When you think of a clutch, the shape that typically comes to mind is a rectangle…right? (unless your favorite designer is Jil Sander, and in that case you’d probably answer lunchbag or triangle). Whether it’s a pouch, an envelope clutch, or a wristlet…odds are it’s rectangular (or in the case of Charlotte Olympia, a toucan).
But if you’re looking to change things up in the handbag department and be a little more well-ROUNDED then you’re in luck.
Last weekend I had the pleasure of visiting the new Tory Burch store on Oak Street. Everyone that works there is especially friendly and fun, so I highly recommend checking it out. Plus, they have this amazing couch upstairs that I would purchase in a second if it was for sale!
Thanks to Tory Burch and Chicago Blogger Network, I got this great metallic blazer (that could not fit more perfectly by the way) and vibrant orange patent clutch. These were the first items I noticed in the store. I tried them on with what I was wearing (see below) and although they don’t really go together, they kind of do at the same time. So I’m very excited to welcome these new items into my Chi City Closet!
Last night I attended the Tory Burch Spring ’12 fashion show in Chicago with Kelly Ryan O’Brien of Idols & Egos and the Chicago Blogger Network. This was seriously one of the best fashion events I’ve been to in Chicago so far. From the fashionable crowd and the spectacular cocktail hour to the beautiful Tory Burch clothes and Q&A with Tory and Hal Rubenstein from InStyle; it was an all around fantastic event.
It was also super fun running into Kelsey Kreiling from LaundryMagazine and Amy Creyer of Chicago Street Style.
And Art Smith…love him!
It was really cool to hear that this was Tory Burch’s first ever runway show (she normally does presentations) and it was her first time showing her collection outside of New York. So yeah I guess that means…Chicago is pretty awesome (I already knew that, but it was definitely reassuring).
So let’s get to it. Here are some of my favorite looks from the Tory Burch Spring ’12 collection…
I hope you enjoyed my last Chi City Closet Clean Out post, because I have cleaned out my closet once again! This is probably my favorite clean out because the pieces I have decided to part with are actually really awesome, but they’re those items that I wore once (or never) and haven’t touched in over a year. My rule of thumb is that if it’s been a year and I haven’t worn it, I should probably give it up. So why not give someone else a chance to enjoy them?
Everything below is now up for auction through eDrop-Off. So get your bids in and get a piece of Chi City Closet.
Tory Burch Brown Sequin Sleeveless Shift Dress: I wore this to my first formal freshman year of college…and it hasn’t been worn since!
See by Chloe Multicolor Print Cinched-Waist Skirt: I bought this in Florence as a 21st birthday present to myself and wore it once when I was abroad. It no longer fits me so I thought I’d give it a new home. It’s an amazing piece and it kills me to give it up but I know someone will love it as much as I did.
Rozae Nichols Brown & Black Leather Racer Back Top: Sometimes I buy things I love in a size too big, just because I love it and there’s no other size. I always have the intention of taking it in, but sometimes forget. I’ve had this for 3 years and I’ve never worn it! (check out pictures of the back…it’s the best part)
M Missoni Pink & Yellow Shimmer Stripe Bateau Dress: I bought this last summer and wore it once. I love the colors and the sleeves are super flattering. Perfect for those warm summer days!
M Missoni Navy Shimmer Rib Knit V-Neck LS Dress: An impulse buy at the Gilt warehouse sale, I love this dress but I just couldn’t find the right occasion to wear it. I hope you can though! 
Haute Hippie Grey Cowl Neck LS Epaulet Dress: I wore this one time, and that was during New York Fashion Week at Althea Harper’s Spring 2011 presentation. I got to meet Althea while wearing that dress so hopefully it will bring you some luck too.
DVF Diane von Furstenberg Multicolor Sleeveless Dress: I actually bought this dress thinking I’d wear it to prom senior year of high school. I ended up going with a different dress, but I’ve had it in my closet ever since. If I’ve never worn it and it’s been in my closet for 5 years , I think it’s about time we part ways.
Cynthia Steffe Blue & Black Cap Sleeve Dress NEW: Another impulse buy, I love the color of this dress but it’s a little too form fitting for me. It’s been in my closet for a few months now and I still haven’t taken the tags off!
3.1 Phillip Lim Blue Silk Gathered Front Jodhpur Pants: These are a great transition pant and also perfect for dressing up or down. My favorite way to wear them is with a light cropped sweater and ankle boots for Fall. How will you wear them?
Prada Black Nylon & Rhinestone Monogram Small Handbag: Do they even make nylon Prada bags anymore? One of my first Prada bags, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Kenneth Jay Lane 2pc Blue Lapis & White Flower Ring Set: A 2-for-1 deal…need I say more?
Jimmy Choo Cream Snakeskin Leather Kitten Wedges: Ah, my first pair of Jimmy Choos. I love ‘em, but now I don’t wear anything under 4 inches…so they’re all yours!
Giles & Brother Gold & Rhinestone Ice Ring Necklace: I only wore this necklace a few times. It’s cool because it’s versatile enough to wear with a lot of different outfits yet it still adds a fun accent to your look.
Designer Sterling Silver & Square Cut Aqumarine Ring: Another piece of jewelry worn only a few times (do you see a trend here?) this one is definitely more traditional so you know you’ll get a lot of use out of it.
—
So what are your favorites? Will you be getting a piece of Chi City Closet?
With a collective 14 movies coming out this year, Emma Stone, Ashley Greene and Freida Pinto are about to become the style world’s new obsessions. Matthias Vriens-McGrath photographed Emma in Los Angeles, Ashley in Baton Rouge, LA and Freida in Paris for Glamour’s May 2011 cover.
EMMA STONE
D&G dress, Nina Basharova gold bangles with precious gems and Heike Grebenstein Fine Jewelry gold bangle
Emma Stone on the best advice her mother’s ever given her…
“She is the greatest person on earth. She always helps me deal with things as they happen instead of planning them all out ahead of time. But that’s one of 600 billion pieces of advice she’s given me. “
Emma Stone on what she looks for in a guy…
“Honestly, I cannot put a finger on it. One guy could do something that I would find deplorable, and [with] another guy I’d find it charming…. It depends on the person. The one thing that needs to be there is that indefinable spark of sorts. But I’m 22 years old…. I have no idea what I’m talking about. [Laughs.]
Emma Stone on the pressure to be thin in Hollywood…
“You’re a human being, you live once and life is wonderful, so eat the damn red velvet cupcake.”
Viktor and Rolf dress, Flutter by Jill Golden bangles and Alexander Wang shoes
Tory Burch cardigan, floral Erdem shorts, Heike Grebenstein Fine Jewelry bangles and Christian Louboutin shoes
FREIDA PINTO
Bra top and shorts by Peter Som and Louis Vuitton Swarovski rhinestone and resin rings
Freida Pinto on ethnicity in Hollywood…
“I think people are starting to become more color-blind in the industry. Of course, my Indian-ness cannot be ignored. At the same time, if I am being considered for a romantic comedy, I would like if [the script] didn’t try to inject as much ethnicity into the story as possible.”
Freida Pinto on filming in Tunisia when the uprising broke out….
“There was a civil war going on. People were burning down shops and malls; there was killing and bloodshed. I was stuck in this massive hotel with 354 rooms and only six guests. The lights kept shutting down, and there was a 5:00pm curfew. But I wasn’t there by myself: Dev [Patel, her Slumdog costar and current boyfriend] came down to see me. I was so glad I had company.”
Freida Pinto on relationships in Hollywood…
“When a doctor is performing an operation, his mind cannot be somewhere else. And it’s the same with actors. You have to commit yourself mind, body and soul to a project in order to do justice to it. And temptations are rife in this industry, which is why I think it’s important to know yourself before you try to deal with a relationship.”
Prabal Gurung dress along with a Chopard diamond and white gold bracelet
Tucker by Gaby Basora bustier and Lela Rose shorts
ASHLEY GREENE
J.Crew cardigan and Nanette Lepore bikini top and bottom
Ashley Greene on her career post-Twilight…
“It is difficult because people look at you as that character. I want to play a role of a 24-year-old woman, not 17-year-old girls. So I have picked a couple of films like Butter to show that. And it’s perfectly fine not to do anything for a year if I don’t find the right thing.”
Ashley Greene on how it all started at a modeling convention in New York…
“I’m a big believer in “everything happens for a reason.” I’m not saying it wasn’t hard. I lived off Lean Cuisine and had no furniture and shared a bedroom with a girl for a year. I ran up my credit card. But every time I thought, I’m going to fail, something happened that kept me here.”
Ashley Greene on how she avoids the pitfalls of the Hollywood party scene…
“I keep to the ground rules. I’m not going to get drunk at a bar. There are younger girls who look up to me. So I do my best not to stray too far.”
Dolce & Gabbana dress with a James Colarusso silver necklace
Marc by Marc Jacobs romper worn with a bracelet and rings by Louis Vuitton
The issue will be available digitally (iPad and Barnes & Noble Nook Color) and newsstands nationwide on April 5.
