The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Archives for August 2017

August 2017

How to Wear the September Birthstone: Sapphires… ooh…

August 30, 2017

Sapphires are so beautiful, but they are really expensive... Feel free to find fakes, or stones in a similar dark blue, and wear without apology; you owe no explanation to anybody for what you can and can't afford to buy! Or where in your budget you choose to be extravagant or frugal...

With budgets in mind, I've chosen to show a lot of second-hand jewelry in this post (as well as a couple of handbags that are still absurdly expensive...). I think that we all are going to need to become much more open-minded about purchasing things that aren't brand spanking new, if only for the benefit of the environment... (and isn't "brand spanking" just about the weirdest phrase ever?)

For this first dress, that collar needs a ... View the Post

What Should I Wear to a Black Tie Function?

August 28, 2017

On Wednesday's post about how to UNPACK your suitcase, a reader commented that she needed advice about what to wear to an upcoming formal event being held in Orlando, in October. Another reader posted a really intelligent, thoughtful response, but I thought that it was an interesting question, worth tossing out to the general Vivienne Files population. (the smartest women around, no questions!)

I haven't attended a black-tie event since the overly-posh '80s, when I was in my 20's and when everything was completely out of control - I could have just glued diamonds all over my body and it wouldn't have raised many eyebrows. (except when the bill came!) I know what I would wear, but that doesn't necessarily translate into ... View the Post

Build a Travel Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Les Glaciers by Alexandre Sergejewitsch Borisoff

August 25, 2017

I don't remember where I found this painting, but the colors are absolutely stunning:

I hope for the artist's sake that he was painting from memory, or a photograph!

Let's dream an extravagant, completely unrealistic dream today... Remember that big conference of CEO's? "The one in Breckenridge? The board decided that you should fly out with the Chairman, because you're the best person to help explain the financial projections..."

the suitcase came in a perfect shade of aqua blue, which I didn't find until the very last minute...

"It's been described as "posh casual," so we assume you're going to need to buy a few things for the trip. Submit your receipts with your expense report and we'll take ... View the Post

How to UNPACK Your Suitcase

August 23, 2017

Ah, the eclipse was amazing! So was our 14-hour drive home... (a trip which charitably might take 6 hours if you're a slow driver....) If today's post feels a bit incoherent, understand that I got 2 hours of sleep!

After we got back from Ireland last week, our suitcases were laying open on the floor in our apartment for a couple of days - partly because we were tired and just didn't get around to doing all of the laundry immediately, and partly because I'm trying to cultivate a very slow and attentive process for unpacking. I'm doing this so that I can review what I packed (and remember what I forgot!) immediately after the trip, and try to learn something useful for future adventures...

You might remember from my ... View the Post

Dublin Ireland, August 2017

August 21, 2017

When you read this, I will be in southern Illinois to see the solar eclipse! Belovedest and I decided that this was almost certainly the best chance that we will ever have to see a full solar eclipse, and that we would be daft to miss it. So we're spending Sunday night downstate in a hotel, and then driving further down to see the fun. Should be entertaining, I'd say!

But I want to share with you some really random highlights of my recent trip to Dublin. I was there nearly 2 weeks, and really didn't venture beyond the suburbs; I LOVE Dublin, and am never bored there... it must be in my blood!

First up - where I stayed when I was there the first week, before Belovedest arrived. I was in an Airbnb apartment 2 blocks ... View the Post

Are You in the Mood for a New Sweater?

August 18, 2017

As soon as I saw these sweaters on the Uniqlo website, I knew that I wanted to share them with you. My only purchase for autumn is going to be a black cashmere crewneck - I feel like it occupies a really different place in a wardrobe than a v-neck sweater, because to me it's like the world's most luxurious tee shirt. It's dressy enough to stand up to the most lavish skirt or pants, but it's still simple and acts as a great background for a scarf or necklace. Plus, some of these colors are lovely...

These aren't the kind of cashmere sweaters that will make you gasp with astonishment - nobody will mistake this for Loro Piana! But they're very good value for money, and you don't have to become hysterical if something ... View the Post

An Early, But Timeless Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Camel and Coral

August 14, 2017

This wardrobe was constructed over 5 years ago, but you could still pack every piece of this and wear it today... that's my primary goal. Timeless. Elegant. Classic.

When you know that you can wear something for years, you can feel quite a bit better about buying the very best items you can... It's only logical to make sure that your beautiful things will last, right?

love, Janice ... View the Post

Starting a New Season From Scratch – a Gorgeous Pair of Loafers

August 11, 2017

While I'm still hanging out in Ireland, I'm sharing with you some of my favorite blog posts from the past. Today I think it's worth making certain that, before the season changes, you have in hand a really good, high-quality pair of shoes for the months to come. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, this might certainly be a pair of sandals, but for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, I strongly suggest a beautiful pair of loafers. Look for beautiful quality, and exquisite construction...

This was Step 2 back in the original Starting From Scratch Wardrobe Building Exercise, 3 years ago, and I still believe it to be a great idea...

These are the sort of purchase that will last you forever - choose ... View the Post

Starting a New Season From Scratch – New Trousers (pants, slacks, etc…)

As mentally we move toward a new season - warm or cool, depending on your location - it's appropriate and practical to make certain that we're not just shopping willy-nilly for pretty things without building a solid wardrobe base.

So I was reminded of my series from 3 years ago - How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch! We started with trousers... a step that I still consider the most helpful for making certain that you're prepared for upcoming weather and events.

Maybe adding nothing more than a really GOOD pair of pants to your existing wardrobe will be enough, for the upcoming season...

love, Janice ... View the Post

Easing a Neutral Dress into Cooler Weather with Accessories

August 7, 2017

If you've got a dress that you dearly love, but you're wondering if you're going to be able to wear it when the weather cools down (in the Northern Hemisphere), let me suggest that you look at an earlier post of mine, where I show a navy dress with a whole BUNCH of very muted, autumn-ish accessories....

The power of a simple dress is easy to under-estimate, until you get one in your closet and really put it to work!

love, Janice ... View the Post

Have You Considered a New Dress?

August 4, 2017

This time of year it's easy to begin to be tired of our current wardrobe, and this weariness is just compounded by the fact that stores are beginning to be filled with clothes for the upcoming season. What's an intelligent woman to do?

I'm suggesting, for those of us who wear dresses, that we get a new dress. Something timeless and simple, in a color that we don't always wear. Think about your existing "Accessory Families" and choose a dress that can be worn with things that you already love...

I've done a LOT of posts in the past about dresses - today I'm specifically thinking about this post about a navy dress with pastel accessories. A navy dress - or any dark neutral colored dress - can be worn to pieces ... View the Post