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There’s no doubt about it: I love getting dressed. But when the temperatures are nearing (or exceeding) that 100-degree mark and the thick humidity is apparent in the beads of sweat forming on my skin, creating a photo-ready ensemble is easier said than done. For me, high summer is usually the time of year when I want nothing touching my body. Naturally, that results in a level of sartorial ennui. Moving through the motions of the season, I’ll reach for my go-to linen pants, an easy T-shirt, and comfortable walking sandals. No, it doesn’t necessarily look bad, but I can’t say with confidence that it’s always the type of outfit to inspire, either. That’s all about to change, thanks to J.Crew’s new collaboration with Maryam Nassir Zadeh, the lower Manhattan label behind many It girl outfits.
“I have been admiring and collecting the work of Maryam Nassir Zadeh since she first opened her multi-brand store in the Lower East Side in 2008,” Olympia Gayot, J.Crew’s Women’s and Crewcuts creative director, shared with me in an email. “Maryam has the most incredibly unique and feminine design sense; it’s distinctly personal to her in her stunning use of color, fabric, and shape.” As a longtime fan of Nassir Zadeh and her work, I couldn’t agree more—and now, the two have joined forces to create a capsule collection that not only embodies both the J.Crew and MNZ design ethos, but helps anyone combat the most grueling heatwaves of summer.
The first-ever collaboration for MNZ, this collection, which also includes children’s styles for Crewcuts, takes inspiration from the ocean, summer heat, and travel. (It makes sense, both Gayot and Nassir Zadeh’s Instagram accounts are teeming with this type of aspirational content.) So, you’ll find everything from airy, lightweight linen dresses and chic summer heels to some of the most comfortable loafers you’ll ever slip on—not to mention, there are plenty of eye-catching accessories to accompany our ’fits, too.
“I also combed my archives of my dearest collected pieces, which I was saving for MNZ to take inspiration from,” says Nassir Zadeh. “But [I] was so excited to give [them] instead to J.Crew.”
Ahead of the launch, I had the chance to test-drive the collaboration to see where it might land in your closet. See my honest thoughts about the collection below.
What You Need to Know
Ranging from $39 to $288, this collection was practically made for the hottest days of the year. Gayot shares, “The fabrics are gauzy and sheer with featherweight removable linings.” Say no more; I am sold. These are the types of pieces I’ve been wishing were already in my closet—and all in an array of vibrant hues that could complement anyone’s wardrobe.
Translation: These are the pieces you want to wear when the weather is hotter than hot without compromising your style. I found that each silhouette looked just as good paired with another piece from the collection as it does on its own, making the possibilities for your late-summer wardrobe virtually endless. An unexpected ensemble I found myself loving was the Sheer Bias-Cut Slip Dress layered over the Crew Cotton T-Shirt and Drop-Waist Midi Skirt. For dressier moments—or a stroll through Central Park—I loved the idea of styling the Embellished Bias-Cut Slip Dress with the Sheer Cropped Cardigan Sweater to touch on this summer’s color of the moment. And when I want to wear it for a night out, all I need to do is shed the cardigan, and I have a fresh LBD.
The Standout Pieces
I truly feel that this collection has something for everyone, from the classic ’90s-reminiscent slip dresses and blouses that work for swimsuit cover-ups to a fresh take on linen trousers. With that in mind, if you’re going to get anything from the collection, I suggest the Cross-Back Midi Dress, which is so comfortable, you’ll never want to take it off. Another favorite for everyday occasions is the Dual-Tone Linen Trouser, in part because they’re perfect summer work pants and also because of the unexpected color and texture of the fabric, which I haven’t seen much in a pair of trousers (but they are linen, so expect these to wrinkle!). And, of course, if you’re in the market for some everyday basics with a feminine touch, you can’t go wrong with the Cotton Tank Top or Sheer Squareneck Top.
The Shoes & Accessories
Without a doubt, the accessories were my absolute favorites of the bunch—and why wouldn’t they be? Between the small mesh tote bags (for the woman who has nothing to hide) and whimsical hair accessories, these are the perfect finishing touches to a warm summer look. But really, I need to talk about the shoes. While I will preface this next sentence with the fact that I am, indeed, a shoe person, these are easily some of the best summer shoes I’ve worn this season. The braided straps of the sandals are soft, so they’ll move with you wherever you go (say goodbye, blisters). And the loafers? I could wax poetic about the soft and supple leather. Plus, that bright white hue combined with the sleek silhouette is the perfect contrast to my everyday sneakers. I could stand for a lifetime in these shoes, and truth be told, I didn’t want to take them off.
Is this a collection you need in your warm-weather wardrobe? Absolutely. Shop more pieces from the Maryam Nassir Zadeh x J.Crew collection, below.