These are the eight winter garments that I’ve chosen to keep, which I wear in order to leverage the all-black core items already chosen to survive the wardrobe purge (you didn’t really think that I wear unrelieved black every day, did you?)
First I show my additions to my edited wardrobe, and then below, I show all of the items that have been specifically chosen (so far) to stay, through the first four stages of the curating and distilling process.
Yes, I really love argyle…
argyle turtleneck – Pendleton, striped tee shirt – Garnet Hill, argyle cardigan – Lands’ End, black & white cardigan – Pendleton, dotted skirt – unknown, plaid skirt – Rodier Paris, black with white snaps cardigan – Agnes B., black & white herringbone skirt – Brooks Brother Black Fleece
pearl & black necklaces – unknown Chicago-area crafts-person, black w/white squares scarf – Vintage menswear, watch – Seiko, handbag – Louis Vuitton Sac Seau in black Epi, brooch & earrings – Judith Jack, boots – Eddie Bauer
What do you use to create these boards of your own clothing? It's a great planning tool. Thanks for sharing!
I use PowerPoint! I take my pictures against a plain background, scrub off the background in Microsoft Paint, and then assemble everything in PowerPoint. Pretty simple once I got the hang of it.
thanks for being here,
Vivienne
Very clever! I may try this too :)
Vivienne, I have just recently found your blog and your posts are always inspiring. They certainly give much food for thought. I especially love your classic black dress and the black cardigan with white snaps. All the best, Jolene
I love your blog! I am a very frequent traveler, and its very helpful. Thanks for the time you take in making this wonderful capsules for trips!!
I have a notebook (won from a great blog) to "log" each of my items of clothing so that I can then put together different items to make a variety of outfits. Why do I feel guilty about doing this? Whenever I get ready to work on it, I always feel like there's something else I should be doing. Crazy I know!
You are a great inspiration! (Now if I could just get rid of my guilt!)
Fantastic, I may be misunderstanding, sorry if that's the case.
Are you saying that you've only held on to 5 necklaces, 3pairs of earring, etc. in you editing? Mama mia!
I thought I was paring down but not at all compared to you.
Blue
Oh, no no no! I'm sorry that I've made this so confusing – these are just the things that I've committed to keeping (so far) for the long-term. I haven't even BEGUN to look at my dressy/evening clothes, nor my summery items.
But I have eliminated a lot of things. Realistically, my goal at the end of this project is to have about 64 items of clothing, and 64 accessories. I think. I'm not sure yet. It's a work in progress…
your in indecision,
Vivienne
Great inspiration as I'm trying to pare down as much as possible. But just one question: You do not include a white button down shirt! Not needed anymore for your work? Just wondering.
I haven't included my work wear in this; I'm hopeful that this job will only be for six or eight months, at which time all of that stuff is going to disappear! (in a big bonfire, if I have my way…) The work garments are all segregated in my closet and don't go ANYWHERE but the bakery.
big hug,
Vivienne
I realized after color blocking my closet that I do not have a lot of green and also most of my black needs to go away. So my wardrobe is a work in progress. I am on to my drawers which are organized by color. I want to focus on a core ward robe of brown and navy. I must say that you have helped me to simplify my clothing choices and therefore my life. I am one of your biggest fans.
Karen
Are you editing out your fabulous beautiful scaves?
I love this and just am over the moon at all the great ideas. I've been printing these out so that I have them "at a glance" and can work a little magic of my own while traveling or just getting ready for a busy week. I've started working out some great outfits on Sunday and then lining them up in my closet so that I can just put them on, add my jewelry and shoes and go. Just love all you do!
What a great idea. It must save a lot of time in the mornings! Thanks for sharing.
I love boundaries (though I have trouble staying within them) so I very much appreciate your 64/64 goal. Now that's my goal too!
Me too!
Very inspiring! I am going to do a major purge when I get back from Paris. I wish I would have found your blog a long time ago!! I have enjoyed looking at your travel wardrobes so much! Thank you!
hi, just found your blog through Melusine of Prosecco and Pearls, love your wardrobe choices, partic like the polka dot skirt xx
Vivienne, how did you arrive at 64 for your magic number? I've been trying to come up with my own magic number for ages, and sometimes I think I end up culling things just to get to the number, rather than because I don't need or wear the clothes. It's sort of like anorexia only with clothes rather than food. -m
Honestly, I have just sort of temporarily chosen that number because (a) I've got 32 items chosen right now, and I feel like I'm about halfway done, and (b) because the original Vivienne, in Paris, had something around 60 items of clothing.
And it's divisible by 8, which for no good reason is my favorite number for assembling garments in illustrations for my blog!
The number may change; it's NOT carved in stone. Stay tuned.
And don't take ANY advice too seriously – you are the ONLY authority on what's right for you.
big hug,
Vivienne
great selection……if only i could do the same!
64/64 is a great goal. Will follow suit. Slowly.