The Vivienne Files - Page 253 of 262 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

read this. now.

I take a lot of heat for showing expensive clothes on this blog, but I do it for aspirational and aesthetic reasons. At no time do I think you should EVER buy anything for which you can't pay cash.

now go to this blog: http://cupcakecaramel.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-consumerism-can-ruin-your-life.html

Read every word. And thank the source of all blessings that there is someone out there writing these things that we all need to read, remember, and take to heart.

Thank you, Cupcake, for writing this post. I will always remember it, and always be grateful to you for writing it. ... View the Post

Wardrobe: back to work mom…

Red flats – Topshop, teal flats – Dorothy Perkins, silver & teal earrings – Hannah Zakari, dotted scarf – Debenhams, teal pearl set – JC Penney

tee shirt – Miss Selfridge, long-sleeved tee shirt – J. Crew, black capris – Dorothy Perkins, skirt – Topshop, back flats – Topshop, Fairisle cardigan – Buckle, earrings – 1928, purple cardigan – Old Navy, scarf – C and C California

Tee shirts – Dorothy Perkins, Jeans – Tillys, boots – Clarks, hat – Monsoon, cardigan – John Lewis

Clothes and shoes – L.L.Bean, scarf – Modcloth, bracelet – Forever21 ... View the Post

Wardrobe: navy, with green and yellow!

Jacket – 3.1 Philip Lim, Cardigan – Paul Smith Black, green blouse – Marc by Marc Jacobs, White tee shirt – Oasis, Pants – Paul and Joe, Tweed skirt – Giambattista Valli, Jeans – Ferris, Scarf - Hermès

White shirt – Witchery.com, Trench coat – Burberry Prorsum, Winter coat – Diane von Furstenberg, Sweater dress – Joseph, Pants – Katharine Hamnett, Pleated skirt – Junya Watenabe, yellow sweater – N. Peal, green jacket – Jil Sander

Dress – Lela Rose, Tweed jacket – Oscar de la Renta, Tee shirt – Debenhams, short-sleeved striped tee shirt – Old Navy, Long-sleeved striped tee shirt – L.L. Bean, Pants – Marc by Marc Jacobs, Plaid shirt – ... View the Post

Wardrobe: gray, navy and lavender

Jacket – Theory, Cardigan – 3.1 Phillip Lim, blouse – Zac Posen, tee shirt – Kain Label, Pants – Opening Ceremony, Tweed skirt – Lanvin, Jeans – Marc Jacobs, scarf - Hermes

White shirt – Witchery.com, Trench coat – Risto, Winter coat – Windsmoor, Sweater dress – Theory, Pants – Katharine Hamnett, skirt – Darling, sweater – Proenza Schouler, Tweed jacket – Rag and Bone

Square scarves – Hermès, Swirl scarf – Debenhams, Paisley scarf – Liberty of London, Purple labradorite earrings – Monica Vinader, Marble ring – Max & Chloe, Bow brooch – Alexis Bittar, 3-strand necklace – Tarina Tarantino, Sunglasses – Gucci, Hat – People Tree, Flower stud earrings – Lanvin, Watch – Skagen, Nugget ... View the Post

Not so crazy eights: Black, and bonus items

1. Pumps – Sam Edelman, Scarf – Hermès, bag – Sissi Rossi 2. Brogues – Robert Clergerie, necklace – Daniela Swaebe, earrings – Max and Chloe 3. Pumps – Jimmy Choo, scarf –Erdem, brooch – 1928 4. Flats – Giuseppe Zanotti, ring – Les Pommettes, bracelet – Hermes

5. Flats – Stuart Weitzman, scarf – Hermès, bag – Hermes 6. Flats – G by GUESS, earrings – Nnu Designs, necklace – ice.com 7. Slingbacks – Asos, scarf – Hermes, bracelet – Hermes 8. Loafers – Tod’s, brooch – Zina, ring – Laura Alexander

9. Pumps – Soft Style, scarf – Hermès, bag – Reed Krakoff 10. Shoes – Loeffler Randall, Bracelet – Judith Jack, earrings – Judith Jack 11. Pumps ... View the Post

Not so crazy eights: Taupe

1. Pumps – Gianvito Rossi, Scarf – Hermès, bag – Marc by Marc Jacobs

2. Loafers - Topshop, necklace – Alexis Bittar, earrings – Fantasy Jewelry Box

3. Pumps – Jones New York, scarf –Kelly Wearstler, brooch – Alexis Bittar

4. Oxfords – Robert Clergerie, ring – Alexis Bittar, bracelet – Alexis Bittar

5. Pumps – Peter Kaiser, scarf – Hermès, bag – 3.1 Phillip Lim

6. Flats – Tod’s, earrings – Alexis Bittar, necklace – John Lewis

7. Pumps – Cole Haan, scarf – Kelly Wearstler, bracelet – Jensen-Conroy

8. Ballet flats - Hermes, brooch – Zina, ring – John Hardy

9. Boots - Lanvin, scarf – Hermès, bag – Anya Hindmarch

10. Shoes – ... View the Post

Build a Capsule Wardrobe Starting with Art: Alfred Sisley

jacket – J. Crew, Cardigan – H&M, Tee – Topshop, Shirt – Topshop, skirt – Debenhams, Blue pants – Acne, Jeans – Nordstrom, Scarf – Bajira

Sweater – Champ, Trench – Farhri by Nicole Farhi, Coat – Diane von Furstenberg, dress – DAKS, jeans – Dorothy Perkins, Skirt – Hugo Boss, Sweater – John Lewis, Jacket – Old Navy

Dress – Lela Rose, Cardigan – Paul Smith, Butterfly top – Dorothy Perkins, Striped top – Dorothy Perkins, Floral blouse – Rebecca Taylor, pants – A.P.C., green tee shirt - Madewell, Striped top – Gryphon NY

Glass ring – Forzieri, agate drop earrings ... View the Post

Build a Capsule Wardrobe Starting with a Scarf: Tiffany feather peacock shawl

Blazer – Moschino, Cardigan – Inhabit, tee – American Vintage, Shirt – Costume National, Tweed skirt – L.K. Bennett, Plaid pants – Marni, Jeans – Save Khaki, Scarf – Hermès

Blouse – Aubin & Wills, Trench – Burberry, Coat – Isabel Marant, dress – Phase Eight, Pants – 3.1 Phillip Lim, Skirt – 3.1 Phillip Lim, Turtleneck – D&G Dolce & Gabbana, Cardigan - Modstrom

Dress – Missoni M, Cardigan – Missoni M, plum tee shirt – T by Alexander Wang, gray sweater – J. Crew, ¾ sleeve top – Max Mara, pants – House of Fraser, Shirt – J. Crew, floral silk blouse – L’Agence

Gray pearl earrings – J.C. Penney, square scarf – Hermès, blue quilted bag – Marc Jacobs, silver ... View the Post

A reassessment, and a New Year’s resolution

Maybe in your world it is NOT the first of the year, but for those of us who grew up in homes where it was all about education, September first is indeed the beginning of the year, at least in our hearts.

As you all well know, I'm not working. Therefore, my whole "turning the hangers backwards" experiment with summer clothes has been a dismal failure; the only time my "work" clothes get out for an airing is if I have an interview. Therefore, the vast majority of my (perfectly nice, wearable, "keepable") clothing is still hanging "hanger forward". What to do...

A resolution: no new clothes for a year.

I have a LOT of clothing. Really nice things. Tons of stuff for the cooler weather that's in a storage ... View the Post

A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in black, white and grey for a week in a city

Cardigan – Lands’ End, gray tee shirt – Topshop, gray sweater – J. Crew, black dress –

Topshop, white tee shirt – Topshop, striped tee shirt – Topshop, black skirt – Topshop,

black trousers – Oasis, scarf - Hermes

Black cardigan – Debenhams, black top – Malo, black sequined top – DKNY, short trench –

Galeries Lafayette, gray dress – Tomas Maier, gray pants – J. Crew, tweed skirt – Lanvin,

wool tweed sweater - Acne

Pearls – Ice.com, Black & white scarf – Fendi, Sequined scarf – John Lewis, Paisley scarf –

Pretty Green, Shoulder bag – Sonia Rykiel, gray pearl brooch – Fantasy jewelry box.com, Drop

earrings – Alexis Bittar, Pearl stud earrings – ... View the Post

A Travel Capsule Wardrobe for a week in northern California

Important note - read the comments below! A very generous comment from a reader who lives in Napa gives us some essential information about what to expect for weather this time of year. Thanks for sharing!

Cardigan – United Bamboo, beige tee shirt – weekday.com, brown tee - Vince, dress – Givenchy, tee shirt trio - Swell, olive twill pants – Donna Karan, brown cords - Vince, scarf - Hermes

Light olive cardigan – Jigsaw, olive sweater – Cruciani, silk tunic - SuperTrash, skirt - Marni, khakis – Weekend by Maxmara, sweater – Joseph, jacket - Barbour

Brown stud earrings – Topshop, gold ball earrings – Nordstrom, stripes scarf – Kelly Wearstler, brown cross-body bag – ... View the Post

Transitioning from one color palette to another – part 2

brown tee – Debenhams, brown jeans – InWear, snake print tote – Jimmy Choo, safari scarf – Generalpants.com.au, loafers – Dolce Vita

Camel jacket – Nordstrom, orange coat – Burberry Prorsum, gold jacket – Sonia Rykiel, yellow peacoat – Old Navy, tan peacoat – Victoria’s Secret, faux leopard trim coat – Miss Selfridge, orange hoodie – Jil Sander, olive coat – Rag & Bone

Green dress – Alice and Olivia, rust dress – Viktor & Rolf, orange dress – 3.1 Phillip Lim, camel dress – Dorothy Perkins, brown sandals – Tod’s, cognac sandals – Pied a Terre, gold sandals – Prada, tan sandals – Sam Edelman ... View the Post