About Norma Kamali
Norma Kamali has been an American fashion designer and trailblazer since 1969. She became famous for creating the iconic red swimsuit worn by Farah Fawcett in 1976.
She was also the pioneer of many firsts including:
- Sleeping Bag Coat which she designed while on a camping trip in 1973. She used NASA methods and stitched two coats together to create a hyper-insulated garment.
- Making sweats fabric fashionable in the 1980s, launching the “athleisure” category that we know and love today.
- Incorporating shoulder pads into garments during the 80s.
- The first designer to create a shop on eBay.
- Iconic yet flattering swimwear for women in the 70s.
Camo Sleeping Bag CoatYou can see many of her iconic styles, including the first Sleeping Bag Coats, on the MET Museum website.
Norma Kamali launched her “OMO,” or “On My Own” clothing line in 1978, ten years after opening her first boutique in 1968. The line signified Kamali’s personal and professional independence and her aim to design a real-life wardrobe for the modern woman.
Today her current collection offers a variety of apparel ranging from dresses, tops, bottoms, outerwear, and accessories. All are made with stretchy jersey almost swimsuit-like fabric, sustainable materials (faux leather), and avant-garde silhouettes.
Norma Kamali is currently working on a collection in which she studied and used AI to create. We can’t wait to see what she releases!
Below we’ll go over pieces we’ve tried from the brand and the pros and cons of wearing Norma Kamali.
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Norma Kamali Review
I reviewed the following products in this post:
- High Waist Alligator Leggings ($115) – My FIRST ever Norma Kamali purchase. I am obsessed with the diamond cutouts. The waistband is ultra-high and can be folded over or worn with crop tops. The leggings run big. I got a medium size but should’ve gone with a small. I am a size 6 US for reference.
- Hooded Sleeping Bag Coat Short ($450) – I got this coat on Carbon38 for only $173! The coat comes with a self-tie belt and the gray color matches my gray hair. The length leaves my bottom cold, so I recommend going with a longer length if you live somewhere freezing. The coat comes with a removable waist tie and storage bag.
- Legging With Mesh Bottom Footsie ($145) – I hate wearing tights that run easily. These leggings are indestructible BUT the mesh part is so stiff. It doesn’t stretch and is quite itchy. I have the mesh stirrup tights by Carbon38 ($128) and these are AMAZING! Try Carbon38 instead!
- Thigh High Panty Splice Legging w/Footsie ($125) – I was able to snag these cute faux knee-high leggings on Mercari. They look super cute with boots and flats. I got a medium and they run really big. Definitely size down!
Norma Kamali Pros
- Affordable – Her pieces range from $60 (for swimsuit separates) to $1000. A blanket jacket will be anywhere between $300 to $1000.
- Timeless Styles – Her pieces are great basics to any closet. You’ll want to wear her pieces again and again.
- Mid-Luxury Brand – Norma Kamali is in between fast fashion and luxury. Their pieces are made in smaller batches and sold in various retailers. She wanted to make fashion affordable yet sustainable.
- Machine Washable – Many of her pieces are machine washable. This makes it easy to care for and wearable.
Norma Kamali Cons
- Not Size-Inclusive – Norma Kamali is not size inclusive. Their sizing ranges from XS to XL. While her pieces often run big, they unfortunately do not offer plus sizing.
- Runs Big – Norma Kamali fabrics have stretch and often run big. We recommend sizing down for a more accurate fit.
- Small Batch – Many items are limited or one-and-done releases. Only her popular pieces are replenished.
Watch my Sleeping Bag Coat coat review:
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Where to Shop for Norma Kamali
Shop for her pieces directly on their website. Their site has the biggest selection including exclusive designs.
You can also shop for Norma Kamali products on Carbon38, Amazon, and REVOLVE.
Shop Norma Kamali Favorites
Brands Similar to Norma Kamali
- Carbon38
- Jonathan Simkhai
- LPA
- Manier de Voir
- Marcella
- Meshki
- Michi
- NIA
- NBD
- Port de Bras
- Prada
- Rick Owens
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