The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Archives for 2012

2012 - Page 10 of 25

Chic Sightings: A Base of White

Although it might seem reckless to wear white in the city, lots of us do it all the time.  New York was full of women using white as a base for a wide variety of very personal looks... Flowered tank – Tillys, denim capris – True Religion, purple sandals – Debenhams, dotted top – Giambattista Valli, capris – Dorothy Perkins, sandals – Jil Sander  

Sleeveless top – Romwe, denim shorts – True Religion, sandals – Bottega Veneta, striped tee shirt – Mango, Bermuda shorts – Vince, espadrilles - Debenhams  

Tee shirt – Kain Classic, linen pants – CP Shades, espadrilles – Missoni, red sleeveless top – Raoul, cotton pants – Moschino, loafers – Nicholas Kirkwood  

Tank – Malene Birger, ruffled skirt – ... View the Post

Packing light: a few good reasons

Just back in Chicago from a quick and delightful three days in New York City, and I've been reminded of a few very good reasons for packing in a simple and SMALL manner:  

You can take mass transit - a gigantic saver of time and money When you DO take mass transit, you don't hog all of the seats!  Yesterday, coming into the city on the "El", there were literally dozens of people who needed one seat for their bags and one seat for their person.  This does NOT make you popular with the locals... Walking long distances is easier - both in the airport, and in town.  You can't necessarily assume that a taxi will be able to drop you right at the front door of your hotel; construction and emergency situations can ... View the Post

Maximize your ROI: the suit, step three

Necklace – Chanel, pearl bow earrings – Kate Spade, tee shirt – Dorothy Perkins, tweed pans – Prada, brown brogues – Stuart Weitzman,  pearl earrings – Juliet & Company, taupe blouse and pants – Very Eickhoff,  pearl bracelet – Banana Republic, taupe boots – Maison Martin Margiela  

Earrings – Devon Leigh, dress – Michael Kors, loafers – Lanvin, jeans – Burberry Brit,  silk tee – J. Crew, scarf – wrq.e.d, ankle boots – Rag & Bone  

White shirt – Theory, square scarf – Hermès, penny loafers – Church’s, jeans – Levi’s, gold hoop earrings – Blue Nile, dress - Akris, ruffled scarf – Yuh Okano, gold rope bracelet – Blue Nile, pumps – Stuart Weitzman  

Denim shirt – ... View the Post

Maximize your ROI: a suit, step two

Same shoes, many of the same accessories, lots more options...

Necklace – Chanel, pearl bow earrings – Kate Spade, cabled cashmere sweater - Crumpet, brown brogues – Stuart Weitzman,  pearl earrings – Juliet & Company, printed top – Cacharel,  pearl bracelet – Banana Republic, taupe boots – Maison Martin Margiela  

Cashmere sweater – J. Crew, scarf  Chan Luu, loafers – Lanvin, tote bag – Ralph Lauren, plaid shirt - Patagonia, ankle boots – Rag & Bone  

Blue sweater - Monki, square scarf – Hermès, penny loafers – Church’s, gold hoop earrings – Blue Nile, brown sweater – Acne, ruffled scarf – Yuh Okano, gold rope bracelet – Blue Nile  

Taupe silk tunic - Vince, ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Scarf: Good & Company

This scarf is like storm clouds, with just a bit of sun peeking through... A scarf this distinctive and beautiful could be the one single accessory which helps you define your wardrobe color-scheme. Scarf – Good and Co., tee shirt – LNA, jeans – J Brand, sweater jacket – Boy by Band of Outsiders, ballet flats – J. Crew, two-toned dress – Acne, navy pumps - Debenhams  

Scarf – Good and Co., petrol blue sweater – Malo, charcoal skirt – Donna Karan, tights – Mint Velvet, grey flats – Repetto, navy sweater – John Patrick, purple capris – Acne, suede loafers – J. Crew  

Scarf – Good and Co., dress – Stella McCartney, pumps – Mulberry, hooded sweatshirt – James Perse, jeans – Seven for all Mankind, boots - ... View the Post

Lessons from the Monster

My commute is a short ten-minute walk, down a very busy and crowded Chicago street.  I'm fortunate enough to see hundreds of people in my short journey, including many women, of course.

Only rarely do I see someone who's appearance is generally envy-provoking.  Most days, I'm more than happy with what I'm wearing, and with how I look, overall.  But on the occasions when I'm beginning to feel my eyes turning green, I try to turn that unproductive and generally unbecoming sensation into a chance to learn something.

Overall, if you really envy someone, the fundamental question has to be "why?".

If it's someone half your age, with the body of an Olympic gymnast:

This is both a lesson in learning to accept your age, and a ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Scarf: a bright chiffon rectangle

This scarf has so many possibilities: brights, tone on tone, or neutrals with a little pop of brightness.    

scarf - Coldwater Creek, silk dress – Burberry Prorsum, pumps – Salvatore Ferragamo, sweater – Jil Sander, pants – All Saints, loafers – Brian Atwood    

Scarf - Coldwater Creek, sweater – J. Crew, cords – Rag & Bone, loafers – Cole Haan, coat – Haider Ackermann, boots - Hunter    

Scarf - Coldwater Creek; satin blouse – Raquel Allegra, skirt – Proenza Schouler, flats – J. Crew, sweater – Acne, beige pants – Dorothy Perkins, loafers – Cole Haan    

Scarf - Coldwater Creek, athletic shoes – Converse, jeans – Cimarron, sweatshirt – Aubin & Wills, ... View the Post

Maximize your ROI: the cashmere twinset

August 10, 2012   We should all be carefully planning our fall and winter purchases right now...  

Silk scarf – Hermès, Pearl & gold earrings – Lord & Taylor, crocheted necklace – Lamprini, grey wool skirt – Jil Sander, grey suede shoes – Rupert Sanderson, tweed skirt – Erdem, cashmere eternity scarf – Parker, color-blocked pumps – Pour la Victoire, plaid skirt – Burberry, ankle boots – Rag & Bone  

Grey pants – Vanessa Bruno, scarf – wrq.e.d, metallic flats – Rocket Dog, pink wool capris – J. Crew, rose gold stud earrings – Liberty, crocheted rose gold bangles – YooLa, clutch bag – Uroco, boots – Modcloth, mulberry jeans - Topshop  

Lace dress – Mango, coral & pearl earrings – ... View the Post