Embrace the great outdoors in Tory Sport’s elevated activewear
Inspired by ’70s activewear, Tory Sport is the go-to label for new horizons and great adventures – wherever they might take you
After 18 long months of global lockdowns, self-isolating and spending an inordinate amount of time restricted to the confines of our own homes, the world is finally beginning to open up again, And, as a result of this new-found freedom, there is a revitalized desire for travel and adventure and the great outdoors. However, before we can turn daydreams (of escapes to the mountain, restorative days by the ocean or life-affirming treks in exotic locations) into reality, acquiring suitably stylish activewear is a must.
Contrary to popular opinion, ‘getting away from it all’ does not demand that you let your sartorial standards slip. Enter, Tory Sport’s super-chic athleisure and outerwear – simply put, the gold standard when it comes to elegant activewear. In Burch’s own words, the impetus between starting a sports line, an off-shoot of the eponymous label she founded in 2004, was to “design a collection that balances style and performance”. And she has done just that. Of course, the decision to branch into activewear was an organic one for Burch, who, in just 17 years of helming her own label – known for its classic, preppy, sports-inflected designs – has turned it into one of American fashion’s most definitive brands as well as a global fashion powerhouse.
“This is a bold, exuberant and timeless collection that plays with texture and color to sublime effect
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For her FW21 Tory Sport collection, Burch has tapped into a sense of optimism that dominated the runways this season. While the designer inspirations were myriad, vintage climbing gear and the innovative textiles of Dorothy Liebes (often referred to as “the mother of modern weaving”) were constant touchpoints. The result? A bold, exuberant and timeless collection that plays with texture and color to sublime effect.
Take one of the collection’s statement looks: a velour sweatsuit. An enduring sportswear look, Burch wanted her iteration to pay homage to its vintage routes, while also feeling like an utterly fresh proposition. In the end, she struck this delicate balance by combining innovation with aesthetics. “We engineered a modern take on the ’70s velour suit with a high cotton content, introducing a new, soft and unbrushed compression legging fabric.” In other words, not only does this co-ord look good, it feels even better. It goes without saying that this suit is an athleisure look par excellence, ideal for off-duty days spent relaxing or just strolling around your neighborhood; while the supportive, body-sculpting fabric also means it’s a fail-safe choice when it comes to hiking in the great outdoors.
This emphasis on spending time outside and rediscovering the natural world is underscored by the prominence of outerwear in this utterly faultless collection. From the cozy cobalt-blue puffer jacket to a high-performance shell jacket, Burch is encouraging women to embark on new adventures, providing them with clothes that will ensure they feel chic, comfortable and protected at all times.
Ultimately, this is where the magic of Burch’s designs lie. She is a woman designing for women and knows implicitly what we want and need from the clothes hanging in our closets. These are sports pieces that you’re guaranteed to wear on repeat for seasons to come and that will always hold a cherished place in your closet – not least because of the magical memories and life-affirming adventures you’ll make while wearing them.