Tory Burch’s bold and beautiful new collection has arrived

Tory Burch is a woman who means business. As the founder, executive chairman and chief creative officer of her eponymous label, the designer’s all-American, haute-hippy and chic-sportif style signatures have become a fail-safe for women who like to look polished but effortless, for over 15 years now. Let’s not forget, Burch’s first Manhattan boutique almost completely sold out of stock in just one day following its grand opening. Nowadays, Burch’s front rows heave with A-list fans including Kerry Washington, Reese Witherspoon, Janet Mock and Halima Aden.

Of course, the reason women love Burch so much isn’t just for her perfect print dresses and divine tailoring – it’s the philanthropic point of view that she brings to her business too. In 2009, she launched the Tory Burch Foundation, which focuses on empowering female entrepreneurs to realize their goals. Burch knows what it means to be ambitious, and to succeed – she was named one of America’s richest self-made women by Forbes last year – and is very much in the business of championing other women to prosper. Fittingly, she weaves strong female muses into her collections, meaning her pretty pieces pack a powerful punch.

For pre-fall 2020, Burch looked to female aviation pioneers, including the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, Amelia Earhart. “We are constantly inspired by women who defy their times and circumstances and challenge the word ‘no’,” Burch said of the collection. “In particular, we looked to the first wave of female aviators who broke boundaries at every turn.”

With escapism and adventure at its core, the collection is defined by easy and uncomplicated silhouettes, in lightweight cottons, down-to-earth denim and handwoven raffia knits. There were subtle nods to Earhart’s love of scarves via a paisley bandana print that played out on dresses, swimsuits and, fittingly, on a perfectly cut utilitarian jumpsuit. Play up to its practicality by pairing it with combat boots and aviator sunglasses or dress it up by rolling up the hems and teaming it with sleek leather loafers or kitten heels and a waist-cinching belt. Burch says the aim of her evocative prints this season was to conjure a sense of wanderlust, while her mix of tomboyish shapes nostalgically taps into her early design roots.

Those seeking the more feminine forms that Burch has become synonymous with won’t be disappointed, for there are plenty of elegant puff-sleeved dresses in warm ochre, ethereal white and delicate floral prints to choose from. Voluminous tunic and shirt-dress styles come with belts so they can be cinched at the waist for a polished feel or left flowing and layered over swimwear for a more low-key look. Meanwhile, smocked midi dresses with fitted bodices are perfect for transitioning from day-to-night by simply switching gladiator flats for heeled barely-there sandals, some gold bangles and a slick of lipstick.

Whichever pieces you choose, and however you choose to wear them, this collection is built on the one-and-done ease of statement dresses and all-in-ones, and separates that can be mixed and matched easily, leaving you less time to worry about how to style yourself each morning and more time to enjoy the mood-boosting effects of this joyful collection.