Archives for July 2014

July 2014 - Page 2 of 3

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 18: One last review, considering Whatever’s Clean, and A Common Wardrobe

July 16, 2014

Many of you have been following the concepts of A Common Wardrobe, or a Whatever's Clean wardrobe, and you've expressed great curiosity about how those ideas work with this much larger capsule wardrobe-building concept. So let's see if we need to make any last tweaks to our wardrobe to be as inclusive and versatile as possible...First off, remember this bad boy? This was the original Common Wardrobe - garments that I saw day after day on my co-workers from international advertising agencies. These garments and accent items were combined in all sorts of different ways, and accessorized like mad:

I threw my analytic brain at this, and defined each of these garments functionally, i.e., the first is ... View the Post

I built us another worksheet…

It's actually 3 worksheets in one:

First page lists each item step by step, just as we saw them in the Starting From Scratch Wardrobe posts here on The Vivienne Files. The 2nd page sorts items out by color- Neutral #1, Neutral #2 etc. and the 3rd page sorts the garments in one table, and the accessories in a 2nd table. Both of these fit on one page.

You can buy them - $1.99 - here: I have to pay to have them hosted... If you find errors, please let me know and I'll fix things pronto pronto... and thanks, so very much, for reading The Vivienne Files, love, Janice ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 17: A Few Finishing Touches, for now…

July 15, 2014

Many of you have written to me to ask how this capsule wardrobe compares with my earlier 24-piece wardrobe - excellent question!Just as in the 24-piece wardrobe, this Starting From Scratch includes to two core "Four by Four" assortments in your neutrals, it works with two accent colors and a light neutral, and it includes the concept of the "bridge" garment, which is something that incorporates both of your neutral colors and allows you to wear piece from both neutrals seamlessly.

So I decided to look at each wardrobe one last time (for now - I'm sure we'll be back to revisit this concept when trench coats hits the stores, and when there are other requests/needs), and see how things stacked up in terms of a 24-piece ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 16: Evaluating and Balancing our Neutrals

July 14, 2014 BIG BIG BIG EDIT: THIS IS ONLY STEP SIXTEEN... If you are going to make a typo, make a really big one! I had medical tests this a.m., and have been asleep all afternoon; I am so sorry for the delay in fixing this inexcusable error! We're very close to wrapping up our capsule wardrobes, but there are a couple more things we need to do to make sure that our choices will work as well for us as possible. So far, we've added pieces within our color scheme, but we've not been particularly rigorous in making sure that we have a balance between our neutrals. To address this, I've looked at each wardrobe and tried to find the "Core of Four" (two tops and two bottoms, that will ... View the Post

Agnes, or a Work Wardrobe from the ’80’s

July 12, 2014

Back in the early 1980's, I was in graduate school, and I was the manager of one of the departments in a large department store. (I'm still catching up on my sleep!) One of the more interesting and educational responsibilities I had was to "ring up" all purchases made by staff in my department.

I'm telling you this story, because I want to tell you about someone named Agnes. I'm not sure what we can learn from her example, but I still remember her so vividly after 30 years, and I'm quite sure that she was nobody's dummy... Agnes was probably in her mid 50's, employed 40 hours a week (remember the days when retail could be a career?), qualified for 3 weeks of vacation, health insurance, life ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 15: A Versatile Dress and an Accent Cardigan

July 11, 2014

Many of you have pointed out that we really need something dressy in the capsule wardrobe that can be worn in warmer weather, and many of you have asked specifically for a dress, so that's what we're doing today! These dresses are paired with accent cardigans, which dramatically pull together all sorts of looks... Very neutral, comfortable sandals will be wardrobe workhorses - make sure that they're appropriate for more than just one dressy occasion...Can you see turquoise jewelry here? And this dress with the simple beige cardigan and gold necklace would be lovely.

If you're not mad for sleeveless, just look for a dress with an elbow or bracelet sleeve.

No, this dress and ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 14: Leisure Wear

July 10, 2014 As much as it's fun to dress up and go out into the world, sometimes we just want to stay close to home. This does NOT mean that we shouldn't still be elegant, comfortable and beautiful... Please, if you choose to wear leggings (and don't get me wrong, I wear leggings very often and adore them), bear in mind the extremely revealing nature of such garments around your... more... private... areas. (ahem...) Easily the most shocking and unattractive things that I see on my daily city hikes involve inappropriate and immodest ensembles including leggings. You know what I mean...

As with everything else that goes into your well-considered wardrobe, your leisure apparel will be ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 13: More Accessories!

July 9, 2014

In my one-woman crusade to encourage the wearing of jewelry, today we'll look at some possible additions to various Starting From Scratch capsule wardrobes.

This addition doesn't necessarily mean shopping; it's entirely possible that these beauties are already lurking in jewelry boxes or dresser drawers. Let's bring them into the light!

And you all know that I'm a firm opponent of the "it bag" phenomenon, but I do believe that having more than one bag is entirely reasonable. A bag in one of your accent colors, or in each of your neutrals, isn't outrageous, especially if the bags serve different purposes, or if they make you really happy! (which, after all, is the whole point of your ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 12: A Winter Coat, Boots and Scarf

July 8, 2015 For many of us, a really SERIOUS winter coat is a necessity in the capsule wardrobe. Realistically, I couldn't get through the winter without my parka that sort of resembles a cross between a sleeping bag and a wee portable padded room... But let's focus on getting a more attractive, more widely useful winter coat. I've chosen a mixture of accent colors and neutrals, and tossed in yet another scarf because it's difficult to have too many scarves! My friend in black and brights wants a statement coat to stand out in the crowd of black - and this blue should do the trick, eh?

My lady in navy is looking for a dark neutral coat, but some pretty flowers for an ... View the Post

A Question about Building a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch

July 7, 2014

Okay, now I'm going to ask for your opinions/input. I am not, in my own mind, finished with "Starting from Scratch". At a bare minimum, we need a winter coat and boots, a dressy outfit for warmer weather, a couple of warm-weather outfits, one more round of accessories, and maybe one ensemble for super-cold weather.

What do you think? Does that sound complete? Are there specific things that you want/need me to address? I know that a warm weather skirt and top was specifically requested, and that's what made me that that we don't really have anything here, yet, for a swelteringly hot day.

So I'm seeing "Starting from Scratch" going through this week, unless you have additional needs and wants. It's ... View the Post

Planning to Shop, and Getting Discounts…

Fall clothes are hitting the stores (amazing, I know, but we should be used to this by now), and the Nordstrom pre-season sale is coming up soon. This means that it might be wise to start planning for the next season, so that we don't get blindsided by beautiful things without having a clue about what we're trying to accomplish. In addition to making your shopping list, you might want to look into some ways to reduce your expenditures without settling for lower-quality goods. Recently, I discovered a company called Raise. You can buy gift cards at a discount. Every last retailer's not there all the time, and some of the discounts are pretty meager, but sometimes you can get excellent deals. I'm ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 11: A Complete Outfit, for Balance and Accent

July 4 2014 This is the step in which each capsule wardrobe is going to start taking on a distinct personality, based on personal needs, preferences, and desires. I'm adding a complete outfit to each of the various wardrobes, based on a variety of scenarios that might be possible. Starting with Madame Grey and Navy - she's starting to feel that navy is under-represented in her wardrobe, and moreover, she'd like to get a gorgeous, versatile cardigan and a luxury skirt into the mix. Nothing overly dressy; simple and beautiful are what she wants...

And now her wardrobe is this:

Conversely, our Lady Caramel and Black is longing for something edgier - a leather jacket? A simple ... View the Post