The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

The Vivienne Files - Page 217 of 262 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

Red Jeans & Warm Colors

March 5, 2013   It has been very politely brought to my attention that, while I did discuss the utility of red jeans back when I purchased my own pair of them, I have not addressed the possibilities of wearing red jeans with warmer colors.  Since red is positioned on the color wheel precisely between yellow and blue, it has the charm of being neither a warm color nor a cool color, and thus can "swing both ways", in wardrobe terms.  And for those of us who don't care to wear bright colors too near our faces, for a variety of reasons, a brightly colored pair of jeans or trousers is an interesting option to consider.  

Red jeans – Theory, sweater – Dorothy Perkins, earrings – 1928, flats – Stuart Weitzman, blouse ... View the Post

Just Because You Can…

So I've already been to work for a couple of hours, and then out shopping with belovedest.

In the course of trying on clothing, B started with a pair of slim-fit pants, and asked our lovely young salesperson if there was anything available that was MORE slim.  Indeed there was, and they did... indeed... fit.  

The looked pretty adorable, frankly.

But he also reminded me quite strikingly of our 19 year old nephew. B is 50...

There are no rules about what you can wear at which age - I'd be the first person to protest any such policies.  But I do think that there is a voice inside all of us that helps us remember when we're comfortable and true to ourselves.  That voice was SCREAMING at B, when he put on the ... View the Post

Packing: Peach scarves and delicious tee shirts

Sometimes, knowing that you want to take your favorite scarf, and two absolutely LOVELY tee shirts is everything you need to get started...   And we all understand that these ideas extend beyond packing, right?  This might be a great shopping strategy for adding a couple of essential pieces to one's wardrobe, in order to get maximum mileage from a beautiful scarf.  

Silk scarf - Bougainbillier, pashmina - Forzieri  

Tee shirt - Hugo, cardigan – J. Crew, earrings – Irene Neuwirth, watch – Citizen, pants – Derek Lam, loafers – Tod’s, bag – Cambridge Satchel Company, suitcase - Tumi    

Necklace – BCBG Max Azria, dress – Christopher Kane, bracelet - Lanvin, pearl earrings – Majorica, ... View the Post

Packing: Start with Scarves

February 28, 2013   Sometimes, when you need to pack for just a few days, it can be impossible to get started - just to get that first garment off of a hanger and into a bag.     One idea I've had for giving impetus and focus to this project is to start with a favorite scarf of two, and to build a mostly-neutral wardrobe around it. A few brightly colored garments brighten things up, and give you a lot of mileage for just a few things, in a small bag.  

   

   

   

love,

Janice ... View the Post

9 more! Whatever’s Clean Summer Wardrobe

Sigh... L.L.Bean clothing is NOT frumpy.  It can be frumpy, but so can clothing from 3.1 Phillip Lim. Frumpy is the person, and the way things are worn, not the garments themselves.  Some accessories, some attitude, some good posture, and these clothes will look as chic as anything that costs 10 times as much.  Make your own style! UPDATE:  I welcome all comments.  You don't have to love what I do - it would be impossible for me to create web posts that everybody loved.  But everybody IS welcome to come by here, share their opinion, read the opinions of others, have a laugh or two, pick up something to think about, and stop back another day for a post that might be more to their taste.  As long as ... View the Post

The Whatever’s Clean Summer Wardrobe – 6 variations

Pretty much 45 seconds after I posted the 13 = 81 summer wardrobe, in which you can literally wear whatever's clean, and it will still go together, I got suggestions.  Dozens of suggestions..."This is wonderful, but I can't ever let me knees be seen in public!!!"

Variation: No Visible Knees Whatever's Clean Summer Wardrobe

"Okay, this is great, but you need to do a version that doesn't have anything sleeveless in it - my armpits are horrible!!!"

Varation:  No Visible Knees, nor Armpits Whatever's Clean Summer Wardrobe

"Please do a variation that doesn't include any black - I never wear black!"   Variation: The "No-Black" Whatever's Clean Summer Wardrobe

"Since I retired, I refuse to ... View the Post

A PINK coat…

Today, I'm guest-posting (have I recently mentioned what an HONOR this is?) over at A Femme d'un Certain Age.  My project is to take seven really basic pieces of clothing (from L.L.Bean), and snazz them up with a great coat and some amazing accessories.  It's great fun... ... View the Post

Considering Colors – 2 more books

February 22, 2013

This first book is chock full of color combinations, with specific references to a variety of adjectives (which you might find appropriate, or laughably odd).  Not everything to my taste (NOTHING should ever be exactly to my taste, unless I wrote it myself), but certainly many good ideas, and lots of thought-starters.

 

 

Turns out that all three books by Kobayashi are fascinating little volumes, and cover a great deal of the same ground...Remember the 180 words, from which we were requested to choose our favorites and least favorites, that I wrote about back on February 5th?  Color Image Scale printed a list of the 30 preferred and disliked words...  Clearly, the ... View the Post