The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Archives for July 2012

July 2012 - Page 2 of 3

A Column for All Seasons: Grey

I'm committed to wearing a solid column of garments as an easy and flattering base for a million accessory variations.  This week, I'm going to explore the variations possible with a column, using a different neutral each day.

Sunglasses – Ray-Ban, bracelets – Charlotte Russe, Tee shirt – Old Navy, pants – L.K.Bennett, silver sandals – Giuseppe Zanotti, earrings – Miriam Salat, canvas tote – Marimekko, espadrilles - Soludos  

Tee shirt – Old pants – L.K.Bennett, linen cardigan –J. Crew, scarf – Debenhams, flats – Debenhams, earrings – Chen Fuchs, cabled cardigan – Superdry, driving shoes - Tods  

Tee shirt – Old Navy, pants – L.K.Bennett, denim jacket – Dorothy Perkins, bracelet – Phillippe ... View the Post

Brooches in Bunches

How to find vintage brooches?  All of these are currently available on Etsy, and all are of the brand Coro...Tips:

search for both "brooch" and "pin", and even "broach", if you can bear to decide up front what your tolerance is for wear and tear: scratched enamel, yellowed rhinestones etc. check the description carefully - some pieces are sold JUST for dismantling and using parts for repair - the are NOT wearable "as is" Make sure that you're choosing brooches of a similar size, if you plan to group them.  Unless you want a variety of sizes, in which case - go for it! If you see a design or pattern that you love, be patient, and check all over the internet.  Most of these designs were made in a variety of ... View the Post

Wearing a scarf in warm weather

July 13, 2012

 

It's a necklace made of silk!  I've always felt that scarves were essentially silk jewelry, and this really proves the theory.   How to?   1.  Bias fold the scarf.  

2.   tie a knot in the middle of the scarf   3.   tie two more knots, equally spaced on either side of the middle knot   4.   if you want the "necklace" to be shorter, tie a couple more knots on either side of the middle knot.  Please note that the knots do NOT have to be perfectly matched, nor perfectly spaced.   5.   the the ends of the scarf in a tiny knot.  Voila - necklace!   Yes, this still touches your neck, in the back, a little bit.  Worst case ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a shawl: Hermès l’Art du Temari

It might seem "out of season" to be thinking about a shawl, but it's well worth planning ahead in order to be prepared to wear this beauty.  Fifty-five inches square, and an almost sheer blend of cashmere and silk, these shawls can be worn as a light layer in even the warmest weather - never forget the blast of air conditioning in every restaurant this time of year.  Or use it to cover up during a long car trip...    

Color-blocked turtleneck – The Row, jeans – Current/Elliott, athletic shoes – Debenhams, earrings – Miriam Salat, sweatshirt dress – United Bamboo, grey leggings – Douuod, ankle boots – Giuseppe Zanotti  

Pearl earrings – Astley Clarke, dress – 3.1 Phillip Lim, suede pumps – Miu ... View the Post

Chic Sightings: Black & White Stripes

Striped sweater – D&G, red jeans – Current/Elliott, loafers – Jil Sander, bue sweater – T by Alexander Wang, striped & dotted skirt – Yohji Yamamoto, blue flats – Roger Vivier  

Striped dress – Dorothy Perkins, yellow cardigan – Black Fleece, sandals – K. Jacques, barcelet – Aspinal of London, striped shirt – Persona, white capris – J. Crew, pink flats – Bottega Veneta  

White shirt – Mango, Black pants – Derek Lam, Striped socks – Monki, white loafers – Tod’s, black tank – DKNY, striped skirt – Vila, sandals - Born  

Striped blazer – Romwe, black tank dress – Raquel Allegra, polka dot sandals – Marni, dress – Vince, striped bag – Jane Norman, ballet flats - ... View the Post

Accessories: The Power of the Plural

If you don't feel comfortable with big pieces of jewelry, but you still want a sort of "statement", consider tripling up on your jewelry.  (for some reason, it works really well with odd numbers).

Tiny brooches, like those shown above, take on a new level of impact when grouped.  (these pins are about one inch across).  You can do this very effectively with bracelets too.  Sometimes, with necklaces.  Earrings... could be tricky...

Pins are particularly fun - the variety of designs available is staggering! Were you to suddenly decide that you wanted to find five brooches that looked like feathers, or vegetables, or hearts, or ballerinas - they're out there. 

This can be great fun.  And some of ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a scarf: Helen Ruth’s Magic Roundabout

Scarf – Helen Ruth, Sweater – Gucci, skirt – Farhi by Nicole Farhi, boots – Fratelli Rossetti, navy silk blouse – The Row, jeans – Current/Eliott, ankle boots - Acne  

Scarf – Helen Ruth, Dress – Mango, sandals – J. Crew, navy leather jacket – 3.1 Phillip Lim, rust jeans – Helmut Lang, penny loafers – Florsheim  

Scarf – Helen Ruth, Navy sweater – Hugo, white jeans – Mint Velvet, spectator oxfords – Church’s, sweater dress – Stella McCartney, ring – Antique Jewel Box, ballet flats - Debenhams  

Scarf – Helen Ruth, Blazer & skirt – Hugo, silk blouse – Chloe, pumps – Van Dal, tee shirt – Hugo, pants – NW3, penny loafers – J. Crew   ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a scarf: Hermès l’Ivresse de l’Infini – version two

Why yes, I have styled this scarf before, in very different colors...  

Tee shirt – American Vintage, denim skirt – Closed, sandals – Wallis Fashion, denim jacket – J Brand, white dress – AXParis, flats – Betsy Johnson  

Sweater – Miu Miu, skirt – Sonia Rykiel, boots – Acne, tee shirt – American vintage, pink capris – Closed, sandals – Sam Edelman  

Turquoise earrings – Gurham, Dress – Alice + Olivia,   ballet flats – Elie Tahari,  v-neck sweater – Closed, bracelet – Macy’s, corduroy pants – Elizabeth & Games, brogues – Dolce & Gabbana  

Dress – H&M, cardigan -Burberry Brit, sandals - Pour la Voictoire, pink sweater – J. Crew, beige jeans – Dorothy ... View the Post

Variations on a dress: beige, with sleeves

You KNEW there was one more dress waiting somewhere, didn't you?  This one is particularly lovely for those among us who can wear belts with confidence.  But most of these accessories will work well for any beige dress, of any cut or contour!  

Tan dress – Calvin Klein Collection, scarf – Hermès, belt – Lowie, fuschia pumps – Joan & David, button earrings – Chanel, bag – Jimmy Choo, leopard sling backs – Rupert Sanderson  

Tan dress – Calvin Klein Collection, knot earrings – Anna Beck, gold bag & pumps – Kate Spade, red & gold bracelet – Kenneth Jay Lane, red clutch bag – Lulu Guinness, red pumps – Stuart Weitzman      

Tan dress – Calvin Klein Collection, shawl ... View the Post

I didn’t think I liked Roy Lichtenstein

But his popular reputation (you know, the cartoon paintings) doesn't really do justice to his creativity.  There's a big show about his work at the Art Institute of Chicago right now, which I can highly recommend.  My view of his talent has changed completely... ... View the Post