Build a Capsule Wardrobe Archives - Page 14 of 81

A Plan to Control Shopping – Analyzing Your Impulses

January 22, 2021

For no good reason that I can pinpoint, I'm in the mood to shop! Maybe it's the sunshine beaming down on the lakefront that gives me this sense of optimism and cheer that translates into... buying things for myself?

Just on the face of it, that's an odd thing. I should be wanting to go out and walk for miles, or throw some snowballs, or open all of my blinds and clean our THIRTEEN big windows... (because cleaning windows is so often something one longs to do, right?)

But one of the occupational hazards of writing The Vivienne Files is seeing TONS of beautiful things, and finding that I'm still thinking of a few things long after I've moved on...

Like these beauties:

You can clearly see ... View the Post

I Love It, But Will I Wear It? A Bright Pink Fair Isle Sweater

December 14, 2020

My mail box often contains requests for assistance (or cries for help!), and this one seemed like a bright, cheery question to share. I personally adore Fair Isle sweaters, and this one is pretty gorgeous:

Rather than write a tale of glory about one of our heroines, I'm going to share my thought process as I try to answer our friend's question; I hope that's okay!

My first thought was that this is lovely, and a color combination that would flatter many of us, so my first inclination is to make this work!

Secondly, I looked more closely at the colors included here, and found 2 neutrals - white and navy. (okay, Diana Vreeland assures us that "pink is the navy blue of India" but I'm not in India...) And since ... View the Post

Start with FICTION? Fulvia Morgana, from Small World by David Lodge

November 11, 2020

I've never tried this before! But when I read this description, I knew I had to share it, and to fantasize about what she might have packed.... So let's meet Fulvia Morgana from the book Small World by David Lodge.

Isn't she fascinating? There's no hint of how old she is, or how she's built, or what her coloring might be!

But I'll warn you, she's not the nicest person in the book...

For our purposes, though, I'm thinking about what she changes into when she arrives at the ghastly literary conference...

note - this character is super-wealthy, so I've completely ignored prices on things in this post; it was interesting...

For the first night, she wants to sit quietly on the sidelines to see who's there, ... View the Post

A Great Book, and a Fun New Wardrobe Idea!

October 26, 2020

If you're not familiar with Fiona Ferris and her books, I strongly recommend that you click on the link below and get to know her!

She's lovely, wise and lady-like, with so much good advice it's amazing. I'm currently working my way through a workshop that she did on writing books, and I get to hear her talk her way through everything - her voice is charming, modulated to an elegant tone, with a New Zealand accent! What's not to love...

But what caught my eye right away in her new book was her idea about organizing a new capsule wardrobe each month to help focus, edit, and enjoy our wardrobes. Her target number is TWENTY-ONE!!!!

(I had to write to her immediately and ask permission to use her idea - and she ... View the Post

Build a Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Start with Art: White Peacock & Blue Delphinium by Jessie Arms Botke

September 21, 2020

I found this painting last week when my arms were killing me - I thought I'd find some whimsical painting that had lots of ARMS in it...

But this artist's middle name came up in my search!

What good luck is that? I'm Wearing White ALL Weekend...

The possible color combinations are many - I could easily have looked at that intense green at the top, or the deep brown of the branch...

But this particular heroine is being rebelliously dressy, so this is her palette:

They're all driving in from all around the region for the 100th anniversary of the Aviary. Her great-grandparents founded it, and it's still going strong!

There won't be any big festivities - just a special weekend for visitors, and a ... View the Post

Start with Art: Expanding on a Wardrobe based on Ophelia Among the Flowers by Odilon Redon

September 14, 2020 Well, THIS is Interesting.... She went to Cambridge, met with the lead actors, sat with them through a read-through of the entirety of Hamlet. It was great fun - she loved the people and the setting and their whole approach.

She thought it was finished when she got back in her car and left Cambridge...

Remember, this is the painting that she's using as her inspiration:

When she packed for her initial visit, it wasn't too tough; wear 1 3-piece outfit, pack 2 more 3-piece outfits that go with each other, as well as what you wear while traveling. In theory, you could have as many as 36 outfits...

WELL... The director has an ill family member, and now must quarantine. And now our heroine has been invited ... View the Post

Start with a Bracelet – Voyage to Amsterdam by Fierce Lynx Designs

August 28, 2020

I think that I might be posting on my old "Monday, Wednesday, Friday" schedule for a bit; it's all going to depend on my energy levels!

But let's talk about pretty things, eh? One of you requested a wardrobe based on this most wonderful bracelet...

I would LOVE to be able to capture that soft, misty blue in garments, but it's not exactly common! So we're going to enjoy the cheer and beauty of what we CAN find, right?

Yes, We Will Take the Ferry... And drive the rest of the way to Amsterdam. He has so much stuff to move out of his dorm room that we will want our car as well as his...

It feels like they JUST moved him INTO the dorm... but things change, especially this year!

It's not going to take ... View the Post

Is It Time for a Cold Weather Wardrobe Treat? A Whole Rainbow of Cashmere Sweaters…

August 25, 2020

A few people are still longing for summer clothes - I'm sorry, but they're getting to be SO hard to find in stores. As I may have mentioned in the past, I don't like to show you anything that isn't available in the full range of colors and sizes - why taunt you with things you can't have if you really want them? Thus, summer clothes are becoming difficult to share...

And a LOT of retailers are only bringing into stock the bare minimum of styles and colors for cooler weather - WHAT FUN IS THAT? We're stuck inside for most of our time, and we need cheer. Color! Brightness! Variety!

With that in mind, I'm sharing some lovely cashmere sweaters with you, along with a few other accessories to give you little accessory ... View the Post

I Love It, But Will I Wear It? Beach Roadtrip Silk Scarf by Kate Spade New York

August 19, 2020

One of you has had a moment of serious whappage, and asked for my opinion...

This is the scarf in question - it's SO pretty that I might be tempted to buy it and figure out how to wear it later; THAT'S not the cleverest way to shop!

Oh my HEART - this scarf screams summer in so many different ways....

Our heroine has been invited to go along with her spouse to a fishing cabin that's walking distance to a very charming little town. While she won't be doing any fishing, she WILL be sitting outdoors reading, walking into town to browse about, and probably doing a bit of walking on the trail around the lake. Sounds lovely, doesn't it?

My approach for her is to assemble 3 little clusters, based on the ... View the Post

Start with Art: Revisiting Arlequin et Femme au Collier by Picasso

August 13, 2020 I Need to do WHAT??? Yes, she's missed 6 months in the office (although she has worked EVERY DAY...) and now she has to sit for a re-certification...

It takes 3 days. Away from home. In a hotel.

After being locked up with her entire family for half a year, she's really excited! The whole test thing isn't fun, but being able to eat room service and lounge around alone in the evenings has a certain appeal...

She starts with her favorite "travel inspiration" painting:

She knows that she could just wear sweatpants the entire time, but she actually feels more awake and more businesslike if she dresses a bit nicer than that. And she doesn't want to have to do much thinking about what she will wear! This is her ... View the Post

If I Were Shopping: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

August 12, 2020

It's the biggest event of the year, for bloggers. Nordstrom having a sale is kind of big news in the retail/style industries, but for bloggers it's more than just a big sale. Nordstrom is probably the most generous retailer to bloggers - their commissions are substantial...

And that's why you're going to see lots of people talking about this sale in the next couple of weeks!

I always have mixed feelings about all of this; I don't suspect that you all believe that I'm writing The Vivienne Files just for the karmic bonuses that I earn from trying to be entertaining and helpful!

But I don't like to recommend things to you just because I make money, or just because things are on sale. Often, sale merchandise is stuff ... View the Post

I Love It, But Will I Wear It? Paisley Skirt

July 24, 2020

Her email to me was urgent, but self-effacing. She REALLY wants this skirt - I mean really really really REALLY wants it... but she doesn't want to be a bother...

Such nice people you all are!

But who could resist this challenge? It's mid-calf, it's pull on, it's got some great colors:

Our heroine was thinking of this as the pivot piece in a travel capsule wardrobe - would that be possible? I say - resoundingly - YES!

Let's start with a couple of tank tops and a 2nd layer for freezing indoor temps, as well as cool outdoor evenings:

A couple of uncomplicated pink tee shirts, and some sparkle earrings! And yes, you absolutely can wear Keds with skirts; it's relaxed and brings the dressiness level ... View the Post