I tried J.Crew's new designer collaboration and found summer staples any cool girl would love (2024)

J.Crew has a new collection with Maryam Nassir Zadeh. Foto: Samantha Grindell/Business Insider

• J.Crew released a line with New York brand Maryam Nassir Zadeh.
• The collection features dresses, skirts, T-shirts, and even swimsuits.
• I liked the wardrobe staples from the collection.

Just like Abercrombie and American Eagle, J.Crew is cool again.

The brand has expanded from its traditionally preppy attire with fresh colors, fabrics, and silhouettes, helping it appeal to a new audience of shoppers.

As part of its continuing evolution, J.Crew released a collaboration with Maryam Nassir Zadeh, a New York City-based brand, in July.

On J.Crew's website, the brand said designer Maryam Nassirzadeh is "known for her collector's eye and minimalist yet memorable style" and that the collaboration is an "effortless collection of women's and kids' pieces."

The line features dresses, tops, trousers, and even swimsuits, and as a longtime fan of J.Crew's sister brand, Madewell, I was curious about this new venture from the brand.

I decided to try on a few pieces from the collection.

The staples were the best part of the collection

When I arrived at J.Crew's Soho store, I discovered that the pieces from the Maryam Nassir Zadeh collaboration weren't set up in one place. Instead, they were scattered throughout the floor with pieces from other J.Crew lines. They appeared to fit in with the brand's DNA.

I visited the store on July 31, and the line's availability was somewhat limited when I arrived. Several pieces were also sold out in many sizes online.

I found a selection of items to bring to the dressing room, so my hopes weren't dashed.

My favorite of the items I tried on was a $49.50 cotton T-shirt. The fabric was soft and stretchy without being too sheer, and I loved the scoop of the neckline. I'd recommend sizing down if you don't want the shirt to be too long.

The line includes a $39.50 tank topmade of the same material. I couldn't try it on because the store was out of my size, but I was tempted to buy it online after I felt how soft the tee was.

I wasn't as happy with the line's $198 dual-tone linen trousers that I tried on with the shirt. The pants fit well on my waist but were too tight on my hips, making it difficult to know what size would have worked best for me. The material was also a bit too stiff for my liking.

My experience with the $168 drop-waist midi skirt and the $268 silk version was similar, as their drop-waists seemed disproportionate to the hip sizing.

I tried on the skirts in two different sizes to see if it made a difference and found that neither fit both my hips and waist well. The skirt that fit my waist felt tight on my hips, while the skirt that fit my hips was too big at the waist.

The skirts were also sheer and featured an inner lining. I didn't mind that there were two layers, but they weren't as effortless to wear as they looked on the hanger, which might deter some shoppers.

But the $248 cross-back midi dress was a hit for me.

The cotton-blend material was soft and comfortable, while the silhouette and detailing on the back elevated the garment. I could easily imagine packing the dress on vacation or slipping into it before meeting friends for dinner.

I wasn't as big of a fan of the $148 sheer bias-cut slip dress because it was hard to imagine myself wearing something see-through, and the fabric didn't feel great. It was a pretty dress, but I would rather spend money on a more practical sundress.

I also spotted the line's $138 cross-back one-piece swimsuit in pink in the store, though I couldn't try it on because it wasn't available in my size. I loved the suit's silkiness and was surprised to hear it was waterproof despite its luxurious feel. I don't think I'd splurge on the suit because more affordable options have a similar look, but I see why people like it.

Overall, I was most impressed by the everyday items from J.Crew and Maryam Nassir Zadeh's collection, particularly the cotton pieces. They were so soft, lightweight, and versatile that I instantly wanted to make them staples of my summer wardrobe. I could easily see myself reaching for the T-shirt when a heat wave hits New York or for a beach vacation with friends.

I'd skip some pieces of the collection because of their price, fit, and — most importantly — how some of the fabric felt against my skin. But the collection showed me I'd definitely be shopping at both retailers in the future, especially when I'm in need of go-to shirts for the warm months.