The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

Home » Archives for 2013 » Page 17

Archives for 2013

2013 - Page 17 of 27

Closing the triangle of Hot Pink, Turquoise, and Orange; traveling again with Hermes Fleuri de Provence

May 11, 2013  

There was one more color combination waiting to be addressed in the beautiful Hermes Pique Fleuri de Provence - Turquoise and Hot Pink. And that got me thinking that these three accent colors (don't forget Orange), on a base of black and white neutrals, would be a perfect wardrobe scheme for... well, for everything, forever. I see the symbol for this wardrobe like this:

And with this as your focal point, you can just combine garments and make purchases with confidence...

So one last trip, with the Hermes scarf as the initial inspiration:

Piqué Fleuri de Provence silk scarf - Hermes, silk  “Neon Love” scarf – Marc Andersen  

 

Shirt – J. Crew, jacket –Faberge & Roches, ... View the Post

Do you actually WEAR your favorite clothes?

May 10, 2013   Yesterday, when I was getting dressed, I reached out for my favorite silk jacket. It's from Eileen Fisher, it's a color she calls cobblestone, which is sort of bronze/grey/green, and when I wear it I look tall and thin and young, and AMAZINGLY stylish.   I reached.  And then I pulled back.  WHAT?????   Somewhere in the back of my mind lurks this voice that says "oh, save that for a special occasion..."   Really?  At my age?  It's not like I'm going to get dirty on the playground, nor spill chocolate milk on myself at lunch. (mmmmm....chocolate milk....)   What's the worst thing that can happen?  

I might be the best-dressed person at work.  (Oh bother) ... View the Post

Dressing modestly in a hot climate: travel in blue and tan

Many of you are headed to warm climates, but still want or need to remain modest and somewhat covered-up.  This is one approach to this task.  I always choose a travel outfits that's layered, because airplanes are of course going to be cold (five miles up in the sky, the outside temperature is pretty low!).  The photograph was sent to me by someone planning for such a trip - I'm not using it for color inspiration as much as just a focal point for the delights to come...

Striped tee – Majestic, cardigan- J. Crew,  linen pants – Rafaella, earrings – J. Crew, water-resistant watch – Sperry Top-Sider, loafers- Cole Haan, cotton scarf – Becksondergaard, tote bag – French Trotters, suitcase - Tumi   Next, there ... View the Post

Turquoise & Orange: A Packing Capsule based on Hermes Fleuri de Provence

So if you love the scarf, but hot pink isn't your favorite, what about turquoise?

Piqué Fleuri de Provence silk scarf - Hermes, cashmere and linen wrap – Etro  

Orange knit top – Weekend MaxMara, jacket - Carven, earrings- Jamie Joseph, watch – Skagen, white linen pants – Nicole Farhi, espadrilles - Zara, white tote- Longchamp, rolling bag – Diane Von Furstenberg  

Necklace – K. Amato, dress –  Roksanda Ilincic, earrings – Bounkit, bracelet – Anton Heunis, pumps – Butter, sweater – J. Crew, skirt – No. 21 cardigan – Vanessa Bruno,  tee shirt- Majestic,  white capris – Dorothy Perkins, ballet flats – Dr. Scholls  

  ... View the Post

Hot Pink & Orange: A Packing Capsule based on Hermes Fleuri de Provence

Yes, traveling with white pants might seem sort of nutty... But they look really great!  Just make sure they're washable, right?  And this would certainly work well with black in the place of white.

Piqué Fleuri de Provence silk scarf - Hermes, dip dyed linen scarf – Sperry Top-Sider  

Orange knit top – Weekend MaxMara, fringed silk poncho- Ralph Lauren Black, earrings- Fossil, watch – Salvatore Ferragamo, white linen pants – Nicole Farhi,  flats – Manolo Blahnik, white tote- Longchamp, orange tote - Bodhi  

Silk necklace – Nangara by Julia Fusinato, dress –  Reiss, earrings – Ben Amun, bracelet –  Stella and Dot, pumps – Jimmy Choo, hot pink tee - BurberryBrit, skirt – Versace, ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Project 333: Another week, with travel, work, and the gym

Last week I experienced another small hitch in my Project 333- my striped tee shirt is NOT going to be wearable for the summer, so I've replaced it. (Yes, with another striped tee shirt...)   Otherwise, I have been delighted with my choices, so far.My travel wardrobe, based on two pair of black pants - one silk, one cotton twill - worked out well too.  It was warm enough that I didn't need to wear my scarves, and one day I pulled off my sweater mid-day, but that was part of the plan. Layering makes it possible to pile on, or peel off, depending on what you encounter.

So Monday and Tuesday I dressed out of my suitcase - Monday, I did some gardening, and Tuesday we flew back to Chicago. (yes, on Monday I borrowed casual shoes ... View the Post

Navy and Hot Pink: A Capsule travel wardrobe based on 2 scarves

I received a very specific request for a travel plan that was mostly navy, but accented with hot pink, and which wasn't "stodgy".  This plan built on a "core of four" in navy: pants, skirt, cardigan and tee, and tossed in a navy dress too.  A white tee shirt, a bright cardigan, and a couple of whimsical tops negate any possible worries about being too mumsy...  Some fun jewelry, and you're away!    

Promenade au Faubourg silk scarf - Hermes, silk wrap – Stella McCartney

Tee shirt - Hugo, cardigan – Vanessa Bruno, earrings- Michael Kors, watch – Mougin & Piquard, pants – Lucza London, loafers – Brooks Brothers, bag – Solomon Appollo,  suitcase - Rimowa

Necklace – J. Crew, dress – Philosophy ... View the Post

How to wear a White v-neck sweater – the final sweater installment

May 3, 2013   This is the final v-neck sweater request - this time: white.  White sweaters are tricky because they don't tend to be opaque, and so layering under them can be difficult.  So for the most part, I've opted to treat this sweater as a really really nice tee shirt, and take advantage of its simplicity to enable to wearing of some great scarves and amazing jewelry. And of course, fun shoes!  

Sweater – Closed, scarves - Hermes, pants – Reiss, loafers – Tory Burch, skirt – John Lewis, pumps – Kate Spade    

Sweater – Closed, necklace- Aris Geldis, watch – Movado,  pants – Burberry Prorsum, flats – Repetto, earrings and necklace – Banana Republic, skirt – Calvin Klein, pumps – ... View the Post

“You’re So French” – the most recent addition to the Style Shelf

May 2, 2013

 

As soon as I saw this available for sale, I knew it was going to go onto the Style Shelf. Aside from the fact that I'm terribly tired of book covers in hot pink (every "chic lit" novel in Ireland had either a pink or a lavender cover, I swear...), this is an interesting addition to the wee library.So here, in my less than expert translation, is what the authors have to say about cleaning out closets:

ARRANGE YOUR WARDROBE

"We have a tendency to choose the first clothes that are on top of the pile. It's easy, one does not waste time, and takes no risks, and one gets dressed automatically.  What a pity for all of those treasures which have been sleeping for years, and upon which you lavished such care ... View the Post

A Post-Travel debriefing

May 1, 2013

The best time to evaluate the success of your packing plan is the day after you return; theoretically you're not exhausted (ahem...) and you can still remember what choices and decisions you made on your trip.My results were very mixed on this trip:

 

I did NOT pack enough underwear.  Don't ask me how this happened, but let's just say that it was really handy that I was visiting relatives. I've gotten so accustomed to assuming that my normal suitcase stash will be complete, that I didn't actually pull out my pajamas and undergarments and check them...

Two pair of black pants were perfect - one was cotton twill (which I wore for all of the yard work) and one pair was silk, which I wore for more ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Packing from the 33 for a long weekend

I'm out of town right now - actually, I've been out of town since Thursday afternoon; the magic of the internet means that I can schedule blog posts ahead of time!  I'm visiting a number of my relatives, which is the easiest packing; laundry is available, and borrowing clothes is always possible.  I'm carrying the huge suitcase because belovedest and I are sharing the bag, and his clothes and shoes take up a LOT of space...

       

  ... View the Post