We need to talk about summer Mondays.
Dressing for the office. A viral party dress. The Avedon of animal photographers. From the editors at Tory Burch.
We have something important to discuss. Summer Mondays. Summer Fridays are the best, but if you work in an office, puzzling out what to wear M-Th presents logistical and aesthetic challenges. The jolting transition between swelter and aggressive air conditioning. How to balance lightening up and being office apropos…
But we have some ideas.
1. A SUNDRESS, BUT MAKE IT BLACK
The draped neckline on this full-skirted eyelet dress creates a deep yet office-appropriate V, and the cap sleeves don’t require a coverup for propriety. Bonus: This is the kind of ultra-versatile dress you can wear all summer. Even out of the office.
Coverage Level: Liberated ’50s housewife.
Outdoor Heat Index: Low. The eyelet and full skirt are exquisitely light and breezy.
In-Office Addendum: A fitted cashmere cardigan, like this Claire McCardell-inspired version or a well-priced Prada classic on The RealReal.
2. BE GAME FOR A SET AND MATCH
A coordinated set is the spiritual heir to the dress. One-step dressing with zero doubts about “does this go together.” Yes, these are essentially pajamas. But! They are elevated by a striking original engineered scarf print. Dressing for comfort is 100% acceptable when done like this.
Coverage Level: Morning at the in-laws’.
Outdoor Heat Index: Low, with breezy silk twill in a relaxed cut.
In-Office Addendum: Grab a cashmere sweater from your closet — or invest in a new one from a cool up-and-coming cashmere brand — to artfully knot around your shoulders.
3. ADD SOME MINT
Icy shades in general are low-key elevated, and we’re into the frosty mint of this satin skirt. The gorgeous double-face Italian satin isn’t overly sheeny, and has stretch, creating a flattering narrow (but not skintight) silhouette.
Coverage Level: French fashion editor. Elegantly modest with glimpses of leg.
Outdoor Heat Index: Low. The material is light and doesn’t cling.
In-Office Addendum: An oversized grey cardigan, perhaps borrowed from your favorite dude, would be an ideal foil for the fancy-coded satin.
MIRROR, MIRROR: A DRESS THAT BRINGS THE PARTY
When you’ve had enough of workday logistics, approach dressing for evening with the goal of pure joy. The mirrorwork dress from our SS23 runway has been providing boundless happiness to the chicest women on Instagram, including Portuguese stylist @mafaldapatricio.
WHAT TORY WORE
We pay rapt attention to what Tory wears from the collection. Right now, it’s the Robinson shoulder bag. She’s not the only one who’s partial; it’s been impossible to keep in stock since its launch earlier this year. Indeed, it’s a perfect little bag, beautifully made in spazzolato calf. We love the latest drops: a summery off-white, chic perforated navy and another perforated version colorblocked in neutrals.
EVERYTHING + NOTHING
A recurring feature on WSIW where we uncover a fantastic but under-the-radar item we in-house editors are obsessed with. This month: the Twisted Knit Top described by several Tory staffers as “the perfect T-shirt.”
Why we love it: The fabric has a nice weight (read: not sheer) that drapes beautifully, and the twisted neck detail moves it beyond basic. “It elevates everything you’re wearing,” added one staffer who also owns the top in black.
ANIMALS ARE OUR HEROES
Our upcoming Resort 2024 collection features two large prints of a meowing cat and the sweetest rabbit. They are the work of German photographer Walter Schels, known for his tender yet penetrating portraits of people. He’s captured hospice patients before and after death, as well as young trans people in the process of transition. All of his work has an intimacy, humanity and deep respect for the subject.
The images we used are featured in his book “Animal Portraits” (Edition Stemmle, 2001), along with goats, chimpanzees and birds with a near human level of expressiveness. The out-of-print book can still be found in some corners of the internet.
TENNIS ANYONE? INTRODUCING OUR NEW SPORTS FELLOWSHIP
If you know Tory, you know she loves tennis. Naturally, the Tory Burch Foundation’s new Sports Fellowship (an extension of the Fellows program) is a team effort with Billie Jean King and Advantage All, the International Tennis Federation’s gender equality initiative. This year’s winner is Trisha Goyal, CEO and founder of Break the Love, an online racquet club connecting tennis and pickleball players with opponents and courts. Just in time for those of us inspired by the summer’s grand slams.
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The Sundress and the matching set for me! Love!
I look forward to next issue🤍