October 1, 2018
It’s the most fun day of the month, here at The Vivienne Files! Because I’m working on a smaller-than-normal computer monitor, I decided that I was going to make some deliberate wardrobe choices for our heroines, this month. I took a critical look at the various wardrobes, to date, and made some selections for October that fill in some (to me) pretty critical gaps! Let’s see how it worked out:
Silk scarf – Hermès Fouets et Badines; white shirt – L.L.Bean; cashmere sweatshirt – L.L.Bean; tote – L.L.Bean; corduroy pants – L.L.Bean; necklace – J.Crew
This heroine didn’t have a white shirt! To me, that’s an easy choice to fill. A simple black cashmere sweater, and tan pants that pick up the color of the border of her scarf make a classic outfit that’s perfect as a background for her scarf.
So her overall wardrobe, and accessories, look like this:
One of the joys of buying neutral classics is that you have a bajillion ways to wear them…
Somewhat the same story here – expected items that weren’t already present in this wardrobe come together for a neutral, timeless outfit. I’m deeply smitten with cabled sweaters, you know…
scarf – Hermès The Horsawards; shirt – Banana Republic; sweater – L.L.Bean; tote – L.L.Bean; corduroy pants – L.L.Bean; necklace – Argento Vivo
This wardrobe’s coming together pretty well, I think!
And yes, I would wear the sweater with the lace skirt in a heartbeat!
I considered including this sweater in navy for this outfit, but this burgundy is just SO lovely…
scarf – Hermès Les Tresors d’un Artiste; shirt – Lands’ End; sweater – L.L.Bean; tote – Allsaints; corduroy pants – L.L.Bean; necklace – Lana Jewelry
This is not unlike what I was wearing 30 years ago; no wonder I find it so appealing!
This shirt is pretty versatile – it would be ideal as a shirt-jacket over a tee shirt… of course, you can do that with ANY button-front shirt that doesn’t have odd ruffles or other details.
Scarf – Hèrmes Merveilleuses Lanternes; chamois shirt – L.L.Bean; sweater – Lands’ End; tote – Rebecca Minkoff; jeans – Lands’ End; necklace – Poppy Finch
This is sort of a strange assortment of colors, but they are unified by their presence in the scarf. Your wardrobe doesn’t have to be perfectly interchangeable – some variety is allowed!
While you can’t just roll out of bed and get dressed with this wardrobe, it’s not a terrible struggle to find lots of ways to pull things together:
I just adore the color of this sweater. This is a color palette that I could see myself wearing, eventually…
Scarf – Hèrmes Jardin a Sintra; shirt – L.L.Bean; sweater – L.L.Bean; silver necklace – Wayan Sarjana; bag – Louise et Cie; jeans – Lands’ End
This wardrobe is so harmonious that it’s hard to go wrong…
I love these outfits… A heroine with blue eyes and graying hair?
This final wardrobe has always cried out for a combination of black and brown. This is going to limit the versatility of some pieces, but that’s okay. So long as you have a plan and you’re not just buying things at random, your wardrobe doesn’t have to be Garanimals… (does anybody else remember Garanimals? They still exist!)
scarf – Hermès Ndop; shirt – Banana Republic; cashmere sweater – Lands’ End; necklace – Panacea; bag – Longchamp; jeans – Lands’ End
This wardrobe isn’t perfectly versatile, but it still offers enough possibilities for most of us:
Plenty of outfits were added to this wardrobe by the addition of just the 3 garments. It’s delightful to buy a few things and suddenly have all sorts of new possibilities, isn’t it?
Although this month I find myself particularly drawn to the grey and blue wardrobe, I’m still pretty smitten with most of them… What do you think?
love,
Janice
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Great work! I especially like the first capsule because I like the pops of color. I would, however, change out the warm yellows and lime green for lemon yellow and mint green. This would seem more in line with the cooler colors on my monitor and suit my coloring.
I used to make my mother nuts because she’d buy a Garanimals top without the coordinating bottom, which really bothered me as a kid (actually, now too) because it created an open loop in the system. Every month I vacillate between the black capsule and the blue/grey—right now the black’s accents are a hair too bright and the grey wardrobe a hair too tonal (I bought coral shorts this summer, worn once because I thought I was thirsty for color…turns out I’m not). Incidentally, re: neutral basics—if you fell over a truly classic neutral basic (a camel cashmere pullover, say), would you buy it even though you really don’t need another sweater or shirt or whatever? I hate stockpiling, but I don’t necessarily trust that these things will be there next year…
I think I would, only because it can take years for someone’s preferred neutral of choice to be back in fashion and easy to find in the stores. If you find something you know will integrate well in your wardrobe and will last for years, I say go for it.
I would never stockpile navy blue or black, or probably grey, but any of the warmer colors like olive, brown or camel I would DEFINITELY grab something that was beautiful and perfect for you. Those colors are maddeningly hard to find, and well worth buying when the opportunity presents itself. Maybe we can encourage the wider availability of these colors by buying them?
hugs,
Janice
I wouldn’t stockpile, because neutrals are almost always available…unless it’s a rare neutral… like cognac.
I was recommending stocking up on camel because I don’t see it as often as I would like, and when I do find things they can be blindingly expensive. It’s going to depend on each person’s experience with being able to find things, and how much comfort they take from knowing they have “a spare!”
hugs,
Janice
I love seeing these every month!
Well you’re certainly not making it any easier to choose between them! I started out the year with a clear preference, but now would happily see any one of these beautiful collections in my closet. (I might regret it, of course, because of all of the “shouldn’ts” — I shouldn’t wear contrast, or dark colors, or dusky colors, or cool colors, etc.) You have done an incredible job of searching out just the right pieces each month. It’s funny how much I look forward to the monthly additions.
And I admire your dedication to the task in the face of technical impediments. I remember once when I almost gave up on a paid gig because I had to use my slow laptop instead of my usual speedy desktop. It can be aggravating.
I love the gray/blue capsule. I actually started the year buying the gray/blue pieces. Weird thing though, I don’t love wearing them. Now what?
Give it time? Maybe put them back for a few weeks and see if you’re drawn to them, while you wear other things? That’s a tough nut… Any other ideas from the sisterhood?
hugs,
Janice
I would suggest identifying your top 10 items that you DO wear and love. What is the common thread? Color, fit, shape? Maybe the colors are right but the shape is wrong, or… Figure out what you love putting on and then see if the new items meet these criteria. It is far more than color that makes a garment our favorites. Janice does an outstanding job of helping us look at color and palates but fit and shape are so important too!
I, too, love the gray/blue capsule, but think the blues are too soft for my coloring. I can see buying these items in a brighter, light blue; and more silvery gray. I also like adding the burgundy sweater to blue and gray in the third group.
I also liked the blue/grey combo..but thought it could use a strong shot of the complimentary color..bright rust, deep orange. This, actually, is my go-to color plan.
RE the blue/gray problem: maybe add some bright….red, orange, mustard? I have to be very careful, too. There aren’t many colors that I actually LIKE to wear but many that attract my eye. The same happens with patterns…I love to see checks, plaids, paisleys etc but am incredibly picky about wearing them.
Besides considering one’s appearance in regard of skin color, hair color etc. I strongly believe that what color we feel good in when actually wearing also has a lot to do with one’s aura – i.e. the colors of the energy field of a person. It’s invisible (at least to most people…), but still has an effect on how the colors that we’re wearing make us feel. Does anyone share that standpoint? I, for example, used to LOVE to wear turquoise, and it really suits me because I have dark brown hair, dark brown eyes and combined with turquoise jewellery I always looked like a squaw, very exotic for a German girl… ;o)))… and then one day it was just over. I still love turquoise and it kind of makes me sad in a sentimental kind of way,, but I just cannot stand wearing this color on my body anymore. My theory is that I needed the turquoise energy at the time and then integrated it enough into my personality to not need it anymore “from the outside”, so to speak. Perhaps that’s what happened with the blue?
Hi Mona, yes I agree that colour can make you feel different e.g., calm, energised, confident, fatigued etc. It can also change the way others interact with you as well. I think it has something to do with the colour’s vibrations and how they interact with your own energy field (aura?). I’m no expert in this, but it’s a fascinating subject.
Mona, your use of that derogatory term is very upsetting. Please refrain from casual language like this.
You’re right; Mona isn’t in the US, and I’m assuming English isn’t her first language. Doesn’t make it right, but does maybe make it more understandable. We have to help educate each other about what’s most appropriate in our native languages.
hugs all around,
Janice
Dear Tanya, I’m not from the US, and I’m not sure what I did wrong…? I certainly didn’t mean to be rude or to upset anyone, so please accept my apologies. Language can be tricky sometimes… :o(
At the start of the year I thought the blue/grey was the one I would like the best but now I totally love the October, red/navy colour combination. It’s almost an exact replica of the colours I currently have in my closet and wear. I love this series.
Paintbox is still my favorite. In fact, I see my blacks trending toward navy and grey as I age, but teal and maroon won’t change I don’t think.
The last one isn’t something I would hunt out, but something about it this month just grabbed me. Probably the spruce green sweater and the graphic, linear qualities of the jewelry. I no longer wear browns (yay, simplification!) but this one could tempt me.
This month, my favorite is the last wardrobe – I love that black + white + chestnut brown! And I am super excited to see those brown jeans – I’ve been looking for this color for a while. An on the first day after my no spend September, I ordered the jeans right away. We’ll see if they fit me (although they are back ordered). – nancyo
I still love the navy and grey outfits as they reflect my own colour and style, but I have got a soft spot for the black with its bright colours which appeal to me. What I enjoy most about the 12 months, 12 outfits series is the uniformity of outfits throughout the year (and previous years), which makes shopping your wardrobe or elsewhere so much easier. For example, October is jumper, jeans, shirt, bag and necklace, which allows for the colour and style to be left to your own discretion. I know this all sounds very prescriptive, but I personally like following guidelines as it helps give structure to what is normally a chaotic wardrobe life.
Yes, Janice, I also love the grey/blue wardrobe and it has been my favorite all year. With light blue eyes and grey blonde hair, these softer colors are what I reach for when dressing. I like the lighter silver grey and get compliments. Whenever I wear it. I love everything in this wardrobe and would only add more white/ecru. Janice Collins Coyle, Washington DC
I started off liking the last capsule best, but have done a full U-turn, and now my favourite is the first one. Love the way it mixes the black and white with the warm brights. I’d keep the black and white a touch softer, but otherwise it works for me!
Janice this is quite interesting. The outfits are gorgeous.
I’m getting the idea and can’t wait to check out the other posts.
I love blue and grey but find that wardrobe repetitive. It has 2 pairs of blue shorts and 3 pairs of grey pants. The burgundy and navy just seems more fun.