November 4, 2025
I’m still able to find lovely clothes for this VERY limited color palette. Can you imagine wearing only two colors?
Years ago, when I was a bookstore chic(k), I wore only black and white. For years…
Of course, if you wanted to be strict to this painting, there could be much more white, and a denim-ish blue:
Her new tops are all quite festive, but her skirt can be worn for all kinds of things throughout the autumn and winter…
Earrings – Bearfruit Jewelry; brooch – Holiday Lane; velvet top – Boden; embellished sweater – Boden; pleated skirt – Madewell; lace top – GAP; flats – Boden
She still has fewer grey garments that in the other colors! Of course, I could move the white things onto the grey page…
I’m very smitten with her jewelry and scarves…
Her new clothes give her a LOT of options for getting dressed-up these next few months. The burgundy would be lovely for Valentine’s Day, not just the end-of-year holidays!
Is there a fabric more beautiful than burgundy velvet? I don’t know of it…
love,
Janice
earlier blog posts in which we worked on this wardrobe can be found here: Christmas Day Introduction, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
p.s. Ten years ago, I was just getting used to having fibromyalgia, so you got a tiny little post…
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I’m smitten with this wardrobe. It’s so “me”. I have a lot of patterned and embellished tops and knitwear in purple and grey. I love a bit of sparkle all year round. I would have another pair of purple/ plum trousers.
I love each of your posts and often reference them for ideas. I am searching for a classic cardigan in a lovely carmel color way. It could be wool/wool blend/cashmere or even synthetic. I want to monogram near the crew neck as seen on an image from La Line, so simple style with simple buttons. No sparkle, bling or designs. It is harder than I would have thought to buy, regardless of price. Most are cropped, have puffy shoulders or wide loose cuffs. Do you have any recommendations or would you consider a post dedicated to this idea? Thank you.
There’s something about this wardrobe that doesn’t appeal to me, but I can’t put my finger on it. At first I thought the pleated skirt reminded me too much of a school uniform, but I’m not sure that’s it. Most of the clothes are quite beautiful. It’s not the colours, as I love the combination. I’ll have to think on this further….
Some of the most important things we can learn about our tastes and preferences come from thinking about what we DON’T like – it’s wise to study this dislike and see what comes from it!
And don’t forget to share your conclusions with us – I’m always fascinating to know what is learned from The Vivienne Files.
love,
Janice
I’ve been thinking for a long time about why I love these colors, but this wardrobe just isn’t for me.
I don’t wear the same color on top and bottom, and especially not if the shades have different warmth levels.
Unless, of course, they’re made of different materials.
Dark blue would be enough variety for me.
Before I buy anything, I already plan out several outfits using what’s already in my closet (or whether I already have something similar).
It has taken me a very long time to figure out what works and what does not work for me. I am 70/yrs young and it has been quite the journey. I have a high colour contrast so need airy bright colours near my face.Due to my colouring, I look terrible in deep dark colours or colours that are too light so need to find colours in the medium range so to speak. Hope it does not take the rest of your readers this long, but one thing I have learned is that as we age , our wardrobes also keep evolving and one must have fun and enjoy the journey. This is why The Vivienne Files is so appealing, something for everyone to learn from ❤️
You know, when you first published this capsule, I just thought “there is no way this is me…”. That being said, the idea of two colors has grown on me. I don’t wear purple but I do like plum…and gray is growing on me. It’s funny how things and tastes change, isn’t it?
That being said, as I was unpacking my boxes to put into my new closet, I looked closely at the colors I already have and could very clearly see a pattern. It is interesting to start fresh in a new space because one can look at objects critically and without the bias of seeing them where they’ve always been. As I was organizing my new closet (which is my dream–a true walk in), I saw that my base color is navy, with a fair amount of black. My accents are pink, coral and red. Without even intending to, I have created a color palette….just based on what I’m attracted to. Who knew?
I wear a fair amount of plum, grey and black. So, as you can imagine, this palette resonated with me and I saved it. My very white hair is complimented by the depth of the plum for some reason. I can’t wait to try one of these combinations.
You seem to be referring to the color of the velvet top, etc., as “burgundy” whereas on my screen I’d call it a deep purple or plum. I recently purchased a pullover and a pair of corduroy pants in this color – from the same display at the same store – and one is labeled “deep grape” and the other “deep claret”. They look identical to me!