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 » How Do I Define and Refine My Personal Style?

How Do I Define and Refine My Personal Style?

Oooh, I am often asked this, and it’s a great question. It’s important to have a personal style “mantra” or touchstone of adjectives that help you determine when a purchase might be outside of your realm. And a wee collage of things that inspire you wouldn’t be the worst idea either.I also like the concept of trying to imagine a potential purchase as being part of a larger “family” of items that might make it into your wardrobe. Yes, you really like the earrings, but do you want the ENTIRE grouping to be in your closet? Maybe best not let the rogue into the house, lest he bring the entire tribe along…

Hermes Maillons de Joel Stein with a white blouse, black pants, and related accessories
 
This is an exercise in Choosing a Scarf: A Black and White Hermes
 
 
 
This was a post about Choosing a Scarf – Hermes, in black
 
 
 
 
 The subject for this post was Choosing a Scarf: A Bright Summer Accent
 
 
 
 
 And this was an exercise in choosing between Three Green Scarves, Three Color Schemes.
 
Remember that the things that you buy are going to become part of a greater whole that is your wardrobe, and will be used every day to show your personal style. If you can’t envision something fitting in right from the start, maybe you need to look further. And once you’ve chosen a few things, and rejected a LOT of things, your style is becoming more clearly defined. With each decision, your taste and preferences become clearer…
 
love,
Janice
 
Artisan Jewelry Designs
 
Tweet
Pin5
Share
5 Shares

12.15.15 6 Comments

Tags: accessories, Hermes scarf
<<Can I Wear Warm and Cool Colors Together?Back from Paris>>

Comments

  1. webb says

    December 15, 2015 at 12:38 pm

    Am slowly, but surely, removing things from my wardrobe that i never wear and replacing them – even more slowly – with things that fit. Thanks to you, i no longer just buy things i like. i really do think about how they fit with the whole and what role they will play. am wasting far less money and findly that i "have something to wear" much more often.

    Have two nieces who are "marriage aged" and am already worrying about adding clothes for their (eventual) weddings … but by the time i need to, am sure i will have figured it out. Thanks so much for you calm and steady hand.

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      December 15, 2015 at 10:44 pm

      Weddings can be anything these days so I'd wait and see. I had two niece weddings: one in Bali on a beach and one in the country with a "rustic" dress code. The best thing I read is not to buy something special and "wedding-ey" but get the wedding look with basics and "wedding-ey" accessories so you get the most wear out of your purchases.
      Kate

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      December 15, 2015 at 10:58 pm

      Weddings can be difficult. I attended a beach wedding this year for a nephew. I bought a lovely special dress and gorgeous shoes knowing that I would probably never wear them again. I also attended a funeral (about the same time) and bought a black and white nondescript sleeveless shift dress. I have worn this dress (with my backup flats for the original wedding) about 5 times – with cardigans, without cardigans – to another funeral, a christening and a pub. Carol S

      Reply
  2. Margie says

    December 15, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    I'd love to see a post on a wardrobe built around a breton top that doesn't veer to Nantucket on vacation.

    Reply
  3. Linda says

    December 15, 2015 at 1:43 pm

    I second Margie's suggestion on the Breton top. I aim for French chic and feel that I wind up with "Midge packing a picnic for the kids" instead.

    Reply
  4. Tessara says

    December 15, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    I would also like some suggestions on the Breton top.. thank you

    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

  • 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
  • Start with Art Morris GravesRain by Kay RussellStart with Art: Morris Graves/Rain by Kay Russell
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Dazzling Theme theme by Restored 316