Written by The Strategy
“This collection is about the confidence that comes from being unapologetically yourself. Women aren’t interested in rules, and every piece is designed to be endlessly mixed, layered, and individualized.” – Tory Burch
As the lights dimmed on the Tory Burch F/W 2023 runway and a soundtrack of the Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams and Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain filled the space at 51 Chambers Street, we were all introduced to a new version of the brand.
Image courtesy of Tory Burch
A brand often linked to clean lines and a preppy look sent a collection down the runway that embraced imperfections – luxury materials were weathered, logos hung off bags and heels were deliberately broken. As mentioned in the show notes, the collection aimed to “challenge perceptions of beauty and femininity,” with shapewear worn as outerwear, coat dresses constructed “backwards” and wool kilts worn off-skew.
The prep-school feel of Tory Burch from past seasons was merged with a masculine/feminine sportswear mix, while timeless classics were paired with disheveled, realistic styling: dresses with lapels pushed back, and slouchy knit sweaters layered over button-downs and oversized trousers. Our favourite look was that of a structured camel coat and bag, paired with a denim midi skirt with fishnets peeping through. There was also that of a shearling collared peacoat, styled with leather knee-high boots. The Tory Burch girl of Fall/Winter 2023 is the girl whose wardrobe we want to live in. And the styling of the collection consisting of pieces meant to be mixed and matched? *Chef’s kiss*
The hero pieces of this collection were the sweaters, whose amazing quality could be spot from far away and even in runway images, midi skirts, button-downs, trousers and the outwear (in particular, the aforementioned peacoat and a tweed wool coat with padding at the hips). The look that stole our breath? The undone corset top worn by Emily Ratajkowski.
Image courtesy of Tory Burch
The collection consisted of a neutral colour palette, all fitting for the creation of a timeless wardrobe, but there were pops of vibrant, silky peridot green, bright cherry red and cobalt blue.
The accessories were a juxtaposition from some of the more tailored pieces – safety-pin broaches, bright crystal clip-on earrings, pierced ‘toe ring’ shoes and chunky gold bracelets adorning the wrists of models carrying monogrammed bags (logo monograms that were inverted and sometimes misplaced).
By the time look 36 came floating down the runway, we knew we were back to being Tory Burch girlies.
