Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature
August 15, 2013
In the interest of full disclosure, if your click on any link to Boticca and purchase something, they give me a (very) small commission. That's not why I use their accessories on The Vivienne Files; I use them because they're timeless, elegant, classic, and unique, just like us!
love, Janice ... View the Post
August 10, 2013 A few simple accessories will help you get into the autumn mood... While the tote bag I show is technically supposed to be a beach bag, it's so incredibly well designed that I wanted you to see it! It could easily be used through most of the year - where did we get the idea that we could only use certain materials at certain times of the year? If you're not a scarf person, you might want another necklace or two; if jewelry isn't your thing, then you can go nuts with scarves... To each her own very personal and beautiful preferences!
love, Janice
... View the Post
August 7, 2013 Accessories are an important part of shifting your wardrobe from summer to autumn. While you can get by indefinitely without any jewelry or scarves, at a minimum, you're going to need a pair of shoes...
love, Janice ... View the Post
July 12, 2013 These scarves are sufficiently beautiful that they would make a compelling focus for one's wardrobe. Even if you didn't wear the scarf every day, using the colors in it as a unifying theme for your purchases could be a brilliant idea...
Ruffled silk scarf – Anne Selby
Olive coat – Jil Sander, olive sweater- Ralph Lauren, Earrings – Georg Jensen, Silk top – Jil Sander, Grey cardigan – Tsumori Chisato, Taupe cotton velvet jeans –Brunello Cucinelli, Taupe sweater – Nina Ricci, Suede skirt – Jitrois, Bracelet – Gag and Lou, Bag – TSM The Swedish Model, Loafers –Geox, Pumps – RSVP, Grey jeans – BLK ... View the Post
July 3, 2013 If you have the good fortune to own a pair of Hermes enamel bracelets, you may want to use them as the basis of some outfits...
Cardigan –Closed, Earrings- Georg Jensen, V-neck – Closed, Silk blouse – Steffen Schraut, Blue cardigan – Massimo Alba, Wine jeans – Closed, Bag – Dolce & Gabbana, Grey tee shirt – Organic by John Patrick, Wine tee shirt – Organic by John Patrick, Slate blue pants – Massimo Alba, Tweed skirt – Dolce & Gabbana, Suede loafers = Patricia Green, Flats – French Connection
love, Janice
... View the Post
June 21, 2013
There were lots of black dresses on the streets of Chicago yesterday, and lots of all-black outfits. But a few really stood out from the crowd by virtual of their carefully chosen metallic accessories. From the young lady in the spikey necklace and woven flats to the executive with her Ferragamo shoes and bag, (and great silver sunglasses), black and silver caught the eye.
The first woman I saw who really got me noticing the all-black outfits with metallics was wearing a simple sleeveless top with shorts, but her accessories really elevated what might have been a very stark outfit. Right behind her was a lovely person in a sleeveless dress with gold flower jewelry - uncluttered, but very charming.
In the Loop, ... View the Post
June 17, 2013
Among the many perks of blogging full time, I think the best so far is that I get to spend much more time with Belovedest. Particularly fun is either walking to his office with him in the morning, or walking over to meet him after work and then walking home together. In doing this, I get to see literally thousands of women, every day, either going to or leaving their workplaces.One woman, who either lives or works very near to our home, wear the same coral, turquoise and gold necklace EVERY day. After I saw her the third time, I mentioned to her - in passing- that I recognized her necklace, and that it seems to be a favorite. Her reply, with a very moving and wistful smile: "I wear it every day; ... View the Post
June 14, 2013 Many people asked to see more groupings of accessories- including a scarf and a cardigan - in order to better understand the possibilities inherent in this idea. When I choose these accessories, I don't necessarily match the colors exactly, or make sure that everything has a "theme" to it (like flowers, or dots, or stripes). I'm going more for an elusive sensibility - the idea that all of these things could easily belong to the same woman. To me, that seems like the most logical criteria of all for assembling any wardrobe, or a wardrobe of accessories.
I always feel that thinking of accessories and ... View the Post
June 13, 2013
It's tempting to starting thinking of each scarf as being "married" to (or at least going steady with) a particular outfit that you own, and moreover, to always reach for the same scarf when you put on a favorite outfit. I do this often, and I'm trying to break out of this habit, and shake up my scarf/clothing combos a little bit. So I took one outfit that I wear a lot (this sweater is linen, so it can be worn through all but the hottest summer months) and tried to see how it would pair up with a variety of scarves.I show Hermes scarves here, but PLEASE bear in mind that this exercise is true of any scarves you own. Vintage from a thrift store, hand-crafted from a street fair, or heritage ... View the Post
June 11, 2013 So one of you recently purchased a very beautiful scarf, and now you're feeling.... stuck? unsure? It's a common situation, and one that's pretty simple to remedy.
This is the lovely object in question, entitled "Crack of the Whip". Striking graphics, and an unexpected juxtaposition of yellow in the middle of the purples and blues - those Hermes people are good... First thing you have to isolate is what color or colors drew you into this scarf? If it was the turquoise, for example, you might find that you already own the following items, to complement your scarf.
Further, let's assume that you own some version of The Common Wardrobe, a couple of simple dresses, and a ... View the Post
May 30, 2013
paisley scarf - Brooks Brothers, red earrings - Blue Nile, knot earrings - Brooks Brothers, navy sunglasses - Paul Smith, square scarf - Etro, gold chain necklace - Brooks Brothers, red & white scarf - Monsoon, turquoise earrings - Michael Kors, navy & gold bracelet - C. Wonder, watch - Nixon You could survive without three scarves - you can live with no scarves at all! The gold jewelry all shares a chain/link sensibility, and two simple pairs of earrings in your accent colors can get a lot of mileage. Sunglasses in one of your core neutrals, and you're ready to travel...
Navy short-sleeved tee - J. Crew, navy ... View the Post
May 26, 2013
white scarf - Sperry Top-Sider, green striped scarf - Faliero Sarti, starry scarf - Dianora Salviati, solid green scarf - Kin by John Lewis, two-toned bandanna - Jacob Cohen, green earrings - Nan Fusco, solid beige scarf - Valentino, watch - Wewood, necklace - Seta di Jaipur, striped flats - Keds, sunglasses - Oliver Peoples, sandals - Massimo Dutti, bag - Georgina Skalidi, green sandals - Diba
Okay, the above shows the accessories that I would choose if I were going to have the following green and khaki Common Capsule Wardrobe for this summer.
all clothes - L.L.Bean Right away, you can see a sort of harmony between these ... View the Post
