Colorway refers to the specific color combination applied to a garment or sneaker silhouette. The same shoe model might release in dozens of colorways over its lifetime—each representing a distinct product with its own identity and market value. Sneakerhead culture particularly emphasizes colorways: the Air Jordan 1 silhouette exists in hundreds of colorways, from the original 'Chicago' (red/white/black) to countless subsequent releases. Colorways are named—sometimes officially by brands, sometimes by communities—creating vocabulary for discussing specific variations. Understanding colorway names demonstrates cultural literacy: knowing 'Bred' refers to black/red, 'Royal' to black/blue, or 'Shadow' to black/grey identifies someone as a sneaker insider. Colorways dramatically affect value: an OG colorway commands premium over subsequent releases of the same silhouette. Limited colorways or those associated with specific moments (player exclusives, collaborations) become grails while general release colorways remain accessible.
Definition C
Colorway
A specific color combination or scheme applied to a garment or sneaker design.
Origin & Etymology
Industry term combining 'color' and 'way' (manner or style), describing how color is applied to a design. Standard in sneaker culture since the 1980s retro era when classic silhouettes began releasing in multiple color variations.
Related Brands
Related Terms
OG
Original or foundational—describing pioneering people, brands, or original product releases.
Grail
A highly coveted, often rare piece that represents a personal holy grail for a collector.
Deadstock
Original, unworn, and unused product, typically still in its original packaging.
General Release
Items produced in large quantities and widely available, contrasted with limited releases.