Japanese 24 Seasons Archives - Page 2 of 3

Japanese 24 Seasons of the Year – Risshun – Beginning of Spring

February 8, 2023

Okay, there's nothing resembling Spring in Chicago right now - although I did walk home from Physical Therapy in my shorts! People thought I was nuts...

I have two things in mind today - first is that eventually we should all take a close look at our clothes and accessories for the upcoming season to make sure that everything is in good condition. No yellowed whites? No run-down heels on our espadrilles?

And secondly, I want to have an outfit ready to roll if/when we get one of those freakishly warm days!

If you want to pull together an outfit in unusual (or unusual for you!) colors, it might be wise to get an early start, before all of the really nice things sell out!

No flowers poking up through ... View the Post

Japanese 24 Seasons of the Year – Daikan – Major Cold

January 23, 2023

It's certainly cold enough, although I'd give quite a bit for some real snow...

I hope that it's safe to assume that we've all worked through all of the autumn and winter sales, and are more than ready to start thinking of Spring!

If you're difficult to fit, or picky, or wear an unusual size (especially shoes!), this is when you should start looking at your warm weather wardrobe. Having an entirely new outfit queued up for the first warm day is sensible AND fun...

This soft light camel can be worn with darker brown now, and with white later on:

Is this the year that you get yourself a great new spring jacket?

In winter, as in all seasons, the beauty sometimes lies in the details:

The ... View the Post

Japanese 24 Seasons of the Year – Shōkan – Small Cold

January 6, 2023

Lots of things are on sale, and some new clothes and accessories are arriving in stores; this is the time to make sure that you've got the perfect outfit for that upcoming event...

If your upcoming event is meeting with your tiny friends on a branch, bright blue feathers are in order!

If you live in jeans and sweaters, this is the time to be sure that you've got the right jeans, and timeless shirt, and a beautiful sweater! Accessories that flatter your sweater are a good idea too...

If you love clogs, THIS is your year; Nordstrom has dozens of styles!

Maybe you're like me, and you rely on a black core day after day. Check your sweaters and pants - are they in good repair? Do you need new loafers, an ... View the Post

Japanese 24 Seasons of the Year – Tōji – Winter Solstice

December 21, 2022

The days start getting longer tomorrow! And while I'm quite ready for a big massive snowstorm (I love snow...), I'm also ready for a bit more daylight.

We live in a place just a bit too far south, and too brightly lit, to ever see the Northern Lights. Sigh...

For no clear reason I can offer, this post turned into 3 pairs of outfits - maybe I'm thinking about the balance of the solstice?

First up - a 2-piece dress!

You could pack the 2-piece dress, and then this sweater and pants; you would at that point be ready for at least a couple of parties!

Doesn't this look frigid, and beautiful?

If you find a scarf that you like somewhere, it makes sense to look at that same retailer for ... View the Post

Japanese 24 Seasons of the Year – Taisetsu – Large Snow

December 16, 2022

I kept thinking that I would hold this post for a few days, until we actually HAVE snow in Chicago. I've surrendered...

But I must mention - this was DIFFICULT, because lots and lots of stores are running out of things. I have a policy on The Vivienne Files that I won't show any item unless it's available in a full range of sizes; right now, that makes finding the clothes I want to share with you hard to find.

So be warned that if you love something, grab it pretty quickly or be prepared to be disappointed!

What about some outfits that you can wear to work, or to something festive, and fit in without wearing Santa earrings or an ugly sweater:

Maybe you want to wear pastels this winter!

This ... View the Post

Japanese 24 Seasons of the Year – Rittō – Beginning of Winter

November 7, 2022

If it's REALLY the beginning of winter, we will need something warm! I have to admit - I have 2 vests (pink and black) and I wear them a LOT - they're just enough warmth to get me down the block to the drugstore or other "near" errands...

If it hasn't snowed or rained, there's no reason that you can't still wear white jeans. I'm sure someone, somewhere, still feels the prohibition of "white after Labor Day," but we don't accept those limitations!

This next outfit has just a hint of the holiday season...

These really EARLY sunsets can be hard to take...

If you have a favorite accent color, a vest in that color can be both useful and fun!

Maybe if you lie in a snowdrift wearing a white ... View the Post

Japanese 24 Seasons of the Year – Sōkō Frost descent

October 24, 2022

This is just about the time each year when you realize that you're going to need to wear a sweater (or sweatshirt) just about EVERY DAY. If that's what you're facing as autumn peaks, and winter starts to make itself felt, maybe you deserve a really NICE sweater...

If you start buying cashmere sweaters when you're 30, and you buy 1 per year, you will have almost 3 dozen of them by the time you retire! Not a bad wardrobe to wear through your "golden" years, eh?

It goes with every neutral, and probably flatters almost all of us - what's not to love about burgundy/wine/merlot/berry?

Of course, if you look good in gold, WEAR GOLD! It's so lovely...

Frost can be beautiful...

Autumn and winter do ... View the Post

Japanese 24 Seasons of the Year – Kanro Cold Dew

October 10, 2022

Last Friday, about lunch-time, the temperature started to drop. Just like that - we went from "well, it may warm up later" to "don't forget your gloves..."

It could bounce back, but I have a hunch that autumn is really here!

Are your options for layering warm clothes ready for this sudden arrival?

Some of us wear classic colors - there's no combination more timeless than navy with red...

Just because your favorite neutral is grey doesn't mean that you MUST buy a grey coat or vest...

Frost can be beautiful... it's like a sugar glaze on everything.

If the primary purpose of your casual outerwear is to attend sporting events, why not wear the team colors?

I love the style of this ... View the Post

Japanese 24 Seasons of the Year – Shūbun Autumnal Equinox

September 23, 2022

When the days get shorter, I start checking to make certain that I have a nice jacket, as well as the necessary bits and pieces to stay warm!

Today's heroines don't all have heavy, wooly scarves; sometimes a silk scarf is enough!

And all of your colors don't have to match perfectly...

Blue skies and golden leaves...

You're never too old to wear a fun hat and mittens!

And it's never wrong to stock up on navy essentials:

The angle of the sun on autumn afternoons makes everything look better, doesn't it?

If you love pink, wear pink! You don't have to match the trees...

And remember that something as simple as brown buttons can make everything look ... View the Post

Japanese 24 Seasons of the Year – Hakuro White Dew

September 7, 2022

I'm taking a break in the "6 Scarves, 12 Months" so that I'm not late with today's new season!

When she was out walking around the city on Labor Day weekend, she saw all sorts of people who had to bundle up at short notice - the day was VERY cool...

She kept seeing people wearing what she thought were simple crewneck sweaters in all kinds of colors... until she got near a woman at a cross-walk, and saw that she was actually wearing a sweatshirt!

Hmm... she realized that a clean, unwrinkled sweatshirt doesn't have to look like you're cleaning the garage. And they're pretty easy to take care of too!

Now, to choose a color:

She isn't opposed to wearing white jeans in cold weather, ... View the Post

Japanese 24 Seasons of the Year – Risshū – Beginning of Autumn

August 17, 2022

Here in Chicago we felt it yesterday - that sense that autumn is coming. We all know that there will be sweltering days ahead, but we were reminded...

For me, that early cool day reminds me that I might want to check my wardrobe for upcoming autumn weather. This is a good time to start looking for the accent cashmere sweater that you will wear every week for six months, the scarf that you will cherish for years to come, or the warmer trousers that you need to replace the ones that you've worn to pieces this last few years...

Even if you live somewhere that doesn't get a lot of snow, you might still need a warm outfit or two!

This leaf perfectly conveys where we are, right now!

When I was ... View the Post

Japanese 24 Seasons of the Year – Taisho – Large Heat

July 22, 2022

Well, this is timely! I was just out on Michigan Avenue, the temperature is around 90 degree Fahrenheit, and the most comfortable women I saw were wearing loose dresses...

And so was I!

The most important thing to remember on days like this is to stay hydrated! And of course, protection from the sun is critical...

It's possible to wear black, if you've got your route planned so that you can stay on the shady side of the street! If you're not sure about how sunny it may be where you're going, you may want to choose something in a lighter color.

This is how it feels...

Even if you're somewhere surrounded by buildings and pavement, you can wear pretty flowers!

You might find that ... View the Post