March 14, 2020
Let’s do our utmost to keep The Vivienne Files an oasis of cheerful optimism and plans for the future, okay?
The Balance has Shifted…
Now that she’s free to travel again, she realizes that a certain… caution? has vanished from her personality…
cardigan – Barefoot Dreams; earrings – Michael Krainer; necklace – The Met Store; grey linen tank top – Caslon; watch – Skagen; crossbody bag – Emporio Armani; suitcase – Rimowa; nail polish – “Show Us Your Tips” by O.P.I.; sandals – Eileen Fisher; grey linen pants – Caslon
Where she once would have shied away from a blue pedicure, and opted for the much more safe soft pink or nude, she now chooses the blue without hesitation!
Blue striped linen shirt – L.L.Bean; silver claw earrings – Missoma; seaglass necklace – Suzie Thomas; sunglasses – Tiffany & Co. ; light blue linen sweater – Vince; cashmere & silk wrap – Nordstrom; taupe linen shirtdress – Anne Klein; tie-dyed tee – Lucky Brand; sandals – Karl Lagerfeld Paris; canvas shoes – Keds; grey shorts – Lands’ End; white shorts – Lands’ End
She realized that her old suitcase was about to fall to pieces – one good THUMP of those hinges against the Baggage Claim carrousel and her dainty underthings are all over the airport! So she buys the best suitcase she can find… She’s not spending down her retirement account, but she’s treating herself… a bit nicer.
Life is too short!
Long weekends used to NEVER be part of her travel life – it just didn’t make sense to travel for fewer than 7 to 10 days. But now – every spare moment is worth grabbing and milking for every tiny droplet of fun possible…
It’s warm, and she’s going away. She’ll pay to do the laundry. She’ll wear something more than once. There are more important things, now…
Yes, I’m pretty much leg-shackled to our apartment for 14 days, but I am dreaming of travel!
love,
Janice
p.s. 3 years ago, we started to experiment with how accent colors can change the look of a simple ivory and black core wardrobe. This painting still makes me sigh….
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Thank you so much Janice!
I’m a long time reader first time commenting, so first I want to thank you so very much for all the amazing work you do! You’ve done many travel wardrobes but somehow this one really hit me. I always struggle with my travel wardrobes – to be prepared for different weather conditions and different activities and yet feel good in the clothes. I’m not one of those women who just put on a plain t-shirt and shorts and look splendid, and I’d like my travel wardrobe to be comfortable and appropriate but also beautiful. Especially when it comes to warm and hot weather – I can spent whole summer in full-circle midi skirts, but that’s not practical for travelling with a small luggage. So, this post is a great inspiration for me, thank you so much for it! And the colours are truly speaking to me (also reminding that it doesn’t hurt to have some lighter shades in the wardrobe ;)).
Of course I’m not going anywhere in the near future (not even to my office – it’s going to be closed starting Monday) but I can start planning for my vacation in September :)
From Poland with love,
Beata
I love this, Janice! You’re a danger to my credit card. These are my colors! I came here for a break from all the other news. You really are an oasis, thank you. I have been a reader for many years, but this is my first comment.
Glad I’m not the only one whose card suffers when you show these colors – ah, those linen pants! A lovely cool riff on my love of gray!
This is a homerun! I love all shades of blue. I will check out some (a lot) of these pieces!
Thank you, Janice! You, and the other wonderful stylists I’ve found through you, have become my “rabbit hole” of respite and joy in these challenging days.
Here in the UK my spouse and I (in our seventies – is that elderly?) are going to be staying at home more often in the hope of avoiding the need to self isolate. That means we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other, and frankly my worn trackies and same old tops are going to get boring. Any thoughts? Today have dug out a few “seldom worns” and they look great together, but some “at home” outfit suggestions might be useful to a lot of us right now. It’s the challenge of looking good despite cooking, washing up and a cat who is lap-seeking and moulting.
Thank you for the Vivienne Files. They are a joy, have saved me a fortune and helped too save the planet and I look forward to mining the archives over the coming weeks.
Thank you for this beautiful, peaceful wardrobe. Not my colors for wearing (perhaps I should try them!), but I greatly appreciate the spirit of relaxation and calm they evoke in the midst of this wild and crazy time.
Fourteen days shackled to your apartment…May health and well-being prevail!
I really love this wardrobe! Thanks for all you do! :)
Janice,
Thank you for choosing one of my favourite artists (Lawren Harris is neck and neck with Emily Carr). The wardrobe is beautiful.
I’ve been meaning to email you to suggest the painting “North Shore, Lake Superior”, also by Harris, as there are some lovely colour combinations in it that I think could be used for a year-round wardrobe.
Thanks again for putting a smile on my face this morning!
Pearl, I love North Shore too!
Over the years, I have really found myself drawn to the wardrobes/ capsules you put together that are based on gray with soft colors. So peaceful and restful…and elegant. Love this one too.
This is gorgeous! One of my favourite Harris paintings too.
This travel wardrobe is sublime. I could wear this everyday. I love your blog – have been following it for years. I don’t think that I have ever commented before, but I just wanted to let you know how much you are appreciated. Thank you.
This is a lovely combination of colours. I particularly like the shade of grey. And thank you for featuring a Canadian artist. Keep healthy! Abbey
Hi Josephine. My go-to for home are trousers in neutral colours made of jersey, velour or linen with elasticated or drawstring waists. Add patterned or textured blouses topped with drapey or slightly slouchy knitwear which seems to be all in the shops at the moment (you might need to go for a size smaller). You will look stylish at home but can still pop to the shops if you need to.
Just for the fun of it my husband and I occasionally dress up a bit for dinner. Put some music on. It makes even the most mundane meal into an occasion!
Great advice, beth t!
I really love your comments, they’re always full of great advice :)
Thank you Janice, for keeping us buoyed, inspired and thinking about how to harness the beauty (and power) of art and of life into our everyday dressing.
Sometimes, the experience is more than the wardrobe or the narrative, it’s the art!
A comment was posted here about the artist, so I decided to explore Lawren Harris a bit. Immediately, I found his painting of Maligne Lake, Jasper Park. We have exactly the same scene in a photograph of a beautiful foggy and smoky early morning at the lake in 2017. We were lucky enough to spend 36 days in Alberta and the Canadian Rockies. Since we live near our own US Rockies, the inspiration work also speaks to me. Janice, thank you for inspiring in so many ways.
I agree with others-these colors look beautiful together. Too soft and pastel for me but I can enjoy your creativity. Rest well.
Very much like this soft spring color palette – all colors that would flatter the skin tone of those of us who don’t wear beige.
One advantage of the resurgence of 70’s style clothes are the reappearance of satin and silky blouses and shirts. I succumbed to such a satin shirt in that beautiful blue from H & M. Dear Janice, it also comes in other colours including a gorgeous pink; the colour of strawberry ice cream. I confess to buying both!
By the way, for ladies, like me, who hate pockets on shirts – I also found in H&M, a Lyocell Denim shirt with NO breast pockets in their Conscious range. It comes dark and light denim.
Beth, you are evil….
thanks!
big hugs,
Janice
Sorry… ? I really am trying not to buy any new clothes…
I’ve had this page open in my browser for awhile, soaking up the details of its inner unity: https://www.theviviennefiles.com/2019/10/october-start-with-a-bracelet.html/ and the similarity of colors (for different seasons) is something to learn from. Although I am not succumbing to new purchases for summer weight clothes! I’m glad you’re feeling better. :-)
Oh I love this capsule with all its jewelry, nail polish and soft soothing cool elegance. Blue pedicure??? I just might. Last summer under the influence of Janice & her beautiful groups, I began collecting a blue accent group in just this shade. I LOVE it. I have a lot of grey & white. So crisp and clean looking. Summer is coming. Thanks Janice.
Thank you! Your travel wardrobes keep me happy, hopeful and dreaming of new adventures once this madness dies down. I can’t wear soft pastels or muted colors but with a little creative twists, I’m able to take your amazing base and make it work for me. I love it! Thank you for what you do. Stay healthy!