The designer saw the dividing line between luxury and frivolity for the Tory Burch Pre-Fall 2021 collection, cutting the frills.

The sculpted leather buttons that trim the elongated vest and culottes that open the look book confirm she’s no minimalist. But the collection does nod back to the streamlined efficiency of ’70s era American sportswear, especially the sweater vest and bow-front blouse accompanied by an A-line skirt aswirl with iris flowers at the hem and a slim button-front sundress in a soft shade of lavender. The wide-collared dickeys worn underneath V-neck sweaters were inspired by Burch’s mom, who sounds as practical as she was chic.

On the more decorative side, there was a quilted jacket and cape in a cheery fruit-basket print, as well as a dress and matching shawl in chocolate brown with flowers picked out in white sequins. Burch always has success with her caftans; this season they came two ways: slim and straight with those curving appliquéd irises or in a voluminous patchwork of broderie anglaise, point d’esprit, lace, and voile.