The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

The Vivienne Files - Page 224 of 268 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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

Spring 2013 Accent: “Tender Shoots” in the office

February 21, 2013   Some of these garments just hint at the presence of "tender shoots"...  

 

 

   With that, I have exhausted both my ability to work with neon green, and the Pantone Spring 2013 colors.  And since one of my WONDERFUL readers found the link for the Fall 2013 colors, it begs a question - when should I start looking at the Fall/Winter colors?  As soon as the fall clothes are in the stores, in July?  Chime in with a suggestion!

 

love, Janice ... View the Post

All about a RED coat…

Yesterday's post at A Femme d'un Certain Age was my use of one extraordinary coat, and seven garments from L.L.Bean, to put together 10 outfits...  It's best just to get in the habit of checking her blog every day; there's always something beautiful, interesting, thought-provoking, touching, or just plain funny in her world! ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Spring 2013 Accent: “Tender Shoots” & A Common Wardrobe

February 20, 2013  

I've taken a different approach here, which I think might be an effective way to wear a color that you really LOVE, (or that you have to wear for purposes of work or social solidarity - think favorite sports team) but that isn't terribly flattering to you.  (if you look good in the color, live it up; you're an uncommon beauty!) 

Basically, I've concentrated the color in a pair of shoes, and a bracelet - two items that aren't going to have any opportunity to flatter or detract from your face, unless you're a contortionist.  Then a couple of prints or patterns that include moderate doses of the color in question, but which will bring the shoes and/or bracelet into your outfit with a ... View the Post

Sunk costs, Capsule Wardrobe Project 333, and a confession

February 16, 2013  

 

My tweed jacket isn't working. I bought it on sale (I should have known better!), and every time I wear it I feel... meh. Below par. Not on my game. Frumpy. I think you get the picture...So let's all think about this for a minute... my jacket is NOT the glorious Alexander McQueen pictured above, but let's say I paid $200 for the one that I have. That money is SPENT. GONE. In economic parlance, we call that a sunk cost.

There are now two possible "equations" for my life with this jacket:

(1) negative $200 spent on jacket + negative feelings wearing jacket = double negative (2) negative $200 spent on jacket + positive feeling wearing something else = neutral outcome

Piling onto a ... View the Post