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Home » Evaluating a Wardrobe: A Year of “Dame au Chapeau” by Natalia Gontcharova

Evaluating a Wardrobe: A Year of “Dame au Chapeau” by Natalia Gontcharova

December 17, 2018

Ah, this heroine… The unintentionally conspicuous college professor who never seems to fade into the background! That’s just the way some people are..

Her favorite painting? This unique beauty:

1. Dame au Chapeau by Gontcharova

From this, she was able to derive the most uncommon of color palettes for her wardrobe, as well a few phrases to help her keep focused:

2. Dame au Chapeau by Gontcharova with style guidelines and color palette

Back in January, she traveled (for reasons we still don’t know!) with this very unconventional travel capsule wardrobe:

3. Winter travel capsule wardrobe in gold, brown and pink

When she was away for a long weekend at a symposium, she packed the following travel wardrobe. She didn’t plan to speak or be on any panels, but I suspect she was called upon to contribute…

4. Spring travel capsule wardrobe in brown, gold, pink and beige

She’s also been invited to other schools to speak to their classes – it’s quite an honor, in a way!

5. Summer travel capsule wardrobe in gold, brown, ivory and pink

Her work has been recognized so much that she’s been invited to be a guest lecturer at THE university, for a YEAR! She traveled there in the fall to negotiate the particulars of her schedule, and what her content will be…

6. autumn travel capsule wardrobe in pink, brown, gold, and ivory

This wardrobe isn’t for everyone, but for the right woman, this is a versatile and VERY “statement” way to dress:

7. capsule wardrobe in brown, gold, ivory and pink

I’m particularly smitten with her accessories; some of these scarves are amazing! (and 3 watches? She’s an adult – why not?)

 

8. accessories for a capsule wardrobe in pink, brown, gold and ivory

But what to advise for her? I’ve been thinking and thinking about her upcoming work responsibilities, the way she might want to dress for them, and how this new gig might affect her day-to-day life. If, for example, she’s going to move into a flat near the university, her laundry facilities might be limited. This could mean that she wants a few more shirts and tee shirts to get her well through a week without needing to wash something at the last minute!

I wanted to lend her just a bit of authority; older, more conservative faculty members are going to be a bit startled by this bright and lovely woman in their midst! A blazer, and a skirt that works with it but doesn’t match (and that costs a FORTUNE), is my first thought…

And a bright sweater to wear under it! My memories of college campuses in the middle of the winter are NOT memories of being too warm!

While she could certainly use a couple more shirts or tee shirts, I thought that I wanted to get her some more of the gorgeous gold that she loves so much. Couple that with my undying love of cabled sweaters, and you can guess what else she’s going to buy!

Finally, some lovely boots, and a whimsical brooch. I love a good brooch…

9. adding an unmatched suit to a capsule wardrobe

blazer – Acne Studios; brooch – Banana Republic; skirt – Everly; gold turtleneck – Uniqlo; cabled crewneck sweater – Lands’ End; boots – Adam Tucker

Each of these garments blend in beautifully with her existing wardrobe, giving her a range of outfits that will be suitable for her new, temporary position. Every day she’s there is sort of like a job interview for a permanent position there, so if she finds it congenial she will want to consistently put her best foot forward.

10. 2 ways to wear a brown blazer in a capsule wardrobe

11. 2 ways to wear a gold turtleneck in a capsule wardrobe

12. 2 ways to wear a gold sweater in a capsule wardrobe

13. 2 ways to wear a brown sweater in a capsule wardrobe

Can you imagine how you would pack if you were going somewhere for a year? I would LOVE that…

love,

Janice

CREATE A TRAVEL CAPSULE WARDROBE INSPIRED BY “DAME AU CHAPEAU” BY NATALIA GONTCHAROVA

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12.17.18 15 Comments

<<Evaluating a Wardrobe: A Year of “Flowers in a Crystal Vase” by Edouard ManetEvaluating a Wardrobe: A Year of “A Colorful Moon” by Alain Paillou>>

Comments

  1. Virginia Gehrig says

    December 17, 2018 at 7:50 am

    Question: what would I pack if I were going somewhere for a year?
    Assumptions: the destination has shopping opportunities (both in variety and price points) and the weather is not so variable as to need extreme clothing (winter coats, swimsuits, etc)
    Answer: I would wear a very versatile travel outfit and pack nothing but small clothes, toiletries, and one of the fantastic Vivienne Files wardrobe templates.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 17, 2018 at 2:40 pm

      Excellent answer Virginia! I’d been thinking, “Oh, 12 months, well there goes the carry-on theory.” But you’re right, with a versatile travel capsule and a VF template (plus a credit card) a heroine would be well set up to build a well-curated wardrobe over time, that is appropriate for her new circumstances. I’m now dreaming of a year away somewhere . . .

      Reply
  2. Janet says

    December 17, 2018 at 8:18 am

    This is a favorite.

    Reply
  3. Aline says

    December 17, 2018 at 9:21 am

    I live in Brazil and could manage to dress with a little inspiration from this wardrobe post. Of course it’s hot as hack in here but I’m wearing brown shoes and skirt, a white Banana Republic shirt, a golden watch and ring and a silver necklace with a brown pendand. Turns out it looks great and I feel pretty.

    Reply
  4. Paula says

    December 17, 2018 at 9:25 am

    I like this wardrobe but personally do not wear brown – it depresses me to wear it. I have, however been thinking of adding pink and yellow to a spring wardrobe – maybe with gray and navy? Could you work your magic on that?

    Reply
  5. Lily says

    December 17, 2018 at 9:33 am

    You’re right when you say this wardrobe isn’t for everyone. So, readers, what do you think this woman looks like? -Lily

    Reply
    • Gitte says

      December 17, 2018 at 10:30 am

      Golden blonde hair and warm brown eyes, with peach skin. Her hair is shoulderlength and wavy, and she has slight freckles all over her face.

      Reply
      • Sharon says

        December 17, 2018 at 2:03 pm

        I see a tall lady in her middle years with short, thick, wavy chestnut brown hair, piercing blue eyes and alabaster skin.

      • Janice says

        December 18, 2018 at 7:14 am

        This is sort of how I began to picture her! I don’t really think too much – ahead of time – about what our heroines look like. I’m more likely to think about their lives, their favorites colors, their preferences and passions…
        hugs,
        Janice

    • BeeeBeee says

      December 18, 2018 at 7:36 am

      Since this is a color palette I have worn, I think our heroin has medium to dark ash brown hair with hazel eyes and fair skin with a smattering of freckles. Given the amount of white in the printed sweater, she would need a a little bit of silver in her hair for that piece to work well with her coloring so she is probably in her late 30s to early 40s. I think she is at least average in height and given her preferences for higher necklines and that double-breasted jacket, she has a smaller bust. Her penchant for pleats in her pants and skirts tells me she has a narrowish waist and hips.

      Reply
  6. Monica R says

    December 17, 2018 at 9:52 am

    Lily-I envision a warm-complected redhead with a faint dusting of freckles.

    Reply
  7. Janice Collibs Coyke says

    December 17, 2018 at 1:45 pm

    U actually know a person who wears these colors:, shortish curly auburn hair, hazel eyes, medium height, trim athletic body. She wears lots of brown with other warm colors. Which look great on her. But I agree, this is not for everyone.

    Reply
  8. Sharon says

    December 17, 2018 at 2:11 pm

    This is a warm comforting wardrobe with some lovely accessory pieces – unfortunately, not for me with my short stature and cool colouring.

    Reply
  9. Ildiko says

    December 17, 2018 at 6:56 pm

    Ah Lily the easy answer to your question is – it’s me! In my fantasy life I have lived in her suede jacket since April, and now most of the remainder of this wardrobe! Unfortunately in Australia right now I am melting and prostrate on the floor in front of the fan most of the day.

    Reply
  10. Alice says

    August 3, 2019 at 3:53 pm

    This palette is quite similar to the one I chose for myself! Incidentally, I somewhat fit in with the descriptions of this heroine that were left in the comments: I have an overall warm coloring (though not strikingly so), with medium brown (chestnut?) hair and eyes, wavy shoulder-length hair, fair skin.
    I added black and purple to my palette, though, because they tend to boost my mood – wearing black with marigold is one of my favorite pick-me-ups! I sometimes also pair black with brown: I know some people seem to find it sacrilegious, but it kind of makes me like I’m a respectable albeit mysterious gentleman from 19th-century London, and somehow that feels very comforting to my 26-year-old female self…

    Reply

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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...
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