The TEll// By Thrift & Tell
Welcome to THE TELL//BY THRIFT & TELL: a celebration of fashionable women who dress as smart as they shop.
This week’s guest on THE TELL// is sister-duo Neely and Chloe Burch: cofounders of Neely & Chloe. If you’re not yet familiar with the brand, Neely & Chloe is all about affordable luxury (how very T&T!). Rather than creating trendy bags that will go out of style quickly, Neely and Chloe Burch ensure that their bags are classic silhouettes that will stand the test of time. In their wardrobe, Neely and Chloe love to mix affordable brands like Cos, J.Crew, and Everlane with investment accessories from Chanel to Hermes. Every outfit, of course, is finalized with a bag from their eponymous brand. I am delighted to welcome these young entrepreneurs to The Tell; stay tuned for more interviews to come!
//Your style in 3 words: [NB] Relaxed, instinctual, effortless [CB] Clean, Classic, Understated
//Staple Outfit: [NB] Lately, some kick cop pants, a pair of slides and my trench coat [CB] Skinny jeans, flats, sweater
//Style Icon(s): [NB] Lee Radziwill and our Mom [CB] My mom
//Your First Big Purchase: [NB] Navy Patent Chanel flats (actually, they were a replacement for a present from my parents that my mischievous puppy got to, and I never told my Mom…. I hope she’s not reading this). [CB] Black Prada handbag
//Do You Still Have It? [NB]The second pair, yes! [CB] Yes
//Best Fashion Advice You Ever Received: [NB] Invest in classic pieces, less is more. [CB] buy investment pieces that will never go out of style, not trend driven pieces
//Types of clothing you invest in: [NB] Great white shirts and coats or a fab, timeless LBD [CB] Jeans, Sweaters, flats
//Types of clothing you save on: [NB] 90% of my shoes- I am a shoe destroyer!! [CB] T-shirts, socks, bathing suits
//Your greatest extravagance: [NB] Travel [CB] A few pieces of jewelry my parents have given me.
//Brands That Will Stand the Test of Time: [NB] Hermès (And Neely & Chloe!!) [CB] Chanel, D. Porthault, Neely & Chloe ☺
//Favorite High Street Brands: [NB] I really like H&M to bring trend into my wardrobe. I’m also a fan of a few online brands like theloeil.com [CB] Everlane, Zara, Cos
//Favorite Designer Brands: [NB] I really love Valentino Haute Couture- not that I can speak from personal experience! But if only... [CB] Chanel, Hermès
//Favorite High-Low Brands to Mix: [NB] I tend to shy away from pattern pieces, especially when they’re investments. Usually if I’m mixing high and low, all the fun pops come from a great Zara skirt that I bought and know that if I only wear it a few times, I’ll feel okay about it. I then bring in finishing touches with my high pieces- an Hermès necklace or pair of Gucci Loafers.
[CB] I’m a big Everlane and J.Crew fan. Love to mix them with Tory Burch, Chanel, Hermès or some fun Oscar de la Renta earrings.
//Favorite Places to Shop Consignment: [NB] The Real Real [CB] Portobello Road, London.
//Favorite Places to Consign Your Own Closet: [NB] The Real Real [CB] The Real Real
//Currently Collecting Dust in the Back of your Closet: [NB] My Celine shopper tote. It was my first ‘big girl’ bag, and it’s just SO heavy. Now that I carry my work around with me, it’s just too much for every day. [CB] My Celine bag, unfortunately! I, of course, only use my Neely & Chloe handbags now.
//Best investment you ever made in your style: [NB] I still love my Dior double pearls. They’re my go to daily earrings! [CB] Chanel flats
//Style Choice From Your Past That Haunts You: [NB] Oof, any time I ever wore a bandage skirt. [CB] Tie dye
//“It seemed like a good idea at the time” a.k.a Purchase you most regret: [NB] I feel like I’ve tried very hard to forget these. Usually, they’re not very expensive, so I don’t lose sleep over it. Maybe my Canada Goose Jacket? I felt like I had to have it, and now I realize that it’s probably unnecessary given I don't live in Alaska... [CB] My Celine bag. I bought it before we started Neely & Chloe, so now I never use it since I wear all of my other handbags!
//Closet From Which You Would Like to Borrow: [NB] Lauren Santo Domingo [CB] Olivia Palermo
//Last Time You Splurged? [NB] Shopping for delftware in Amsterdam [CB] Hmmm a few years ago on Gucci loafers.
//Currently Saving Your Pennies For: [NB] Fun white outfits for my wedding weekend! [CB] clothes for my honeymoon
//A Deal for the History Books/Your T&T Personal Best: [NB] My wood bedside tables with mirrored tops. I found them at an antique shop before my sophomore year of college and have had them ever since. They’ve been with me in 6 different apartments! Or my kudu horns- I found a vintage pair online. They’re one of my favorite things in my apartment.
[CB] When I was 8, my dad took me to Argentina. We were at a construction site for a hotel he was building and there was this old sign that said "Prohibido Fumar" (No smoking). I mentioned how cool I thought it was and a few weeks later, someone he works with sent it to me. It's one of my favorite things I own.
//Advice to someone looking to define their own style: [NB] Make sure you’re taking a step back from all the inspiration you’re finding and tailor it to suit you- Adding your own spin to things does wonders for the overall look. And all my “ugh that was a bad look” moments almost always come from when I was trying to dress like someone else. [CB] Wear what you feel most comfortable in!
//Trend you wish would go way? [NB] I’d love for skinny jeans to continue to fade into the background. I’m super on board with the kick crop look and straight legs. [CB] Sunglasses from the 90’s.
//You feel great. What are you wearing? [NB] Something fun and flirty for a night on the town- Hopefully it involves feathers. [CB] My PJ’s
//Occasions when you splurge: [NB] Really any opportunity to travel- particularly on food and hotels. [CB] Weddings
//Occasions when you save: [NB] The plane ride there. [CB] Everyday!!
//Most prized possession: [NB] A letter my dad wrote me when I went away to school in the 10th grade. [CB] A jewelry box my dad made me.
//Home Decor Style: [NB] Found love. I really enjoy bringing pieces together that I’ve come across along the journey- whether that’s something I’ve found while traveling, framed photos with loved ones, or my dining table that my Dad and I built in his wood shop. I think it’s really important to make your space feel personal and that’s almost impossible to do if it’s pulled straight out of a catalogue page. [CB] Timeless – mixing traditional pieces with modern pieces.
//Favorite place to hunt for home decor: [NB] Dixie Highway in Palm Beach, Chairish, 1st Dibs. [CB] Restoration Hardware, CB2, small interior design boutiques
//Go-to for unique items, whether it be clothing, accessories, home or art: [NB] Home- almost always vintage/second hand (or homemade- I’ve covered many a headboard and built more than one piece in my current apartment). For art I love to browse auction houses- Christie’s and Sotheby’s are usually out of my price range, but Freeman’s or Heritage have great finds. Clothing and Accessories- Lately, I’ve really been shopping online- I really like Moda Operandi, and I splurge every now and then, but I often find myself trying to replicate looks at some lower price pointed places.
[CB] Moda Operandi and Net a Porter for clothes. For home/ art, our family goes down to Palm Beach and there is a great section of vintage stores where you can always find great pieces.
//Your fashion motto: [NB] Be yourself [CB] Affordable luxury
//Your life motto: [NB] Stay Hungry, stay foolish. [CB] Early to bed, early to rise
Fill in the blank:
[NB] //A woman should invest in- classic pieces that you can have forever. //You’re never too old to— see the world. //A woman can never have too many— options (my fiancé would disagree). // Bury Me In: my prettiest, chicest dress. //True or False: More is More. //Fashion is- universal. //Style is: personal.
[CB] //A woman should invest in- herself. //You’re never too old to—take a risk. //A woman can never have too many— handbags. // Bury Me In: sweets //True or False: More is More- False. //Fashion is- simple. //Style is: taste.
Currently Loving:
//Music: [NB] Soul to feed my oldies craving. For everyday, I go for Indie pop. [CB] Zac Brown Band
//Print: [NB] Historical fiction- I just finished Beneath a Scarlet Sky, and I couldn’t put it down [CB] Shoe Dog
//Food: [NB] Sushi at home and anything local when I’m traveling. [CB] Sushi
//Drink: [NB] Pisco Sour [CB] Champagne
//Film: [NB] I’ve been on a 90’s binge lately- old Tom Hanks kind of feels. [CB] The Greatest Showman- I am late to the party on this, but it’s amazing!
//TV: [NB] I will forever be a Downton Abbey fan. The Crown, too. Oh, and the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Really any period pieces or something that makes you feel like it can take you to another time- even if it’s just the 90’s- I love the West Wing, too. [CB] The Office, always puts me in a good mood.
//Podcast: [NB] How I Built This- you have no idea how comforting it is to hear about other founder’s ups and downs. [CB] Not a big podcast gal! but trying to get into it more.
//Instagram Handle: [NB] @nburch12- I wish it was more creative!! [CB] @neelyandchloe
//Designer: [NB] Del Pozo [CB] Lela Rose
ABOUT NEELY & CHLOE BURCH
Stemming from a retail empire, Neely & Chloe Burch were groomed to be entrepreneurs from birth. Their father, Bob Burch and his brother, Chris founded the successful retail company Eagle's Eye prior to the latter co-creating Tory Burch with his wife, Tory. Both business and retail were instilled in the siblings at an early age. They accompanied their parents on work-related trips and were included in retail development conversations at the dinner table.
In 2014, Neely and Chloe, ages 23 and 22, respectively, purchased a 1930s airstream to create a mobile retail boutique featuring sought after brands. In just one year, they held upward of fifty pop-ups on college campuses along the East Coast. Ultimately, this translated into intensive market research -- they learned what these college students liked and wanted, but couldn't find: a luxe-like, timeless, and affordable handbag.
In 2016, Neely and Chloe formed a lifestyle accessories brand targeting the All-American, savvy shopper. Their offering includes timeless and season-less styles with an accessible price point and the option for customization. Neely & Chloe continue to develop classic silhouettes and products that are directly informed by the customer. They generate product feedback via social media engagement in which they request preferences on everything from size, color and embellishments. Now stocked in over 180 retail doors, the lifestyle brand has resonated with a wide audience beginning with ages 25-34, as well as, a mature customer, who is now assuming 25% of their demographic. The Neely & Chloe showroom is based in New York City.
FIND NEELY & CHLOE
Photos used courtesy of Neely & Chloe Burch.
