The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Archives for November 2012

November 2012

Style Suggestions from your Inner Child

We're all wrestling with the idea of choosing signature styles and colors...  I remember a moment that was sort of a key "a-ha" for me - I started thinking about clothing and the role that it's played in my life, as far back as I could remember...

As a tot with curly dark brown hair and brown eyes, I was VERY out of place style-wise in my family of blue-eyed, and wispy-fine mousy haired family.  Literally everybody but me had the same coloring, and thus the big clothing colors in my household were baby blue, lilac, and peach...

All I longed for was a dress with a black bodice, or in bright, bright red...

Did you adore sailor dresses?

Were you a tomboy?

Were you a baby hipster?

Or did you love the most feminine ... View the Post

75/25: A Common Office Capsule Wardrobe, and Signature Red

Cardigan – Stella McCartney, striped top – La Garconne, tweed skirt – Dolce & Gabbana, red shirt - Equipment    

Bag – Aldo, wrapped scarf – Spun by Subtle Luxury, mixed plaid scarf – Free People, square silk scarf – Hermès, ballet flats - Repetto    

Turtleneck – L.L.Bean, blue striped shirt – Golden Goose, blue shirt – D&G, white shirt – Theory, navy blazer – A.P.C., grey sleeveless sweater – J. Crew, grey cardigan – J. Crew, navy v-neck – J. Crew, navy shirt – J. Crew, navy pants – A.P.C., grey skirt – Comme des Garcons, grey pants – Theory    

 

 

 

 

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75/25: A Common Capsule Wardrobe, and Signature Red

November 29, 2012  

Originally, where I thought I was going with the idea of a common capsule wardrobe was to show that a wardrobe of 75% neutral, basic, "work horse" garments could be made unique and extremely versatile using 25% "signature" garments.  We all got swept up in a tide of great accessories, and I lost track of where I was headed!  But now I've returned to my original idea: the Common Capsule Wardrobe, with 4 "accent" garments, and some accent accessories...Does it go without saying that you could wear one of these outfits, pack the rest of the garments, and be in good shape for quite a long trip?

 

And muddle this over for a moment - project 333 could be 2 ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Project 333: caramel & black accessories, 3 weeks of outfits

Accessories for a Caramel and Black Project 333 Wardrobe

Check silk scarf – Burberry, flower earrings – Banana Republic, paisley scarf – Drake’s, blue & brown checked wool scarf – Burberry, Maltese cross brooch – Dsquared2, square silk scarves – Hermès, gold flowered bracelet – Alkemie, gold hammered cuff – Jose & Maria, gold knot brooch – Jose & Maria, brown blue flowered scarf – Epice, gold hoop earrings – Target, suede tote – Fendi, riding boots – Sperry Topsider, gold knot earrings – Lord & Taylor, tiger eye necklace – Harrison Morgan, triple chain necklace – Julie Tuton, black oxfords – Rag & Bone, pumps – Stuart Weitzman, suede moccasins - Madewell  

Caramel and Black Capsule Wardrobe ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Project 333: caramel and black

Ah, this was a special request, and I think it's VERY appealing...

All clothes - Theory    

Cabled sweater – Burberry Brit, corduroy trousers – Dolce & Gabbana, turtleneck – J. Crew, skirt – Salvatore Ferragamo    

Tweed pants – Lauren by Ralph Lauren, brown cardigan – Roberto Collina, ivory cardigan – Orla Kiely, tweed pants – Dolce & Gabbana    

Tweed skirt – Paul & Joe, granite print blouse – L’Agence Earth, bibbed blouse – Forte Forte, plaid capris – J. Crew  

Cream merino turtleneck – L.K.Bennett, suede tunic – Ralph Lauren Collection, checked shirt – Comptoir des Cotonniers, cream silk blouse - Gucci    

Blue turtleneck – ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a scarf: Alexander McQueen

Yes, I really don't like his skull things... but someone specifically asked me what to wear with the camouflage print in subtle beige, taupe, brown and a touch of peach; I couldn't resist these colors!  This is all about soft, subtle, with unexpected mixes of cool and warm colors.

Scarf – Alexander McQueen, sweater – Isabel Marant, skirt – La Garconne, ring – Anaconda, boots – Café Noir, earrings – Hari Jewels, reefer coat – Margaret Howell, grey turtleneck – Brunello Cucinelli, tweed skirt – Jigsaw, pumps - Gucci  

Scarf – Alexander McQueen, earrings – Catherine Canino, dress – Rick Owens, bag – Aldo, boots – EMU, bracelet – Maison Martin Magiela,  turtleneck – Malo, trousers – Chloe, brogues – ... View the Post

Six-pack: Cranberry & Silver

Cardigan – Odd Molly, long-sleeved tee shirt – Chinti & Parker, chinos – Debenhams, ivory scarf – Barneys New York, velvet gloves – Forzieri, quilted coat – Mango, loafers – Bottega Veneta, tote bag - Target    

Cranberry sweater – Ella by Viyella, grey jeans – Patagonia, earrings – Swarovski, watch – Tag Heuer, plaid shirt – Woolrich, silk blouse – J. Crew, grey sweater – Miu Miu, lampwork bead necklace – Sari Glassman, bracelet – Baccarat, scarf – Arlette Ess, silk skirt – Caron Callahan, ankle boots – Marc by Marc Jacobs    

  ... View the Post

Six-pack: black & red

Cardigan – Jardin des Orangers, tee shirt – Comme des Garcons, gloves – Burberry Brit, pants – Raoul, scarf – String Theory, black jacket – Barbour, tote – Topshop, loafers - Gucci    

Pinstriped sweater – Christopher Kane, black jeans – MiH, earrings – Stolen Girlfriends Club, watch – Alessi, plaid shirt – Woolrich, black cardigan – Original Vintage Style, necklace – Giles & Brother, bracelet – Chan Luu, red turtleneck – L.L.Bean, plaid skirt – Limi Feu, ankle boots – Haider Ackermann    

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Six-pack: royal blue & grey

Cardigan – Patagonia (similar here), tee shirt – Proenza Schouler, grey pants - Reiss (similar here), grey gloves – Jardin des Orangers (similar here), scarf – Faliero Sarti (similar here), grey coat – Reiss (similar here), tote – Deux Lux (similar here), loafers – Jason Wu (similar color here)    

Grey sweater – Jardin des Orangers (similar here), jeans – Allsaints (similar here), earrings – Asos (similar here), watch – Bulova (similar here),  plaid shirt – J. Crew (similar here), long-sleeved tee – Patagonia (similar here), blue stone necklace – Nuovegioie (similar here), faceted sapphire bracelet – Aaron Jah (similar here), turtleneck – H&M (similar here), skirt – Opening Ceremony (kind of similar here... it's ... View the Post

Six-pack: Pink & Orange!

Cardigan – Zadig & Voltaire, cashmere tee shirt – J. Crew, fingerless cashmere gloves – N. Peal, khakis – Old Navy, scarf – Pashmina Art, coat – Organic by John Patrick, loafers – Debenhams, tote - Target    

Pink sweater – Iris & Ink, jeans – Current/Elliott, stud earrings – Kate  Spade, watch – Citizen Eco-Drive, plaid shirt – Woolrich, beige sweater – Demylee, tassel necklace – Kenneth Jay Lane, bracelets – Betsey Johnson, print shirt – J. Crew, twill skirt – Marni, boots - Madewell    

For those of us who's mothers and grandmothers always SWORE that you couldn't wear pink & orange together... This should create some exciting family dynamics! ... View the Post

Six-pack: taupe & denim blue

Cardigan – girl, By Band of Outsiders, earrings – Alexis Bittar, tee shirt – Rick Owens, scarf – Epice, gloves – Reiss, pants – Acne, boucle coat – Joie, tote – Yves Saint Laurent, oxfords – Brunello Cuccinelli    

Tweed sweater – Boy by Band of Outsiders, jeans – Current/Elliott, earrings – YooLa, watch – Fossil, plaid shirt – MiH, silk blouse – Joie, necklace – Aris Geldis, bracelet – Sara Designs, blue sweater -  L.L.Bean, tweed skirt – Jigsaw, boots - Debenhams    

                        ... View the Post