The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Archives for May 2012

May 2012 - Page 2 of 3

A Four by four Capsule Wardrobe: in camel and grey

Every day, I get a request for capsule wardrobes in camel and grey - I hasten to satisfy!And please note, I'm NOT suggesting that your entire wardrobe should be 12 garments. (unless that's what is best for you, in which case I support your choice completely!)  This is a plan for wardrobe coordinating, and updating.  The number of these "pods" you choose to have is entirely up to you...

Also, if you're not fond of wearing classic styles, or if you're looking for garments for warmer (or cooler) weather, just substitute similar garments that please you more for the ones which I have chosen.  These guidelines are intended to be just that - guidelines - and not a specific prescription for what you should ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Monet Water Lilies

Dress – Lela Rose, earrings – Ralph Lauren, slingbacks – John Lewis, chinos – Michael Kors, sweater – Suno, loafers – Roberto del Carlo    

Tee shirt – Vanessa Bruno Athe, Skirt and sandals – J. Crew, bomber jacket – Acne, sundress – Allsaints, espadrilles - Soludos    

Navy sweater – Fatface, Navy skirt – Stella McCartney, navy ankle boots – F-Troupe, tank – Uniqlo, cropped chinos – J Brand, ballet flats - Madewell    

Dress – 3.1 Phillip Lim, cardigan – J. Crew, pumps – Van Dal, sweater and chambray pants – Vanessa Bruno Athe, silver boots - Acne     ... View the Post

Why Hermès?

I'm often asked why I'm such a fan of Hermès.  It's because of the work of women like this: and because of the management of the company.

"We develop according to internal creativity and intuition, not external trends or marketing gimmicks." - Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Artistic Director of Hermès

"The Hermès family is not just people with the surname Dumas, Puech or Guerrand... Some employees have worked here for generations; I knew their parents and they knew mine.  Everyone has a different relationship to the brand, but they're all equally valid.  I have to respect that." - Axel Dumas, Hermès Chief Operating Officer

"With this in mind, the Dumas cousins have recently set up a committee of key ... View the Post

A Four by four Capsule Wardrobe: Bonus in navy and grey

Someone earlier mentioned using this idea with navy and grey, with less conservative styles - and I was in the middle of that exact capsule wardrobe project!  Here it is...

Navy pants and tops – J. Crew, navy mini – A.P.C.  

Grey layered tee shirt – Romwe, Grey jacket and skirt – Vivienne Westwood,

 jeans – 7 for all Mankind  

Print silk blouse – Otte, Striped long-sleeved tee – Muji, tee shirt with printed cuffs –

 Comme des Garcons, hummingbird tee – Jil Sander  

Scarf – Roberto Cavalli, Jewelry – Miriam Salat,  pumps – Stuart Weitzman  

  ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe: by Fours

May 14, 2012   People ask me every day how to build a capsule wardrobe.  There are as many different approaches as there are women in the world, but one of my favorite ideas is to work in "pods" of four garments.  Find a color and fabric that really REALLY appeals to you - one that sings to your heart, and either buy or have someone make for your four core garments - two tops and top bottoms.   Seamstresses are going to be very useful friends...   And note, everything in this entire post is from L.L.Bean. I love them, and they've never (yet!) given me a single piece of clothing in exchange for shamelessly promoting them...  

  Immediately, you have four new outfits:

 

But no ... View the Post

Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a necklace: peacock

I love this necklace, with the range of colors that it presents, but the thing that I kept returning to was the possibility of using a warm, caramel-y, golden color to pick up the burnished metallic setting.

Tee shirt – Joseph, silk skirt – Silvian Heach, sandals – Ralph Lauren, dress – Alberta Ferretti,  

leather jacket – H&M, sandals – J. Crew  

Dress – Diane von Furstenberg, cardigan – Issa, ballet flats – Lanvin,

 navy boots – Vanessa Bruno, sweater – Something Else, velvet jeans – J Brand  

Sweater – The Row, Skirt – Valentino, boots – Banana Republic, 

tee shirt – Vanessa Bruno, cropped pants – Paul & Joe, sandals – J. Crew  

Dress – Balenciaga, flats ... View the Post

Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a scarf: Hermès l’Ivresse de l’Infini

What a great scarf - blues, orange/corals, shades of grey!  So many possibilities...

Tee – Maison Scotch, denim skirt – J. Crew, sandals – Ohne Titel, denim jacket – Mango, sandals – Debenhams, dress - Modcloth  

Taupe earrings – Kenneth Cold New York, Blue dress – Theory, taupe sandals – Jonak, blue sweater – Angela’s, suede slouch boots – Isabel Marant, taupe jeans – Paul Smith  

Earrings – Ten Thousand Things, Sweater – Miu Miu, skirt – Comme des Garcons Shirt, boots – Joules, linen tee – LnA, cropped jeans – Acne, sandals – Michael Kors  

Dress – Ter et Bantine, cardigan – CC, sandals – Balenciaga, pants – Stella McCartney, sweater – T by Alexander Wang, loafers – J. Crew   ... View the Post

A dilemma, and a wardrobe math solution

So I've not done the best of jobs in cleaning out my wardrobe, and I think I finally understand what's holding me back.  Somewhere in my heart I hold onto the hope (delusion?) that I'm going to get an office job again some day, and that I therefore won't be wearing an apron non-stop.  Therefore, I think I have to hold onto ALL of my office-worthy business clothes...In order to get past this, I've tried to approach the problem the way Vivienne would.  Basically, what are the available options I have RIGHT NOW, just with the clothes that I've decided to keep in my wardrobe up to this point?

If you remember, I'm at the 32 garment point in my plan:

 

  And from these garments I've decided that the following, ... View the Post

Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a scarf: Hermès Peinture Fraiche

A scarf without a lot of color in it can be a challenge, but I think of scarves as silk jewelry.  As such, this scarf, for me, became something made of silken pearls, and a of a burnished, brushed pewter that just happened to be fiber rather than metal.  When taken in that sense, this scarf goes anywhere that "cool" toned jewelry would go.  It was lovely to study...

Taupe pearl earrings – Adrienne Vittadini,  Navy dress – Alberta Ferretti, navy pumps – Debenhams, bracelet – Chan Luu, taupe sweater – Vince, moccasins – Minnetonka, ivory jeans – Windsmoor Classic  

Studded pearl earrings – Renee Lewis, sweater – Cruciani, Boucle skirt – Marc Jacobs, boots – Nine West, bracelet – Antik Batik, tee shirt – ... View the Post

Chic Sighting: Burlington Massachusetts Mall

Sigh...  My trip wasn't really fruitful, in terms of Chic Sightings.  Midway Airport in Chicago is NOT the place to look for fashion icons...But I was in the Burlington Mall on Sunday, and saw a lovely young woman - long blond hair, no makeup, radiant smile, and this colorful ensemble.  She looked comfortable and happy, and it didn't hurt that she was with a very attractive young man!

Tee & cardigan – J. Crew, Jeans – Awear, pearl stud earrings & heart necklace - Tiffany, bag – Bottega Veneta, ballet flats – Jimmy Choo   ... View the Post