The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Archives for June 2016

June 2016

A Capsule Wardrobe Dilemma, and What I’m Packing for Paris, France

So I realized a couple of weeks ago that I wasn't wearing these 2 cardigans NEARLY as often as I felt that I should...

Every time I would pull out one of these sweaters, I just couldn't get an outfit together that really felt right. In a bit of a funk, I went back to my own best advice, and realized that a lot of my basic summer clothes in black were either too big, or too...faded/droopy/saggy/limp/icky for public consumption. So I picked up these - the Original Core of Four:

After those arrived and were well-integrated into my wardrobe, I got wild and bought these 4 tops:

It turned out that I was wise to stock up on summer basics, because... well... the weather has turned hot here, AND I'm going to Florida for a week. (yes, ... View the Post

12 Must-Have Items for your Capsule Wardrobe in 2016? Let’s Consider…

I'm sure you see these lists too: "12 Things You NEED in Your Capsule Wardrobe in 2016." They always amuse me, and irritate me, in equal measure.

Let me be perfectly clear: there is NOTHING that is required for every woman. Nothing. Every woman does not needs shoes. Every woman does not need to wear a bra. Really, so long as we're all covered enough to be decent in public, I think it should be much more of a free-for-all than it currently is. Conformity kills creativity...

So let's look at this particular list, and see what we can learn that might be of use!

1. Ankle Boots

If there were even an item that I would encourage you to consider, it would be this. If you live in a climate that is cool or cold part of the year, and if you ... View the Post

12 Months, 12 Outfits in 6 Capsule Wardrobes – a Half-Way Through Bonus

I've been thinking about how these capsule wardrobes would work for additional outfits, now that we're up to a dozen pieces of clothing in each wardrobe. So I played around and came up with another six outfits for each grouping. Enjoy!

Many of these items will be sold out by now, and some of the links are probably dead...

love, Janice ... View the Post

12 Months, 12 Outfits in 6 Capsule Wardrobes: June

These are really SUCH fun... Remember, these are our six original color scheme/inspirations for our capsule wardobes:

Dresses this month! If you're not a dress wearer, I encourage you to reconsider; check out these... things, to wear under dresses. Your thighs will be SO much happier... They revolutionized my relationship with dresses!

But if you're certain that a dress isn't for you, you could always substitute a simple top and capris or shorts, of course!

This jewelry was chosen to echo the detailed, intricate patterns in each of the garments shown on the scarf:

Now that these wardrobes have a dozen pieces of clothing, they begin to really take on a distinctive character.

For this jewelry, I just really wanted that warm ... View the Post

How to Pack for a Long Weekend Graduation Trip

One of the reasons that I'm taking this hiatus is that I've got two trips in the month of June, which were weighing heavy on my mind... First up, a very quick dash through New York City, to Vermont, then BACK to New York to fly back to Chicago. There's a very important college graduation in there, somewhere... I have to tell you something amazing - we're leaving in 4 hours or so, and I'm not packed! But I think I've got it figured out.  My goal here, uncluttered simplicity, without sacrificing looking appropriately dressy for the solemn occasions...

(can someone explain to me why this suitcase is a man's bag? what folly...)

I'm packing silk pants, a silk tank, and a silk tee shirt, in order to have a couple of options to wear ... View the Post