Someone mentioned yesterday that black and brown might be made to work with shades of red – so I made a few alterations to yesterday’s wardrobe; the versatility of core neutral garments is truly amazing…
All clothes – 3.1 Phillip Lim
Jacket – Vince, Cardigan – Closed, Blouse – Marc by Marc
Jacobs, Tee shirt – Michael Stars, dress – Michael by Michael Kors, sweater – Closed, pants – Michael Kors, Skirt – Alberta Ferretti
Jacobs, Tee shirt – Michael Stars, dress – Michael by Michael Kors, sweater – Closed, pants – Michael Kors, Skirt – Alberta Ferretti
Tweed coat – Lanvin, striped tee – Vince, black and brown tweed skirt –
Carven, cranberry tee –
Splendid, cardigan & sweater – Malene Birger, long sleeved tee – Dorothy Perkins, sweater – Miu Miu
Carven, cranberry tee –
Splendid, cardigan & sweater – Malene Birger, long sleeved tee – Dorothy Perkins, sweater – Miu Miu
1. Pumps – L.K. Bennett, necklace – Heather Moore, bag
– Debenhams
– Debenhams
2. Pumps – Stuart Weitzman, scarf – Hermes, earrings – Carolee
3. Flats –
Mulberry, necklace – Arcatus, earrings – Anna Beck
Mulberry, necklace – Arcatus, earrings – Anna Beck
4. Loafers – Lanvin, ring
& earrings – Effy Collection
& earrings – Effy Collection
5. Suede pumps – Clarks England, brooch – Carolee, suede tote – Pauric Sweeney
6. Flats – Blowfish, brooch- 1928, cross body bag –
Debenhams
Debenhams
7. Oxfords – Zenggi, brown tights
– Oasis, necklace – Kenneth Jay Lane
– Oasis, necklace – Kenneth Jay Lane
8. Pumps – Footcandy, earrings – Cathy Waterman, scarf
– Cacharel
– Cacharel
9. Pumps – Stuart Weitzman, Scarf – Missoni, tote
– Lanvin
– Lanvin
10. Sandals – O’Neill, bracelet & earrings – 1928
11. Boots – Isabel Marant, scarf
– Hermes, ring – Effy collection
– Hermes, ring – Effy collection
12. Loafers – Bass, scarf –
Joseph, sunglasses – Karen Walker
Joseph, sunglasses – Karen Walker
This is one of my favorites!
This one really appeals, since I do like to wear both black and brown and have finally realised that I gravitate to berry colours and golden yellow/mustard, so your plan pulls that together nicely ;)
Most wardrobe organiser suggest either black or brown, as if they should never be seen together, but I rather like it (black outfit with brown leather accessories – classy!).
Dear Mel,
Most wardrobe organizers wouldn't agree with a lot of things that I believe about wardrobes, shopping, and personal style! Black and brown aren't the easiest colors to put together, but they can look beautiful, rich and distinctive is chosen with care.
thanks for being here,
Vivienne
My favorite colors to wear–thanks. Interestingly, those two Hermes scarves–in those colors– are ones I was eying on the website. I especially like the one in outfit 11.
Dear Scholar,
We must be on the same wavelength – I looked at literally hundreds of scarves before choosing those 2!
big hug,
Vivienne
I cannot believe this! I went asap to my closet and found… almost identical or similar pieces to those you show. I just hadn't put them together! Merci mille fois. I'll probably never shop again (except for lingerie, socks and basics like jeans).
Dear Swissy,
You made my day! Blogging can be a lonely business, but reading comments like this makes me SO SO SO SO happy…
big hug,
Vivienne
Is your name really Vivienne or is that your blog de plume?
Yes, I lurk too much and am often not aware that all your creative efforts may feel invisible unless one comments. But really. I do read and enjoy a few style blogs (hate that word), but yours is the only one that taps into a vein of true imagination for me. I now have a small wardrobe that I love and I am using all the vintage scarves and jewelry that I've (mostly) inherited. It's not "making do", but more creating myself on a daily basis. The time spent NOT shopping or browsing is a luxury now. I walk two miles every single day, I read great books, I "slow" cook. And here's a fun Big Difference: If I don't have a place to wear my "outfits" in retirement, I make occasions to wear them. I think people really appreciate the effort.
Big hug back to you.
I thought I'd come out as a lurker as well to comment that I truly LOVE your blog. I don't normally comment on anything, but I value your insight into wardrobe planning IMMENSELY. Your "Not so crazy eights" series has completely changed the way I look at my wardrobe, and has helped me to figure out how I want to look as I enter the next phase of my life – children growing up and moving out of the mom to young kids phase. I want a classic wardrobe with good quality pieces, and now I always have that crazy eights vision in my head when I go shopping. I no longer purchase cheap and trendy items, because I am too often disappointed in the quality, and the fact that I end up donating them because I just don't feel comfortable. I also love the really eye-opening ideas you have given me regarding accessories. I am starting to pay attention to that area as well, and it really is gratifying to see how easily you can transform a basic outfit with a change in accessories. In short – keep up the fantastic work, and know that there are probably many of us out here who do not comment but appreciate everything you do!
I'll chime in too to say that I also love your stylings!
And that I once saw, from the window of a bus on Michigan Avenue, a woman wearing gray with brown accents. She was as chic as all get-out.
Dear Vivienne,
I love this black and brown combination. I have a piece of fabric very similar to the black and brown tweed skirt by Carven mine has a dash of grey thread running through too – this is definitely next on my to sew projects!
Best Wishes
Mmme UK
Wow, this is absolutely lovely Vivienne! Thank you so very much for your wonderful posts. I have been following your blog avidly since November and already my wardrobe is transformed (and as you know such a transformation extends beyond the closet!). I think of you fondly and gratefully every morning as I get ready for work. Many many thanks!
(((Kate)))
These comments are making my day – it's nice to know that I'm not just sitting here making up wardrobes to keep myself entertained in my unemployment…
Warmest thanks,
Vivienne
Absolutely beautiful combination! Thanks for all you do for us.
I love it! I'm picturing this with black and gray, rather than black and brown since I don't do brown near my face.
Your combinations are inspiring. I'm finding myself being much more mindful in the planning of my closet since finding your blog. Thank you for the time you spend on this.
Another lurker who must say that your blog is one my first "go-to" blogs of the day. When I see a new post, I am almost giddy with excitement because I love the combinations you come up with….even if they aren't colors I would normally wear. The accessories you choose have definitely opened up my eyes as a great way to extend my mostly black & white wardrobe. As a redhead, red isn't a color I would wear near my face, but I have incorporated my favorite color in accessories: gloves, belts, bags…all because of your inspiration. Thank you so much for taking the time to put together these wardrobes. I think many women are grateful for your posts. It is liking having a personal stylist!!Becky
Coming out of my lurkdom to tell you how much I love your blog. You certainly have a flair for this. I truly appreciate all the effort you put into the outfits.
Vivienne, this post ROCKS — as usual! I just picked up a J Crew cotton berry-colored sweater in a thrift store (I thrift now mostly — you and I are sisters in the un/under-employment situation) and hadn't thought to pair it with brown and black. I was thinking jeans only. I agree with the posts above: you're changing women's lives with your sage advice about shopping (how NOT to shop!) and sane wardrobe curation. Thanks again for another inspiring post!
(((V.O.)))
We WILL find jobs… (repeat to self every few moments!)
thanks for writing,
and for being here,
Vivienne
Since my core colors are black, charcoal grey and chocolate brown…I am loving this berry color mixed in. It looks so pretty. ~~Bliss
I'm not usually a "color" person, but I'm really feeling this combination (which I say to about half of the wardrobe combinations you put together). I really do like wearing some of my chocolate pieces with jewel tones, like the raspberry above or emerald or any any shade of blue.
You make wonderful collages that give me inspiration for creating new outfits and Ii thank you for that.Please keep on!
You, more than any other wardrobe advisor, book or blog, have encouraged me that I was on the right path when I embraced quality over quantity in my clothing choices and inspired me on how to style colors I never thought to use together.
Thank you.
Isn't berry wonderful? I love it with charcoal grey, too. If it is not the right palette for some, a shift to deep coral works similarly.
Found your blog a week or so ago, and I think it's absolutely beautiful. It's inspiring me to clean out my closet for real, and actually plan out a wardrobe. Could you do a post some time about how to pick out quality clothing? I'm still young (25) and would love to know what is worth the money I spend…
Yes. I agree with all of these positive comments. The sets you make are gorgeous and really provide the "lay of the land" for a women to make choices about her existing wardrobe. You help pinpoint areas where we actually need/should spend our hard-earned dollars versus buying what society feeds us as the latest need-to-have item that has no business residing in our wardrobes. Thanks for sharing your incredible talents. That extends to sage advice on various other related topics as well as your sets. Know that you really are changing our lives:) I am almost caught up reading the entire blog and it is really fascinating! Much respect.
I love this black and brown combination.