The first Tory Burch store in the area opened at Tysons Galleria in May. Before this, fans had to sift through racks of different designers at local boutiques (not such a miserable endeavor, of course), or shop online (ditto).
But you have to admit there's something refreshingly easy -- albeit a tad costly -- about a Tory-only world. The Tysons store houses décor modeled after Birch's first shop on Elizabeth Street in New York. The new store emanates luxury with mirrors and orchids, behind bright orange lacquer doors. (One passing male customer compared the design of the store to a funhouse.)
The shop offers the entire Tory Burch collection, including ready-to-wear, handbags, eyewear, small leather goods, jewelry, and -- of course -- the shoes.
Love 'em or hate 'em, the most widely reconized Tory item has to be the Reva ballet flats, usually around $200 per pair. "Just for flats?" the uniniated might question. Kassie Rempel, owner of local shoe chain SimplySoles, has actually stopped carrying the Reva because she thinks it's time for wearers to branch out already.
Almost equally iconic: the brightly colored tunics, which go with almost everything. Many of Tory Burch's ready-to-wear clothes look perfect for the office, but you still wouldn't look out of place wearing them after work out with your girlfriends.
The store opened with the Summer 2011 line, featuring popular espadrille-inspired wedges, nautical printed flip-flops, maxi dresses, and seashell-printed tunics. Summer items are still around, but pre-fall items are coming in.
Birch writes in her blog that "fall is inspired by the play of American sportswear and English country dressing -- outdoorsy, feminine and textured."
Fall fashion for many designers, Tory Birch among them, means boots, boots and still more boots. The Selma riding boot and tumbled leather Elle boot makes one think of a polo match in the Hamptons. The Dorese high heel bootie or Belinda bootie brings to mind a brisk fall walk through Central Park... or, fine, Georgetown.
Preview some of Tory's fall pieces here or see the full collection in the Tysons Galleria boutique in the next few weeks.
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