December 12, 2025
If all goes as planned, when you read this, I will be in Paris. Probably in the airport, which is no great bargain…
But let’s think about art! I’m kind of thinking that 2026 will be the last year of The Vivienne Files, unless we’re still in Chicago, and I still have the time and energy to continue. But let’s work with that assumption.
After looking at more art than you can stuff in a 30 gallon garbage bag, I’ve decided that for next year, I want to revisit artworks that we’ve seen here in the past. When I do small travel wardrobes – even if we visit the same heroine repeatedly – we never see their complete wardrobe.
If we spend 12 months with each work of art, we can get a more thorough idea of what a wardrobe based on each work can be…
I’ve looked at these following images, to start. You’re welcome to comb through the (hideously large) archives of The Vivienne Files to see if you want to suggest something that I’ve overlooked.
Which do you prefer?
No, I’m not going to look back at “Edith and the Kingpin.” I left those two exactly where they should be, with him stammering and her blushing…
love,
Janice
Like these works of art? Save them to Pinterest!
Saints Genevieve and Apollonia! Great story and great wardrobe.
Thanks for all your work on this, Janice.
My first thought was “The Saints…” too! I think that, plus “…Autumn Clouds.” The rest are all lovely pastels, but as a deep Autumn, I have such trouble wearing those (even though I find them beautiful to look at). Thanks, Janice!
Add the Common Shelduck to the mix. ❤️
Jen, I also am an autumn and have wardrobe troubles needing browns.
Seconded! (I really did love Edith and the Kingpin, though!)
I’m with this one. i need warm colors to go with my warm colored face
My first, extremely selfish, reaction is “NOOOOOOOO!” Not the last year of TVF!! But you deserve to retire and enjoy the freedom it brings.
Now, my favorite ideas for the six wardrobes are:
Ruffled Autumn Clouds Nolde
Mountains and Sea Frankenthaler
Abstracts Daley
Petite Matin Mitchell
Colored Rhythm Survage
Composition of the Train Rozanova
My personal runners up Common Shellduck Jones
Portraits Theatreaux
You’ve included so many beautiful paintings I can’t imagine how you’ll pick.
Jerib, I second that “Nooooooooo!” Followed by understanding, well-being wishes and embracing new stages in life ♥️.
I love the ruffled autumn clouds, mountain forms and petit matine.
I have to say I missed a Georgia O’Keefe in the mix.
Profite de Paris, janice!
Blessings to all 🌻.
Adding a Georgia O’Keefe crossed my mind too!
Arwen7,
I triple the nooooooo , but fully understand , along with the well wishes !
I like these choices too
First of all: enjoy Paris!!!!
Secondly: your plans to retire come a bit as a sad surprise. But l will mull that over when the time comes…. And we will still be left with an abundance of inspiration you gave us over the years.
Finally my choice for next year:
The Shelduck – ALWAYS!!!
This is the one I like too. I am not a pastels or a clear brights person.
Ruffled Autumn Clouds absolutely! And, whatever your decision, many of us have enjoyed your eye, your musings, your comments about Paris (by far my favorite city!)
Common shelduck and Lucinda are my favorites!
As you make plans to retire, I hope the body of your work will still be available. I’ve learned so much about creating wardrobes, and I thank you.
Ditto on the “nooooo!”. About that book? Or is there another way we can help ensure that your fantastic body of work Does Not Get Lost? Online archives have to be maintained or one day they just evaporate… I’m in Chicago & would be happy to get together over an actual coffee one day & brainstorm about this if that’s helpful. There’s got to be a way to turn the archive into a passive revenue stream!
Will have to spend more time on the paintings but am definitely a fan of the Countess & the Shelduck.
Oh, Janice, NO! Please, no! But, I do understand the need to step back and enjoy the life you have built. Please know that I will cherish every moment of TVF during 2026….and beyond, if we can persuade you. I have been with you from the beginning…and your wonderful blog has celebrated with me during the highs and been a tremendous source of comfort during the lows…and there have been some big lows. Losing my husband, losing my sister, battling cancer twice, cross country moves…you have inspired me and uplifting me and reminded me to look for beauty. Thank you and bless you for this.
Now onto the paintings I’d love to see:
Saints Genevieve and Apollonia
Ruffled Autumn Clouds
Petit Matin
Common Shelduck
Colored Rhythm
Portraits Theatraux
I hope you’re having a marvelous time in Paris and that you come home refreshed and renewed!
I know all good things must come to an end and yet…
I personally would like to follow common shelduck but would like to also see Colored Rhythm, Lucinda, Mountain Forms & Lonely.
If only the monthly series could continue, but that is me bargaining— the third stage of grief :)
Follow your bliss my lady. We shall carry on.
Maybe we could form some sort of community?
I can understand your wish to retire and do other things with your life and your Belovedst. You have had a challenging few years.
Since I found TVF, your posts have been a lifeline in helping me face the changes and challenges in my life. Whatever situation I find myself in, I know that my wardrobe has been revamped and will provide an outfit for my mood or any occasion.
I will be sorry if 2026 is the last year of TVF but it would be a travesty for your work over many years to disappear. You have helped countless women all over the world. Your heroines reflect us. I’m sure that we can find a way to continue your work and engage with our supportive community.
In the meantime my choices are:
Mountains and Sea
Abstracts because I can see how this could expand with navy, teal and burgundy.
Lucinda
Mountain Forms
Green Way because that will be next year’s experiment.
“The Countess or Duchess” as a study in shades of grey
I hope Paris at Christmas is beautiful.
No votes for Lawren Harris yet? Little wave from Canada for all those amazing greys and teals.
As for life without some form of VF: it will definitely be less colourful, but when it’s time, you will know! Thanks for letting us be part of your own “heroine story.”
I second this one.
Yes, to Lawrence Harris (except please add the white snow to the colour wheel so the colours don’t look so drab).
No more TVF? 😢 I look forward to you every morning and will miss you
There are some good ones in there – but NO GEORGIA O’KEEFE??!!
Thank you for letting us know so long in advance! I hope you have a wonderful time in Paris, a wonderful last year working on The Vivienne Files, and a wonderful retirement.
My wish for next year is not a particular painting but that you will include one for the winter palette (your favorite, I think?), one for the summer palette (mine!), one for the autumn palette, and one for the spring palette!
Yes, I second choosing paintings to fit into each seasonal color palette! Although I like many of the paintings, I really don’t see me choosing any of them to change up my clothes.
I “third” this choice – at least one for each season. I am a Summer, and my favorites, from what I can tell on a screen, are Ruffled Autumn Clouds (except I won’t wear yellow), Lucinda, Mountain Forms and The Composition with the Train.
And, I, like so many others, wish you a wonderful time in Paris, but even more a wonderful last year for TVF (if that’s to be). I really enjoy your blogs (I get the emails) and thought that I’d actually try to go through my wardrobe at the beginning of the year to match one of last year’s art or the coming one (but I can’t imagine beginning the year with only 5 or 10 pieces of clothing!).
Thank you for all your work over these years and inspiring us all to wear smarter!
I hope that you will find inspiration in Paris, as usual. Videos show the most amazing decor!
I like the seasonal art pieces you are showing here. Nothing wrong with them! The clothing always changes a bit, so it will work out. Favorites: your seasonal palettes: would there be a way to do posts for 4 seasons with variations? It’s always nice to see inspo from the current closet.
I am at that point where I am thinking about letting go of my 15 years as a personal chef—it will be hard. (I was a high school French teacher for 30 years prior.) So that would put me at 76–still viable, still contributing, quite healthy.
So I wish you well and will be watching for your posts, as always.
Blessed Christmas, Janice!
I’m in the camp of noooooo. However, I understand about retirement.
Now to the art :
Portraits Theatraux
Lucinda
Petit Matin
The Composition with the Trains
My favorites are:
Mountains and Sea
Abstracts
Lucinda (my favorite!)
Mountain Forms
Green Way
The Composition with the Train
I hope you’ve made it safely to Paris and that you have a marvelous visit! If 2026 (or now) is the time for retirement, I think you’ll know. I sure did when my time came. You’ve made such a difference in so many lives and now it’s time for you to relax and enjoy.
Definitely in favor of Mountain Forms, The Composition with the Train, and Lucinda. Less excited about Common Shelduck. And hope you’re having a wonderful time in cloudy grey Paris!
Right now I am sitting with my cup of coffee, looking out my Kentucky window at the beautiful snow and reading TVF. A perfect morning! But as someone else stated, your blog has brought the most comfort during those imperfect mornings. It has been a source of respite during crippling grief, as well as a part of my routine during my own retirement. Not to mention, a needed connection with the outside world during COVID. But we are the same age and so I know retirement should be taken and enjoyed!
I don’t know if curating the paintings is any more work than the other wardrobe days, but I think we all look forward to them the most. Would you consider a grand finale of a year centered only on the paintings? You could still post 3 days a week, but it would always be a painting. Maybe this suggestion is stemming from the fact that I just cannot choose!
I just returned from Montreal and Quebec City and love traveling this time of year. So magical; ENJOY!
If I had to pick one, it would be the dignified older lady. She is so compelling! But I am a person who likes little contrast and a limited palette. I could easily substitute the black with navy.
My choices are “Lucinda”, “Mountain Forms” and “Greenway.”
Enjoy Paris – I’m so jealous! – and Congratulations for making that call on retirement. Well deserved!
Definitely excited about Ruffled Autumn Clouds, Mountains and Sea, and Petit Matin (i.e., those artworks/wardrobes without black). Hoping also that you decide to maintain an archive of all the outstanding and invaluable TVF content and tools. Wishing you all the best in your retirement, wherever that may take you.
Dear Janice,
So sorry to hear about your retirement, but that is selfishness on my part!
Personally, I have three favorites:
Ruffled Autumn Clouds
Mountains and Sea
Petit Matin
These three do not have so much black and gray.
Enjoy Paris!
You added some great choices here. I don’t wear black so I can count those out. Maybe some browns, blues, burgundies and beiges?
Best of luck with your future plans. We will miss TVF!
As a lover of color who doesn’t wear black, I find Portraits Theatraux quite intriguing. My favorite by far, though, is Ruffled Autumn Clouds. I’d swap the pink for a more coral shade, add a bit of ivory to lighten everything a bit, and I could live in this color palette. I also love the accent colors of Lonely; I’d not wear the black and gray but navy and ivory would be easy swap-outs for me.
Whatever you choose, I know it will be lovely. I do like the suggestion that others have mentioned about curating wardrobes for each of the seasonal color palettes.
My best color schemes would be Portraits Théâtraux and Mountains and Sea! And if you do need to retire (which I understand), maybe just post notes on outfits that catch your eye around the city? No research would be required!
Lucinda is my favourite!
Mountain Forms and Lonely for me.
I’ve always been drawn to the Monets or any piece that incorporates denim/chambrey.
Here are my humble suggestions:
• Soir de Neige a Terajimay by Kawase Hasui
• Passenger by Sean Scully
• L’Encensby by Fernand Khnopff
• Stained Glass Window by Henry Clarke
•The Dream by Lugiano Clan
• The Silbury Owl by Catherine Hyde
I would like to see the wardrobe in the colors of the artwork:
SOUTHERN WINDOW BY LOUIS LE BROCQUY.
Hope you are having a fabulous time in Paris. I am sure it is hard for you to think of retiring but you have given much inspiration over the years that we can look back on. My favourites are Petit Matin, composition with the train and abstraction blue by georgia o’keefe .
Just had to throw that in there. Have fun and look forward to the 2026 collection.
I prefer Lucinda. Purples and grays are always my starting point. Will miss you very much if you decide to move on.
I would also love a Lucinda wardrobe. I have really enjoyed your posts for some time and will be sad to see them go, but you must enjoy life too!
To get the business out of the way first: I vote Common Shellduck because of the ivory/brown/black neutrals. I’d add some of that soft water color (green?) and maybe start to sub gray for black because I’m reaching retirement age too! (not that it will happen yet…) I have lived in black the past couple of decades and know I need to soften my colors as my skin and hair soften! (I can’t wear the bright colors in the other paintings and don’t love such light pastels.)
Speaking of retiring, it would be wonderful if you could do that and enjoy the fruit of all your labors for us! I’m so grateful for what you’ve taught me to see.
I’d also love to see these materials still available after you’re not, if that’s possible. And I’d pay for a subscription to that! In the meantime, there’ll be a coffee on the way…. :)
Enjoy Paris!!!! (I just returned from Frankfurt and Christmas markets! (and my daughter who lives there) It was all magical! I wish you the same magic!)
<3 Camille
Great choices! These are my favourites: Ruffled Autumn Clouds, Mountain Forms, Lonely, Greenway, The Composition with the Train, Lucinda, and Countess de Martel de Janville, who has a startling resemblance to my late Aunt Mildred. Thank you for sharing your creativity and fashion knowledge with your readers.
oh NOOOOOOOoooooooo
Gulp! I will certainly enjoy your last year, and will become more dedicated to your archives! As someone whose neurologist just said to me, “Have you ever considered retirement?” I know things change!
My favorites are:
Colored Rhythm
Lucinda
Composition with the Train
Have the best time in Paris!!!
As always, your posts are often the most beautiful part of my day. the mornings will be a bit dimmer without the colors and stories you provide.
The Colored Rythms is captivating! I love the brights and I’ve always been a sucker for anything rainbow colored.
I understand your decision, and I am grateful for the advance notice! Take care of yourself. We will muddle on without you.
It would be cool to have a “board” to continue with the articles in the Vivienne Files. Many of us love shopping, but hate spending. It might be fun for a group to participate in posting instead of a single person.
For next year’s art series, I vote for:
Ruffled
Colored Rhythm
Portraits Theatreaux
Mountains and Sea
Petit Matin
I agree! Perhaps a Facebook group.
Lucinda, please
I’ve had Saints Genevieve and Apollonia By Lucas Cranach the Elder hanging in my sewing room for inspiration, so that is an easy vote “heck, yes!” I love your work and have definitely improved my wardrobe choices since I started filling your blog. Best wishes for the holiday season and the New Year. :)
I love Lucinda. It was my great Grandmothers name. It would be easy to change the black to navy for this light summer complexion. The minimal colors would help tighten up my closet as well!
For paintings my favorites of the one that you put up are
❤️❤️Lucinda
Colored Rhythm: Study for the Film
Abstracts
Mountain Forms
Lonely
Having said all that, I enjoy the series of wardrobes partially because they use color palettes that I wouldn’t use and broadening my eye is really fun.
What a wonderful selection. I thought it would be impossible for me to pick just six. But I finally decided that my favorites are
Ruffled Autumn Clouds
Mountains and Sea
Mountain Forms
Common Shelduck.
I will savor every single post in 2026 like a fine wine.
My favorites are Lucinda, Mountain Forms, and The Countess. Absolutely my colors!! I hope you enjoy every day in Paris, and that good weather prevails. I can’t address you leaving us next year. The pain is too raw. 😢
I will never be able to thank you for all that you taught me. TVF is a master course in wardrobe building and management. It should be taught in schools.
My vote is for Mountain Forms. As a Summer, it is the only one that has all the colors right. If you could include silver jewelry, that would be even better! I like many of the others and I can always tweak the colors, of course. I recently retired, but work part-time. I feel like it is the best of both worlds. I have much more flexibilty but still feel like I have a purpose. That could be a an option if you decide full retirement isn’t right for you. I’d be happy with the Vivienne Files once a month or once a quarter. Whatever you decide, thank you for the education and happiness you have given me over the years! I can’t tell you how much the Vivienne Files have meant to me!
You will love retirement. How about a book with the best of the best. A memorial.
Lucinda (my favorite!)
Mountain Forms
Best to you.
My vote is for Mountain Forms. As a Summer, it is the only one that has all the colors right. If you could include silver jewelry, that would be even better! I like many of the others and I can always tweak the colors, of course. I recently retired, but work part-time. I feel like it is the best of both worlds. I have much more flexibilty but still feel like I have a purpose. That could be a an option if you decide full retirement isn’t right for you. I’d be happy with the Vivienne Files once a month or once a quarter. Whatever you decide, thank you for the education and happiness you have given me over the years! I can’t tell you how much the Vivienne Files have meant to me!
Mountain Forms and Portraits Theatraux.
No matter which you pick, the upcoming year’s choices will be bittersweet.
I hope that you read our responses from your hotel in Paris!. Have a lovely time.
I’m sitting on my couch, having a cup of coffee and thinking about going to work. Your column has been like a letter from a friend that I get to read several times a week. It has been a great comfort to me during. Of loneliness and difficulty. As have the responses been, it’s like listening to or reading letters from friends.
At one point, you suggested that if we were in Chicago we might enjoy afternoon tea at one of the wonderful hotels that offers it in Chicago. Looking forward to that has been something that I have done for about 4 years now..
This Lear I have a visit to Chicago planned. And hope I would be able to take you out for afternoon tea as a small gift for someone who has given me so much.
Again, I hope you have the best trip!
😭
I just feel sad you might be going. Perhaps I’ll vote later. This blog is amazing and I get so excited every week, it actually makes my week.
But… I wish you all the best. Thank you so much for your great work over the years.
I like the Gontcharova and the Harris.
Like others, I totally understand your desire to retire (and move to Ireland) but I will miss this beautiful blog. If there is a way to publish ‘the best of’ or something similar, that would be lovely.
Definitely St. Genevieve and Apollonia. The colors are so rich!
First and foremost thank you for all the wondrous years of hard work. You have been a guiding light with my cup of coffee. For selfish reasons please rethink your retirement. My votes are:
Saints
Ruffled Autumn
Mountain Forms
Common Shelduck
As always you will choose an array of palettes so we all have our “best colors” represented. Again, thank you for all of your hard work. We all look forward to reading the new vivienne files.
My favorites are the Saints and the Ruffled Clouds. I agree with comments suggesting palettes for different “seasons”, and I don’t think that has to mean a single color season per painting. Both of my favorites include warm colors that I don’t wear well, along with deeper and cooler colors. The Saints, for instance, could easily suit a winter or autumn, depending on the colors chosen from the painting.
I do wish you pleasant travels, and know you will make wise choices regarding your future.
These are all beautiful choices, but there is an awful lot of pastel pink, blue & grey.
I would like to see something with earthy colours: rust, brown, moss, turquoise, emerald & mustard.
I will truly miss your blog, but retiring to Ireland…so wonderful!
Kathi,
As a “ warmie” , I agree on your color suggestions .
Same here please
The thought that this will be your last year breaks my heart. I really look forward to your posts and have so for a long time. But I do understand your wanting to retire. You and I are of an age.
I hope Ruffled Autumn Clouds makes your list for next year. Knowing you will be gone makes me want to really solidify my wardrobe, and this is the one that’s closest to what I have.
Earlier you’d asked us to find three words to describe our wardrobes. Mine were Classic, Casual Jewel tones. I’d really hoped for a navy, burgundy, green wardrobe to follow next year, but I do find I have a lot of saffron and turquoise in my closet.
Hope your trip to Paris is going well, and is everything you’d hoped it would be.
Best wishes for the holidays.
With small tweaks in color values, I see something for everyone in Color Rhythm or Petit Martin.
I was struck by the intensity of the colors and the potential combinations for travel in Ruffled Autumn Clouds – so vibrant! Also, nice choices for neutrals plus color were Mountain Forms and Lucinda. But I am reflecting my personal color preferences!
So sorry to hear that 2026 may be your last year. Your blog is unique – blending art with wardrobes, and expressing how a professional mature woman might dress, accessorize (love your scarf choices!), and travel exotically, for business, and to visit friends and family. There’s a timeless sense of elegance to your style. Looking forward to your choices for the coming year, and hope you have a lovely holiday season.
I will be sad to see you go but support your decision wholeheartedly! Though I hope you are able to keep your archives going for a few years yet! I don’t remember when I first found your work but lately I have started to recognize some of the “10 years ago” posts as having seen them the first time around.
As for the paintings,
– I am trying to wear more navy so I vote for a painting with navy though I prefer Ruffled Autumn Clouds to the other one.
– Mountain Forms would make for an elegant, understated wardrobe.
– I vaguely remember enjoying a previous wardrobe built off Common Sheldrake so it’s on my list.
– The past 2 years I have really enjoyed wardrobes with pink and/or orange (which are totally out of my wheelhouse) so I would be curious to see how a wardrobe based on Portraits Theatraux would turn out.
– finally I was hoping for a purple Georgia OKeefe, something along the lines of black and purple Petunias
Selfishly, I hope you decide never to stop! Your posts are bright spots in my week.
This coming year I would love to see Lucinda and Lonely and perhaps also Abstract.
Genevieve and Apollonia and Ruffled Autumn Clouds for me. Have a great weekend. I am retiring in January, can’t wait!
I would love to see Abstracts, Portraits Theatreaux, and Mountains and Sea. I have followed you for so long and have used your guidance to build and manage my wardrobe. You even sent me a gorgeous jigsaw puzzle during the Covid years when I asked you where you had bought it. I will miss your column, but life moves on for us all. I will wish you a happy retirement when the time comes, for now, I am looking forward to the in depth take on whichever art works you choose. Bonnes vacances à vous deux en Paris.
Congratulations on the retirement plans!
My choices would be Ruffled Autumn Clouds (the teal, green, and navy options), Lucinda, and Composition with Train. Thank you so much for all your work on outfits!
Oh Janice, I hope you are having a wonderful time in Paris! I can only dream of visiting there and look forward to your photos and observations.
You have my vote for Mountain Forms and for Composition with the Train (although I would be mentally subbing out the black for charcoal or navy, lol). Still sorting through the others. I really like the idea another reader suggested, one wardrobe specifically for each season or maybe a brighter and then a more muted variation of each season. Not asking much am I.
I am equal parts sad to see an end to the Files on the horizon, and glad that retirement is coming your way. Turning the page to a new chapter is like that and I am thinking you feel the same way. A selfish thought, when the Files close, maybe you could send us a “postcard” once in a while of your travels or a wonderful painting you see or some of those words of wisdom that pop up in the Files (and make it so much more than a fashion blog).
Take care.
I hope that you are enjoying Paris, my happiest place! I spent almost 6 weeks there this Fall and really enjoyed all the colors on the Parisian women. It’s not all black anymore.
I retired from teaching 8 years ago but have found continued joy (and money for travel) in substituting. I bet that you will also find happiness in transitioning to a less demanding but still fulfilling form of fashion writing.
In the meantime, thanks for all that you give us every week and enjoy the art of Paris (which is everywhere!)
Really “Mountain Forms’ is the only one that I would be excited about. I have grey/white hair and have a cool complexion. I wear a very slight bit of black so I would not be interested in any grouping that had a high amount of black in it. I super shy away from warm colors; they make me look sick. I enjoy your creativity any style choices (except I would like to see more skirts and dresses.)
Oh yes, I would love more skirts and dresses, too, please!
And so would I like more skirts and dresses; softer lines in general for the wardrobes. (Those long-sleeved crew-neck LL Bean t-shirts are very unflattering on me!)
I hope you enjoy Paris.
With regards to the art I like both
– Lucinda by Sofia Bonati
– The Countess de Martel de Janville by Boldini
From previous years I enjoyed
– Woman with Crossed Arms by Picasso
– Seascape near Les Sainte Maries de lar Mere by Vincent Van Gogh
Hi Janice,
My favorite choice is Saints Genevieve and Appolonia by Lucas Cranoch the Elder. I don’t really wear these colors but the idea of such a “rich looking” wardrobe really excites me. I would most likely wear the wardrobe from Colored Rhythm: Study for the Film by Leopold Sauvage.
I have been trying to sew my own wardrobe from two painting you suggested could be a beautiful wardrobe if they were combined. They are Camposanto by JMW Turner and Girl in a Green Bugati by Tamara de Lempica. I would also like to try to work in a little bit of Soir d’Octobre by Maurice Denis.
Since I found you, I have thoroughly enjoyed The Vivienne Files. I am so sorry to see you go, but if you leave up the website, I (we) can start again at the beginning and have our moments of beauty daily by rereading all the posts. But I also know that when I was ready to retire, it was time to quit!
As and addendum to my previous comments: Any time you gave us a choice of how many times/days per week we wanted to see TVF, my thought was EVERY DAY! But of course, I had to remember that what is fun for me may be work for someone else.
It is hard to realize that I have been retired for 10 years now and I have still not traveled outside the country. That was my plan. But I took care of my Dad until he passed in August 2019 (thank goodness that he missed the pandemic). But I hope that 2026 will bring me some better travel opportunities.
All the best to you.
I vote Lonely or Mountain Forms!
Here is a list of the most magnificent posts , in the order of the most beautiful wardrobes:
(1) Soir De Neige a Terajima by Kawase Hasui
(2) Sport Coat by Pierre Morgue
(3,) The Visit by Marie Laurence
(4) Sunlight on the Road by Camille Pissarro
And please if these by happenstance are chosen, no comments from the peanut gallery about the substitution of Navy for Black. Let’s get back to the real reason for The Viveanne Files, Viveanne herself, who would never suggest such a thing. And especially, Janice’s early posts which were utter genius.
Like many I have followed you for several years. I often refer to your blog and enjoy the looks back. I certainly hope there’s a way to keep the blog alive after you retire. You have brought much joy to my Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. As far as the paintings go, my favorites are: 1. colored rhythm 2. The countless 3.the Saints 4. lonely 5. The composition with the train. Howrver, for some truly fun (for me) wardrobes, I love Foxes by Becky Kelly. A revisit to the Tiffany Peacock scarf from the Met and the boucheron lotus brooch would be a treat. Enjoy your trip and have safe travels. Susan
I love Common Shelduck and of course (Canadian icon) Lawren Harris’ 1926 Mountain Forms. “This artwork represents Mount Ishbel, a mountain peak in Alberta, Canada. It is visible on the horizon and recognizable by the distinctive tilted strata of gray sedimentary rock…
The painter filled the large painting with cold colors, from white to ice, to violet, to green, to petrol green: Harris was not satisfied with the spot colors, he succeeded in elaborating a chromatic range made of many shades.”
I’ll be sorry if 2026 is the last year, but I understand.
I love the paintings! I don’t remember Ruffled Autumn Clouds from before, but those colors are beautiful. Mountains and Sea keeps catching my eye, too.
I’m with all the commenters who will be very sorry to see TVF end but looking at the enormous breadth of your work over so many years and your commitment it’s easy to empathize!
Personally, my art/wardrobe wish list is simple: no black and no pastels.
Thank you for years of work/inspiration/entertainment. I’ll be reading current and past posts for a loooong time!!
Robin J.
Don’t retire! I was just thinking I might try to develop more of a cohesive wardrobe and although I’ve bought a few of your suggestions before, I need to go whole hog!
Based on their colors, I favor Ruffled Clouds and the Composition with a Train.
So, my carefully thought out contribution has been “flagged as spam/malicious”. I have never had this haooen before and I have no idea what caused it. I hope it can be resurrected, because I can’t reconstruct it!
I vote for Portraits Theatraux. It would be one of the only warm pallets and after that others can vote on the cool pallets! Mountains and Sea is really pretty and warm but I think you did that either last year or the year before so pretty recently.
Hope Paris is wonderful.
I am so excited and happy for you on your retirement plans! I remember how exhilarating it was when my husband and I came up with our date. New adventures are definitely a necessity! I vote for Lucinda, Mountain Forms and The Countess. You will be missed very much. ❤️
Dearest Janice, you and I are the same age, and I have been happily retired since 2020. So, it has been in my mind for a while that The Vivienne Files may not be eternal! Regrettably! It is a sad prospect, but I am glad to have such a lengthy heads-up, thank you.
From your twelve paintings, I like Ruffled Autumn Clouds, Mountains & Sea, and Lonely. From your archives, my all time favourite is The Arrival of the Normandy Train, which is a beautiful painting that provided a beautiful colour palette and wardrobe.
I hope that Paris has been a blast!
With love and appreciation, Vicki xx
I just went back through the whole archives. Whew! I would also like to add to your list for consideration:
View of New York by Sheerer
L’ESTAQUE By Braque
You also had a photo of some faded vintage books with delicious colors – made me think of macarons!
Cheers!
I love Common Shelduck. So simple and perfect.
I would be sorry to see you go, but understand if it’s time to retire. I’ve learned so much from you.
Oh, I will miss You so much! Your blog has provided me with a calming color routine during some difficult months… There was no need for therapy because “The Vivienne Files” worked like a comfort zone. But you’re still here and let’s enjoy it.
My votes:
1) Gontschatova (nice contrast of caramel and aqua, not that easy but VERY 2026)
2) Lucas Cranach the Elder (pure classic, and I like the heroine, a refined art professor…)
3) Emil Nolde (navy as a base for such a non-obvious set of colours)
Black and white scheme is always impressive, but quite easy. Icy grays are too gloomy. I’m less convinced about pastels, but it’s probably a matter of the climate where I live:)
All the best!
j.
Dear Janice,
I’ve never commented here although I read your blog for years.
I hope you will find energy to work longer for us. I will miss my time with your posts…
I would like you to consider using Water lilies by Monet. I think it would be great fun making wardrobe with tons of navy, dark green and purple with hints of pink. That is my inspiration for shopping, I’m curious of your interpretation of this beautiful painting.
I’m sorry for mistakes, I’m stil learning English. Your blog improve my vocabulary 😀.
Greetings from Poland
Eliza
I love all the colours that can be pulled from the Common Shelduck painting as being a foundation for a classic, minimal wardrobe! I am confused by your colour circle that only incorporates black and white, as I see potential for denim blue, soft grays, ivories, beiges, caramel and even hints of red. I would love to see a very functional wardrobe based on these neutrals!
I will enjoy your blog to the last post! I look forward to the annual wardrobes each year. Your inspiring wardrobes have given me many ideas for my own clothing choices.
Painting choices for this year are: The Common Shelduck, Ruffled Autumn Clouds,
The Countess, and I would love it if you would revisit Van Gogh’s Bedroom. It would be a treat.
Another noooooo! but totally get it. I hope you and lilbear can come up with a solution to keep your archives available. I’ve followed you from pretty much the beginning and have received much inspiration. Also thoroughly enjoy reading the comments. I feel like I’d “recognize” many readers if I bumped into them on the street. Have a wonderful trip. I hope Belovedest slept on the plane trip home.
Thank you for all of your writing and advice over the years. I treat myself to your blog every Friday afternoon when the school day ends as reward, and I will miss your insights. Best of luck with all your future adventures!
I vote for Lonely.
Janice, I hope you’re enjoying your time in Paris! But, please “Nooooooo”! The Vivienne Files has been a calming part of my MWF routine for years, and now although I’m happy for you that can have your retirement, I feel the empty place of TVF will be felt in our lives.
In the meantime, my favourite ones are:
Lucinda,
The Countess,
Coloured Rhythm.
Hugs from Canada
I don’t know about a book, but I hope you will choose a developer to license an app. That would certainly give you a revenue stream. I would totally pay for that! Either as a stand alone, or online. A book would be useful as an introduction to your approach. I wish Judith Krantz (god rest her soul) was alive to write the stories of your heroines. LOL. An app would be fun and an online community of Viven-ettes (Villenelles?). I wouldjoin. It would be nice to have some features of a closet inventory app. I am looking into some of those apps. now but not finding one I like. I currently have a HUGE excel spreadsheet where I put information from and links to your site (and many others), pictures, information from my sewing books , measurement and fitting information, clothing care and fabric information, shopping notes, etc. The main page I use has a listing of the weekly timeless wardrobe items for each by season and, above the list as a heading, a screenshot of the palette chosen for that season from your site and a link to the post where I found that palette. Above the heading I formatted cells to calculate how many item I need, per your formula. Not sure yet if I’m going to buy your color workbooks. Each item in the wardrobe gets designated by cell fill color to designate whether I already have it, need to purchase, need to borrow or rent, am going to sew, replacement info. etc. The cost goes next to each item. That whole page I call “orderly and well” from the tailor’s line in Act 4, Scene 3 of “The Taming of the Shrew”. At the bottom of the list for each season, I formatted cells to automatically calculate how much is left in my budget and how many items I still need. It is helpful to have a place to dump all wardrobe information. I also have a screenshot of a croquis created from the Meshcapade editor (they are a co. that creates body visualizations). Using the free editor gives me a quick tool and they let you get front, back, and profile views. And my croquis from My Body Model. I’m currently learning how to draw simple technical flats for including with my workbook. It would be great to have the option of a customizable technical flat representation of your wardrobe selections, since you follow good eminently useable basic designs without a lot of variation. The flats image goes next to the verbal description of the item list of the weekly wardrobe. The flats I use with my croquis for paper dolls for grown-ups. To plan wardrobes and sew for others is much easier using this systematic approach. If I was a professional sewist, wardrobe consultant, personal shopper, designer, small business buyer, educator or other fashion professional as well as an individual shopper/maker, I would use an app that was based on your approach. Thanks for letting me ramble. One last thought, it would be great to see you dip your toes into using your approach for a men’s or children’s wardrobe.
I was startled and saddened to hear about your pending retirement, though I certainly respect your decision. Over the years of reading your posts, I have come to think of you as an online friend. I’m sure that many other readers feel the same way, so it would be a gift if we could stay in touch in some way.
Concerning your retirement: I retired during the pandemic after 33 years as a librarian. I really loved my job and I have to say it was a wrench. In retirement, one of the most satisfying things I do is to continue to lead the book club that I started at the library in 1999 (still on Zoom since the pandemic.). My point being that you might not want to give up completely on a part of your life that has been meaningful (I hope) to you.
As to the wardrobe choices, I’d like to make a case for what I call a full spectrum wardrobe, such as we see in Colored Rhythm. I do understand that a wardrobe with a limited color scheme can be more practical, especially for travel – but I crave a variety of color. And with fair skin and dark hair, high contrast and bright colors look best on me.
So – the Survage is definitely my first choice. I also like the Nolde and the Mitchell. Though I would substitute another color for the pink.
And since I live in South Florida, it would be wonderful to have a warm-weather wardrobe option. One of my favorite wardrobes of this type was the one based on Dragonfly by Miro. Warm (often HOT) weather wardrobes are tricky, because it’s hard to wear the third piece or the scarf that would dress everything up.
I missed reading this yesterday and was relieved to see it waiting for me this Saturday afternoon. It is not fun to think of mornings without Janice! On the other hand, I pick my way through the Archives and will continue to do that, and every time I wear black, I will think of you! At least, we have a year to get used to it. Thank you for all the terrific ideas, colors, and stories you have given us!
Saints Genevieve and Apollonia and the Sheldon Duck. I like the rich colors of both.
I mean common shelduck.
I really hope you do Common Shelduck. I fell in love with that combination when I first saw it here such a long time ago.
Janice,
My vote is to please do St Genevieve and Apollonia so that we can have a bit of Christmas all year long.
And then please enjoy the heck out of your retirement!
Hello and thank you for this newsletter!
Ruffled Autumn Clouds and Portraits Theatraux are my favorites here.
My favorite is the Shelduck! Please do this. I will hate to see you go, I have learned so much from you!
If you stay in Chicago & have time & energy, the blog may continue? Does this mean you may be writing a book? Or taking consulting work? And if you are not in Chicago, does this mean moving to Ireland or France? Oh I have read your writing for over a decade and learned so much & enjoyed it so much!
I hope your week in Paris is festive and rejuvenating. With joy & aloha, me
Ruffled Autumn Clouds above all! But so many of the others are also worthy….
And as to that retirement? Perhaps you could consider easing into it — publish less often rather than going cold turkey? (Yes, I’m being selfish. But I always love your choices, especially the accessories I wouldn’t think of, no matter how many sites I might browse.)
Although a silent reader of TVF, the announcement of your impending retirement brings me to speak up and thank you for your guidance. I majored in Art History 50 years ago and find your use of artwork to influence wardrobe choices so enjoyable. I like how you couple classic Land’s End / L.L.Bean staples with luscious high-end pieces. And…like you, I love to travel.
Each of my three grandsons gets their own Road Scholar grandparent trip to Paris. Last year, when I took the second grandson, I thought about what art might inspire my wardrobe. I had recently seen a Calder painting in a private collection. It was white, black, red, and blue, with a touch of yellow. Strong primary colors. Out came my TVF grid. I packed a small suitcase with the perfect combinations!
This June will be the third and last summer trip to Paris. I’ll be 77 years old, racing around the Metro with a bunch of 11 year olds, climbing the 246 steps to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, and walking the gardens at Le Chateau de Vaux de Vicomte and Giverny. Which artwork will inspire me this summer?
I think Colored Rhythms is perfect. Nothing like black pants for the Metro! And I think we need more rainbows in our lives, especially when traveling with pre-teens. I hope that is one of your choices for 2026 and that you think about this 77 year old granny in Paris when you make your selections!
My other two favorites are The Saints and Lucinda.
I’m looking forward to spending 2026 with you.
I vote for Shultz and Cranach. We’re lucky to get one more year — here’s to 2026!
Hi again, and I hope you’re having a lovely time?
While you’re mulling over all your choices I’ve been planning a trip to Canberra and that reminded me how much of the Australian collection is now viewable on line. Have a browse here:
https://nga.gov.au/whats-on/
You might enjoy a virtual visit that doesn’t require any packing at all! You might remember Jenny Kee’s knitwear which had a Moment in the eighties – looks lovely with black of course.
I like “Lucinda” and “common shelduck”
I think the duck especially would yield a beautiful, high-contrast wardrobe with touches of red and brown. To me, nature provides the best palettes. Modern art? Not so much.
I remember years ago you did a wardrobe based on the Northern Flicker and it was perfection!
Another vote for Lucinda. But also these older faves:
Flowers in a Crystal Vase by Manet
Foxes by Becky Kelley
Great Nebula in Carina
Love your work! My favorite morning reading. Thank you so much!
Three that catch my eye are Portraits Theatraux, Petit Matin, and Color Rhythm: Study for the Film. I am draw to the last one and think it would be fun to see a full collection of primary and secondary colors.
Late to the party finding The Viviennefiles last year, have enjoyed looking at the archives and following along. I enjoy all the paintings and color combinations. Even if a color doesn’t suit me, I can easily select the same garment in a color that does. This blog has exposed me to new designers Boden and Alex Mill and many others that I would not have easily found. This info, along with the color combos has been a true pleasure to read.
With retirement also on the horizon, I find myself looking more for small travel capsules and how to consolidate down to a very small carryon or backpack. I often recommend this blog to those on Reddit who ask in the CapsuleWardrobe sub & HerOneBag sub, “where do I start”. That’s where I found you! :)
THANK YOU for this blog, effort, knowledge and love you have shared with all. I appreciate all that I have and will read here.
When something is so good you never want it to end that’s when I realize that you have a life too and it’s not just for me, LOL. I’m sad that you will retire, however, I totally understand and you will love retirement. I don’t post here very often but I do get so excited with every email that arrives. You have made my packing for trips and wardrobe planning much easier.
Of the art posted I like: Color Rhythm by Savage, Lucinda, Shelduck (one of my favs) & Composition with the train.
I would also suggest: Raven Garden of Happiness- love that one.
Thank you for all your hardwork and showing us the way
As someone who stumbled across the Vivienne Files in 2015 via a Google search, I was hooked from the start. Thank you for opening my eyes to colour and art, as well as giving me the skills to curate small seasonal wardrobes from a sea of clutter.
I hope your site remains once you’re retired as I’m always referring to it even after all these years.
Anyway, back to the next 12 months and my chosen pieces of art:
I’ve chosen three to follow along with if picked which I will adapt the main dark neutral to suit my fair complexion.
1. Lucinda. I’ll swap out the black and replace with blackcurrant.
2. Mountain Forms. For my core dark neutral I’ll choose a greyed navy rather than a mid grey.
3. The composition with the Train. I’ll swap out the black and replace with charcoal marl.
Saints Genevieve and Appollonia!!! My favorite!!!
Mountain Clouds really drew me in
Abstracts for sure, for spring coloring people!
Love the choices! My favorites are:
Ruffled Autumn
Mountains and Sea
Abstracts
Lucinda
Petit Matin
Composition with the Train
Being terribly selfish, and since next year I will be rebuilding my wardrobe, my personal favorites (color wise) are Lucinda, Mountain Forms and The Countess
My wardrobe is already predominantly black and grey. i have been trawling through your archives for options to add some adjustments, accents to my preferred neutrals
My choices in order:
Saints
Abstracts
Mountains and the Sea
Ruffled Autumn
Petit Matin
The previous “Saints” heroine was my favorite. It would be great to have her return or to have at least one heroine in the coming year whose wardrobe is less casual with interesting cuts and vibrant colors.
Dear Janice,
I have been following your work for over a decade, since my own Grad school years. I have enjoyed your posts and analysis as much as the critical feedback from your readers over the years. I always wondered what your degree/major was in Grad school given the analytical framework you have brought into wardrobe building! Colors and Art have always been my happy place but your analytical approach provided me with even more mental exercise and diversion. In short, I have loved your work and will always cherish it. Along with your many readers here, I had also always hoped you would someday convert all this brilliant material into a book. I still hope you find a publisher and consider this.
Regarding the paintings for next year, as I was reading my only thought was Edith and the kingpin…until I read your last sentence and burst out laughing!!
I am with some of your readers here that one painting for each obvious season would be great. Though I have always felt you tried to pick artwork to capture multiple color types. But I also understand that if one considers sub-seasons, chroma, olive skin, etc. it can get convoluted. And if I were forced to vote for one painting from this page, in the interest of representing my own unmistakable Autumn coloring and preference for saturated, warm colors I would vote for the Saints but replace the white with the softer beige or camel from the painting. But I would personally most prefer a painting with a base of dark chocolate brown which is thankfully also in vogue these days. Also, in the interest of art, I find the Petit Matin quite captivating. Also enjoyed the Dark Lady you visited recently.
Wish you and your family the best in Life and Happy Holidays!
NF.
Additional thought: If we had one piece of art for each major season (4X1) plus 2 more for mixed types (olive/neutral undertones/warm skin with greying hair) and we had some logical neutral cores (e.g. black and white; chocolate and cream; navy and grey; etc.) I think the permutations and combinations would cover most people. We could then always adapt our imagination and use some combination of our preferred “season” with our preferred neutrals as we followed along throughout the year.
And “Flowers in a Crystal Vase by Edouard Manet” would be an amazing choice for a brown and cream based wardrobe. I would pick espresso/black-brown, milk chocolate, cream, burgundy, the warm soft coral/pink of the bud on the left, and sage green.
Thank you for reading.
Mountains and the sea is going to be a beautiful pastel wardrobe. But so many of these are stunning and what a great idea to bring more story and personality into them. Xxx
no art thoughts yet but I have been thinking it would be great to see that these women wear when they are home for a week. It is probably a very busy week. they have a doctor’s appointment, a meeting with a lawyer, a date night with their honey, a family dinner, a meetup with friends and so many errands to run, and then they want a little time to curl up with a book and hot(cool) beverage. no wonder they are always ready to head out on another adventure
I’m not going to lie. The thought of no more The Vivienne Files made me cry. I’m so emo lol. However you do deserve to retire and enjoy life and it’s many adventures. I will cherish this upcoming year of posts. Hugs!
I have been following you for years and always find something that works for me. This year, the only one that would be close to meeting my needs for 2026 is the Duck. Black, Cream and Tan are my go tos. I like to try different combos of autumn colors with those basics. I rarely wear blue and many of the art pieces that you are considering are blue based…. So, I am crossing my fingers for the “Common Shelduck”!!!!
I recently retired and it is glorious. I wish you all the best. Do you have any suggestions as to someone with your talent that might inspire us in the future?
Thanks for your dedication.
I would love love love to see ruffled-autumn-clouds. I so enjoy your wardrobes. I am very into navy so any painting that has that as a core color would be wonderful.