If There's One Collection We Can't Wait to Wear for Autumn, It's This One

September always brings with it a sense of renewal. As the seasons change and autumn creeps in, it’s tough to shake that back-to-school feeling of our childhood. Refreshed by summer, albeit spent mostly in our gardens this year, we’re ready to embrace the cooler months and the inevitable wardrobe switch that comes with them. September is the fashion world’s January—the launch of the new collections brings a similar sense of optimism, with a swathe of new, exciting ideas for how to rework our tired layers.

Amidst all this newness, there is more of a focus these days than ever before on buying responsibly. As you can find out from our seasonal report, fashion is becoming much less about throwaway trends per se and much more about investing in timeless, wearable classics that can be reworked year after year.

One of our favourite labels for such pieces has always been Tory Burch. This season, yet again, the American designer of her eponymous label did not disappoint. At a time when designers are under a lot of pressure to strike that elusive balance between producing something fresh and exciting while also creating a practical collection that can slip seamlessly into our current wardrobes, she has managed to do just that.

The autumn collection shown in New York in February drew inspiration from Manhattan local and ceramicist Francesca DiMattio, whose sculptures were dotted around the catwalk and who designed the statement prints for the collection in collaboration with Burch. The designer says DiMattio's artwork "imbues the decorative with strength and power,” challenging ideas of femininity by putting a modern twist on traditionally female norms: pastel colours, beading, basket weaving, and florals, to name a few.

It’s clear to see the influences in the new Tory Burch collection. Not only in the joyful colours and bricolage of prints and textures reflecting DiMattio’s mixed material techniques but also more subtly in how Burch contrasts the decorative and feminine elements with masculine silhouettes. An ornate silk dress is paired with a structured leather jacket, Edwardian high-neck tailoring comes in a romantic floral print, and calf-skimming floaty skirts are finished off with a pair of strong leather boots.

The result is a collection that reflects the multifaceted nature of what a woman’s wardrobe, and personality, looks like these days, which is ultimately what makes it so desirable and, importantly, wearable. There is a look in this collection to suit every occasion or mood, whether that’s an effortless throw-on printed dress for a busy day of meetings; the perfect minimal trench-coat look for weekends; a classic confidence-boosting suit; and, of course, a pair of killer Lila boots to wear with everything. This is the ultimate capsule wardrobe for the present day.

There’s nothing boring or simplistic about it though. Let’s just take a moment to appreciate that supersized collared shirt, those organza blouses, the hand-embroidered jumpers, and of course, the bags. Tory is well known for a great accessory, but this season’s new Eleanor chain bag is the epitome of timeless and the sumptuous leather Lee saddlebag is one for the ages—at once structured and slouchy and big enough to actually fit things.

There are not many designer collections you could imagine walking straight off the catwalk and into your everyday life wearing, but this is one of them. Keep scrolling to see more and shop our top picks from the new collection.

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