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 » What I Wore to the French Fete

What I Wore to the French Fete

Wow, what a party!  The French American Chamber of Commerce in Chicago had a blow-out part last Thursday in honor of the Beaujolais Nouveau, and it was AMAZING…There were chefs from all over Chicago handing out samples of wonderful food, a lot of pastry chefs forcing us to each cakes and macarons (oh bother…), and more wine than you could possibly consume, even if you really worked at it. (I did my very best!)

Tish was there (from A Femme d’un Certain Age), and she was as elegantly beautiful and charming as always!

I tried my humble level best to do justice to the event by being understatedly appropriate. The dress code was “business elegant”, which wasn’t really the most help I’ve ever had. Some guests interpreted that guideline in ways that seemed… very… non-businessy… It was interesting!

Earrings – Matta; pearl bracelet –  Neeru Goel; watch – Movado; cardigan – J.Crew Factory; dress – Lands’ End; scarf – Parures des Maharajas – Hermes; pumps – Trotters

 

I can’t possibly recommend the black dress from Lands’ End highly enough. Flattering, comfortable, well-made… it ticks all of the important LBD boxes. My cardigan was actually an older one, from Eileen Fisher. I wore pearl jewelry because the details all over my scarf are strands of pearls, and I always like to have a sort of theme that ties everything together, at least for my own appreciation. And I was delighted to be wearing moderate heels. Once everybody was packed into the event rooms, your feet were almost impossible to see, so comfort was much more important than any other factor.

The party was, in fact, complete insofar as I saw 2 women fall off of their shoes, and there was 1 very inebriated guest crying in the Ladies Room. It seems like these things always happen at big events…

To top it all off, I cleaned up at the Silent Auction, and came home with armloads of swag. My first thought – of course – is to share it with you!

So leave me a comment, and you can have a chance to win this most AMAZING book:

 

It really isn’t all that much about Ms. Vreeland; it’s much more an overview of the visual style of Harper’s Bazaar during the years she was there. Below are just 3 of the pages you will be able to study at length:
 

3 pages from Diana Vreeland: The Modern Woman

I hope that you all get to attend events in the upcoming festive season which are as much fun as last Thursday night was for me.

love,
Janice

Tweet
Pin1
Share
1 Shares

11.23.15 40 Comments

Tags: accessories, black, cardigans, evening wear, jewelry, LBD, my wardrobe
<<Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Brooch: Boucheron Lotus BroochA Day Off…>>

Comments

  1. LynneinNC says

    November 23, 2015 at 11:09 am

    Love the simple elegance of your outfit — the pearls are lovely. Thank you for sharing with us. Cheers!

    Reply
  2. Cornelia says

    November 23, 2015 at 11:34 am

    I do like your ensemble very much. Do you wear a patterned hose, tights or nudes with this in the evening? For some odd reason I would wear tights during the day and a nude at night while I think that I am a tad old for a patterned hose. Wonder what your thoughts are.

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      November 23, 2015 at 12:26 pm

      I wore sheer black hose – not super sheer, but light enough that they didn't look like my usual tights. Thanks for asking – I should have included them, somehow!
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
  3. Pam @ over50feeling40 says

    November 23, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    The event sounds amazing…so wonderful you were there and also got to see Tish. I have thought about her often since the happenings in Paris. This outfit looks perfect for the occasion!

    Reply
  4. Susan says

    November 23, 2015 at 12:48 pm

    Dress codes on party invitations are always interesting–especially when you see how others interpret them.

    Reply
  5. Elbe says

    November 23, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    Janice, Sounds like fun. I think you hit the understated elegance mark!

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    November 23, 2015 at 3:44 pm

    I have been to 2 evening events here in Vancouver over the past few weeks and It was great to see that most people dressed up. Vancouver residents seem to be reversing the trend to wear athletic wear everywhere. And you have demonstrated so clearly ow easy it is to look appropriate without having to go out and buy a new outfit for each event.

    Deb from Vancouver

    Reply
  7. Trish says

    November 23, 2015 at 3:51 pm

    Great practical post. I was able to find some new Lands End dresses through this also. Wish I could wear black, but it doesn't work, so I went with some lovely jewel tones.

    Would love to win the book-I remember her fabulous 70s styling-high school and college for me. It would be interesting to see her earlier work.

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    November 23, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    Business elegant – I guess it depends on what "business" you're in. Love your theme – so neither scarf nor pearls would be lonely. And Trotters are very comfortable on my feet, so wonderful to see some elegant, comfortable pumps. They come in nude, which I was just thinking about because I don't have any shoes that colour and maybe it's time. As for the book, I'd love it – please enter my name in the draw because I can see myself looking at this book …forever. DV had such style sense that was indeed modern and translates well today. Thanks for sharing.
    Vancouver Barbara

    Reply
  9. mcm says

    November 23, 2015 at 8:11 pm

    More details please….how did you wear your scarf? There are so many variations I'm curious as to which one you chose.

    Mary

    Reply
  10. Jean S says

    November 23, 2015 at 8:21 pm

    That scarf looks AMAZING!

    Would love love love to win the book. DV was such a modern woman. An icon for me.

    Reply
  11. Wendy says

    November 23, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    Chic, as always, Janice. Those shoes are timeless!

    Reply
  12. Francine Forestell says

    November 23, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    you make business elegant look so easy. I wouldn't have known what to wear so likely wouldn't have gone. thank you for blogging-my closet is starting to speak to me in 4×4 terms.

    Reply
  13. Francine Forestell says

    November 23, 2015 at 2:23 pm

    you make business elegant look so easy. I wouldn't have known what to wear so likely wouldn't have gone. thank you for blogging-my closet is starting to speak to me in 4×4 terms.

    Reply
  14. Janet says

    November 24, 2015 at 2:37 am

    Oh my goodness! Swag?? I'm in! I was going to comment anyway — I started laughing at the "business elegant" dress-code suggestion & said "what on EARTH is 'business elegant'" right out loud before I'd even gotten to your comment about it — and didn't stop laughing until after the vivid imagery of various women "falling off their shoes" & the inebriate crying in the washroom: I think I've been to this event! Several times, in fact. Glad you enjoyed yourself. It's always nice to shake off the dust now & again, as my mother used to say.

    Reply
  15. Renee says

    November 23, 2015 at 9:20 pm

    Love your comment about what made the party complete! In my younger days it was 1) something got broken 2) there was a fight 3) someone got sick. I think I like the falling off their shoes and crying in the ladies' as somewhat more sophisticated criteria.

    Reply
  16. Nadya says

    November 24, 2015 at 4:10 am

    Glad you did your best by the wine :). The book looks like a lot of fun.

    Reply
  17. Bbz says

    November 24, 2015 at 6:18 am

    How did you wear the scarf?

    Reply
  18. Julie says

    November 24, 2015 at 6:19 am

    This may be the LBD I looking for. I have a black linen that isn't neutral enough. Silly fish designs on it. Do you find this LE dress comfy when summer temps are pushing 100?

    Julie

    Reply
    • Chris says

      November 24, 2015 at 11:13 am

      I believe you need a summer and winter LBD, but I live in a climate that's temperamental! Chris

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      December 1, 2015 at 7:34 pm

      I have to second Janice's endorsement of the dress from Lands' End. The finishes are amazing: princess seams, fully lined with a touch of lace at the lining's hem, grosgrain ribbon backing the zipper. I haven''t seen this kind of attention to detail in a long time.

      Reply
  19. Chris says

    November 24, 2015 at 11:08 am

    Enjoy your day off! I think you deserve it. X Chris from Australia

    Reply
  20. cheryl :) says

    November 24, 2015 at 11:43 am

    It's so nice to hear how much fun you had:)

    Reply
  21. Tamyra says

    November 24, 2015 at 1:39 pm

    I love the fact that you carry themes throughout your ensembles.

    Reply
  22. Catherine p says

    November 24, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    Enjoy your day off. The book looks amazing

    Reply
  23. Murphy says

    November 24, 2015 at 2:24 pm

    I like your choice of outfit! Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply
  24. Sue Walker says

    November 24, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    I love the look of your outfit, however black is a no-no for me. Would you consider doing some Start with a Dress posts including warmer and softer colours for those of us who can no longer get away with black? That book sounds amazing by the way!

    Reply
  25. Anne says

    November 24, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    I wouldn't really have known what to wear for 'business elegant', though I have a friend who would – her style would be perfect. As others have asked, I'd like to know how you wore your scarf. Much as I like them, I really don't get them. Please enter me in the DV draw, thank you.

    Reply
  26. Susan Bybee says

    November 24, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    The book looks amazing. So glad you got to see une femme!

    Reply
  27. HelsBells says

    November 24, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    Gorgeous outfit for the French Fete! The earrings are especially fete-ching.

    Reply
  28. districthilo.com says

    November 24, 2015 at 3:46 pm

    Hi Vivienne,
    This outfit is beautiful! The dress looks so sharp and comfortable. The scarf is gorgeous! Sounds like a nice time.

    http://www.districthilo.com

    Love, Mary

    Reply
  29. Claire M. Johnson says

    November 24, 2015 at 3:51 pm

    I have a pair of Trotters brand shoes and they are, like yours, very understated. But, and here's where they shine, they are comfortable. I can wear them for hours. (And I am the sort of person who DOES fall off shoes and usually sprain my ankle in the process!).

    Reply
  30. small town gal says

    November 24, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    I love your blog. I read it every day. Such great advice. I would love to win the book.

    Reply
  31. SRSly NOLA says

    November 24, 2015 at 9:15 pm

    That dress!! I can only say the one I have is so similar, and I have worn it in so many ways. I love your looks!!!

    Reply
  32. cat says

    November 24, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    Sounds like a grand time!!!

    Reply
  33. siouxjett says

    November 24, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    i think I need tthat LBD in my life. Would love to check out the DV book.

    Reply
  34. itsmidnight says

    November 25, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    I very much liked your outfit, I may have same EF dress but need to dig it out from the back of the closet! I definitely love books about Diana Vreeland, thanks for the giveaway! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Karen

    Reply
  35. moushka26 says

    November 25, 2015 at 5:05 pm

    Great look, Janice. Wish I looked good in black. I can only wear it with a very light scarf close to my face. That DV book looks intriguing. I love the picture of the different lipsticks. We always think we're so original only to discover that someone else has already done it :) Thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply
  36. Amy Olles says

    November 25, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    That book looks entirely intriguing! And the outfit is a lovely complilation of red and black without being too austere or uninviting.

    Reply
  37. 柯云 says

    April 15, 2016 at 2:08 am

    2016-04-15keyun
    true religion jeans
    louis vuitton outlet
    gucci outlet
    ray ban outlet
    michael kors outlet clearance
    michael kors outlet
    ed hardy outlet
    hollister jeans
    kd 8
    prada handbags
    coach outlet
    fitflop sale
    louis vuitton outlet online
    longchamp outlet
    ugg outlet
    air jordan shoes
    coach factory outlet
    cheap toms shoes
    nike roshe shoes
    coach factorty outlet
    longchamp handbags
    michael kors outlet
    coach factory outlet
    ray bans
    asics running shoes
    nike uk
    louis vuitton outlet
    kate spade outlet
    cheap oakleys
    nhl jerseys
    louis vuitton purses
    lebron 12
    canada goose outlet
    kobe 8
    michael kors outlet
    nike store uk
    ghd hair straighteners
    coach outlet
    louis vuitton outlet

    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

  • First Half of Six Paintings, 12 Months - February 2023First Half of Six Paintings, 12 Months – February 2023
  • Accessories! Project 333 based on Morris GravesRain by Kay RussellAccessories! Project 333 based on Morris Graves/Rain by Kay Russell
  • wardrobe of the Week 03WOW Wardrobe Of the Week – January 22 – 28, 2023
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Dazzling Theme theme by Restored 316