The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Archives for September 2011

September 2011

Doing the right thing…

As many of you know, I've sworn off buying any new clothes (or shoes) for twelve months, beginning this September first.  I'm now 29 days into the project, and have felt no pain regarding it, so far.  In fact, it's been quite a relief to be able to just completely turn a blind eye to all of the "must-have" lists that float around this time of year.

Why is it that I don't see so many "must-have" lists for men?  They have more money than we do...  Maybe there's a connection there?  But I digress...

One thing that has become even more of a priority for me now is the upkeep and maintenance of the things I currently own.  This could sound like drudgery, but it really is quite gratifying for all sort of ... View the Post

Back to the roots of The Vivienne Files: Transition

Way back when, Vivienne assured me that she was not always going to have a wardrobe of black, white and red garments - she fully intended, as her hair turned gray, and her skin tones softened, to transition to gray, rose, and cream.

This is how I envision than transition...

Her original wardrobe, as we pictured it here, is this:

The first thing I could picture would be a feeling of discomfort with bright red.  Not every day, but just a sense that these garments were moving to the back of the closet... so they move out and a beautiful rose pink takes its place.

The strongly contrasted black and white pieces would next make way for more muted items...

Black garments worn near the face would gradually give way to more ... View the Post

How do you tie an Hermès scarf? Don’t ask me!

You're much better served to ask my friend over at Mai Tai's Picture Book.

She's an expert at all things Hermès, and her site has TONS of videos on how to fold and tie scarves.

Available on her website are some beautiful necklaces, horn bracelets, and really amazing scarf rings.  I know that some people counsel us against using scarf rings, but I'm a firm believer scarf rings ROCK.  If your concern is that a scarf ring looks a little bit "mumsy", just check out how Mai Tai uses them and you will never feel that way again!

You can thank me later... ... View the Post

A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for two weeks in Europe

One of the stranger joys of keeping a laptop for a REALLY long time is that you stumble across files that you completely forgot existed.  To wit, I found my old travel planning file from 2003/2004!  And thus I can tell you with a great deal of certainty what I wore on a combination business and leisure trip I took to Copenhagen and Berlin in late August and early September 2004.  What a blast from my wardrobe past it was to find this.

As with all business trips I take, I grew to roundly detest all of these clothes by the time I got home.  But this trip required only a carry-on bag, and I always consider that a success! ... View the Post

French Fashion Bookshelf: L’Armoire Idéale des paresseuses

Yes, it means “the perfect wardrobe for lazy women”!  It’s part of a series of whimsical little paperbacks for “des paresseuses” that includes things like cooking, dieting etc.  But this one is particularly appealing; while some of the suggestions aren’t really appropriate for everyone, there are enough thought-provoking ideas in here to leave one feeling that the time reading was well spent.  And practicing my reading in French is never a waste of time!

As with almost any “wardrobe” book, this one has “the ultimate check-list” for the perfect wardrobe.  I list them here without comment; I fully intend to debunk at least some of these in my series “Customizing the Classics” when I have a chance!

(and if anyone else ... View the Post

Paris shopping: agnès b.

Since I’ve quit shopping, I’m starting to really notice the garments upon which I frequently rely when I’m scrambling to get dressed.  Foremost among them has to be my agnès b. cardigan.  It’s made of a sweatshirt fabric, and has pearlized snaps down the front.  I can wear it almost anywhere I would wear a black cashmere cardigan, but it’s more… relaxed?  Cool?  Fun?  All of the above, I think.

The agnès b. stores that I’ve been to in Paris (Village de Bercy, rue de Marseille, rue de Castiglione) all share the same qualities of clarity, light, and ease of shopping.  Nothing is crowded, things aren’t layered to the point of being impossible to dissect, and everything looks terribly appealing.  ... View the Post