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All products are personally reviewed and tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
Malaika New York is a fully vegan, sustainable fashion brand for women.
The brand targets ladies aged 45+ (although in my opinion, they are suitable for much younger women as well) who may wish to hide some unwanted curves.
The designs are loose-fitting but bold. Many are asymmetrical, which means when you wear them you'll stand out from the crowd in the right way.
For my Malaika New York Review I personally tested two of their best-selling products, and also investigated how the brand's ethical and sustainable initiatives stand up against the competition.
For the purposes of this review, my team and I tested the following items, which are among Malaika New York's best sellers:
We evaluated the materials used, the quality, comfort, and fit of the finished product, and the packaging. We also looked at the brand overall in terms of its environmental sustainability, ethics, code of conduct, and shipping and returns policies.
The first thing I noticed on unboxing was that this item came wrapped in tissue paper with zero plastic. It was very neatly folded and somehow they managed to achieve this with no creases. I usually find shipped items come creased as if they've been pre-ironed, but when I unfolded the Hexagon it looked ready to wear.
The material feels very gentle and soft to the touch. It's comfortable to wear and in my opinion, would be suitable for all skin types.
The oversized style is not one I usually wear, but I like it. The neck feels wide and loose, the sleeves feel billowy. There is lots of opportunity for air to circulate, which makes me think this would be a great option as evening wear in hot weather.
I also got a lovely note from Malaika herself recommending I wear this item with one or both sleeves up for a more varied look. I tried this and actually love it with both sleeves up, so really appreciated the tip and the personal touch.
The black boat neck seems like a perfect accompaniment to jeans, leggings or a skirt.
Like the Hexagon, the fit is loose and the neck is wide. It's extremely comfortable to wear, and covers most of the upper body. I feel it would be suitable for all sizes and body shapes. Malaika appears to be a very inclusive brand in that regard.
The product had a cotton label but did come packaged in a plastic bag. I'm not sure why this was necessary since the Hexagon didn't have one, but the plastic does at least appear to be recyclable.
We rate the quality and workmanship of the designs we tested very highly. The presentation was excellent, the material feel is soft yet durable, and the stitching quality is as good as I've seen.
Since they use mostly organic fabrics, I would expect these items to be biodegradable once they do eventually reach the end of their life.
The designs are simple but unique, and I'd consider them to be timeless. That means you can expect to be wearing your purchases for many years to come.
Malaika is clearly making a concerted effort to create a truly sustainable fashion brand. While none of the fashion industry can ever be truly zero-waste, it's still reassuring to see that every effort is made to be as ethical and sustainable as possible.
This is achieved by a pattern-cutting method that keeps waste down to just 5% (compared to the fashion industry average of 30%) and the use of upcycled fabrics wherever possible. This serves to keep waste to an absolute minimum, and reduce the carbon footprint from manufacturing.
Those new materials that are used are all GOTS or OEKO-TEX certified to ensure they come from a reputable source.
The entire product line is vegan, so there are no animal welfare concerns.
Malaika New York also uses biodegradable packaging, and takes steps to minimize shipping emissions.
The garments I received were made in Turkey, which has a moderate record in terms of worker safety and rights. However, I was reassured to see that Malaika publishes a commitment to fair pay and working conditions, and a zero child labor policy on its website.
Malaika New York ships internationally (free on orders over $150) and processes all orders within 2 days.
They state that delivery takes between 3-10 days depending on your location. My order arrived within 7 days.
The company has a 14-day return policy. If you are not satisfied for any reason, you can return your order in its original condition for a full refund.
Exchanges are also available, free of charge, if you happen to need a different size.
The majority of the packaging in my order was recyclable. The box was cardboard, and the inner wrapping was tissue paper. both of which are fully compostable.
The plastic wrap on the Boat Neck Tee was a slight surprise, and possibly not strictly necessary in my opinion. However, I believe it can be recycled.
Malaika New York is a small but up-and-coming organic and upcycled clothing brand that definitely understands what it means to be sustainable in 2024.
The designs won't be for everyone. If you need figure-hugging clothes, you'll need to look elsewhere. But for those who prefer loose and airy designs, you'll find the Malaika product range to be (quite literally) a breath of fresh air.
I'm really glad I got to test these because it's opened my eyes to different styles that I wouldn't otherwise have chosen. But I really like them, and they'll certainly be a well-used part of my wardrobe going forward.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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