February 22, 2021
You Could Go By Yourself…
She looked at her favorite bracelet – the Confident Lynx…
She’s going to do this – she’s been anticipating this Cathedral Tour weekend for ages, and she’s not going to miss it just because nobody she knows wants to go too!
So she starts to plan…
It won’t be bitter cold by the time of the tour, but she knows that she wants to dress rather warmly, because old stone buildings are never toasty…
Earrings – Kendra Scott; small scarf – Allsaints; sweater – Autumn Cashmere; coat – BB Dakota; bracelet – Fierce Lynx Designs; loafers – ARA; ponte pants – Spanx; watch – Ted Baker London; socks – GAP; bag – Camomilla
Since she’s going to be alone (well, there will of course be other people on the tour!), she wants to make sure that she can lift her own luggage and manage it without having to resort to the kindness of strangers! So she arranges a tidy black core of clothes, and then adds accents, and THEN adds accessories:
earrings – Kendra Scott; green blouse – Autograph; rose tile cardigan – J.Crew; green earrings – Kenneth Jay Lane; bag – Lulus; necklace – Kendra Scott; black cashmere sweater – L.L.Bean; floral shirt – L.L.Bean; dragonfly brooch – Talbots; beaded earrings – Kendra Scott; floral scarf – PJ Studio Accessories; green & black scarf – Antra Designs; loafers – Dr. Scholl’s; corduroy jeans – L.L.Bean; black stretch cotton skirt – J.Crew; ballet flats – Trotters; tights – Madewell; socks – Loft
She could happily stand in her spare bedroom for quite a while, admiring her choices!
Because she’s nervous, she stands in front of the spare bed and arranges outfits… Why not?
She’s still nervous about being with a group of strangers. About eating with a group of strangers. About staying in a hotel by herself. About tipping. About saying something disrespectful or ignorant. About everything… except getting dressed!
But she’s a confident lynx… she can do this!
I can relate….
love,
Janice
p.s. Eight years ago I shared with you 2 of my favorite books about color, and some of the more… eccentric adjectives that they used to describe colors. Great books – highly recommended!
Like this wardrobe? Save it to Pinterest!
Lovely! And that bag with the roses … very lovely. It says: “Last one available”. I just wonder if this is true or just a means to pressure persons? Mmmmh. At least the would shop to Germany.
(ship to Germany)
(This is not going to be my day. They would ship to Germany.)
It was gone already when I looked – must have been true!
Just noticed that the link to the black floral shirt was broken. I found it by quickly searching:
https://global.llbean.com/shop/Womens-Wrinkle-Free-Pinpoint-Oxford-Shirt-Relaxed-Fit-Long-Sleeve-Print/120060.html#prefn1=customPattern&prefv1=Print&prefn2=customStyle&prefv2=Long-Sleeve&start=1
The shirt comes in several lovely colourways including navy floral that picks up both the light and dark rose pinks.
I fixed the link in the post; I don’t like to be materialistic about The Vivienne Files, but I strongly encourage everyone to use the links if they can, because that’s where my small but lovely income is generated…
big big big hugs,
Janice
Janice, how do the links work? For example: If I clicked on one of your links to a blouse and then on the website it suggested pants to go with it… If I purchased both, would you receive commission for both? Or what if I decided not to purchase the blouse, but something else on that site after I linked to it from VF… Would you be rewarded? Just asking because sometimes one item leads to something more suited for myself.
Thanks!
Jennifer
Ah Jennifer, you’re so nice…
Anything you buy after you’ve clicked on a link counts toward my credits, and thus my commission. It’s usually mid single-digit percentages, which adds up. Eventually!
Thanks for asking; I appreciate that you’re thinking of me!
hugs hugs hugs,
Janice
Janice, does it work this way on all sites you link to? For example, if you link to something on Amazon but I buy something else, do you still get a commission? If so, it seems like I could start with one of your Amazon links any time I wanted to buy anything on Amazon, whether it’s your featured item or not.
I use the links on the “Shopping the Vivienne Files” page for the stores you have listed there, but I’m curious whether there are other stores not on that page that would work in the same way. For example, you link to J. Crew items regularly but they are not on that page.
In fact, I would happily read a “How to support TVF” post that explains how this works. Since I’m in a mode where I am trying to be much more selective about my purchases (thanks to reading your blog), I’m not doing much to generate revenue for it!
I know it can feel crass to talk money, but this is your livelihood. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only reader that doesn’t really understand what we can do to help keep the lights on at TVF.
I think that Amazon works that way too – it’s hard to know with Amazon, because they don’t really tell us too much of what’s happening! They can get away with that…
hugs,
Janice
I have the Thoughtful Lynx – Special Edition Bracelet Set (now sold out) and find that even during this pandemic I often enjoy choosing one or two bracelets in the set. It has worked well with denim, olive, and surprisingly even aquas and teals.
HOw you come up with all your combinations day after day I don’t know. I would go mad going through so many screens of clothing.
I looked at the floral shirt and thought the version with the black dots on the white background was very attractive.
I am very drawn to the forest green that you show from time to time. Both the scarf and the blouse are very appealing. Does anyone have experience buy things then returning them to Europe. I am hesitant to buy such things for fear they will not fit.
Very pretty set. This capsule really appeals.
Wow, this is gorgeous…and a master class in answering the question “I want to dress in a feminine but practical manner; I love florals but I also love black; how do I proceed?”
How would our heroine wear this lovely bracelet with all the long-sleeved tops? Do you roll up the sleeves so the bracelet shows? Do you wear it over the sleeve?
I would wear it over my sleeve, because I have preternaturally short arms! But for a shirt that rolls nicely, like the cotton, I would roll and show them off!
hugs,
Janice
I usually roll because the arms are always too long for me anyway.
Wow, I could find a home for that lovely pink jumper and the beautiful and delicate accessories.
I have a couple of small floral bags for summer ‘occasions’ and it has been announced that by 21 June all restrictions will be lifted in England.
In the meantime wouldn’t it be cheering to have a pretty larger everyday bag when I need to take so much with me. My current pewter grey everyday bag is falling to bits after 7 years of almost daily service. The classic ‘me’ would choose to replace it with something similar but the eclectic ‘me’ would choose to find something a bit different, with a subtle embossed, floral or paisley pattern or motifs.
Hi Janice: I like the options you can create with this bracelet…I might be more tempted to use grey as the essential neutral with green and pink/peach accents. Silver jewelry might be a surprisingly nice touch. PS thank you for including the dragonfly brooch for those of us who do not wear earrings.
I had just promised myself…no more bracelets…and this one, with the two colors that I am trying to work into my wardrobe, pops up. I had to run and order it right away. Because I was afraid if I waited it would be gone. I love my Fierce Lynx bracelets… thanks so much for introducing me to them!
Lisa—just ordered I think my ninth or tenth Fierce Lynx bracelet. Just love them!
I had a go at replicating this in my wardrobe. Like Linda P, items in shades of mid to dark grey were easier for me to achieve as a neutral given that I only have two pairs of black trousers – velvet for winter and smart trousers for spring/summer. However, I added in black and white houndstooth, black and white long cardigan, black and white snake print skirt and matching top and grey snake print jacket. It was a pleasing blend of shades with added interest in the patterned neutrals.
Pink is one of my main accents. Green had to be dark teal. I could easily create a year round wardrobe in grey, teal and pink. Though I would add light teal or duck egg green in the summer. Thanks for including accessories.
The coat and the cardigan jacket are perfection. Oh my word I had to stop myself from purchasing but I may go back and do so anyway. I’d get the coat in the white color though. It’s going to be 70 degrees F here this week and these look lightweight enough for that weather. (I’m in Charleston, SC in the USA)
Hi Janice,
Thank you for all that you do! I would love to see some items and links to some of the retailers that I use, including Talbots, J Jill and Chico’s. Also Soma. Nothing I like better than supporting my friends! I realize that you may not have, nor be able to acquire a business relationship with these retailers, but I thought it would be good to ask.
Love all your work!
Annie
I can put links to all of these retailers onto the “Shopping the Vivienne Files” page…
thanks for asking…
you all rock,
hugs
Janice
Janice, Would you consider doing a wardrobe in peach/coral, white/ivory and navy. Please do this in women’s sizing! I only wear skirts but that’s probably too much to ask! Thank you so much! Love your work. You do much more casual wardrobes than I do but I always gain so knowledge or item for my wardrobe soon with Spring around the corner. I wear Spring colors! Thank you!
This whole set is stunning!
I just received the Floral Scarf by PJ Studio Accessories – it is lovely – the fabric and colors are glorious – however, the background is navy, not black as I had assumed from the photo.
I love the depth in this one! How there are lighter and darker roses, solid and patterned greens. Makes it all the more interesting and varied. Beautiful!
Also, as someone who keeps spare clothes in her bedroom and arranges outfits when she’s nervous, I giggled. ?
*keeps clothes in her spare bedroom, I meant