The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Choosing a Scarf: A Soft Summer Pastel

May 29, 2014  

Even in the warmest weather, a lightweight scarf can be useful - last weekend, in the heat of Florida, I used my simple gauze scarf to keep the frigid breezes off of my neck and shoulders more than once!But what color to choose?  You know you want to wear your new scarf with your white summer clothes, but there are so many options...

  These white clothes have been digitally "tarnished" a bit so that we can actually see them on the screen. In real life, they would be sparkling, crispy white.  

  When you're tempted by a variety of colors, it might help to think about what ELSE you have (or might want to purchase) in that color that would help give your outfit a "planned" look ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Scarf: Dark Pool version 2

May 8, 2014   Maybe, when you first saw this painting (or scarf) you saw the end of it with the black and red accents, and not the pastels...  

The way you fold a scarf can make a huge difference in what's shown or concealed - the beautiful Mai Tai is a master at showing you how this works (and just, in general, how to wear a scarf to brilliant effect.)   So if you're more drawn to the high-contrast interpretation, here are some very different ways to approach the same neutral garments that I used yesterday.  (I know, I'm lazy...)   Using black or white instead of a pastel immediately changes the whole feel of the capsule.    

Scarf – Elizabeth Blackadder’s Dark Pond, sweater – Uniqlo, ... View the Post

A Summer Capsule Wardrobe, from “Ma To-Do List: Dressing”

April 30, 2014  

A little more of the text from this section of the book:"To build your "capsule wardrobe" can be intimidating, and also can represent a substantial outlay of money!  Why not take things step by step, and focus on the essentials necessary for each season.  This permits you to gradually, purchase by purchase, build an ideal wardrobe. Several paths can be considered and adapted according to your personal  needs and life style, as well as the weather where you live."

  love, Janice ... View the Post

Three Garments – Four Seasons

April 1, 2014   The clothes I bought in Paris are going to have to do a lot of heavy lifting, so I've been giving some thought to how many different ways I can wear them.  Here are my ideas, so far...   First up, the dress that I bought at French Trotters.  It's not available, but it's rather similar to this dress (mine has a bit more clearly defined pattern).  I know that I can wear this with a turtleneck layered underneath, warm tights, boots and a scarf - I did that in Paris!  But I can also scale it back to just leggings and flats, or sandals and bare legs...  

 

 

  Next, I want to make sure that I get maximum utilization from my new striped tee shirt. ... View the Post

How to Pack for Springtime in Paris: Black, White and Clouds

March 21, 2014   From the April 2, 2012 A Femme d'un Certain Age - visit there to see all of the possible combinations.  

Cloud-print tee – Stella McCartney, grey pants – Veronique Branquinho, cable-knit cardigan – Stella McCartney, pave earrings – Marc by Marc Jacobs, silver flats – Bloch, grey metallic scarf – Dorothy Perkins, grey tote – Laema  

Dotted scarf – Aspinal of London, pearl & jet earrings – JCPenney, star-print georgette scarf – Helene Berman, Cap-sleeved black silk blouse – Marc by Marc Jacobs, Black & white diamond flower ring – Lord & Taylor, white cardigan – Yves Saint Laurent, pearl drop earrings – Kate Spade, diamond and rhodium earrings – Lord & Taylor, bangle bracelet – 2028, ... View the Post

How to Pack for Springtime in Paris: Navy and White, with Green

This was the A Femme d'un Certain Age on April 16th 2012, so the garments probably are no longer available. (but I'm pretty sure you can still customize a Longchamp tote on their website)  This is a big year for green and navy - I saw it everywhere in department stores in Chicago - so this look could be easily replicated if you fall in love.    

sunglasses – Paul Smith, navy and green clutch – Marc by Marc Jacobs, navy striped top – Closed, navy stone hoop earrings & navy flower earrings – Kate Spade, white short-sleeved button-front top – Kookai, wrap dress - DVF, navy silk tee Studio Nicholson, navy cardigan – John Smedley, navy capris – Weekend by Maxmara, flowered silk ... View the Post

The Vivienne Files FAQ: Do I HAVE to buy basic garments?

March 1, 2014   Every day, I get lots of emails with lots of questions. I like that, and I'm happy that you take the time to write to me. ([email protected]) As hard as I try, I don't really have time to answer everybody individually, but your questions make a lot of difference when I choose my content every day.    The single question I'm asked the most: "Is it absolutely necessary that I own neutral, simple, basic, plain, boring garments?"   Let me say this flat out - if you can find a naturalist community with consistently moderate temperatures and well-groomed walkways, you can go without purchasing ANY CLOTHING AT ALL for the rest of your life. I know this is reducto ad absurdum, but sometimes we need ... View the Post

Start with Art: Abstract by Nicolas de Stael

February 15, 2014   This beautiful work is Abstract, by Nicolas de Stael, and these cool, subtle colors are amazing for the upcoming summer.   First, I'm looking for a neutral from within this painting. If you're comfortable wearing white, or if you have a good relationship with your dry cleaner, I would start with the crisp clarity of white for the initial four summer garments. Sandals that pair white with silver, and some silver loafers, might be all the change you need to update your existing wardrobe in this direction.   If you're nervous about wearing this much white, substitute the deepest petrol blue...  

  If you've got budget and ambition to add to this summer wardrobe, look to the cool ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Are you More Calder or Mondrian?

February 12, 2014

Many readers send me art to consider for the inspiration for a wardrobe - thanks a lot! Send me any inspirations you have...

MANY people choose Calder or Mondrian as their favorites, and I initially thought that I could put together one wardrobe that would accommodate both art preferences. For example, here are two works of art which are typical of the suggestions that I receive.

Obviously, both of these works of art suggested this color scheme - clearly you can see the appeal of these clean, clear, and vivid hues.

I first hit a hitch when I was thinking about the initial garment in the wardrobe. A white shirt seemed obvious - but soft and graceful silk, or a crispy cotton? The silk is very fitting for ... View the Post

Warm Weather in Navy and Pink: A Long Weekend, or a Week?

February 8, 2014   Ooh, it's nice to dream of summer clothes and warmer destinations!  Some of you are headed out with family for vacations that suggest shorts, capris, and flowing summer skirts and dresses, and the colors navy and pink are ALWAYS requested!  So here's a plan that starts with a long weekend, and then adds key garments if your trip is longer than that.   Always, for travel, I will recommend long pants, real shoes with toes and heels, and a cardigan - I always find airplanes are cold...  This outfit has the added benefit of giving you two core garments in navy around which you can work throughout your vacation.  

  A couple of pretty skirts, a pair of shorts, a dress (that will ... View the Post

Start With a “Difficult” Scarf: Black and White

January 22, 2014   This scarf, currently available from Hermes, is incredibly beautiful - much more interesting in person than any photograph can do justice...  

  But it's easy to see how you could fall into the routine of wearing this scarf pretty much exclusively with black and white garments - it just seems reasonable.  So I'm proposing a mental "reframing" of the scarf that might expand your comfort zone with it...   First off, think of the adjectives that characterize the unique beauty and appeal of this scarf.  To me, this scarf is clear, graphic, and linear.  This gives you a basis upon which to think about the sort of outfits that might benefit from the addition of this ... View the Post