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Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Home » Archives for 2014

Archives for 2014

2014

An “All-Black” Capsule Wardrobe

December 31, 2014

While I was away for the winter holidays, I received two requests from women who are required to wear "All-Black" for their work, asking about ways to accessorize their limited palette. (if you're not a rugby fan, please be aware that the All Blacks are the New Zealand national rugby team, and the current world champions. If you enjoy looking at handsome, fit young men, I encourage you to look them up!)

This is a really interesting question for me because my capsule wardrobe migrates more and more each month toward unrelieved black. Also, I know a few women here in Chicago who have this same work wardrobe requirement; a surprising number of different organizations ask their "front of house" staff to dress in this ... View the Post

12.31.14 11 Comments

Tags: black, capsule wardrobe, Four by Four, not so crazy eights

It Seems Terribly Soon To Plan Spring & Summer’s French 5-Piece Wardrobe

December 30, 2014  

...but resort wear is now in the stores, and it might be time to starting planning this Spring/Summer's "French 5-Piece Wardrobe."

Don't freak out completely, quite yet. I fully acknowledge that the weather is still winter in the Northern Hemisphere, with much of the worst of cold weather yet to come in Chicago. But excellent personal style is the purview of those who plan ahead, and who aren't stuck on the first warm day trying to find a pair of sandals. By mid-April, a lot of the excellent stuff is sold out, or only available in limited and eccentric sizes...

But most of all, if you have a plan, and you start looking now, you can know EXACTLY what you're going to buy when you finally get around to ... View the Post

12.30.14 20 Comments

Tags: French 5-Piece Wardrobe, shopping

In Praise of “Not Quite Perfect”

December 29, 2014  

It comes as a surprise to nobody that I am not a spring chicken; Dwight D. Eisenhower was President of the United States when I was born... so it also won't surprise you to hear that I have a few... marks of experience and character about my person. And frankly, it doesn't bother me a bit. I'm not going to dye my hair, nor shoot dubious chemicals into my face in order to try to look younger. After everything I've done in my life, I look pretty fabulous! (your preferences may vary - do you own thing!)

I'm coming around, more and more, to feeling that way about inanimate objects too - particularly scarves and jewelry. Small spots on silk, or tiny scratches on metal, don't bother me much - most people around ... View the Post

12.29.14 18 Comments

Tags: economy, Hermes scarf, shopping, silk scarf

Tweed Coats and Pink – Two Different Approaches

December 28, 2014   When you think of a tweed coat and pink accessories, how do you imagine them?  It's great fun to remember that there are so many options available...  

love,

Janice

Looking Back:

2013: From Desk to Dinner Party: Pastel Silk, Some Earrings, and a Nice Bag 2012: What to wear with a scarf: Hermes Reve de Corail 2011: A Field Guide to Winter Sounds ... View the Post

12.28.14 6 Comments

Tags: cool weather, grey, outerwear, pink

Looking back…

Looking Back:

2013: From Desk to Dinner Party: Take off a Cardigan, and Add Some Bracelets! 2012: Lavoisier and your luggage, or folded versus rolled 2011: When was the last time...? ... View the Post

12.27.14 3 Comments

Chic Sightings: Pink and Purple Parkas

December 26, 2014   Cold weather brings out the creativity in many of the students here in Chicago...  

love,

Janice

Looking Back:

2013: Chic Sightings: Grey Coats, with Brown Leather Accessories 2012: Start with Art: Les Bateaux, by Vincent van Gogh ... View the Post

12.26.14 2 Comments

Tags: Chic sighting, cool weather, outerwear, pink, purple

I am Thinking of You All Today, With Much Love!

Looking Back:

2013: Love to You All ... View the Post

12.25.14 7 Comments

Looking back

Looking Back:

2013: From Desk to Dinner Party: Cardigans go Solo 2012: will you be in Chicago January 5, 2013? (an invitation to a group tea; anytime you're going to be in Chicago, get in touch with me and we can have breakfast/coffee/lunch/tea together!)

    ... View the Post

12.24.14 3 Comments

Wearing a Citrus-Bright Winter Coat

December 23, 2014

  love, Janice

Looking Back:

2013: Chic Sightings: Camel Coats, with Grey 2011: A Wardrobe Based on 2 suits: Was Chanel Right? (one of my FAVORITE posts ever) ... View the Post

12.23.14 8 Comments

Tags: black, grey, orange, outerwear, yellow
winter dec 22

I’m off…

December 22, 2014   I'm away for the week; there are a couple of posts scheduled for the upcoming week, but I won't be able to respond to comments. Have a wonderful week - I'm back soon! Love to you all, JaniceLooking Back:

2012: What to wear with a scarf: Hermes Concours d'Etriers 2011:  Michigan Avenue Style Lab: brown and blue, twice     ... View the Post

12.22.14 12 Comments

Four Pack Travel Capsule Wardrobe: Green and Camel

December 20, 2014   One last look at this idea - substituting green for the burgundy with which this travel capsule wardrobe was originally presented. Other colors that would work well with camel would include rust, coral, peach, other shades of green, pretty much a whole bunch of shades of blue... lots of choices!  

 

I think by now we've all figured out that these four garments would get you through 3 or 4 days pretty easily...

 

love,

Janice     Looking back:2013: From Desk to Dinner Party: Incorporating a Gem Tone into Neutrals 2012: Two sides of the whole "color" system question ... View the Post

12.20.14 9 Comments

Tags: business travel, camel, capsule wardrobe, cool weather, Four Pack, green, Hermes scarf, leisure travel, travel wardrobe

Four Pack Travel Capsule Wardrobe: Burgundy and Navy

December 19, 2014   Yesterday, there were a couple of concerns/questions about what to do if you don't look good in camel. How about navy? (grey would also be fabulous, as would taupe...)  

Of course, still lots of possible ways to wear these few simple basics!

love,

Janice ... View the Post

12.19.14 8 Comments

Tags: burgundy, business travel, capsule wardrobe, cool weather, Four Pack, navy, packing, travel wardrobe
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The Vivienne Files is a unique personal style blog with carefully-selected capsule wardrobes based on color palettes drawn from works of art, nature, and more. It helps women buy less clothing, and to love what they buy. Read more...
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