The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Articles
    • Starting From Scratch
    • Common Wardrobe
    • Packing
    • Start With Art
    • Project 333
    • 4×4 Wardrobes
    • Weekly Timeless Wardrobes
    • Archives by Date
    • Archives by Categories & Tags
  • Support The Vivienne Files
    • Books, Clothes & more
    • Templates & Color Planners
  • Contact
Home » A Leaf Green Handbag: Integrating a New Accent Color

A Leaf Green Handbag: Integrating a New Accent Color

April 30, 2015
 
I’ve been thinking a lot about my friend’s inclination to buy a bright green handbag. This time of year, when it feels like we haven’t seen ANYTHING green since the Christmas tree came down, bright green can be really tempting. And if the bag in question is beautifully well made, in a classic design, the urge makes even more sense!
 
This was the bag in question – you might be able to see the allure:
 
Green handbag from Michael Kors

Bag – Michael Kors

But I, for some reason, just can’t quite see an ensemble in which you’re wearing other colors (in this case, navy), and the only green thing in your outfit is the bag. Other people are okay with this, but for balance and a sense of intentionality, I like to see another green something included. If you don’t feel this way, this post isn’t going to mean much to you!

 

So let’s start with a handful of navy garments – just enough to give us a variety of ensembles. (for what it’s worth, there are 10 possible combinations, not including silly things like wrapping a tee shirt around your head as a headband)

 
5 piece mini capsule travel wardrobe from Uniqlo

Navy tee, skirt, striped tee, trousers and cardigan- Uniqlo

The easiest way to bring in a 2nd color to an outfit is through shoes – and if you find shoes that aren’t smooth leather (woven, suede, or even fabric!), then the colors can be a bit “off” and still not be horridly clashing.

 

Yes, I would wear the Converse. Not for everybody, but certainly a possibility!

 
green shoes: sandals, driving mocs, ballet flats and sneakers

Navy and green slides – Adidas by Raf Simons, driving moccasins – Coach,  ballet flat – Coach, canvas sneakers – Converse

A green belt is another very fun idea. If you’re looking for a wild assortment of belts, check out Yoox. Their choices come and go really quickly, but they have more options than anyplace else I’ve ever seen. (yes, they pay me a small commission; I’m very grateful!)

 

Gold filigree buckle belt – Dirk Bikkembergs, braided belt – HTC,  narrow belt – Pinko Black, leather and metal belt – Dquared2

And it’s not The Vivienne Files unless I’m looking at scarves… The scarf with the detachable charm is a fun idea – you could arrange the scarf in a way that the charm acts as a pendant…

 
four green printed scarves

Organza scarf – Yuh Okano,  chevron print scarf – Target, rectangle scarf – Yarnz, scarf with detachable crocheted charm – rumisu

This is how I envision the outfits; now if the weather would JUST get warm enough to wear this kind of thing…

 

 

 
Someone has also asked me about a hot pink handbag – I think we’ll revisit this tomorrow with some different accessories!
 
love,
Janice
 
Looking Back:
 
2014: A Summer Capsule Wardrobe,, from “Ma To-Do List: Dressing”
 
2013: Packing from the 33 for a long weekend
 
2012: April in Paris, The Final Chapter (a guest post at A Femme d’un Certain Age)
 
Tweet
Pin16
Share
16 Shares

04.30.15 16 Comments

Tags: accessories, economy, green, navy, shoes, silk scarf
<<A Clothing Diary Week 10A Hot Pink Handbag: Integrating a New Accent Color>>

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    April 30, 2015 at 10:57 am

    So smart! Navy is my favourite neutral, and I love green… In fact this would work with your navy/beige starting from scratch wardrobe, which I also loved.
    Alice

    Reply
  2. Jazz says

    April 30, 2015 at 11:46 am

    I agree- repeating the green does seem to give a greater sense of balance.

    Reply
  3. Madame Là-bas says

    April 30, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    Janice, you just gave me an idea! I have a beloved orange purse from my pre-grey days. I could work the same magic with navy and orange in the fall. Navy and orange would be less Halloween-like than black and orange. Merci.

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      April 30, 2015 at 12:19 pm

      I'm working with a hot pink bag right now, and I've been thinking that I wanted to do one more version of this post, with an orange bag. NOW, I'm convinced!
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
  4. Rainbowsandglories says

    April 30, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    Delightful.

    Reply
  5. Shrebee says

    April 30, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    Janice,

    This is so incredibly helpful ! I've been trying to decide how to inject a pop of color into my otherwise mostly neutrals wardrobe, while keeping the attention on my upper half, as I have the classic pear shaped body. Seeing the color locations illustrated has just saved me a lot of money on buying shoes that would then languish in my closet. Scarves, jewelry and bags are the way I shall go, many thanks !

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      April 30, 2015 at 2:41 pm

      Excellent! This is exactly the kind of insight I was hoping would be available from these posts – seeing the proportions pictured in front of us makes these sorts of choices much more sound.
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    April 30, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    That is a very well designed bag in a lovely colour, so I would happily carry it without another touch of green, However, adding the other complementary green in another accessory does add symmetry and movement to the whole look. I love converse, they are fun and supremely comfortable.

    Deb from Vancouver

    Reply
  7. HappyFace313 says

    April 30, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    :-) I have a beautiful green bag and haven't worn it in ages…looks like I just got some excellent inspiration here. Thanks!

    HAPPY weekend! :-)

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    April 30, 2015 at 2:46 pm

    Perfect, thank you! That shade of green is my favorite color! Plus, I just bought a bright pink tote. Janice, maybe sapphire blue and turquoise too?

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    April 30, 2015 at 4:27 pm

    I love this post and I really like the design of the bag. I know from a previous blog post that you dislike logos on this –as do I. But I am finding it difficult to find a nice but not really expensive (< $500) handbag without any logo or branding. The bag you feature does have "Michael Kors" on it. Is this type of branding discrete enough for you? I feel like I have to get on it with and get a new bag for this summer.

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      May 1, 2015 at 4:20 am

      I have never bought a Michael Kors purse for the same reason — an ostentatious big brass plate screaming "MICHAEL KORS." However, in the photo of this purse, the logo looks embossed and understated — I love it.

      Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    April 30, 2015 at 5:22 pm

    Love the shape of the bag and the shade of green. Simply classic!

    Reply
  11. Deborah Montgomery says

    April 30, 2015 at 5:56 pm

    I love that you'd wear the green converse! I'd play it safe with navy flats, and do the scarf/belt thing. Looking forward to your hot pink tomorrow.

    Reply
  12. Cennetta says

    April 30, 2015 at 8:56 pm

    My goodness! This is a perfect color palette for spring/summer.

    Reply
  13. lrlincks says

    May 1, 2015 at 3:40 am

    Very nice! I would wear green converse! I have gray ones. My teen granddaughters think it's pretty funny that I have converse! LOL! I'm not big on matching bags with shoes. I'm not one who changes bags very often. I do like the pop of color from the shoes.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

logo
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...
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

STAY UP TO DATE

Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

  • Adding Accessories! Start with Art Windows by Robert DelaunayAdding Accessories! Start with Art: Windows by Robert Delaunay
  • Build a Warm Weather Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art Spring Blossom by Valerius de SaedeleerBuild a Warm Weather Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Spring Blossom by Valerius de Saedeleer
  • Build a Warm Weather Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art Drei Häuser By Paul KleeBuild a Warm Weather Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Drei Häuser By Paul Klee
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 The Vivienne Files | All Rights Reserved - Built with ♥ by RockFort Media

THE VIVIENNE FILES IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR US TO EARN FEES BY LINKING TO AMAZON.COM AND AFFILIATED SITES.