The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Archives for September 2011

September 2011 - Page 2 of 2

Be Aware of Invisibility!

No, not THAT kind of invisibility, although some days walking in the downtown areas leave me feeling invisible!  Between the aimless wanderers, and the just plain clueless and rude, I often come home feeling like I was wearing my cloak of invisibility.

But I’m talking about the invisibility that happens in our closets and dressers.  Let me ask you, without going to look, do you know what the five garments furthest back in your closet are?  What about the bottom item in each dresser drawer?  And how long has it been since each garment has seen the light of day, outside of your home, being happily and proudly worn by you?

So here’s a project:  before you go to bed tonight, pull out a “buried” garment.  Look ... View the Post

read this. now.

I take a lot of heat for showing expensive clothes on this blog, but I do it for aspirational and aesthetic reasons.  At no time do I think you should EVER buy anything for which you can't pay cash.  

now go to this blog: http://cupcakecaramel.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-consumerism-can-ruin-your-life.html

Read every word.  And thank the source of all blessings that there is someone out there writing these things that we all need to read, remember, and take to heart.

Thank you, Cupcake, for writing this post.  I will always remember it, and always be grateful to you for writing it. ... View the Post

Wardrobe: back to work mom…

Red flats – Topshop,  teal flats – Dorothy Perkins, silver & teal earrings – Hannah Zakari, dotted scarf – Debenhams, teal pearl set – JC Penney  

tee shirt – Miss Selfridge, long-sleeved tee shirt – J. Crew, black capris – Dorothy Perkins, skirt – Topshop, back flats – Topshop, Fairisle cardigan – Buckle, earrings – 1928, purple cardigan – Old Navy, scarf – C and C California  

Tee shirts – Dorothy Perkins, Jeans – Tillys, boots – Clarks, hat – Monsoon, cardigan – John Lewis      

Clothes and shoes – L.L.Bean, scarf – Modcloth, bracelet – Forever21       ... View the Post

Wardrobe: navy, with green and yellow!

Jacket – 3.1 Philip Lim, Cardigan – Paul Smith Black, green blouse – Marc by Marc Jacobs, White tee shirt – Oasis, Pants – Paul and Joe, Tweed skirt – Giambattista Valli, Jeans – Ferris, Scarf - Hermès  

White shirt – Witchery.com, Trench coat – Burberry Prorsum, Winter coat – Diane von Furstenberg, Sweater dress – Joseph, Pants – Katharine Hamnett, Pleated skirt – Junya Watenabe, yellow sweater – N. Peal, green jacket – Jil Sander  

Dress – Lela Rose, Tweed jacket – Oscar de la Renta, Tee shirt – Debenhams, short-sleeved striped tee shirt – Old Navy, Long-sleeved striped tee shirt – L.L. Bean, Pants – Marc by Marc Jacobs, Plaid shirt – ... View the Post

Wardrobe: gray, navy and lavender

Jacket – Theory, Cardigan – 3.1 Phillip Lim,  blouse – Zac Posen, tee shirt – Kain Label, Pants – Opening Ceremony,  Tweed skirt – Lanvin,  Jeans – Marc Jacobs, scarf - Hermes  

White shirt – Witchery.com, Trench coat – Risto, Winter coat – Windsmoor, Sweater dress – Theory, Pants – Katharine Hamnett, skirt – Darling, sweater – Proenza Schouler, Tweed jacket – Rag and Bone  

Square scarves – Hermès, Swirl scarf – Debenhams, Paisley scarf – Liberty of London, Purple labradorite earrings – Monica Vinader, Marble ring – Max & Chloe, Bow brooch – Alexis Bittar, 3-strand necklace – Tarina Tarantino, Sunglasses – Gucci, Hat – People Tree, Flower stud earrings – Lanvin, Watch – Skagen, Nugget ... View the Post

Not so crazy eights: Black, and bonus items

1. Pumps – Sam Edelman, Scarf – Hermès, bag – Sissi Rossi   2. Brogues – Robert Clergerie, necklace – Daniela Swaebe, earrings – Max and Chloe   3. Pumps – Jimmy Choo, scarf –Erdem, brooch – 1928   4. Flats – Giuseppe Zanotti, ring – Les Pommettes, bracelet – Hermes  

5. Flats – Stuart Weitzman, scarf – Hermès, bag – Hermes   6. Flats – G by GUESS, earrings – Nnu Designs, necklace – ice.com   7. Slingbacks – Asos, scarf – Hermes, bracelet – Hermes   8. Loafers – Tod’s, brooch – Zina,  ring – Laura Alexander  

9. Pumps – Soft Style, scarf – Hermès, bag – Reed Krakoff   10. Shoes – Loeffler Randall, Bracelet – Judith Jack, earrings – Judith Jack   11. Pumps ... View the Post

Not so crazy eights: Taupe

1. Pumps – Gianvito Rossi, Scarf – Hermès, bag – Marc by Marc Jacobs  

2. Loafers - Topshop, necklace – Alexis Bittar, earrings – Fantasy Jewelry Box  

3. Pumps – Jones New York, scarf –Kelly Wearstler, brooch – Alexis Bittar  

4. Oxfords – Robert Clergerie, ring – Alexis Bittar, bracelet – Alexis Bittar  

5. Pumps – Peter Kaiser, scarf – Hermès, bag – 3.1 Phillip Lim  

6. Flats – Tod’s, earrings – Alexis Bittar, necklace – John Lewis  

7. Pumps – Cole Haan, scarf – Kelly Wearstler, bracelet – Jensen-Conroy  

8. Ballet flats - Hermes, brooch – Zina,  ring – John Hardy  

9. Boots - Lanvin, scarf – Hermès, bag – Anya Hindmarch  

10. Shoes – ... View the Post

Build a Capsule Wardrobe Starting with Art: Alfred Sisley

jacket – J. Crew, Cardigan – H&M, Tee – Topshop, Shirt – Topshop, skirt – Debenhams,  Blue pants – Acne, Jeans – Nordstrom, Scarf – Bajira              

 

Sweater – Champ, Trench – Farhri by Nicole Farhi, Coat – Diane von Furstenberg, dress – DAKS, jeans – Dorothy Perkins, Skirt – Hugo Boss, Sweater – John Lewis, Jacket – Old Navy  

     

 

Dress – Lela Rose, Cardigan – Paul Smith, Butterfly top – Dorothy Perkins, Striped top – Dorothy Perkins, Floral blouse – Rebecca Taylor, pants – A.P.C.,  green tee shirt - Madewell,  Striped top – Gryphon NY  

 

Glass ring – Forzieri, agate drop earrings ... View the Post

Build a Capsule Wardrobe Starting with a Scarf: Tiffany feather peacock shawl

Blazer – Moschino, Cardigan – Inhabit, tee – American Vintage, Shirt – Costume National, Tweed skirt – L.K. Bennett, Plaid pants – Marni, Jeans – Save Khaki, Scarf – Hermès      

Blouse – Aubin & Wills, Trench – Burberry, Coat – Isabel Marant, dress – Phase Eight, Pants –  3.1 Phillip Lim, Skirt – 3.1 Phillip Lim, Turtleneck – D&G Dolce & Gabbana, Cardigan - Modstrom      

Dress – Missoni M, Cardigan – Missoni M, plum tee shirt – T by Alexander Wang, gray sweater – J. Crew, ¾ sleeve top – Max Mara, pants – House of Fraser, Shirt – J. Crew, floral silk blouse – L’Agence  

Gray pearl earrings – J.C. Penney, square scarf – Hermès, blue quilted bag – Marc Jacobs, silver ... View the Post

A reassessment, and a New Year’s resolution

Maybe in your world it is NOT the first of the year, but for those of us who grew up in homes where it was all about education, September first is indeed the beginning of the year, at least in our hearts.

As you all well know, I'm not working.  Therefore, my whole "turning the hangers backwards" experiment with summer clothes has been a dismal failure; the only time my "work" clothes get out for an airing is if I have an interview.  Therefore, the vast majority of my (perfectly nice, wearable, "keepable") clothing is still hanging "hanger forward".  What to do...

A resolution: no new clothes for a year.

I have a LOT of clothing.  Really nice things.  Tons of stuff for the cooler weather that's in a storage ... View the Post