Even after seven years of watching and writing about fashion, I still enjoy the thrill of discovery. It’s one of the reasons I’ve made it my mission to highlight emerging designers and brands in my own work – there’s something satisfying about stumbling upon something the masses don’t know about. But I have to admit, I discovered Na-kd a little late. If you’re in the hauls and try-on worlds on TikTok and Instagram, you might already be familiar with the affordable separates that magically look expensive despite costing less than $100.
Founded in 2015 and launched online in 2016, the Swedish brand has become a hit through its influencer-led collaborations with internet-famous It girls like Cass Dimicco and Josefine H.J. Na-kd pieces typically cost under $200 (most are just under $100), so they’ve been able to appeal to Zara fans, those who like trends at affordable prices. And while the huge selection rivals Zara’s, Na-kd is a little different: The pieces feel more wearable and not so straight off the runway. International audiences already seem to be privy to Na-kd’s world of trendy basics (if Instagram is any indication, Scandinavian girls in particular are rotating through Na-kd’s blazers), but globally, the U.S. seems to be just catching up. At one point, it seemed like every blazer or pair of pants tagged by some of my favorite fashion people was from Na-kd—a clear sign that I needed to try the brand in real life. So, in the interest of fashion research, I ordered and tried on 14 pieces from the Swedish brand’s new arrivals collection. Keep scrolling to see what I think.
Honestly, these pants are just incredible. A pair of linen pants in summer is the equivalent of a great puffer jacket in winter—a must-have that’s better to have than not. There is one small, annoying caveat with linen, though—its tendency to crease. A little creasing is acceptable and unavoidable, a lot just looks sloppy. These pants are the answer for those who don’t fancy lugging around a steamer: They’re made from a linen blend that’s heavier than traditional linen, so creasing isn’t really an issue. The thicker fabric also means there won’t be any see-through underwear situations (another downside I can’t stand about linen pants). During my three-week trip to Europe, I wore these about half the time, which goes to show how much I love them.
Contrast Trim Camisole
The contrast trim makes me feel like I’m in a vintage Chanel advert, so yes, it’s a detail I love to wear over and over again. I have so many white tank tops that even I’m starting to get tired of them, and this little top comes in handy when I need a neutral one with a touch of cool.
Tube dresses and all their variations are a big thing this season. I never miss an opportunity to look like a 90s model, and I’ve been searching for the perfect minimalist tube dress for months. I can definitely say that this one is one of the best. Even after hours of walking around the streets of Paris, it didn’t ride up, and the sturdy fabric meant I could go bra-free altogether.
Maxi skirt mania is still in full swing, so it felt right to include this piece in my summer collection. And it’s everything I could want in a skirt when it’s sweltering hot during the day and chilly at night: airy, light and extremely versatile.
Proving how widespread tube dresses are, the side slit tube dress has become a niche it-basic in 2023. It’s just the right top for a classic look, but with a tiny hint of trend. My preferred outfit combination was to pair it with the poplin maxi skirt above, but I also loved wearing it with wide-leg trousers.
I’m a sucker for dressy sandals and the gold detail caught my eye immediately. These are basically thong sandals but perhaps the dressiest pair of flip flops I’ve ever owned. The heel is just under 2.5 inches high so you can manage on foot if you can’t walk from concrete to a taxi. As you can see in most of the photos, As you can see from this fitting, I now wear them with everything.
Na-kd’s denim selection is on a par with its tailored separates and is just as impressive. I chose this sun-bleached set for early summer, as LA temperatures are still 15 degrees and you need a light layer. Both pieces fall into the stiff denim category, so the jeans needed a few wears to break in properly. However, once they softened, I wore them constantly, as did my dressier casual tops.
The Miu Miu effect has touched us all at Who What Wear and my craving for a cargo skirt has never been stronger. Unlike the designer’s micro-mini style version, this skirt has a much more accessible midi length, making it perfect for everything from tall boots to sandals. The fit is a little slimmer at the hips, so I’d recommend going up a size here.
This isn’t just any long sleeve top, the boat neck is downright chic and, dare I say, a little French.
With normcore being one of the year’s most defining trends, sleek belts have taken the spotlight as the central accessory that ties the entire aesthetic together. Although this belt is under $50, the quality and craftsmanship could pass for The Row, making it a steal in my eyes.
The best kind of summer dress is simple and effortless, and this striped piece ticks both boxes. It would make sense to avoid knitwear in the hot season, but it’s surprisingly lightweight—even on a boat in the middle of the day, I didn’t break a sweat. A sleek open back allows for ventilation, so if hot days and cool nights are a factor during your vacation, pack it. There’s also an ocean blue ombre version of this dress that I’m already planning.
Shorts and I have never been the best of friends. But this year I decided to step out of my fashion comfort zone, and that’s why I opted for these shorts. Then again, blazers are my comfort staple (I own more than I’d like to admit), so I came up with the idea of combining the two for a combo that sits comfortably in the middle. These shorts are longer and more tailored than your usual (think pants cut into shorts), so wearing them wasn’t as daunting as I initially imagined. The structured cut also made them ideal to pair with this oversized blazer (a staple that Na-kd does exceptionally well).
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