The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Archives for August 2012

August 2012

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: The Shoe Shop, by Elizabeth Sparhawk-Jones

Subtle, neutral, graceful...    

Painting: Shoe Shop, by Elizabeth Sparhawk-Jones, blazer – Topshop,

 slingbacks – Circa Joan & David, scarf – futabaya, dress – Narciso Rodriguez,

 coat – Rachel Comey, scarf – Tamakiku, boots – Gabriella Rocha  

Painting: Shoe Shop, by Elizabeth Sparhawk-Jones, wrap sweater – Stella 

McCartney,  silk tank – Kain Classic, ankle boots – Debenhams, skirt – Donna 

Karan, taupe sweater – Vince, scarf – milleneufcentquatrevingtquatre, 

bracelet – Paige Novick, jeans – Helmut Lang  

Painting: Shoe Shop, by Elizabeth Sparhawk-Jones, blazer – Malene Birger, 

brooch – Cara Accessories, pants – Brunello ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Mondrian Composition in Oval

Yes, you CAN combine "warm" and "cool" colors.  If Mondrian can do it, any of us can!  

Painting – Mondrian, sweater – Topshop, jeans – Seven for all Mankind, pink flats – Fitzwell, grey hoodie – L.L.Bean, jeans – Maison Scotch, hi-tops - Converse  

Painting – Mondrian, tweed jacket – Red Valentino, dress – Dorothy Perkins, pumps – Soft Style, tank – Malene Birger, sandals – Kors by Michael Kors, pink capris - DKNY  

Painting – Mondrian, sweater – J. Crew, suede skirt – L’Agence, boots – See by Chloe, trench coat – Calvin Klein, scarf – Scotch-Soda, flats – Pied a Terre  

Painting – Mondrian, sweater – Acne, pink skirt – J. Crew, flats – Ara, blouse – Mauro Grifoni, skirt ... View the Post

Chic Sighting: Black Top(s)

Black tee – Dorothy Perkins, denim shorts – Awear, sandals – Jimmy Choo, black asymmetrical top – Rag & Bone, capris – Patagonia, flats - Toms  

Black tank – Splendid, rose print trousers – Topshop, flats – Charlotte Russe, off the shoulder top – Red Valentino, floral print pants – J. Crew, sandals – Jil Sander  

Black camisole – BKE, linen pants – CP Shades, tennies – Converse Chuck Taylor, black polo – Barbour, chiffon pants – 3.1 Phillip Lim, wedge sandals – John Lewis  

Black blouse – Fever Millie, print skirt – Rebecca Taylor, sneakers – Keds, tank – Forever New, lace skirt – L’Agence, black pumps – Jimmy Choo  

Black sheer blouse – H&M, denim skirt – Industry of ... View the Post

Chic Sightings: A Base of White

Although it might seem reckless to wear white in the city, lots of us do it all the time.  New York was full of women using white as a base for a wide variety of very personal looks... Flowered tank – Tillys, denim capris – True Religion, purple sandals – Debenhams, dotted top – Giambattista Valli, capris – Dorothy Perkins, sandals – Jil Sander  

Sleeveless top – Romwe, denim shorts – True Religion, sandals – Bottega Veneta, striped tee shirt – Mango, Bermuda shorts – Vince, espadrilles - Debenhams  

Tee shirt – Kain Classic, linen pants – CP Shades, espadrilles – Missoni, red sleeveless top – Raoul, cotton pants – Moschino, loafers – Nicholas Kirkwood  

Tank – Malene Birger, ruffled skirt – ... View the Post

Packing light: a few good reasons

Just back in Chicago from a quick and delightful three days in New York City, and I've been reminded of a few very good reasons for packing in a simple and SMALL manner:  

You can take mass transit - a gigantic saver of time and money When you DO take mass transit, you don't hog all of the seats!  Yesterday, coming into the city on the "El", there were literally dozens of people who needed one seat for their bags and one seat for their person.  This does NOT make you popular with the locals... Walking long distances is easier - both in the airport, and in town.  You can't necessarily assume that a taxi will be able to drop you right at the front door of your hotel; construction and emergency situations can ... View the Post

Maximize your ROI: the suit, step three

Necklace – Chanel, pearl bow earrings – Kate Spade, tee shirt – Dorothy Perkins, tweed pans – Prada, brown brogues – Stuart Weitzman,  pearl earrings – Juliet & Company, taupe blouse and pants – Very Eickhoff,  pearl bracelet – Banana Republic, taupe boots – Maison Martin Margiela  

Earrings – Devon Leigh, dress – Michael Kors, loafers – Lanvin, jeans – Burberry Brit,  silk tee – J. Crew, scarf – wrq.e.d, ankle boots – Rag & Bone  

White shirt – Theory, square scarf – Hermès, penny loafers – Church’s, jeans – Levi’s, gold hoop earrings – Blue Nile, dress - Akris, ruffled scarf – Yuh Okano, gold rope bracelet – Blue Nile, pumps – Stuart Weitzman  

Denim shirt – ... View the Post