By Leah Melby, Glamour
At this point, it's become abundantly clear that the entire Kardashian-Jenner family is full of moguls. The youngest of the bunch, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, have been busy with an assortment of professional gigs--a major campaign here, a best-selling lip kit there--and the duo is now pairing up for Kendall + Kylie, a new contemporary line of clothing and shoes that's retailing at stores like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Shopbop (prices start at $68 and range to $498).
If you glimpsed at the spring collection blindly, without a clue of which celebrity names were attached, chances are you'd still be able to make a good guess at who's driving the bus. It's got all sorts of Kardashian closet essentials, from curve-hugging dresses to crop tops and trendy, model-of-the-moment-style pieces. All of it looks like an easy way to slip into Kardashian-dom, and when you're presented with an opportunity like that, you seize it.
I played at being a member of the fam earlier this week, borrowing some of the new pieces and giving them a whirl around Glamour headquarters. Maintaining the Kardashian ethos was paramount, but it was important for me to imbue some of my own style too--it's an approach I can't help but think the sisters (and momager Kris Jenner) would insist on. The aim wasn't to be Kendall or Kylie; rather, I wanted to see how being a member of the family, sartorially speaking, would feel.
Kendall + Kylie dress, writer's own shoes
This '70s-inspired boxy mini felt totally Kendall-on-duty, and it was a good one to pull on first since the heavy material conveyed a tactile sense of luxury (read: the range doesn't feel cheap). While the model's typical style is more about athleisure and high-waisted skinny jeans, I felt like I was living one of the countless campaign images she's posed for. The hemline and lace-up neckline count this one out as a work option, but it would definitely be cute for shopping or dinner.
Kendall + Kylie top $138, nordstrom.com, pants, $148, neimanmarcus.com, writer's own shoes, bag
A matched gingham set was too loud for me, an average civilian not used to a reality TV crew and paparazzi flashbulbs (I'm guessing this is one of the "surprise statement pieces" Kylie alluded to in the press release). I watered it down by mixing in a long-sleeve crop top that's paired with a matching pencil skirt in look book images, and while it looked good, this was a dangerous outfit. One wrong arm move and things would get inappropriate; plus, the top is actually totally backless, necessitating a bra-less moment and flashing a lot of skin. Beyond taking a selfie or Snapchatting, wearing this outfit would be tricky IRL.
Kendall + Kylie dress, $198, nordstrom.com, shoes, $150, saks.com, writer's own bag, sunglasses
I completely surprised myself by favoring this curve-flaunting dress the most, but it might make sense as the Kardashians are masters of sexy date-night dressing. The below-the-knee hemline is one Kim actually wears a lot, and the extra coverage was perfect for tempering the snug fit and lace-up detailing on the side (check out that scandalous detail heading down my right leg). The fabric was soft too, a factor I don't often associate with body-con styles but happily welcomed. As a final Jenner-Kardashian touch, the mules were perfect, and it's not hard to understand why the oft-photographed girls included these in the debut collection. The blush color combined with the high vamp made for the ultimate in leg-lengthening.
The last look attracted the most attention from tourists and building workers positioned outside our offices. Therein lies the biggest takeaway from the girl's collection too: It's all good at helping get some K or K into your closet, but if you're looking for one style to put in your shopping cart, pick one of the simple-but-sexy basics done in a neutral hue. It's timeless, Kardashian, and timeless Kardashian.
Photos: Katie Friedman
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