November 4, 2024
I think I’m going to do a post each day this week, and finish the six paintings for the month of November. It seems to me that any kind of distraction might come in handy right now…
Ah, this most exuberant of heroines! Not just anybody could pull off a wardrobe in only three colors, when one of them is RED. But it’s possible. There are lots of women, and lots of wardrobes…
This wardrobe feels pretty complete to me – when you remember that you can only wear one outfit at a time (at least in theory!), own this much clothing feels pretty complete…
In all fairness, if this was my wardrobe, I’d need a few more summer dresses! But still, I don’t think I’d ever really struggle to get dressed…
I always love the accessory collections; I’ve learned from this that it makes sense to keep a lot of my jewelry and scarves out where I can see them. I enjoy them more, and it keeps me from buying duplicates. (I can buy brooches, and brooches, and brooches, AND BROOCHES…)
Similarly, I keep my core three pair of shoes (one set for warm weather, one for cold) where I can readily see them. That way I don’t start getting dressed and then wonder what I’m going to put on my feet! It’s surprising how easy it is to forget things that you own, although they are as close as your closet.
I’m quite sure that this heroine is going to have some holiday functions to attend, but I’ve decided that this year, we’re going to keep things relatively relaxed. And while you aren’t going to wear white pants when the weather is wet and slushy, but if it’s bitter cold and NOTHING is splashing, you’re safe!
Snowflake earrings – Talbots; Fair Isle sweater – L.L.Bean; flannel shirt – L.L.Bean; white turtleneck – L.L.Bean; hooded scarf – And Other Stories; corduroy pants – L.L.Bean; loafers – Anne Klein
Every winter, when I’m unpacking my sweaters and cold-weather gear, I make ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that my white turtlenecks (usually two) are in good enough condition to make it through another winter. Layers are key in Chicago!
Couldn’t you grow to love a hooded scarf?
So what is our heroine picturing for this month’s new outfits?
Do you know anybody who is as faithful to their accent color as this heroine? One could make the case that I’m pretty loyal to wearing purple, since my hair is highlighted in purple, and thus I wear it every day…
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, our wardrobe started with a lovely swatch of floral fabric. There are really few limits to what can inspire you, if you keep your eyes open!
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This is simply fabulous! My amazing mom is 88 years old and still the most elegant dresser I know. Maybe it’s a French thing? But, she’s also a Stanford University graduate (for both undergraduate and grad school), which is all about Cardinal Red. Combine those two aspects of her personal style and boom! You have the most chic woman I’ve ever met. Red her is color and she rocks it like a queen. Red can go two ways….either it’s regal and chic, or it can look pretty Christmas campy. The wardrobe you’ve created here is regal and chic. I’d love to see a red dress for next month to go with!
Lovely wardrobe! I’d kinda like to see what each heroine might wear for sleepwear (gown, pjs, robe) next month. I bet this heroine wears red to bed.
That’s a great idea! I’d love to see a sleepwear and undergarment section for each wardrobe.
This is just fabulous. While I am no where near regal and/or chic I do have a fair amount of red in my wardrobe. In fact today I have on orange pants, an orange/red tunic and a red tone on tone rose floral print sweater. And red boots. I love the LLBean fair isle sweater. And I still really love the one scarf. I wish it weren’t so pricey. Have a lovely Monday everyone!
This wardrobe is proof that one can look elegant in their everyday clothing. Talbots, by the way, has a lovely array of holiday brooches. I like seeking out brooches (and scarves!) in thrift stores and museum shops. The late Madeline Albright had a massive brooch collection. I got to see a display featuring part of her collection at the Smithsonian. Many of those brooches had a fascinating story connected to world diplomacy.
Feels like Christmas to get five postings this week! And always interesting to look at the “Ten years ago…” wardrobes to see how Vivienne Files has evolved to present more refined and detailed capsules even as the clothes now are more casual. Great body of work!
I agree with Debra, will feel like Christmas getting five postings this week. Love Georgia Okeeffe paintings and could see one of my daughters wearing this wardrobe very easily. She loves red. As i am also convalescing, I am so looking forwards to the coming week. Hope your healing is going well and you are not over doing it.
With just the one wardrobe I really noticed the pieces and not just color combos. What strikes me today is I can only dress like this 4-5 months of the year, from this week through Easter. I love sweaters and jackets and all the cozy wear, but even in winter I don’t wear layers, just a jacket if I’m outdoors. I’ll love every day of our chilly weather.
The types of clothes in this wardrobe are my jam! And after thanksgiving I will pull out my “Christmas capsule” which is red, green (more olive and sage then bright green) and navy/denim/black as nuetrals. I’m so excited!! Also this includes a special red cardigan that was my grandmothers. I can still picture her pulling Kleenex for us out of the pocket. I love wearing it this time of year!
It’s so great that you have that cardigan! I have scarves from my mother and both grandmothers, which help me to feel connected to them.
I didn’t know that a hooded scarf was a thing, but now that I’ve seen one, I desperately need on for my wardrobe! Now to find one that’s in my colors…
And all kinds of “scarfy” things – especially coats with attached scarves – are very trendy right now. Not that we care about trends… If you find one with a contrast blanket-stitch border, you’re right in the thick of hipness!
love,
Janice
Showing a post each day this week sounds like a great distraction for you and a focus for us. Even though I started loving the all blue wardrobe, I am finding that the colors of the wardrobe don’t influence me as much as the heroine’s style (colors can be adjusted to your personal preference) Looking forward to the rest of the week to see which wardrobe nails it style-wise for me.
Exactly! Janice presents my personal style so well, this is my inspiration for everything. I’ve found how easily you can check a style you love for colors more suitable to the capsules you have going.
I’m now 2-1/2 years into being very disciplined with my palette and I’m finding it easier by the day to get dressed or pack for trips.