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Historically speaking, I've featured party outfits in December, and omicron variant be damned, I do plan to do my fair share of partying this month. But I also thought I'd end the year with a more true picture of where my wardrobe is at the moment. I had a bit of an identity crisis earlier this year; after months of wearing little more than sweats, I was like I NEED FUN CLOTHES and ended up buying a bunch of stuff that just wasn't me. Not that I'm not fun, but I can be fun without looking like I'm in a funhouse. Anyway, I like neutrals—always have, probably always will—and while I might not have the most interesting wardrobe in the world, it's the right one for me. So with that in mind, here's to ending 2021 on an authentic note. 

When & Where: Sunday, February 13 at 2:15 p.m., the Studio, Lincoln Center
Runway Recap: For fall, Tory Burch continued the jaunt through the '70s that she began for spring, but this time it was by way of merry old England, as evidenced by a rich mix of patterns, plaid, tweed, and velvet, sometimes all in one look. The collection was more polished and dressed up than last season, but everything still retained that eclectic, carefree vibe that Tory is known for. In silhouette news,  her skirts hovered between the knee and midcalf, and she showed multiple great pantsuit looks--fueling my hope that next fall will really mark the return of the trouser. After all, if anyone can bring pants back, it's Tory Burch.
Standout Look: I like a designer who takes a strong point of view, and what really made me take notice were several pairs of ultra-wide-leg pleated palazzo pants--some solid, some patterned, all very fluid and gorgeous. They almost look like maxi skirts while standing still, but in motion, they have a beautifully fluid movement. This particular look was my favorite instance of the pants--I like the casual jacket and the neck scarf, and, well, this just looks like something I'd wear.
Bonus Points: When I saw the superlong check-in line for this show, I thought, "Oh, no." But the presentation was actually quite innovative--it was a continuous loop of a runway show (it ran four times total; I was in the first group), and the audience could come or go as they wished (or as the security guards would allow). It was all the good parts of a runway show (like seeing the clothes in motion) with none of the bad parts (waiting 30 minutes for it to start, assigned seating). And after I dashed out to my next show, apparently I missed Kanye West.
Where to Buy: Find a boutique near you.

Where & When: Wednesday, September 15 at 9 a.m., the Studio, Lincoln Center
Runway Recap: The two main stories this Fashion Week have been Minimalism and '70s; count Tory Burch in the latter camp. Her spring collection was a colorful mix, incorporating bright orange, canary yellow, and pale pink, with navy, khaki, and cream mixed in--and as with all of her collections, it was the perfect combination of preppy, ladylike, and bohemian. There were work-friendly collarless jackets and silk blouses, weekend-perfect linen dresses, and even some sequins for nighttime. The '70s influence came across in colorful peasant dresses, midcalf skirts (the new length for spring), flared trousers, and even a Baja pullover (remember those?). Also on display: her bags, shoes, and jewelry, all of which are sure to please Tory loyalists and maybe convert a few new fans.
Standout Look: There were so many appealing looks in this collection, but I kept going back to this model in the printed blouse, yellow flared pants, and leather-and-canvas purse (which I am truly in love with). I had counted myself firmly in the skinny-pants camp, but these are the pair that just might make me a flare-leg convert.
Bonus Points: Instead of doing a presentation in the cramped Box space, Tory opted for the larger Studio with, miracle of miracles, a raised runway. And just when I thought things couldn't get any better, Kanye West and Anna Wintour arrived (not together), and Tory herself gave them a tour of the collection. Here's the photographic proof.
Where to Buy: Click here for stores.

At most press events I go to, I say hello to the PR girls (or guys), grab a glass of wine, take a stroll around to look at the clothes, then go on my merry way, a process that usually takes 20 minutes max. However, the other night I attended a launch for Tory Burch's new denim line at her Meatpacking District store, and I must say, it was the most fun I've ever had at one of these things. (Then again, Tory knows how to be a good hostess.) Yes, there was food and drink to be had, but the main event was that all of the online editors and bloggers in attendance were asked to style a look incorporating a pair of jeans. We had free reign over everything in the store--shoes, bags, jewelry, and did I mention shoes? It was far more challenging than one would expect, but instead of trying to create something funky or super-individualistic or "editorial," I just picked things that I would wear. So here's my outfit at right--the model is wearing the Frankie jacket, denim leggings (here's a similar style), Ginevra booties, the Danielle and Karen cuffs, an Afrikan bracelet, and what I'm pretty sure are these oversized sunglasses. The top I used was a sleeveless silk tunic-length style with scalloped tiers, and the scarf is actually a fine-gauge metallic-stripe sweater that I tied around the model's neck--both are currently unavailable on the website. I forgot to add a bag (zoinks!), but the model was so fabulous, you almost don't miss it.

Now, here's the fun part. If you go to THE LATEST tab on Tory's Facebook page, you can see all the looks from the event (mine is the third) and vote for your favorite by typing the name of the blog. (Subliminal message: Vote for meeee!) In the interest of full disclosure, whoever gets the most votes wins their entire look. Then again, regardless of whether I win, I am definitely buying those clog boots!

As for the denim, it's good stuff. I tried on a few pairs--jeggings, tomboy, and skinny--and can report that the pockets are well-placed (key for giving your bum a good shape), the feel is supersoft, and the fits are flattering and true to size. I settled on a skinny jean with a carpenter loop--it's not available on the website at the moment, but there are a few pairs left at the Meatpacking and Nolita stores. (I should also note, again in the interest of full disclosure, that I, and all attendees, received a free pair, which was an incredibly generous gift.) The price points hover around the $200 mark, putting them on par with Paige, J Brand, and Current Elliott, but like most of Tory's clothing, there's a certain accessibility to it--it's stylish but not scary. Go ahead and try a pair--ToryBurch.com is currently offering free shipping (and returns) on all jeans.

My breakfast with Tory Burch
I will admit that when I think of Tory Burch, the first thing that comes to mind is those ubiquitous flats. You know, the elastic ballet flats with the round gold logo, the ones I've spotted on the feet of everyone from Upper East Side 12-year-olds to suburban housewives; the ones that have become a Gossip Girl punchline. There is no denying that Burch is a coveted label: Women waited for four hours to get into the opening day of her sample sale--a scene so bananas, the cops were called. So when I was invited for morning coffee at her Meatpacking District store, I decided to go, if only to investigate what, exactly, makes Tory Burch so damn popular. I expected to peruse the racks, chit-chat with the PR girls, have a cup of coffee, and be on my merry way after 20 minutes or so. I did not expect Tory Burch to show up. But she did.

Not only did Tory show up--apologizing for being late (she wasn't) and bemoaning the bags under her eyes (there were none)--but she shook my hand, took my business card, and promised to check out my blog. She then proceeded to give the crowd of bloggers an informal but enthusiastic presentation of her favorite items in the store, including handbags (a new focus for the brand), costume jewelry, the summer collection, and the pre-fall collection (inspired by Venice). She started pulling stuff from the racks, she answered everyone's questions, she made self-deprecating jokes...in other words, she was completely lovely. She also--in case you were wondering--stressed that the brand was trying to move away from That Logo, which is definitely welcome news.

This is a new logo that will start popping up this summer; it's based on her father's monogram.


But if you like the circle-T logo, fear not. It still turns up--albeit on a smaller scale--in bags like this one, a convertible tote with an adjustable strap (Tory said it's a bestseller this season).


The genius of Tory Burch is that she finds a way to adapt fashion-forward trends into a totally wearable manner. Take these shoes--they're a neutral camel color with fun silver trim and a shock of bright neon pink. They're somehow trendy and conservative at the same time, and I totally want them.


Or, take these belts. I know I personally have a weakness for faceted studs, but these are so much more refined. They're "I live west of Park Avenue," not "I live in a fifth-floor walkup on the Lower East Side."


Tory obviously loves to travel, and I like that she incorporates it into her collections. This scarf, for example, was made in India (where she'll be going this summer with her design team, to do research for next spring's collection).


So, what makes Tory Burch so popular? As I said earlier, she takes trendy elements and adapts them to fit her style, which is smart--sometimes we as New Yorkers forget that we live in a hyper-trendy fashion bubble; fashion trends can be severe and scary, but she manages to make them accessible by blending them in well with her signature aesthetic, which I think is actually neo-preppy. It's not traditionally preppy as in whale patterns and Madras, but it's a natural outgrowth of it, with the prints, tunics, canvas bags, and gold accents. Her clothes are colorful and happy, and we forget that most women want to look feminine and classic, not moody and subversive (again, New York fashion bubble). The other thing that makes Tory so appealing is that she is the perfect representative of her brand. She seems to Have It All: She's a successful businesswoman and she balances that with family (she mentioned her sons several times during the presentation), not to mention, she's totally adorable and utterly stylish (I was drooling over her green velvet and bamboo platform sandals, which are part of the fall collection). And isn't that what women nowadays want?

TheFind Guest Post: Tory Burch - Queen of the Tunic

Tunics are a staple for warm weather dressing. Maintain an air of classic cool even when the humidity is taking a toll. Simply pair a tunic blouse with white capris or shorts and you are ready to face the sweltering hot weather in style. Designer Tory Burch does tunics with a keen sense of grown up style. Tory Burch's tunics feature luxurious touches such as beaded necklines, embroidery and stone embellishments all inspired by chic warm weather destinations around the globe including Morocco, Dubai and the South of France. Tory Burch's tunics are perfect for escaping for a day of touring the gardens of Shangri La. Shown here clockwise from upper left: Tory Burch purple "Ksenia" silk tunic, Tory Burch Linen embroidered tunic, Tory Burch Booker Henley tunic with beaded metallic neckline and Tory Burch "Majorca" silk tunic. Tory Burch tunics available at Net-a-Porter.

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops