The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Archives for June 2011

June 2011

What my French friend wears to work: The roots of the Vivienne Files

Vivienne and I first got to be friends because of packing - she works in a hotel in Paris and was helping me pull together a training session I was running - and after the first or second day, she said something like "you got dressed in my closet this morning" and then we wound up having drinks, and THEN she came up to my room to eat room service (Gratis, since she works for the hotel) and hanging out with me while I did my ironing.

Bottom line, I know the girl's packing philosophy cold, since she and I have the same approach.

Start with a base of 5 garments, no matter how long or how short the trip:

Jacket or cardigan Pants that match Skirt that matches Top that goes with the above Another top that ... View the Post

I am the luckiest person EVER….

Today is my birthday - 21 for the 30th time!  And my most beloved partner in life surprised me this morning with the above absolutely GORGEOUS little tidbit...  It's surprisingly not as "blingy" as I had thought it might be; it fits quite snugly on my wrist and while it's not a shy little bauble, it's not terribly overwhelming either.  A good lesson to continue to be open to the possibility of changing preferences and tastes, within the general guidelines of our personal style signature.  This always had potential for me: black, white, pearls - sort of screams my name...

Job yesterday, birthday today.  Sometimes the amount of happiness in my life is almost impossible to digest.  But I WILL try to be worthy! ... View the Post

French Chic: The origin of my French wardrobe fascination

Thirty years ago (heavy sigh) this book was released, and this is where it all began for me - the whole fascination with French wardrobe planning, the idea of a minimalist, well-chosen wardrobe that would take me anywhere.  The following images that delineate the possibilities inherent in seven pieces of black clothing were revolutionary to me.  Up until this time, I was very stuck in the "gray suit, navy suit, white shirt, red bow tie, black pumps" aesthetic of the time (thanks for nothing to the Dress for Success theories).     Breaking out into black opened my eyes, changed my self-image, and finally gave me the excuse to spend a lot of money on clothes that I actually really liked.  I know that this idea ... View the Post

A rant on stereotypes

I watch a lot of sport - most of it from outside the US.  Over the past weekend, I saw a French team playing, and then another game in which there were French players.

During the first game, the English announcers expressed their concern that "the French weren't emotionally invested in the match - that happens with French teams", and also that "if the French team goes behind, they'll lose all confidence, the way French teams do".  These two supremely psychic individuals were able to KNOW the emotional and psychological make-up of the entire team.  Amazing.

The second sporting event saw a French participant moving slowly at one point during the game.  The United States announcers pronounced that "well, sometimes ... View the Post

Ironing – my secret love

My closest friends have known this for years - I really don't mind ironing.  

I've tried to assume a rational, grateful approach to ironing.  If I'm going to be able to look the way I want to look, I'm going to have to either iron my clothes or pay someone else to do it.  And other people, no matter how well-intentioned, will not be as careful as I am.

And if I really LIKE the clothes I own, it should be a pleasure to touch them, to care for them.  If I'm not willing to invest some of my time in the maintenance of my possessions, I need to reconsider why I purchase things at all.

Finally, I try to focus on the gratification of a closet full of immaculate clothing, or a drawer full of crisp, perfectly folded ... View the Post

Vivienne Video: Kings of Pastry

This video documentary is available streaming on Netflix  - it follows pastry chefs who compete in the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France competition for patisserie.  It's sort of like the Olympics of pastry - every four years, a group of pastry chefs who have "qualified" spent three days preparing something like 40 different recipes, along with a pop quiz or two thrown into the mix.

They dip chocolates, bake cakes, pull sugar ribbons, make lollipops- there's no limit to what these chefs can do.  These guys are amazing, and once you've watched this film, you'll understand why the caliber of food in France is so high and the standards so rigorous.

love,

Janice ... View the Post

Back to the roots of the Vivienne Files – part 6

 

  Vivienne's bottom line on wardrobe advice is to buy less, pay more, and focus, focus,  focus. While to us her very limited wardrobe seems - well - very limited, she sees it as a  clear statement of her personal style. If she walks into a store and something  doesn't scream to her across the room, it just plain and simply doesn't go home with  her.    She has NEVER been tempted by Victorian, Gothic, Prairie, Grunge, Surfer, Safari,  Garden Party or any other style like that - she calls them costumes, and doesn't mean  that nicely. For someone for whom one or more of those looks was really compatible with  their whole persona and self-image, it might work, but Vivienne is ... View the Post

Job Hunting: Insecurity, Rejection, Self-Doubt and a cry for feedback

I'm the LAST person who can complain about job hunting.  I'm getting quite a few expressions of interest, and I've already been on 3 interviews.  But it's still a gut-wrenching fight with rejection every day, and having to get up every morning and steel yourself for another day of hearing nothing back from your many e-mails takes it out of you.

The hardest thing for me seems to be figuring out what to wear.  Back in the day when we all wore our skirted suits with white shirts and little floppy silk bow ties, nude hosiery and sensible pumps, we didn't have to put any more thought into our clothing choices than a man did.  But now, with the range of what'd considered appropriate in the wide range of work environments ... View the Post

The key to a small wardrobe

I'm a gym rat.  There.  I've put it in writing.  Now that I'm in the "actively looking for a job" stage of life (aka unemployed) I wear gym clothes almost any day I'm not going to be out and about.  And oh yes, I do go to the gym at least 5 times a week.  So what this results in, without fail, is mounds of laundry in our very small apartment which should NOT be allowed to... mature... shall we say.

Thus I've gotten into the habit of doing laundry every week.  And not just gym clothes - I do everything when I'm laundering.  

I'm discovering that this means that my favorite, flattering black pants are almost ALWAYS clean.  So the other black pants in my wardrobe stay, well, in my wardrobe and not on ... View the Post

Vivienne Veto: ugly Uggs

Last time I checked, Paris was in the Northern Hemisphere of our planet, which means that June is the beginning of summer, and therefore the weather will usually be reasonably warm.  (or miserably hot, or possibly cool and rainy, but I digress)

The French are BIG fans of warm weather; the minute it becomes even vaguely sunny, Parisians flock to the cafes on the sunny side of the street and sit outdoors for as long as they can evade work and other responsibilities.  Therefore, the idea that someone would choose to wear what looks VERY MUCH like a winter garment in the month of June is inconceivable to your average French person.

Vivienne is no exception.  She's seeing lots of young girls with cut-off denim shorts and ... View the Post

The Voyages of Vivienne: sleeping in airports

Vivienne and I have both traveled a lot, and both of us have had to sleep in airports more times than we care to remember. It's an acquired skill; perhaps you can benefit from our shared experience. (and the insights of the hysterically fun and useful http://blog.sleepinginairports.com/)

Worst case, without doubt, was late summer at the Norfolk Virginia airport.  We were informed, in rapid succession, that (1) no more flights would be leaving on the night in question (it's about 10 pm when we're told this), (2) there are no hotel rooms available in town, (3) TSA has gone home for the night, so if we leave the airport, we have to stay OUTSIDE all night, and (4) all concessionaires are closed for the night.

So here's the ... View the Post