Archives for January 2016

January 2016

Another Giveaway, and a Wonderful Woman

Remember January 11th, when I built a wardrobe around a Neiman Marcus tote bag, and then asked for comments so that I could give the featured bag to one of you?

I heard back from the woman who won the bag, and... well... She's AMAZING.

Long story kind of short - black is no longer one of her wardrobe neutrals, so she turned the bag down.

She wants someone to have it who will use it regularly...

Generous. Disciplined. Mature. Intelligent. Kind. Thoughtful, in all of the best ways.

I feel lucky to know that she reads The Vivienne Files!

So I pulled another random number; Geraldine, please get in touch with me at theviviennefiles@gmail.com so I can get your address and send off your new tote bag!

much Sunday love to all, Janice ... View the Post

12 Months, 12 Outfits in 6 Capsule Wardrobes: January

You all have the BEST ideas! And I'm stealing this and running with it...

Starting today, and then on the 1st of each month (yes, the next installment, for February, will be Monday), I'm going to share the "monthly" new outfit for each of 6 different capsule wardrobe color schemes. By the 1st of December, we're going to have a nice tidy capsule wardrobe, built around a unifying color theme and overall "feel."

I chose 6 Hermes scarves to define our color palettes:

These six scarves indicated, to me, six different core neutral colors, and an interesting range of accents. I've included a small image of each scarf on the page with each outfit, to remind us of the colors with which we're working. Of course, you can wear the scarf with ... View the Post

Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Bag: Marimekko Clover Bag

This bag is much closer to the one that my friend wanted to see on The Vivienne Files - I'm really happy that she persisted in finding just the right back for us! This is quite the color scheme: black and white, punched up about a million notches with red, hot pink, and coral.

She Doesn't Mind the Attention...

Yes, lots of people share in the credit for everything that's been accomplished, but someone has to be the spokesperson, the one in the center of the photographs, the one who accepts the diplomas, certificates, trophies, statuettes, and other detritus of hard work.

So she's accepted, for years, that since she's comfortable being photographed, and making "off the cuff" remarks, she's going to be the one who ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Portrait of Madame Lisle and Madame Loubens by Degas

A long time ago, someone asked for me to work with a painting by Degas; it's taken months, but I'm finally on it! (I really do try to get to as many requests as possible, I hope you understand...)

If you just glanced at this painting, it might seem somber and sort of gloomy. But give it a minute - there's a lot of warmth and beauty here. These women appear comfortably tucked up in the lap of luxury!

So I felt that the black component was impossible to avoid, but it seemed equally inevitable that the accent colors would be warm:

No Need for Accolades

Now that everything is finally accomplished, and all of the celebratory events are beginning, it would only be natural that she might want a bit of the credit, and of ... View the Post

Start with a Tote Bag – Navy Floral

It started with a request from a long-time reader... but the bag she loved is no longer available. So I started working with this one. It's not EXACTLY what she had in mind, but she's such a lovely woman, I'm sure she'll forgive me!

I'm assuming that this is navy, although it could easily pass for black. The lining is blue, and that's where I took my cue.

Imagine that you've been searching for a "defining" style image for a long time. You'll know it when you see it - that painting, or sculpture, or other objet d'art that really captures your favorite colors, your favorites lines, just that certain something that really resonates in your "style soul."

And it's a tote bag!

No worries - there are no style police running around forcing ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe Starting with Art – The Third Buddhist Kesa

Dear Ellen, who left the comment "I love this capsule and the colors you've used! I can see myself in these clothes.Lovely!" - send me a note at theviviennefiles@gmail.com. The tote bag from Neiman Marcus is yours...

Back to our regular blog post:

Despite the beautiful delicacy of the fabric, the colors felt like a warm-weather travel adventure to me!

Astonishing Everyone...

"Are you sure you want to go there? It's not very dressy..."

Yes, I understand that, she thinks.

"You're going to have to carry your own luggage..."

Yes, I've been working out on the treadmill for months, carrying handweights.

"I mean, you'll be able to get laundry done, and the water's usually safe to drink, but this just isn't ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe Starting with Art – The Second Buddhist Kesa

Such lovely colors:

Perfect for spring travel!

A "Miles" 2nd Honeymoon

They agreed that it was the most cost-effective thing to do, so they immediately started using their airline credit cards for EVERYTHING possible...

After a few months, they totaled up their miles, and called the airline.

The woman on the other end of the phone was lovely. She didn't mind being on a speaker phone, and she just laughed when they talked over each other. Finally, they decided to see what the longest trip possible was available, on their chosen date, for the miles that they had accumulated...

They heard the service representative busily typing on the other end of the phone line. Then, there was a pause.

"I've got ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe Starting with Art: a Buddhist Kesa

This was a little bit more challenging than I expected it to be! Finding these colors was surprisingly difficult...

It's just a small exhibit - maybe 28 items? - but if you have a chance to come to Chicago, to the Art Institute, before February 14th, you won't be disappointed. The exhibit displays only a few of their collection of Buddhist kesa, but they're beautiful. And because this is a "minor" exhibit, in the basement area of the museum, it's usually quiet, and uncrowded (bordering on empty). Very restful, very inspiring, very wonderful way to spend an hour!

I considered using the burgundy as the first neutral, but I think that this olive/sage green is more readily available through more of the year. This kind of color is a ... View the Post

How Are Designers and Consumers Alike? or How SHOULD They be Alike?

When I go to Paris, I always try to find a new book or two that discusses some aspect of personal style, fashion, clothing history - just anything that interests me, and that might in turn interest you!

Right now, I'm reading this:

The second of the 101 "little secrets" tells us that "designers create collections, not simply isolated garments..."

Isolated garments - that's a pretty thought-provoking phrase! But I think that's the results from how a lot of us shop - we see something fabulous, we buy it, and we don't necessarily stop to think about the degree to which said gorgeous object will work with the rest of our wardrobe.

That's why I'm always hammering home the idea of having a plan; if you shop with a color scheme and an ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Blocks and Circles by Paul Klee

I can so easily picture the woman who wears these colors - freckles had better be in the picture!

Just in case nobody else has ever told you this, it's pronounced Klee as in Clay. There was once a book with that title, that taught one how to pronounce all sorts of art names; I wonder if it's still around....

Yep, lots of color possibilities. I chose the beige/camel neutral for our upcoming spring dressy events, but if you wanted to segue this wardrobe into cooler weather, olive and fir green could definitely becomes neutrals, as could a deep rust, or a russet brown...

This is another one of those dresses that has a LOT of potential, for the entire year. And while the culottes were a bit of a venture, I think that they're much ... View the Post

Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Scarf: Cheval Surprise Remix Version 2

You wanted to see some purple? I found purple, and hot pink!

You could certainly do worse than to use all five bright colors, plus black and white, as the basis of your wardrobe...

How many horses have you found in the scarf? I think I can see seven...

This is SUCH a great dress - you could literally wear it all 12 months, with a range of accessories that would keep it fresh. If I needed a dress, this one could easily vault to the top of the list!

Many have mentioned their preference for white shorts, so I honor your preference. And while the paisley top isn't exactly "cleaning out the basement" casual, I thought it was too irresistible to leave out... Maybe your casual activities will be more spectator than wide ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Toasting Friends Version 2

Many people wanted me to revisit this painting, and many of you are interested in seeing posts with warmer colors, and many of you are looking for lower-contrast wardrobes. I'm tackling a lot of ideas in one lovely painting!

One of the fun things about this painting is the range of lovely colors included. I've madly exaggerated the amount of camel included in the painting, but I'm going to use shades of camel, beige and coppery brown as neutrals...

The most difficult thing about writing The Vivienne Files (well, except for having dozens of ideas, and not enough time!) is choosing a color scheme and then realizing that the colors I love and want to use aren't necessarily available in beautiful clothing! Patience is SO ... View the Post