ re-up is the perfect finish to any inspired outfit.

Of course, Cortezes in the 1990s, as was the example worn by Costanza in the GOAT show, just hit different. That’s no qualm against the 2023 edition, though, as it’s an apples-and-oranges comparison. Anyway, this upcoming re-release of a Nike staple is pretty hard to go wrong with. It’s still got that predominately nylon upper with the suede toe cap, eye stays and heel counter. The herringbone tread outsole remains attached to a foam wedge midsole. There’s even a shiny dubrae attached, a nice nod to earlier iterations of the Cortez.

Hell, the Cortez will even make for a good conversation starter, regaling onlookers with the amusing tale of how Nike may have actually stolen the design from Onitsuka Tiger (learn the real story here).

The Nike Cortez ‘Midnight Navy’ should arrive in the next few months.