The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Scorned as Timber, Beloved of the Sky by Emily Carr

June 20, 2013

  So very simple.  Tall, austere, lean, yet radiant. Vertical is balanced with the striations of the sky. Soft, cloudy, stormy around the edges, luminous throughout.  A lifetime of personal style inspiration could easily come from this...   A stunning dress, with simple earrings, pumps, and a structured bag.  A casual tee shirt dress, with shoes and a necklace that echo the sky in our inspirational painting.  

A cloudy grey coat, with soft suede boots and a stormy sky scarf, or a lacy dress with some dark accents, a soft and flowing wrap, and skylit shoes.  Even the earrings are lacy!

 

Another sleek dress with simple silvery accessories, or maybe a ... View the Post

Thinking about grey and black; color, and your immediate environment

June 5, 2013

 

The comments about my recent Project 333 post were an interesting conversation about colors, and who's comfortable wearing what colors in what environments.

I'm looking out my window right now, which faces south and west, looking out onto downtown Chicago.  The only colors I can see are shades of grey and beige - even the sky is grey right now.  If you love cities (and I DO love cities), it's a beautiful view. But if you're looking for color, this is not where you'll find it.

I take all of your comments very seriously. I read every one of them, and think about what you've taken the time to say. I gave a great deal of thought to comments which thought that my current wardrobe is dark, ... View the Post

I am not a movie character; hard, but necessary, wardrobe decisions

May 31, 2013  

  Somewhere in my imagination, I walk across windswept moors, my long flowing hair sweeping behind me. I'm dressed in something graceful and fluid, and it's all very dramatic and romantic...

 

And for a long time, I would occasionally buy something for this life..   Reality check? I wouldn't walk across a windswept moor, I'd stride at about 4 mph. My hair won't GET long - it won't grow past my shoulders. And even if it would, it would never flow. It might boing and sproing and ping and pong in it's curly way...   The fluid garments would get snagged on the gorse, and would get all wet and muddy around the hem...   The hardest part of having a focused wardrobe is the ... View the Post

Surviving the Treadmill – The Great Courses

May 23, 2013  

Yes, I go to the gym five days a week.  I walk two miles, at least, on a treadmill, at something just over 4 miles per hour.  It's boring, and tiring.And I don't really find that television keeps me amused...

So a few years ago, I started buying and downloading courses on music, philosophy and literature from The Great Courses. 

 

    I'm particularly smitten with this professor - Dr. Robert Greenberg.

 

He's smart, he's funny, and I know more about opera, symphony, and a bunch of composers...

You might as well enjoy yourself and learn something while you're burning calories.

Why yes, I AM running behind schedule... More normal posting will ... View the Post

Do you actually WEAR your favorite clothes?

May 10, 2013   Yesterday, when I was getting dressed, I reached out for my favorite silk jacket. It's from Eileen Fisher, it's a color she calls cobblestone, which is sort of bronze/grey/green, and when I wear it I look tall and thin and young, and AMAZINGLY stylish.   I reached.  And then I pulled back.  WHAT?????   Somewhere in the back of my mind lurks this voice that says "oh, save that for a special occasion..."   Really?  At my age?  It's not like I'm going to get dirty on the playground, nor spill chocolate milk on myself at lunch. (mmmmm....chocolate milk....)   What's the worst thing that can happen?  

I might be the best-dressed person at work.  (Oh bother) ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Les Bateaux, by Vincent Van Gogh

Sand, sky, and deep water - the perfect juxtaposition of cool and warm colors...

Van Gogh painting, "Les Bateaux", suede jacket – Les Bateaux, blue sweater – Jil Sander, pants – Burberry, loafers – Bottega Veneta, blouse – Vanessa Bruno, earrings – Target, suede skirt – Ralph Lauren, pumps – Nine West    

Van Gogh painting, "Les Bateaux", sweater – Acne, pants – Dsquared2, scarf – Yarnz, loafers – Bottega Veneta, cardigan – Lauren by Ralph Lauren, necklace – Mita Marina Milano, turtleneck – J. Crew, pants – Theyskens Theory    

Van Gogh painting, "Les Bateaux" ,  sweater – Romwe, scarf – Stella McCartney, leather skirt – Carven, loafers – Via Spiga, sweater – Romwe, scarf ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Garden in the Rue Cortot

If you were ever afraid of mixing shades of blue, this might give you courage!

Garden in the Rue Cortot – Renoir, flower earrings & necklace – Julia Failey, dress – Madewell, navy sandals – K Jacques, linen cardigan – J. Crew, tee shirt – Debenhams, loafers – Avec Moderation, silk pants – Stella McCartney      

Garden in the Rue Cortot – Renoir, tee shirt – Chinto & Parker, shorts – Oasis, sandals – Bruuns Bazaar, blue sweater – Yves Saint Laurent, bracelets – Asos, moccasins – Minnetonka Moccasin, cotton pants – Paul & Joe      

Garden in the Rue Cortot – Renoir, earrings – Amanda Sterett, silk halter top – Michael Kors, silk pants – Bottega Veneta, teal pumps – Miu ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Alphonse Mucha Summer

Yes, there's plenty more to come from Paris, after jet lag has released it's relentless grip...This painting made me want to find things that were soft, feminine, but with a certain inner strength or control.  The expression on her face is pretty confident!

Tee shirt – Thakoon, corduroy jeans – Current/Elliott, ankle boots – Mango, cashmere turtleneck – Eickhoff, skirt – 3.1 Phillip Lim, pumps – Salvatore Ferragamo    

Top – Moschino Cheap & Chic, skirt – Jenni Kayne, sandals – Dorothy Perkins, halter dress – Missoni, sandals – Manolo Blahnik    

Dress – Diane von Furstenberg, slingbacks – Miu Miu, blouse – Aubin & Wills, pleated skirt – Alexander McQueen, ballet flats - ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Water Dreaming, by Tjapaltjarri

Words are difficult... but something to do with nature, and clarity, and an organic feeling...

Water Dreaming – Mick Namarara Tjapaltjarri, white shirt – Acne, pants – Haider Ackermann, scarf – futabaya, monk-strap boots – Jil Sander, scarf – Oolmoo, sweater – Organic by John Patrick, skirt – J. Crew, boots s- See by Chloe  

Water Dreaming – Mick Namarara Tjapaltjarri, striped pullover – T by Alexander Wang, skirt – Christophe Lemaire,  ankle boots – Rag & Bone, turtleneck – Dsquared2, cords – Isabel Marant Etoile, suede sneakers – Isabel Marant  

Water Dreaming – Mick Namarara Tjapaltjarri, sweatshirt dress – Carven, leather bracelet – Miller & Jeeves, black pumps – Elizabeth and ... View the Post