March 20, 2017
So far, we’ve been relatively subtle in our accent colors… THAT’S going to change!
Le Pot a Tisane by Fernand Leger
I see many things in this image, but I do NOT see a pot of tea!
What might be the thing that really threw this painting into the “must address” bucket for The Vivienne Files is the surprising presence of that beautiful purple. (and yes, a wee touch of green!) Normally, I think most of us, if we were painting this, might be tempted to use blue alongside the red and yellow. But that’s why he’s Leger, and we’re not…
I also really appreciate the degree to which these colors are strong, but not jarring or neon. That takes a bit of skill…
I know we’re getting a bit weary of seeing these, but I have to always remember that many of my readers aren’t following these series in order, and might stumble into this post without any advance notice of the overall plan. So, in the interests of full information, these are the 9 neutral garments upon which I’m going to build a nifty little travel wardrobe for our intrepid heroine:
And these are a dozen outfits that this person already has, before I’ve added even one accent garment:
And just to keep me honest, and focused, this is how these 9 pieces fit into a 4 by 4 Wardrobe Template. Even if I’ve done a certain wardrobe plan a bunch of times, it never hurts to stop and remember what I’m trying to accomplish!
These colors are closest to those that I normally wear, so I had a particularly good time choosing these! If someone who really loves me is reading this, I would wear that Keith Haring “star” tee shirt in a New York minute…
Even though the top row of each of these templates has remained the same (as well as 75% of the 2nd row…), just seven different garments give each wardrobe a very different personality, I think!
This is my favorite part of the exercise – can someone really WEAR these clothes in enough different ways to be able to honestly call this a capsule wardrobe? I’d say yes, in this case:
Tomorrow, our heroines are all going to meet up, and compare outfits! I’m still barely started on this, so it will be a surprise for all of us to see just how it all turns out…
love,
Janice
For more on Personalizing a Neutral Capsule Wardrobe, please read:
- How to Personalize Neutrals in a Capsule Wardrobe – Start With Art: L’Encens by Ferrand Khnopff
- More Personalized Neutrals – Start with Art: Untitled by Julian Lethbridge
- How to Use Both Warm & Cool Accents in a Capsule Wardrobe – Start with Art: Carnival Evening by Henri Rousseau
- How to Accent a Neutral Capsule Wardrobe with Brights – Start with Art: Le Pot a Tisane by Leger
- Four Paintings, Four Different Ways to Wear Black and Ivory Neutral Building Blocks
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I didn't see the lavender in the painting until your color wheel pointed it out. It seems like an outsider, compared to the yellow and maroon, but that could be a good thing–for the days when you feel like being different. And you tie it in with the basics so well.
As for the teapot, I make out the handle and the spout, but not the rest.
I am drawn to this color wheel. But it is a far cry from anything that I could actually wear so I continue along for the lesson.
Oh my, how long did it take you to find each of these pieces? There is a avant-garde (I had to check the meaning of the word to ensure it was what I meant to say) a bit out there, radical , unorthodox feel that is so appropriate for the art work. So very different to the others in this series. It really reinforces your point that the accents can make a real difference to the overall feel.
Normally, it takes me at least 8 hours to find everything, build the pretty pictures, write something coherent and get it all into a "postable" format. By far the biggest chunk of that time is spent scrolling through literally thousands of pieces of clothing, or accessories, and trying to find gold in the middle of an industry full of dreck. Happily, I have a long attention span!
hugs,
Janice
Janice,
It just occurred to me that your basic nine garments comprise the slot machine format, 3 bottoms, 3 tops, 3 toppers. I need to keep this formula in mind for packing, and yes, I am a formula junkie ! Add 7 colorful or patterned accents and voila — travel wardrobe ! I don't do brights or patterned on the bottom, but a part of me envies anyone who can !
This capsule comes across as quite youthful although I can completely see a woman wearing it of practically any age, from 20s to 80s.
This is so ME!!! I love it!!! – Hollyce
WOW! You weren't kidding about being bold! These clothing choices match the feel of the painting so well! Definitely not for the shy! Very interesting capsule!
I've got to admit, when I saw the colored garments my immediate reaction was — "UGH!" But put together in outfits they look great. The colors from the artwork do work. Interesting!!!
What a thoughtful, fun response to this wonderful painting! A different mood altogether but so appropriate. While these aren't my colours, you've made me wish they were. It's also making me think differently about how to wear 'my' own colours. Now I'm intrigued to see how our quartet will play together.
Robyn in Tasmania
What a thoughtful, fun response to this wonderful painting! A different mood altogether but so appropriate. While these aren't my colours, you've made me wish they were. It's also making me think differently about how to wear 'my' own colours. Now I'm intrigued to see how our quartet will play together.
Robyn in Tasmania
Wow! What a differences a day makes! Not my colors or attitude although I too envy anyone who has it! I Actualky own all the basics if they were navy and cream and the shorts were instead my beloved navy linen cropped pants. So this is all making me think a lot about how to use what I have for a 4 by 4 travel combo. Need some prints! Janice Collins, Washington DC.
Thank you for this series. And thank you for featuring a designer who has tall garments. Enjoy the blog.
This is so interesting, because if I were doing the color purge method, I would totally ditch the lavender blouse. I am on the verge of a closet purge and now all my resolve to ditch color outliers is going out the window…