Fringe is from a scarf purchased from a street vendor, necklace – Silpada, felt rose brooch – Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, all garments – Eileen Fisher
When you get a look at my upcoming Project 333 for Autumn, you might be terribly concerned that I’ve fallen into a deep depression, because a LOT of my clothes this autumn are grey…But if you look carefully at the photograph above, you can see that my wardrobe’s not going to be boring. The dotted fabric is my skirt, the grey ribs are a dress, the absolutely WONDERFUL sequined sparkly thing is a cardigan, and the seed and ladder stitched garment on the right is a crew neck sweater. I’m not at all sure how I’m going to wear these various garments, but as Project 333 moves forward, I will be sure to let you know.
Simple outlines or photographs of clothes don’t always show the true depth of beauty in the garments; texture can make things beautiful and rich without the more obvious interest of bright colors.
People often ask me why I don’t use more Eileen Fisher clothes on my blog; it’s largely because it’s terribly difficult to get photographs of her garments without a model. Model photos aren’t what I like to use – I want you to be able to see the clothes themselves, and think of how they will work for YOU, not on a model. That’s the reason I don’t show clothes on me very often – this blog is about you, not me.
If you want to get in touch with The Vivienne Files, the email here is [email protected]. I can’t absolutely guarantee that I can answer all the emails that I receive, but I definitely read and cherish and think about every word!
I am looking forward to your new P333. Over the last 7 or 8 years I have become a devoted EF fan mostly because of its versatility and longevity. Items that are devoid of many embelishments have to stand on their own quality of fabric and cut.
Janice- so many of the post titles of your blog could absolutely be chapters of a book. I know you have contemplated this, but I am really hoping that you eventually put one together. Actually, you could do a book on packing and capsule wardrobes without a doubt. Here's hoping!
Have you ever – or would you consider – posting a tutorial about how you typically tie a scarf ? I seem to be oddly inept at this, yet own several scarves that I would like to wear more often.
For scarf tying help, search for MaiTai's Picturebook. This tres chic Frenchwoman has lots of tutorials, most of them in videos. She also shows how to pair scarves with outfits. I don't have her wardrobe budget, but her blog is a great inspiration and resource.
Go the Eileen Fisher website and click "videos" at the bottom of the screen. There are fantastic scarf-tying videos with beautiful models, great music, and simple steps. These videos are the reason I wear scarves!
Also go to You Tube and check out "25 ways to wear a scarf in 4.5 minutes" by Wendy of Wendy's Lookbook. It's really fun to watch and has great ways to tie different sizes of scarves. Charlene
Aha! Texture is a key element for mixing various monochromatic items of clothing. LOVE your examples of grey (one of my favorite colors). I use textures when mixing black, too, because it's often very hard to get matching blacks, like a sweater and pants. I find it less annoying to wear "un-matched" blacks if texture is involved — a baby cable sweater or corduroy pants.
I'm looking forward to a book or two, also. I'd also like to see pix of you on your travels in the clothes and accessories you pack and wear on en route. While it's very informative to see them as you present them, I'd like to see a photo of all the pieces working together as an ensemble.
Dear Janice, I just love your greys and do not think them depressing in the least but very elegant! I have long envied your mixed grey pearl necklace which is featured here, and I have searched high and low for something like it with no success at all. Could you tell me where you found that one and whether you have ever seen any others? Warmest regards, Lyn
Can't wait to see these grey ensembles, Janice! There's nothing as versatile and elegant as grey (and, unlike black, you can wear it to weddings and christenings and garden parties without feeling like the specter at the feast.) And nothing better shows off the luminescence of pearls.
Gray is one of the loveliest neutrals, and IMHO, shows off texture better than black, where it can get lost in the darkness. BTW, the photograph is lovely as well. Is the flower attached to a garment or is it a pin? Looking forward to the gray P333
I like that you don't use models in your clothing displays. It allows the clothes to be considered on their own and makes the styles more approachable for me – especially true in color choices and shoes. The textures here are beautiful.
Silver, platinum, grey, gray… call it what you will, it is my color of the moment! November marks two years of growing out a dark brown dye-job, revealing a very new head of hair. Thanks a million for this incredible blog and all the tips. Looking forward to the P333.
Eileen Fisher kills me. The ethics! The fabrics! The general cohesiveness! But, oh, the sizing. They're just made for someone with a completely opposite body to mine.
Thank you for giving us ways to dress like grown ups. I look forward to your blog every day and always come away inspired. Would you consider doing a post on American-made clothing options? As I become more aware of the impact of fast clothes on the environment and the working conditions of those who work in factories making those clothes, I find myself searching for clothes made in the US, by fairly-compensated workers, from fabrics sourced in the US. If I can dress well and do well too, that would be a truly beautiful thing.
I appreciate the selections, mixes & matches you painstakingly put together. As a woman of a certain age, few magazines are relevant in style content. Your selections are stylishly timeless and continue to suggest new colors and ways to wear them. Thanks!
Maybe this is a silly question, but….. would EF give you some photos to use if you asked them? It would seem that they'd appreciate the publicity.
Thank you for putting your readers first. That is rare in the blogging world.
Hugs,
Renee