While her namesake label does not exist today, Claire McCardell remains a household name in American fashion. The designer is highly regarded as one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, pioneering “The American Look” in response to the changing lifestyle of women in the 1940s and 1950s. For example, she introduced zippers and pockets, ballet flats, and wrap dresses that supported the independent woman’s desire for fashion and function among the working class and high society.

Now, a new generation can familiarize themselves with the lasting impact of McCardell’s work. For the first time in years, McCardell’s beloved fashion and style book What Shall I Wear is back in print. To celebrate the occasion, the new edition includes a color insert of photos and a foreword by CFDA member Tory Burch. Burch, an American fashion icon in her own right, finds inspiration in McCardell’s work: her Spring/Summer 2022 collection was inspired by McCardell.

“So many of McCardell’s ideas and innovations are taken for granted now,” Burch writes. “While other designers looked to Paris couture for inspiration, McCardell elevated the practical needs of American women. It isn’t an exaggeration to say she has inspired every designer, and I think she deserves far more recognition. I hope this book will educate the next generation about her ingenuity and her remarkable entrepreneurial spirit.”

Despite being originally published in 1956, the book contains still-relevant advice for finding your style, shopping on a budget, and building a wardrobe that is chic, creative, and distinctive. It’s a treat for all lovers of fashion.”

As fashion editor Constance White says: “Tory Burch’s new foreword . . . puts this American treasure in her rightful place.”