Things I Love ... Tory Burch

Since I've been talking about Tory all week, it's only natural that both the woman and the brand are two of the things I love.  As I mentioned earlier this week, I first discovered Tory Burch through her Reva flats while living in New York City at the end of 2006.  Six years later, my love for her and her brand has grown exponentially each year.  

While I was initially drawn to the simplicity of her flats, Tory Burch the brand is so much more than simple.  Although her silhouettes are often more tailored and less complicated, her styling has evolved over the years to include a plethora of colors, patterns and textures all mixed together in unexpected ways each season.  In my opinion, Tory is probably one of the biggest reasons why average American women wear more color and print today.  All of her classic pieces (flats, polo shirts, tunics, cardigans, etc.) come in a new variety of bright shades each season.  She offers a road map each season for how to mix things in an unexpected way that totally work.  She's definitely inspires me to push the boundaries and while you can still always find great basics from her in not so scary patterns or colors, she does allow you to easily mix things up.  

Also, her signature color: orange.  I'd be lying if I said that Tory Burch's orange did not effect my total love and obsession of the color (of course, Hermès contributes a hefty bit as well).  I hate to admit that I have more orange, Tory printed bags and shoe boxes than I care to admit.  I also love going into her stores because of the color.  In fact, her stores in and of themselves are amazing.  Each one is styled differently but is signature Tory from large orange entry door to heavenly scent inside.  But my favorite, is her giant flagship on 797 Madison Avenue.  It's in the style of an old townhouse and is gorgeous!  I had the pleasure of shopping there in December and it was by far one of my best Tory experiences (plus, they have special shopping bags there, no lie!).  

But, how can I mention my love of all things Tory without giving credit to the amazing woman that started it all.  Tory Burch herself is totally an icon to me.  She's always poised and polished, flawlessly dressed in her own designs.  She's accomplished an amazing feat with her brand in a very short amount of time.  Tory is incredibly inspiring and I can't wait to see how her brand continues to grow (look out for a fragrance next year!)

Here are some great images of Tory, her stores and my favorite classic pieces.  

Madison Avenue Flagship

Madison Avenue Flagship

Madison Avenue Flagship... notice the orange!

Robinson Tote

Another Tory store

Tory at home in her New York City apartment

Tory and her sons

Tory's home in Southampton

Tory's home in Southampton 

Tory's home in Southampton

Shopping images via Toryburch.com and Nordstrom.com 

(images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)

Daily Dose of Tory

I think this somehow ended up being the week of Tory.  I did not see that coming.  But oh well.  

Yesterday, while reading the Tory Burch Blog, TB announced the launch of their iPhone and iPad app.  FINALLY!  I am so excited and have been waiting for this forever and immediately downloaded it.  The app, called Tory Daily, pretty much acts in much the way her website or blog does (from what I can tell so far).  It's a way to stay up-to-date with all things Tory and links you to the website to shop online or finds stores near you.  It seems that it updates daily with the features that you could otherwise read in her blog.  

So, while exploring the app, I came across the new lookbook for the Pre-Fall 2012 season which, I am also extremely excited about.  The new looks for fall are tailored, with classic silhouettes featuring one of my favorite colors - navy.  In fall, and basically all year long, I wear navy obsessively.  It's one of my favorite colors and in my wardrobe its a neutral.  I mix it with everything from white, black, tan, brown and a plethora of colors (I especially love it with orange).  I can't wait to shop pre-fall, even though I know it's just the beginning of the heat.  Oh, well.  It's always nice to have fall to look forward to...

OBSESSED with this dress! 

The perfect shift dress on the left and the perfect navy suit on the right. 

Ahhhh! My new favorite flat! Love the simple styling

Need these shoes too, so retro and classic and just plain hot!

Shop the looks via the Tory Daily app or Tory Burch.  (images via ToryBurch.com)

Flat Ground

Let's get real for a second. I have a Tory Burch obsession.  It spans all product categories: shoes, bags, jewelry, clothing, you name it.  I love it.  In fact I have so many TB shoes that my friends frequently mock me when I get a new pair.  It's like a running joke, "Oh, Jess got another pair of Torys.  Shocker."

But the truth is, my entire Tory obsession started with Reva.  My freshman year of college at NYU I noticed women all over Manhattan wearing adorable flats with a gold medallion.  I immediately went to Saks, discovered Tory Burch and bought a pair.  Later that year I went back and got another pair in green (which I have never seen again, so thank you Saks on Fifth!) and received a complimentary candle which I still have and will probably never light.  Officially hooked.  I currently have six pairs of Reva ballet flats and many more different pairs of Tory flats (oh, and did I mention that my black pair that started it all... ya, I'm on my third pair because I wore them so much).

But, and I hate to say it... I think Reva may be about to get replaced.

While reading the Tory Burch blog recently, they announced their newest ballet flat.  The Chelsea.  It's named for the Chelsea district in New York City and TB describes it as "the shoe we’d want to wear for a full day, checking out different shows and exhibits."  It's perfection.  It's the classic ballet flat with a little shot of Reva (notice the tiny, signature Tory medallion).  Although my love for Reva is strong, I've been secretly coveting a simple, classic pair of Repetto ballet flats.  They are the quintessential shoe for the French chic look.  And while I've had the pair bookmarked on Net-a-Porter for a while now, the arrival of the Chelsea may keep that purchase at bay a while longer.  Now, the only difficult decision will be choosing which color.  

So, what color should I get??

Shop the Chelsea Flat at Tory Burch

Summer with Tory

Today officially feels like the start of summer to me.  I am finally finished with this quarter of graduate school.  Can't believe it's been three quarters already - it has truly flown by.

Yesterday I spotted this video on the Tory Burch blog and it is inspiring me to celebrate summer in true Tory style.  While I love Tory all year long, her tunics, sandals and effortless dressing are perfect for hot summer days and being lazy by the pool.

Enjoy!