The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

Part 3 December 2022: Six Scarves, 12 Months

December 7, 2022

Our last 2 heroines! I grow attached to these projects...

First, let's visit our heroine with the Chrysanthemum scarf:

This heroine isn't planning to dress up much this season - she's more interested in warm and casual!

Her wardrobe of 40 garments looks coherent and very versatile:

And her accessories are wonderful - accessories make so much difference...

Her new garments can be worn more than 2 different ways (each), but she makes certain that she has at LEAST those options...

And now to my favorite heroine - the one who figured out that wearing brown and black together is magical!

THE BLAZER. Oh great shiny chocolate-coated Buddha on a bagel, THE BLAZER...

If I could wear ... View the Post

Part 2 December 2022: Six Scarves, 12 Months

December 5, 2022

Sometimes, heroines don't need sequins or beaded trim to dress up!

I think that it makes sense for most of us to have a beautiful blouse or top in our favorite accent color, though!

If you want to look luxurious and elegant, but NOT frou-frou, these tops might be just right for you!

Although relatively few of her garments are frilly or lacy, this wardrobe still has a pretty feel to it...

And her accessories are lovely... I'm always smitten with accessories!

Such a fun range of outfits are possible from this wardrobe:

This next wardrobe is finally starting to look coherent, to my eye. Sometimes it takes a while!

Our heroine stumbled onto a few pieces in her favorite shade of ... View the Post

Part 1 December 2022: Six Scarves, 12 Months

December 2, 2022

I always think of "finishing" these wardrobes for the December posts - but I'm realizing (after a TON of these posts!) that there is never a finished wardrobe. You might well be at a point that you have everything you need for the foreseeable future, but things will wear out. You will change your tastes. Your body will change. Oh, how things wear out...

So for this last post, I'm adding jeans to EVERYBODY'S wardrobes, as well as a couple of tops...

This wardrobe has been a lovely study in a couple of things:

How you can bring an accent color into your wardrobe without matching every piece (both the green and the pink here have garments that don't match!) How many pairs of pants you can have in your ... View the Post

Start with Art: A Peasant Woman by Edgar Degas

November 30, 2022

 

Why yes, it suits her to a T...

The Confectionary Rep...

She goes to all of those gigantic food conferences - she's responsible for over a dozen of the booths that showcase small chocolate and caramel makers...

She doesn't have to actually be IN the booths - she hires lovely staff for that! But she does get to wander around, offering samples to people, and chatting with customers who seem to be legitimately interested...

She loves dressing in "chocolate and caramel" colors, with a touch of ivory whipped cream!

One company has mentioned that they might started making chocolate-covered cherries!

She sees a beautiful red sweater in her future...

love,

Janice

p.s. ... View the Post

Accessorizing! Adding to a Navy, Green & Yellow Wardrobe

November 28, 2022

It has only been a few days - I'm sure you remember the wardrobe that we looked at last Wednesday!

I left that heroine with almost no accessories...

My favorite approach to adding accessories to a wardrobe is to choose a range of outfits, and then accessorize each outfit with what they need. After the 2nd outfit, I find that I can start re-using shoes, at least!

If you can find a lovely pair of shoes in your accent color, consider grabbing them! Some of us don't feel comfortable with accent shoes, but other people look amazing in them:

A seasonal brooch and a dressy bag will make it possible to wear an otherwise "not really dressy" outfit to all kinds of events:

Accent socks! And a scarf ... View the Post

Japanese 24 Seasons of the Year – Shōsetsu – Small Snow

November 25, 2022

No, you are not getting a Black Friday post from me.

You're not getting a gift guide, nor anything that bosses you around about spending money. 

Let's think about the absolute beauty of snow. One flake at a time, or piled up making everything pristine and lovely...

(I don't drive, nor do I shovel - I have the love of snow that a small child has!)

If you admire the geometric beauty of individual flakes, Alexey Kljatov is your man. Follow him on Instagram for an occasional dose of awe...

Let's bundle up!

I understand that wearing a range of 1 color is quite the "in" thing right now. Have you heard that?

Nordstrom Rack has a ton of really nice cashmere accessories - Portolano is very ... View the Post

Building a Cool Weather Wardrobe 1 Garment at a Time

November 23, 2022

This is her favorite outfit, right now. She wants to build a small wardrobe for the upcoming couple of months using this as her starting point:

Normally I would suggest her first garment should be a clean shirt, but that's not going to look much different - her green sweater covers most of her torso so the shirt isn't super visible...

But swapping out sweaters? This will make a big difference in how her outfit looks:

NOW, we find her another top to wear under either sweater. I've chosen a turtleneck because (1) it's wintertime in the Northern Hemisphere and (2) it will show under her green sweater!

Next obvious thing to find is another "bottom." Our heroine assures me that she doesn't want ... View the Post

Start with a Bracelet: Subtle Lynx Bracelets by Fierce Lynx Designs

November 21, 2022

The Easiest Job Ever...

She arrives at the café as soon as they open - there's always a table by the windows available...

After she orders breakfast, she takes out her fresh new notebook and her favorite pen:

She eats her breakfast, stopping every now and then to note down something that she sees...

Some days, she orders a second cup of coffee, because she's going to be sitting there until about 10 a.m. Second cups of coffee aren't always "the thing" with breakfast, but she doesn't mind being different!

Around 10 or so, she pays for her breakfast, tips generously, and walks back to her hotel room...

She brushes her teeth, refreshes her sunscreen, and gets ready to go out for ... View the Post