I Found the Jackpot of Trendy Basics and I'm Telling Everyone Who'll Listen

Even after 7 years of observing and writing about fashion, I still relish the thrill of discovery. It's partly why I've taken up the mantle of highlighting emerging designers and brands in my own work—it's kind of satisfying to be onto something the general masses aren't. But admittedly, I feel a little late about discovering Na-kd. If you're tapped into the hauls and try-on worlds on TikTok and Instagram, perhaps you already know about its affordable separates that magically look expensive despite being less than $100. Founded in 2015, and launched online in 2016, the Swedish brand has become a hit for its influencer-led collaborations featuring internet-famous fashion it-girls like Cass Dimicco and Josefine H.J. Na-kd pieces generally fall under $200 (with most just below $100), and thus it's been able to gain favor among the Zara set, aka those who love an affordable approach to trends. And although its vast selection might rival Zara, Na-kd feels like a different ballgame: the pieces feel a bit more wearable and less directly lifted off the runways. The international crowd seems to be already privy to Na-kd's world of trend-forward basics (if Instagram is any indication Scandi girls have Na-kd's blazers especially on rotation), but across the globe, it seems like the U.S. is just catching on. At one point it felt like every blazer or pair of trousers tagged by some of my favorite fashion people came from Na-kd—a clear sign that trying out the brand in real life was necessary. So, in the interest of fashion research, I ordered and tried 14 pieces from the Swedish brand's collection of new arrivals. Keep scrolling to hear my thoughts.

Quite frankly, these pants are nothing short of incredible. A linen pant in the summer is the equivalent of a great puffer in the winter—an essential that you're much happier to have than to be without. There's an issue with linen though, which is its proclivity to wrinkle. A little wrinkling is acceptable and inevitable, a lot just looks sloppy. These pants are the answer for those who can't be bothered to schlep around a steamer: they're a linen blend that's more weighty than traditional linen, so wrinkling isn't really an issue. The thicker fabric also means no see-through underwear situations will happen (another con I can't stand about linen pants). During the course of my 3-week trip to Europe, I wore these about half the time, which tells you how much I love these pants.

Contrast binding makes me feel like I'm in a vintage Chanel ad, so yes it's a detail I'll gladly wear on repeat. I have so many white tank tops that even I start to get sick of them, and this little top comes in handy when I need a neutral with a hint of cool.

Tube dresses and all their iterations are a big staple this season. Never one to turn down the opportunity to look like a model from the 90s, I've been looking for the perfect one for months now. I can definitively say this is one of the best. Even after walking hours around the streets of Paris, it didn't ride up and the substantial fabric meant I could forgo a bra. 

Maxi-skirt mania is still in effect, so it felt right to add this piece to my summer lineup. And it's everything I could want in a skirt when it's sticky hot during the day and cool at night: breezy, light and extremely versatile.

As a testament to how pervasive tube pieces are, the side slit tube top has emerged as a niche It-staple in 2023. It's precisely the top to wear for a classic look but with an ever-so-slight hint of trendiness. My go-to outfit combination of choice included styling it with the poplin maxi skirt, but I also loved wearing it with simply loose trousers.

I'm a sucker for dressy sandals, and the gold detail immediately jumped out at me. At their core they're a thong sandal, but perhaps the most sophisticated version I've ever owned. The heel clocks in at just under 2.5 inches, so it's manageable for getting around if concrete to cab isn't an option.

Not to be outshined by its tailored separates, Na-kd's denim selection is also equally impressive. I chose this sunbleached set to wear in early summer as L.A. is still very much in the 60-degree range. It falls into the rigid denim category so the jeans took a few wears to thoroughly break in, but after softening up I found myself constantly wearing them as my "dressy" denim jeans.

But outside of a set, the denim jacket is also worth buying as a standalone piece. 

The Miu Miu effect has touched us all at Who What Wear and my desire for a cargo skirt has never been greater. Unlike the designer micro mini version, this skirt is a much more approachable midi length, which makes it prime for anything from tall boots to sandals. The fit is slightly more narrow in the hips, so I'd advise sizing up here. 

This isn't just any long-sleeved top, the boat neckline feels decidedly chic and dare I say, a bit French girl.

With norm-core one of the year's most defining trends, sleek belts have been thrust into the spotlight as a pivotal accessory, tying the aesthetic together. Although this belt is less than $50, the quality and finish could pass as The Row, which makes this a bargain in my book.

The best type of summer dress is easy and effortless, and this striped number checks both boxes. It would make sense to think about avoiding knits for the hot season, but this is surprisingly lightweight, and even on a boat in the middle of the day I didn't break a sweat. An elegant open back provides ventilation, so if hot days and cool nights will be a factor during your vacation, you'll want to pack this.

Shorts and I have never been the best of friends. But this year I've resolved to stray outside of my sartorial comfort zone, hence why I went for these shorts. On the flip side, blazers are my comfort staple ( I own more than I'd like to admit), so it occurred to me to pair the two for a combination that sits comfortably in the middle. These shorts are longer and more tailored (imagine trousers cut into shorts), so wearing them wasn't as scary as I initially envisioned. The structured cut also made them ideal to coordinate with this oversized blazer (a staple Na-kd does exceptionally well). 

I love the oversized fit and structured shoulders to wear with both jeans and classic trousers.

I will be borrowing this outfit idea, stat.

Next up: I Stopped By Gap, J.Crew, and Banana Republic—19 Finds That Genuinely Shocked Me

from Who What Wear