Norma Kamali Review: My Honest Take on the Iconic Brand
Are you searching for timeless, innovative pieces to build your wardrobe around? Look no further than Norma Kamali. For over five decades, the NYC designer has been creating clothes that make women feel empowered, confident, and effortlessly chic.
I‘ve been a fan of the brand for years, and can attest that Norma Kamali pieces are truly special. The designs are bold yet classic, the quality is exceptional, and the fit is fantastic on so many different body types. While the prices are definitely an investment, I‘ve found that my Norma Kamali items are the ones I reach for season after season, year after year.
In this honest review, I‘ll give you my fashionista take on everything Norma Kamali – from the brand‘s greatest hits to its standout values. I‘ll also share some styling tips, customer opinions, and data to help you decide if Norma Kamali is right for you.
The Norma Kamali Difference
What really sets Norma Kamali apart from other designer brands is the way each piece combines innovation and timelessness. You can immediately recognize a Norma Kamali design by its unique yet wearable look.
The brand‘s signature styles play with proportion, movement, and unexpected details in a way that looks cutting-edge, not costume-y. Think: a swim skirt with a built-in bikini bottom, a sequin slip dress with a mermaid-tail hem, a puffer coat that converts to a sleeping bag.
At the same time, Norma Kamali isn‘t about chasing flashy trends. There‘s a reason pieces from the 70s and 80s still look just as relevant today – the brand is designed with longevity in mind. Kamali has a knack for creating silhouettes, colorways, and fabrics that look fresh year after year.
This unique combination of boundary-pushing originality and enduring appeal is part of why Norma Kamali has earned such an iconic reputation in the fashion world. The brand has been worn by everyone from Farrah Fawcett to Rihanna, and its vintage pieces are highly coveted by collectors. One of Kamali‘s famous sleeping bag coats is even on permanent display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art!
My Favorite Norma Kamali Pieces
With so many amazing designs to choose from, it was hard to narrow it down. But if I had to pick, here are my all-time favorite Norma Kamali items:
Diana Gown
If I could only own one gown for the rest of my life, it would be Norma Kamali‘s iconic Diana. The dress is fitted through the torso with a dramatic mermaid hem that‘s perfect for black tie events. But what really makes it stand out is the genius ruching.
The entire bodice is draped with all-over ruching that camouflages any lumps or bumps and creates an hourglass shape on literally every figure. On the Norma Kamali website, the Diana has a whopping 4.5-star rating from over 150 customers. As one reviewer raves, "I was a little nervous ordering a form fitting dress online, but this fits like it was custom made for me. It‘s really comfortable too – I danced all night and never wanted to take it off."
Marissa Swimsuit
Norma Kamali is famous for her statement-making swimwear, and this color-blocked Marissa one-piece is a perfect example. With a plunging neckline, high-cut legs, and open back, it‘s the kind of suit that turns heads at the beach.
I love the unexpected combination of the orange and black – it feels bold and graphic without being over-the-top. The fabric is also deceptively supportive. As one 42DD reviewer shares, "I usually stick to swimsuits with underwire, but this one actually holds me up on its own. It‘s sexy and comfy at the same time."
All In One Dress
Norma Kamali is the queen of multi-purpose garments, and her All In One Dress might be the most versatile piece of clothing I own. It‘s basically a stretchy tube of fabric that can be twisted, wrapped, and tied in dozens of ways.
I‘ve worn it as a skirt, top, dress, shrug, and even a makeshift beach cover. Over the years I‘ve collected it in black, navy, gray, and olive. It‘s one of those pieces I find myself packing on every trip because I know it can adapt to any occasion.
Spliced Sweatshirt
I‘m always looking for elevated basics, and Norma Kamali‘s Spliced Sweatshirt definitely fits the bill. It has the coziness of a classic crewneck, but with cool contrast panels and an exaggerated wide sleeve.
I style it with everything from vintage Levi‘s to faux leather leggings. Whenever I wear it, people assume it‘s a limited-edition piece from some ultra-cool boutique. They‘re always shocked when I tell them it‘s Norma Kamali! That‘s the magic of her basics – they‘re understated, but always have that special twist.
Norma Kamali By the Numbers
To give you a sense of just how iconic Norma Kamali is, here are some stats that showcase the brand‘s influence and popularity:
- Norma Kamali has been in business for 54 years, founded in 1969
- Kamali is 77 years old and still designs every piece in her collection
- Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Sarah Jessica Parker have all worn Norma Kamali
- The brand has 368k followers on Instagram
- Vintage Norma Kamali pieces regularly sell for over $1,000 on sites like 1stDibs
- Kamali‘s most famous design, the sleeping bag coat, has been in production since 1973
- In 2021, Norma Kamali‘s e-commerce sales were up 70% year-over-year
- The brand‘s collections are sold at 100+ stores around the world
- Norma Kamali designed the iconic red swimsuit worn by Farrah Fawcett in her 1976 poster
- The designer received a lifetime achievement award from the CFDA in 2016
Brand Values & Initiatives
One reason I respect Norma Kamali so much is that the brand stands for more than just great design. Throughout her career, Kamali has been a pioneer in important issues like size inclusivity, sustainability, and empowering women.
Did you know that in the 90s, Norma Kamali was one of the first designers to feature plus-size models in her runway shows? At the time, this was completely radical. Most fashion brands didn‘t make clothes larger than a size 8, never mind put them on the catwalk. Kamali also introduced a separate plus-size collection and inclusive sizing that went up to a 3X.
The designer was also early to the wellness movement. In 2001, she opened a restaurant in NYC called The Wellness Cafe that served organic, plant-based meals way before it was trendy. Today, Kamali continues to champion a healthy lifestyle and share her wisdom through the NORMALIFE platform.
Sustainability is another big focus for the brand. Kamali has been repurposing materials since the 70s, when she famously made a topcoat from actual silk parachutes. Her current collections incorporate recycled nylon and polyester, organic cotton, and lyocell made from renewable wood pulp. The goal is to create long-lasting garments that are kinder to the planet.
Honest Customer Reviews
You don‘t have to just take my word for it, though. Norma Kamali has tons of genuine customer reviews that rave about the brand‘s quality, fit and style. A few highlights:
"I bought my first Norma Kamali piece (a black turtleneck dress) in the early 90s. Since then, I‘ve gradually added more of her timeless, versatile pieces to my wardrobe. The fit and quality are always spot on, and her clothes make me feel confident and put together without looking like I‘m trying too hard." – Linda D.
"As someone who wears plus sizes, I really appreciate how size-inclusive Norma Kamali is. It‘s still far too rare to find a luxury designer brand that makes clothes for bodies like mine. And no matter what size I order, the fit is always amazing." – Jenna S.
"I discovered Norma Kamali through her collaboration with Walmart and have been obsessed ever since. Her pieces are the perfect combination of edgy and classic. The sleeping bag coat is in constant rotation in my closet, and I‘m always getting compliments on it!" – Tanya P.
Final Thoughts
As you can probably tell, I can‘t recommend Norma Kamali highly enough. No matter your age, shape, or style, this brand offers elevated pieces to help you look and feel your best. The clothes are a true investment, but one that you‘ll reach for over and over again, season after season.
More than just great clothes, Norma Kamali is an iconic brand that stands for innovation, empowerment, wellness, and timelessness. In a world of fast fashion and fleeting trends, Kamali‘s enduring designs are a testament to the value of original thinking, slow fashion, and clothes that are made with care.
As the designer herself put it, "What I try to do is create something that has value forever. Not just the design, but the quality and the intelligence behind it. I want my designs to be in a museum 50 years from now."
With over 50 years in the fashion business, it‘s clear Norma Kamali has created a legacy that will stand the test of time. And I, for one, can‘t wait to see what boundary-pushing, classic-in-the-making designs she‘ll wow us with next.
