June 20, 2025
Hold your loved ones close, and TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM. One of our friends here in The Vivienne Files readership has lost their partner, and in this time of her grief, we should all remember how fortunate we are to have each day – each moment – with those we love. JR
Many of us fall into the easiest pattern imaginable – every few months, we buy a new outfit (which of course all goes together beautifully!) in one of our favorite neutrals. Today’s heroine is inspired by this painting, which gives her a lovely range of possibilities:
She’s spent some time admiring this work, and has determined that these are the colors that she sees there. These colors are pretty obvious, but what’s maybe more important is that she has decided that she’s going to have more navy and shades of blue, and olive and shades of green, than she will have gold/brown or natural/ivory.
For different seasons, she could certainly make changes. I could see having this kind of focus:
- Winter – Shades of navy and blue
- Spring – Shades of olive and green
- Summer – shades of natural and ivory
- Autumn – shades of gold and brown
I’m such a fan of organization – I could cheerfully embrace this plan… She could still have more blue and green clothes, if she lives somewhere with longer autumns and winters – I know that in Ireland, this would be the case!
Next, let’s look at four of our heroine’s favorite outfits, and see if there are possibilities for mixing these clothes with each other. Our heroine might be feeling that monochromatic dressing is a bit boring, or she might see that her tee shirts aren’t going to last as long as her pants or sweater.
Cardigan – L.L.Bean; earrings – Ballinger; print tee – L.L.Bean; pants – L.L.Bean; bracelet – Nialaya; bag – Apatchy London; shoes – Earth
When our heroine saw this shade of green, she stocked up! If you love this color, it makes sense:
Scarf – Artifact.; earrings – Lele Sadoughi; tee shirt – Lands’ End; sweatshirt – Lands’ End; pants – Lands’ End; sneakers – adidas
Our heroine is particularly smitten with this following combination of striped cardigan and print scarf. Mixing prints isn’t easy, but it’s well worth trying!
Tee shirt – Alex Mill; small silk scarf – Lost Pattern NYC; earrings – Jardin; linen pants – Alex Mill; cardigan – Alex Mill; tote bag – Belle & Bloom; oxfords – SoftWalk
When the weather’s warm, a bit of linen is handy. And yes, you’ve seen these shoes before; when you find shoes that work well for you, why WOULDN’T you buy them in a few different colors?
Linen shirt – Alex Mill; shell necklace – Fable England; shell earrings – Fable England; sweater – L.L.Bean; chinos – H&M; backpack – Stackers; oxfords – Earth
Even though there are four outfits here, you can also easily see how these colors will combine. They share a subtle feeling that should make mixing the garments pretty simple:
For her first “mixed” outfit, I just took the first cardigan, first tee shirt, and first pair of pants from the image above! Including brown shoes, earrings and bag give a feeling of a plan to this outfit, which the navy trim on her scarf makes her tee shirt fit right in…
Any time you want to mix colors in an outfit, starting with a solid colored column of tee shirt and pants is the easiest approach. The sneakers and sweatshirt reinforce the idea that you meant to use green as your accent!
Maybe the second easiest way to mix colors is to choose two matching tops with a contrasting pair of pants:
Another thing to remember when you’re looking for new ways to wear clothes from well-established outfits – you don’t HAVE to wear something under a sweater, or over a shirt! Just because most of the time you wear two layers on top doesn’t mean you can’t wear just one, now and again. Especially when the weather is hot…
There’s nothing wrong with wearing your clothes in the outfits that you like the most, but there’s also nothing wrong with trying to mix things up from time to time…
love,
Janice
p.s. Five years ago, our inspiration art is the striking “Pink and Black” by Ed Clark. No wonder I’ve been so stuck on the idea of pink accents!
Like this wardrobe? Save it to Pinterest!
Oh, I love everything about it. Green is also one of my core colors. I wear it quite often.
My sincere condolences to the lady for her loss.
After my friend died at 29, I see every day as a gift.
That will do it, won’t it? My best friend from high school died when we were 35. I will NEVER recover from that, and I don’t apologize for it.
love,
Janice
Yes, we went on vacation with our husbands several times, and I still cry sometimes about that loss.
Best wishes, Maria
Thank you for the gentle reminder that life is precious and that we must remember to appreciate our loved ones each day. My heart goes out to the lady who lost her partner!
To the Lady who is grieving, I’m so sorry for your loss. May you have strength during this difficult time.
To the new widow…my heart goes out to you. You are not alone. This is a terrible journey. But, you have people who care about you and your life can still have meaning. I lost my husband of 30 years in 2018. I am learning to navigate life without him still..but I have learned that he’s still with me every step of the way in so many unexpected places. I am here for you…I would like to give Janice permission to release my email to you if you need a friendly and understanding ear, sounding board or friend.
About the wardrobe…this is a really interesting new take on building a wardrobe. Start with outfits, rather than colors, and then mix and match from there. I am intrigued by this option and think I may consider this plan as I move forward with limited packing when I’m between houses this summer and early fall. I love the blend of colors that will work together harmoniously too. I just wish I looked good in green!
Now to the clothes… This is just perfect. I love the idea of neutrals as accent colors, especially these, which are soft and muted. I have some of that Lands’ End green and am digging in my closet to find some tan to wear with it.
Also, to add, I’m substituting denim and medium blue for the navy…
Also, Ellen , you are a very kind person.
Kindness and love just flow from this site! Prayers for all those grieving from loss. It is such a gut punch to lose a loved one. Our thoughts and love are with this lady. Many hugs.
There are never good enough words, but sending sympathy & strength.
There are never good enough words, but sending sympathy & strength.
My condolences to the Vivienne friend on the loss of her husband. May your heart be full with the love you shared, he will always be with you.
The message to hold your loved ones close is timely. Today is the 55th anniversary of my sister Linda’s passing from an automobile accident. She was only 17 and left behind our parents and us five sisters. I still miss her. My youngest sister lost her husband unexpectedly earlier this year. And I am currently part of a care team for a close friend in hospice, whom I’ll visit later today. Learning to manage grief is a huge life lesson.
Oh Debra, so much sadness! Helping in hospice is a sign of a true saint in disguise; my mother worked in a nursing home, and then hospice, for years. I just hope that I gave her the excellent care that she deserved after all of the love she gave so many people!
love,
Janice
Thank you for the kind words. When you care for someone in hospice, you give but also receive love. I’m sure that was the blessing in caring for your mother.
Deepest sympathies for the reader who lost their loved one.
Love this four neutral outfit approach! This looks like a great travel wardrobe to me! I have these colors in my closet now.
Thanks Janice!
Can I identify myself as the person crazy enough to be checking the VF while trying to deal with funeral details? I’m so glad I did, though, or I would have missed all these beautiful messages. Thank you, Janice and everyone else.
No, my friend, you need some distractions, and some love…
We’re thinking of you, and sending you support, courage, and much consolation. We’re a team here!
love love love,
Janice
Sending love and prayers to the one dealing with grief. I lost a close friend earlier this year. We are 37 so it was extremely difficult when her heart condition caught her unexpectedly. I know that isn’t quite the same as losing your spouse, but I do hope that you know that you are surrounded with love and compassion here.
Dear mamasquirrel,
My condolences on your loss. TVF was a welcome distraction 9 years ago, when I was navigating the loss of my own husband. Still am navigating, to be honest.
As a former AO parent, I want to also thank you for the rich home schooling experience i enjoyed with my sons. AO has provided many happy memories.
Ange
It’s always nteresting when our different online worlds cross! Thank you.
Sending love during this challenging time for our dear reader who has just lost her husband. It’s clear that some of us here have suffered devastating losses and our hearts are breaking for you. Please reach out for guidance and support — you are not alone
One more note here . . . TVF has helped so very much as I have gone through unbearably painful losses. Janice is so intelligent, warm, and artistic, and more! I have found joy and inspiration here. I love the items I have bought through the links, here, too!
Deepest condolences to the dear reader who lost her partner.
Condolences to the reader who lost their loved one. Take care of yourself and let others care for you and help shoulder the load.
Because today’s wardrobe doesn’t interest me in color or style I checked the looking back link…I started reading and thought ‘why is she so unsure of her plans? That’s a pretty nice wardrobe for hanging around the house in! Haha then it hit me, of course FIVE years ago! The pandemic was nixing so many plans…how soon we forget and move on!
*one thing I would not lay out significant coin for are the barrel shaped pants. They are already starting to look passé and have been ‘on trend’ for less than a year. Honestly, have yet to see anyone of a certain age wearing them who isn’t channeling Charlie Chaplin, and I’m never sure if that is the aesthetic aimed for. Really wide leg pants I am avoiding in denim, although a wider leg always looks timeless in linen or silk. Sticking to straight leg for investment trousers.
To each their own – I love barrel leg pants & will wear them even when they look dated to others.