The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Archives for March 2012

March 2012

A Chic Sighting, and a cautionary note on “payday shopping”

So I finally get a day off, and wandered about down in the "Loop" meeting a friend for lunch, stopping by to see belovedest, and just hiking about taking in the sights...  The young lady represented in the above assembled outfit was a shining light of cheer on a gloomy day; I first noticed her radiant smile, but her well-curated outfit caught my eye too!

And another thing I saw: payday shopping.  Back when I was in soft-goods retail, we always knew that the 15th of each month, and the last day of each month, would be very busy at lunch time, and after the end of the office work day.  Why?  Insert graphic of money burning a hole in someone's pocket.

There's nothing theoretically wrong with shopping the same day you ... View the Post

A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in grey, teal & claret

Claudia asked about a travel wardrobe in grey, with accents of teal and merlot.  What lovely colors to work with...  If this isn't exactly appropriate for the weather anticipated, shorter sleeves, and maybe capris could be substituted for some of the items here.  As always, I'm long on accessories, and layering possibilities...Enjoy!

 

The Travel Outfit

Tee shirt – J. Brand, blue diamond studs – ice.com, cardigan – Patagonia, Grey pants – Stella McCartney, scarf – Missoni, teal washed leather oxfords – Maison Martin Margiela, tote bag – Big Buddha  

The Travel Capsule Wardrobe

Wool/silk abstract scarf – Oolmoo, grey wrap top – Yves Saint Laurent, grey scarf – White & Warren, wavy scarf – ... View the Post

DIY: What’s NOT hot – my very personal bottom 10

Let me say this right up front - some of these items can be worn VERY successfully by other women, so please don't jump all over me if some of your favorites are on my list.  This is MY PERSONAL stuff to avoid - nobody else's.  Although at least one or two of these are always going to be a challenge to virtually anybody... ... View the Post

My Wardrobe: season-less essentials

These next eight garments are things that I wear almost the entire year - maybe not the dog days of August, or the teeth of a bitter blizzard (not that I really remember what that's like), but month in, month out, these clothes never go into storage.And the accessories - same thing.  They are my standby goodies, over and over again.

Both striped tops - L.L.Bean bot tee shirts - Lands' End both dresses - Lands' End both pair of pants - Eddie Bauer

Scarves - Hermes Flacons, and Jardins des Metamorphoses earrings - Cartier Stone necklace - J. Jill pearls - Etsy gold penny loafers - Cole Haan cross-body bag - Osgoode Marley Tote bag - Tumi

If I were to pack the eight solid black garments I chose for my last wardrobe ... View the Post

A Black Dress: From Conference Room to Cocktails

I did a "conference to cocktails" post over at Tish's last week, and quite a few people asked me to replicate the project with a neutral-colored dress.   A very near version of this LBD is in my closet already, so this was a lot of fun to put together!   Any other requests?  Pants?  A suit?  Let me know...  

   

Bracelets – 1928, Red scarf – Yves Saint Laurent, red ballet flats – Repetto, black & white beaded scarf – 

Kate Spade, black wristlet – Stella & Dot, black diamond & pearl earrings – Astley Clarke, 

slingback shoes – Robert Clergerie    

Black & white cardigan – L’Wren Scott, black diamond stud earrings – Lord ... View the Post

Chic sightings: LaGuardia International Airport

One common characteristic that all of these women shared: a sense of planning.  They weren't over-burdened with a bunch of stray bags, they knew where their ID and boarding pass were, their hair was neat and clean, they wore modest but attractive makeup, they just didn't appear to be frazzled and out of control.  And some of the outfits that you might assume were worn by younger women were in fact being sported with great elan by women of a certain age.  With confidence and flair...

 

London 2012 sweatshirt – John Lewis, White capris – Monsoon, ballet flats – French Sole, black dress – DKNY, blue cardigan – Kenzo, tights – Fogal, bag – 3.1 Phillip Lim, pumps – ... View the Post

Airport follies

So in the last 48 hours, I've been on:

4 subways 3 buses 2 airplanes 1 taxi

and I logged more time hanging out in 2 airports than I'd care to relive, except for the AMAZING people-watching.

At LaGuardia yesterday, they should have had a paramedic team on standby all day, because I saw FOUR different women fall off of their shoes, in a 90-minute period.  If there is ever a day in your life when you must assume you're going to be walking a lot, it's a day when you fly.  Sometimes I feel like I've walked halfway from Chicago to my destination before I ever get on a plane, and that's a phenomenon that gets repeated after arrival.  So what prompts someone to wear 6-inch heels with 2-inch platforms when they're ... View the Post

A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for 1 night in New York with no suitcase

Yes, I'll be in New York for about 24 hours - I'm flying in, having dinner, sleeping (I hope), and then running literally TWO errands the next morning, and flying back.  Because I'm going to be racing about with very little "down time", I've determined that I don't want to pack more than I'm prepared to carry with me at all times...To the rescue - the Tumi bag that I've been carrying for almost 10 years as a brief case.  It was originally a diaper bag, but it's logged more miles as an all-purpose bag than I can remember.  I've determined that I'm NOT going to wear my usual argyle cardigan - switching from black & white stripes to grey with Hermes will give me at least a different feeling on the 2nd day. Clothing, pajamas, ... View the Post

Customizing the Classics: the trench coat

Trench – A.P.C.  

Yellow – Burberry, blue – Burberry, green – Lanvin, bright indigo – Burberry, purple – Max Mara, red – Burbearry, raspberry, orange – Burberry  

Sage green – Wallis, white – Ann Demeulemeester, pale grey – Moncler, olive grey – Organic by John Patrick, apricot/lt. blue – Dries van Noten, light denim – Derek Lam, grey – Preen, yellow – L.L.Bean  

Trench coat with ruffled hem – Miu Miu, drawstring hem coat – Acne, san suede waterfall-front coat – Ralph Lauren Black Label, cotton belted coat – Carven, leather jacket – Preston Knight, beige coat with black leather piping – Marni, short waxed cotton jacket – Vince, military style jacket - Gryphon  

Metallic brown ... View the Post