This, to me, is the most compelling part of the entire project. After spending a year carefully selecting outfits that have a unifying theme (or motif, or scheme...), you begin to see a very versatile and harmonious collection of garments and accessories. A wardrobe, in fact! ... View the Post
Archives for 2014
2014 - Page 26 of 26
Wearing Hermes Petit Duc Silk Scarf All Year – January through June
Belovedest requested that I work with this scarf - he's always loved orange and blue/green accents!
Yes, I've included three dresses in four months - partly to show the range of colors that are possible when using this scarf as inspiration.
The rest of the year tomorrow! ... View the Post
Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Woman in Hat with Pompoms and a Printed Blouse – Picasso
Many readers asked me to work with a Picasso painting, and I happily oblige. These outfits are based on beige, just as the painting is literally on a beige background. Accents of red, orange, yellow, a touch of green, and you're set for almost anything!
My guiding adjectives for this project were warm, saturated, and clear, with unexpected bursts of bright against the toasty neutral.
This is a wardrobe that could see someone through much of the summer! ... View the Post
Wearing Hermes Les Clef Silk Scarf All Year – July through December
In the hottest of hot weather, your scarf may just be tied around the handles of your bag, or around your ponytail...
Don't let your scarf get wet, but wearing it on a rainy day can brighten things up... And finding a print skirt in the colors of your scarf can be tricky, but when it happens you can have a lot of fun!
Tweeds that meld together the main colors of your scarf are a particularly interesting thing to look for - you can wear your scarf from the most conservative family or professional functions to the dressiest of business outings at the holiday season.
And after a year of using your scarf as the core inspiration for outfits, you have a relatively coherent wardrobe! Some of the camel ... View the Post
Wearing Hermes Les Clef Silk Scarf All Year – January through June
I was recently asked if it was possible to wear this scarf all year 'round. (the scarf is Hermes Les Clefs - the keys - and it's only available second-hand) This scarf is particularly versatile, because in addition to black and white, you can wear this with camel, gold, or yellow. Camel suits the cooler weather very nicely:
Brighter yellow is perfect for spring - and gold is ideal for dressy activities...
Even when it gets warm, this scarf would make a great belt!
The rest of the year will be here on Monday - have a great weekend! ... View the Post
Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: “A Mysterious Hand Leads to Another Path” by Jan Toorop
This painting is currently at the Art Institute of Chicago, as part of the Celia and David Hilliard Collection exhibit. I'm not sure if it's oil - I suspect it might be pastel - but it captivates me immediately...
My impressions from this were of warmth, and simplicity - clear lines and powdery soft colors, with matte finishes.
Don't these eight outfit, when assembled together, give you a great summer wardrobe - especially for travel? Okay, you may not want to pack eight pairs of shoes...
I love working with art - do you have any suggestions? ... View the Post
More “Dressing Up” A Simple Dress
I had a few more variations of this floating around my computer, so for those of us who continue to party through the 12 days of Christmas, here are a few more suggestions!
This first look is low-key dressy, with a hint of sparkly cardigan, some serious silver earrings, a wee silver bag and a hint of silver trimming the shoes. All the accessories come from the same general family without being too matchy matchy.
The 2nd ensemble features a wonderful ornamented cardigan, so I kept the earrings small, the cross-body bag a bit lacy, and the slingbacks (low-heeled, thank you!) have that touch of white that echoes the pearls.
Sequins always make a major statement, so I didn't incorporate any more sparkle. The ... View the Post
Organizing Our Wardrobe Clusters
Would this form be useful for you as you organize your clusters?
Send me an email (theviviennefiles at gmail dot com) and I'll send you either the Excel or the PDF document. Just let me know which is better for you - although of course you can have them both...
Happy New Year! ... View the Post