We Tried J.Crew’s Designer Collaboration With Maryam Nassir Zadeh
The viral summer collaboration between J.Crew and the New York based cool-girl brand was a win for most of us.
Over the past few years, J.Crew has entered the mainstream once again for its clothing, and this summer, it decided to work with New York–based brand Maryam Nassir Zadeh to release a collaboration. Fashion fans online quickly discussed how much they loved it; it features a wide range of clothing, shoes, and swimwear, and has sizing up to 3X in most pieces, which can be rare with limited-edition drops. Five Cut editors with different styles and body shapes tested the line out; here’s what we thought.
Joanna Nikas, deputy style editor
What did you try? The sheer cropped cardigan sweater, the cross-back midi dress in stretch cotton blend, and loafer heels in leather.
How did it fit? The cardigan was a bit small; I would size one up. The dress was true to size. And the shoes were a bit narrow; I would size half a size up if you have wide feet.
Would you buy it? Yes, to all. I would buy the cardigan mostly to layer over things like a dress or even wear it with a bathing suit underneath. It gives it a bit of that MNZ styling and je ne sais quoi. However, I did size up to a large, mostly because I didn’t want the sleeves to be too tight, especially in the summer any fabric that sticks too much to my body, I simply don’t wear. The dress is a great summer dress. I am five-foot-three and had to shorten it, otherwise I would be swimming a bit in the fabric. But it is very flattering and the butter-yellow color is the season’s color. To answer your main question: These shoes are incredibly comfortable. The leather is very soft, and they are easy to slip on. However, I needed to size up half a size, then they were perfect.
Maryam Nassir Zadeh X J.Crew Sheer Cropped Cardigan Sweater
Maryam Nassir Zadeh X J.Crew Cross-Back Midi Dress
Maryam Nassir Zadeh X J.Crew Loafer Heels
Hanna Flanagan, shopping writer/editor
What did you try? The sheer bias-cut slip dress in dot ramie, the sheer metallic miniskirt, and the metallic bralette.
How did it fit? I got a medium in the dress and it fit true to size, though it was a bit sheer. I got a small in the metallic skirt and bralette, and the skirt was true to size but the bralette was very roomy, so I would size down.
Would you buy it? Yes! I love the midi length, plus the polka-dot pattern looks chic and surprisingly mature. Not only does this dress drape well, but it also features a subtle flare and loose fit that just screams summer. I love the fact that it’s unlined and made from an eco-friendly linen alternative called ramie, which is lightweight, breathable, and a total lifesaver during New York City’s current heat wave. Keep in mind that this dress is slightly sheer; probably too sheer to wear to the office but just right for a summer cocktail party or dinner date. I found that it fits true to size, since it’s meant to hang off the body a bit.
For the skirt, I love the metallic knit material, the small side slits, and the length. It’s more flattering and forgiving than other miniskirts in my closet, thanks to the slouchy oversize fit and drawstring closure. That being said, I probably wouldn’t spend $128 of my own money on a fun-to-have item that’s completely sheer and can really only be worn as a swimsuit coverup (or to the club, perhaps!). Maybe if I had sized down I would’ve loved the bralette, but it was too loose and offered little-to-know support. Much like the skirt, this piece is also very sheer (hence the reason there’s no photo of me wearing it). I would definitely need to wear pasties to make it work.
[Editor’s note: The dress is currently out of stock.]
Maryam Nassir Zadeh X J.Crew Sheer Metallic Mini Skirt
Maryam Nassir Zadeh X J.Crew Metallic Bralette
Brooke LaMantia, editorial assistant
What did you try? The drop-waist midi skirt in ramie and the cross-back one-piece swimsuit in blue.
How did it fit? I got a 12 in both. The skirt was true to size, and the swimsuit was a little roomy, so I could’ve sized down.
Would you buy it? Yes. While I would normally be wary of buying a skirt over $150, especially since I have so many maxi skirts, I would buy this one in a heartbeat. It’s unlike any other skirt I own and is so flattering. I’m obsessed with the red and, while it’s on the sheer side, it comes with a slip and I didn’t feel like I was on the verge of showing anything I didn’t want to. I’m tempted to even wear the slip alone with an oversize T-shirt since it’s the same fun color. I don’t know if I’d buy the swimsuit, though, but I do really like it and see myself wearing it mostly as a bodysuit or for a beach day where I don’t want to tan my stomach. It’s cute but pretty simple.
Maryam Nassir Zadeh X J.Crew Drop-Waist Midi Skirt
Maryam Nassir Zadeh X J.Crew Cross-Back One-Piece Swimsuit
Chinea Rodriguez, shopping writer
What did you try? The cotton tank top and drop-waist midi skirt in white.
How did it fit? I got a medium in the tank and it was small. I usually wear a small in shirts and this medium seemed a little small, so I would size up for a looser fit. The skirt was true to size and fit well.
Would you buy it? For the top, no, mostly because it’s too thin and sheer. I prefer my tank tops on the thicker side and I have a few I like already. I would buy the skirt. Like the shirt this is sheer, but I didn’t mind because it’s loose enough to wear shorts or swimwear underneath. I loved the fit of this: It’s not too tight on the hips and is flow-y throughout, so it’s breezy enough for hot days. It’s also versatile — I wore it with Sambas, but it looks just as good with sandals or heels if you want to dress it up a little.
Maryam Nassir Zadeh X J.Crew Cotton Tank Top
Maryam Nassir Zadeh X J.Crew Drop-Waist Midi Skirt
Danya Issawi, fashion news writer
What did you try? The embellished bias-cut slip dress and drop-waist midi skirt in white.
How did it fit? I got a 10 in the dress and it fit true to size. The skirt was also true to size. But if you happen to have been blessed with some juicy glutes, I would consider sizing up solely because of the seam on the drop waist.
Would you buy it? I love this dress so much. It’s a wonderful summer dress for nearly any occasion — dinner with friends, a little soirée, stargazing, plotting revenge, you name it. I was worried everything was going to be too sheer, but the attached slip does a pretty good job of keeping everything that you want covered. I will be wearing this again and again! I would show you a photo of this skirt, but my cat chewed up part of it (he’s fine!). This skirt is a wonderfully versatile skirt for hot weather. You can dress it up or down and it pairs well with nearly everything. Also, this skirt is pretty sheer even though it comes with a detachable slip (which I love and will use with other garments I own). You can’t quite exactly see through, but I wouldn’t be wearing dark or colorful undergarments with this.
Maryam Nassir Zadeh X J.Crew Embellished Bias-Cut Slip Dress