DKNY

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Short for "Donna Karan New York," this fashion house has been specializing in ready-to-wear apparel for men, women, and children since 1984. Karan began her career as a designer by working under prestigious fashion maven Anne Klein. After Klein died in 1974, Karan became one of the head designers at the fashion house. Deciding to start her own business alongside husband Stephan Weiss, Karan released a women's clothing collection in 1985.

Originally DKNY was an offshoot of the more expensive Donna Karan New York brand. Inspired by her daughter, Karan first launched DKNY in 1989. Trying to turn her relatively small fashion house into a corporate entity as quickly as possible, Karan brought in professionals who helped speed up licensing--especially overseas. The company also launched its first lines for men and children in 1992. In 2001, DKNY was acquired by the French luxury goods giant LVMH. Under new ownership, the company continued its global expansion in addition to establishing an online presence. Karan herself is still considered one of New York's top designers, and DKNY apparel is sold at stores across the country and around the world.

Babies & Kids Merchandise

Products

Over the last two decades, the DKNY line of clothes for kids has been discontinued and then reestablished several times. For girls, it has always been a relatively casual brand. Options like graphic tees, sweatshirts, tunics, and blouses dominate tops, while jeans, leggings, cutoff shorts, and skirts are available as bottoms. The brand also makes a wide selection of dresses that range from casual sundresses to party dresses. The collection for boys, on the other hand, is much more formal. Button-down shirts, ties, and blazers are all available in addition to slacks and full suits. You can also find a selection of outerwear for both genders.

Moving into adult sizes for older kids and teens, you'll find a much wider selection of clothing options. Fashion reigns supreme in the women's collection, with garments like dresses, tunics, and skirts taking on very unique qualities and embellishments. You can find some casual men's clothes, though formalwear remains the most popular. DKNY accessories include purses, bags, wallets, sunglasses, watches, hats, scarves, gloves, belts, and intimates. The brand also features shoes like wedges, flats, heels, boots, sandals, and more.

Swap.com's Rating of DKNY

The team behind DKNY hasn't had the easiest time keeping the brand relevant and competitive over the last decade, which is one reason why the manufacturer seems to be having trouble defining itself. The kids' lines, while limited, are fun and relatively carefree. While still not exactly cheap, these garments are still affordable for many parents. Moving into the clothes for older kids and adults, however, it's clear that DKNY has strayed from its original mission of affordable accessibility--with no options priced below $100. These fashion-forward outfits will appeal to a certain type of consumer, but they might completely turn off others. The clothes do have a history of being stylish and long-lasting, however, so quality is never an issue. All things considered, we give DKNY 4 stars out of 5.

Women's Merchandise

Products

The women's collection from DKNY features fashion-forward designs in a number of different categories. Dresses range from casual garments like t-shirt dresses, jersey dresses, tunic dresses, and maxi dresses, to options for a night out--including little black dresses, shift dresses, sleeveless dresses, and v-neck dresses. Casual tops include t-shirts, graphic tees, tanks, trapeze tops, turtleneck tees, cardigans, hoodies, sweatshirts, jersey tees, layering tops, and more. You'll also find trendy button-down shirts, crop tops, v-necks, blouses, and tunics for more fashionable occasions. Jackets meld form and fashion, and they include bomber jackets, trench coats, blazers, denim jackets, puffer coats, and vests.

DKNY jeans hone in on the two most popular styles--skinny and boot cut. These jeans are available in a number of different colors and washes. Other bottoms include crepe pants, trousers, palazzo pants, chinos, jumpsuits, and sweats, in addition to maxi, midi, and mini skirts. Intimates and sleepwear include bras, bralettes, panties, camis, shapewear, nightgowns, and pajama sets. The brand's shoes range from casual sneakers to stylistic boots, booties, wedges, and sandals. Accessories from DKNY include scarves, hats, belts, gloves, and sunglasses. You can also choose from hosiery options like tights, socks, and stockings. Jewelry selections are relatively limited, and the brand mostly features necklaces and bracelets.

Swap.com's Rating of DKNY

It can be difficult to know where to start when you want to shop for women's clothes from DKNY. Seeing certain jackets and dresses priced above $1,000 might scare casual shoppers away, for example, but the brand also features plenty of clothes available for less than $50. DKNY serves a very broad array of consumers--from fashionistas looking for runway-inspired trends to casual laypeople looking for a comfortable t-shirt. It's important, therefore, to dig into the brand's selection and find the clothes that are best suited to your taste and your budget. The company's mission is to bring the spirit and energy of the New York fashion scene to consumers across the country, and it tries to tap into every event in your life for which you might want unique apparel. We give DKNY 4 stars out of 5.