August 20, 2025
Let’s take one last look at this lovely painting. I had never heard of Leon Spilliaert until I found this painting; I can’t imagine how much wonderful art there is in the world that I haven’t seen!
As you very probably already know, the last four posts here at The Vivienne Files have been variations on this painting; let’s take a last look at each of the four travel capsule wardrobes that this heroine assembled through the autumn and winter:
Cardigan – J.Jill; pressed flower earrings – J.Jill; tank top – J.Jill; black linen pants – Alex Mill; suede bag – J.Crew; scarf – Artifact.; sandals – Vionic; Black and lily pad green tees – Lands’ End; necklace – Ettika; pearl earrings – Ettika; onyx earrings – rōz; black cardigan – Alex Mill; ivory barrel jeans – Lands’ End; ribbon scarf – Kueen; striped shirt – GAP; lily pad green pants – Lands’ End; black loafers – Vionic; bone loafers – Robert Zur
rich ginger brown tee shirt – Lands’ End; earrings – Nordstrom; scarf – Jessie Zhao New York; black cotton pants – Alex Mill; black cardigan – Alex Mill; suede bag – Tory Burch; flats – Vionic; Black tee – Lands’ End; ribbon scarf – Lost Pattern NYC; ginger flower earrings – Lonna & Lilly; ivory & pearl earrings – Pandora; black earrings – Kate Spade; rust wool & cotton sweater – Caslon; sweatshirt – Lands’ End; ivory barrel jeans – Lands’ End; striped cardigan – GAP; rich ginger brown pants – Lands’ End; black loafers – Vionic; bone sneakers – Ted Baker London
Earrings – Capucine de Wulf; scarf – Artifact.; ivory tee shirt – Lands’ End; corduroy jacket – Eileen Fisher; pants – Eileen Fisher; crossbody bag – Baggallini; loafers – Naturalizer; scarf – The Met Store; moss agate earrings – Azura Jewelry New York; tortoiseshell earrings – Talbots; gold knot earrings – Gorjana; everglade tee – Eileen Fisher; ivory cotton cardigan – Faherty; messy hearts shirt – Frank & Eileen; ivory barrel jeans – Lands’ End; striped top – Lands’ End; rich ginger brown pants – Lands’ End; brown sneakers – Pikolinos; boots – Tom’s
Small hoop earrings – Nordstrom; necklace – Rare Matters; jacket – J.Crew; everglade tee – Eileen Fisher; suede bag – J.Crew; black corduroy pants – J.Crew; black loafers – Vionic; onyx earrings – rōz; brown & black earrings – Retro Chic; brown necklace – Mango; striped ginger tee – Lands’ End; black short-sleeve tee – Lands’ End; ginger quarter-zip sweatshirt – Lands’ End; green cotton sweater – Grobund; rich ginger sweatpants – Lands’ End; lily pad shorts – Lands’ End; scarf – Jessie Zhao New York; brown sneakers – Pikolinos; seafoam sandals – Bueno
It looks like a lot, doesn’t it? But when you aggregate it into one place, it starts to look coherent…
The accessories are always so wonderful – a coherent collection of shoes, bags, jewelry and scarves is always going to be lovely!
Getting all of our heroine’s clothes onto one page, to see them together as a wardrobe, rather than as disparate garments, isn’t easy! But this is well worth the effort:
Since this is an aggregation of four very workable travel capsule wardrobes, we can assume that it’s pretty well balanced and workable. But let’s sort by color, just to see what’s what…
It would be stunningly difficult to have exactly the same number of garments in each color – I don’t think that it’s ever a realistic goal! I’m always amazed that anything on which I’ve worked isn’t at least 50% black…
And what about how our garments are assorted, in terms of what “wardrobe part” they fill?
It makes a ton of sense to have a lot of garments that can be layered OR worn alone – they’re more versatile than a garment that can only be worn with something underneath. But you need all kinds of different things to give yourself a bit of variety, as well as being able to dress for the events and weather that confront you.
My last thoughts? What I would add, if this was my wardrobe…
I’d be delighted to tackle this idea again, if you can suggest a painting with four colors, all of which can serve as an accent or a neutral!
What fun we have, looking at paintings…
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, we started with a painting of Joan of Arc, by Jules Bastien-Lepage. A favorite painting, that I may use next year in the “Six Paintings – 12 Months” series… What do you think?
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Interesting! I agree w the addition of a long sleeve black t, but find myself wanting to get her an ivory short sleeve t as well. If pressed, I’d do that instead of the ivory second layer, as she does already have an ivory sweater. And I totally see why the focus is on pants, since these were all travel wardrobes, but I’d want at least one more pair of shorts, or maybe some capris.
(I’ve got a 7 day combo work & ladies’ getaway trip looming, & have got the clothes pruned down nicely to 2 neutrals & 2 accents but am struggling to avoid hauling 4 pairs of shoes. Sigh. Conferences!)
My suggestion would be to remove one pair of conference shoes. Last time I was at a large conference, I ended up wearing my (normally airport-only) tennis shoes for any non-presentation event because the venue was gigantic! No one noticed. Choose something confortable if you can.
Hi Janice, and many thanks for yet another fabulous wardrobe. I look forward to your posts as lifelines of sanity and normality in the midst of my news feed, so I hope you feel the support! I love these muted colours which are very much to my taste. I enjoyed the challenge of finding another balanced painting with four equal parts of neutral colours but I haven’t succeeded yet. Best I could come up with was Japanese Woodblock prints – the technique limits the colours used and indigo,olive,rust and grey/black work well with an ivory paper background. Of course that’s not far removed from the sage/brown/black/ivory palette you’ve just explored. I like your ‘suitcase’ approach to wardrobe building too.
I appreciate the thought and work that went into these wardrobes. I can see how carefully you curated the clothing that goes with this. While this particular shade of green is not my style, I began to imagine what a wardrobe myself might look like in these four colors, adapting them for shades that work for me. Because I’m a dress wearer, I was able to find these four dresses, in these four colors (with my own shades in mind) that would blend in with this capsule. This is what I found…
Brown:
https://www.quince.com/women/tencel-jersey-v-neck-long-sleeve-midi-dress?color=brown&gender=women&tracker=collection_page__%2Fwomen%2Fdresses__colors-Brown__Casual%20Dresses__2
Black:
https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens/categories/clothing/dresses-and-jumpsuits/CK661?display=all&fit=Classic&colorProductCode=CK661&colorCode=BK0001
Green: Admittedly, I went with teal, which is more flattering on me…
https://www.anntaylor.com/clothing/dresses/cata000012/belted-pleated-midi-dress/846797.html?priceSort=DES&dwvar_846797_color=2073
Ivory:
https://www.nordstromrack.com/s/area-stars-raya-long-sleeve-rib-midi-dress/8416732?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses&fashioncolor=Ivory&color=900
This was a fun and interesting exercise for me to help me focus in on the color palettes, as well as what I’d need if I were to start from scratch.
I appreciate the thought and work that went into these wardrobes. I can see how carefully you curated the clothing that goes with this. While this particular shade of green is not my style, I began to imagine what a wardrobe myself might look like in these four colors, adapting them for shades that work for me. Because I’m a dress wearer, I was able to find these four dresses, in these four colors (with my own shades in mind) that would blend in with this capsule. This is what I found…
Brown:
https://www.quince.com/women/tencel-jersey-v-neck-long-sleeve-midi-dress?color=brown&gender=women&tracker=collection_page__%2Fwomen%2Fdresses__colors-Brown__Casual%20Dresses__2
Black:
https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens/categories/clothing/dresses-and-jumpsuits/CK661?display=all&fit=Classic&colorProductCode=CK661&colorCode=BK0001
Green: Admittedly, I went with teal, which is more flattering on me…
https://www.anntaylor.com/clothing/dresses/cata000012/belted-pleated-midi-dress/846797.html?priceSort=DES&dwvar_846797_color=2073
Ivory:
https://www.nordstromrack.com/s/area-stars-raya-long-sleeve-rib-midi-dress/8416732?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses&fashioncolor=Ivory&color=900
This was a fun and interesting exercise for me to help me focus in on the color palettes, as well as what I’d need if I were to start from scratch. When I get the rest of my clothing back from storage, I’m going to take a long, hard look…that being said, packing in color palettes for the 3 months I’m between houses has also made me realize how much easier getting dressed can be if I stay in my ‘lane’.
Every time I start scrolling the articles with this painting, the leaf pattern reminds me of a textured lace bodice. I think it would be a nice addition (blouse, lingerie?) if one were to be found.
I have a suggestion for four colors: Navy, White, Hunter Green and Khaki. For some reason, I do not feel grays and browns ( khaki ) go together.
Janice, you really are brilliant and I appreciate your attention to details and your sense of appropriateness.
Thank you for all that you do for us.
I am in awe of what you accomplished. Not that I doubted you, but I was uncertain it would hang together as well as it does.
I second the desire to see another wardrobe with four other colors. Lorraine’s suggestion of navy, white, hunter green, and khaki would be beautiful. No visual though.
I have really loved this series. If I was starting from scratch, this is where I’d take inspiration from. So thank you, Janice, and for introducing me to yet another artist as well as great capsule ideas.
As for future inspiration, I recommend you take a look at Elizabeth Inger’s work, especially her abstract seascapes (https://elizabethingerart.com/collections/abstract-seascapes). She was a weaver but now paints. I think her colour sense is wonderful, and am spolit for choice in terms of just one that includes four colours for neutrals and accents. Enjoy!
Beautiful!!!
Janice this was really a fun experience and I love this painting! It is something I would choose for my home. Amazing how many different and talented artists there are. I did like the way you divided and then conquered the entire wardrobe. Please do this again and I appreciate all the effort!! The Alex Mill black cardigan arrived and it’s exactly what I wanted. Now I’ve ordered the black cotton pants so thanks for the looks.
I’ve been quietly admiring for a while now but this series has to be complimented! The analysis and breakdown is on point and a stellar representation of how thoughtfully and beautifully you put together a wardrobe. I can always count on you for inspiration.
The capsules look great individually. All together, they’re fantastic.
Yes, I actually have more green items than black, so I can take this outfit out of my closet. (And add my 5 patterned T-shirts)
I’d love to see you do a four neutrals/four capsules again and suggest Coastal Explorers by Jim Musil. Black, sand, olive and faded blue.
https://jimmusil.com/prints/p/coastal-explorers
That’s a gorgeous piece, Lena! And totally my palette, I second the motion.
Oooo i love those color options!!!
I agree!
What a great idea! And painting!
Lovely painting & loved all the other seaside paintings too.
I also loved Orange Poppies – I love chartreuse so my eye was drawn to this as well. Aqua water.
Those colors are wonderful!!
OH OH my gosh can I second this.
BUT my jaw dropped as that was a beloved childhood beach – I recognised it straight away. It’s Old Head Beach in County Mayo, Ireland. Always safe to swim there and the name comes from original oak forest from pre human settlement.
Amazing job, Janice! I love how it all comes together. Somehow, using the suitcases seems to make my brain re-assured that all aspects will be covered. (especially if you pack some gym clothes; some swim clothes; and some party clothes!) For colors: how about Navy, pink/fuschia/berry, kelly-to-forest green, and charcoal grey? Would probably need a sliver of ivory/white to lighten it up, but i’m thinking of deep evening sky with some grey rainclouds, over green plants with pink flowers/ maroon berries…. probably highlighted under a light source (lamp post? full moon?) to let the pink be more on the vivid-deep side vs pastel or too deep….
I second Ezzy’s suggestion! We gals with fair, bright complexions need clear colors. Nothing murky.
Yes, I like these colours. And the pink spectrum and green spectrum can be done in both a clear or a muted direction.
It is funny you suggested looking at another painting with 4 possible colours as i had already started to find some inspiration on my own. I came across Emily Carr’s Haida Totems that i thought might fit this criteria. Most of her works are dark but this one in light greys and blues was appealing.
I love how you can make such lovely wardrobes and the look backs are always fun.
So pretty to see all 4 trip wardrobes pulled together. I can see each trip corresponding to a season as follows:
Trip #1 – Spring with black, cream and sage
Trip #2 – Winter with black, brown and cream
Trip #3 – Summer with brown, cream and sage
Trip #4 – Fall with black, brown and sage
Ok, now I’m inspired by all this art! The print that’s currently hanging in my closet is https://john-carman.pixels.com/featured/orange-crush-john-carman.html, but this also made me think about https://canaryartwork.com/art/saturation-limit/
This is a beautiful wardrobe. I especially enjoyed the look back and think it would be lovely to see it expanded on with next year’s Six paintings ~ twelve months series. I’d love to see the deep green treated as a neutral.
While browsing through the archives, I found a “four neutrals” Start With Art that would fit your request perfectly! Black/tan/white/denim from August 24, 2016: The Approaching Storm by August-Louis Boudin. I’m going to try to replicate the current wardrobe with these colors but I’m certain that Janice would do a better job.
https://www.theviviennefiles.com/2016/08/start-with-art-approaching-storm-by.html/
Barbara
Loved this concept and cheer the idea of doing this 4-wardrobes idea again!
I think ladies that could wear green in these shades would have some “mustard”/ gold pieces in their closet. I think it would be a nice colour way for those of us who do not wear brown but have a sprinkle of khaki pieces
I loved all four capsules individually, and then seeing them brought together into one wardrobe was a really nice twist. Since this is a wardrobe aimed at fall and winter it’d be really great if this could be revisited in the spring to see how our heroine expands it for spring and summer to make it year-round.