The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

Home » Auguste Renoir - Paysage Algerien

Auguste Renoir - Paysage Algerien Archives

Dressy Weekend? Start with a Scarf – The Raven Garden of Happiness by June Hunter

March 22, 2024

It's a dressy weekend - the weather will probably be warm... but there is always a chance of a cool snap!

But how to be dressy without bringing everything you own? Well, a tight color palette and planning ahead is always the way to go.

And how about starting with black and pretty accents?

Before you go down this path, you want to be ABSOLUTELY certain that wearing black isn't a problem. This wardrobe is actually designed for someone who's a prominent figure in a wedding, at which the bridesmaids will be wearing black dresses; I think she's okay with this!

She's wearing a very "normal" travel outfit - closed-toe shoes, and a cardigan for the inevitable freezing air conditioning... but she's rocking ... View the Post

2 More Capsule Wardrobes: December Six Paintings – Twelve Months

December 6, 2023

Is anybody else surprised by the appeal of this next "all brown" wardrobe? I wasn't at all sure what I was getting into when I chose this painting, but I must admit that if I were to start my wardrobe from scratch (as in "I have nothing left in the world except my long-underwear pajamas and grey sweatshirt robe!"), I might do this...

Except I don't look great in brown. I don't know if that would stop me!

Let's pay this heroine one last visit...

Her wardrobe at the end of November was lovely and versatile - one could manage with just these pieces for quite a while:

But our heroine has decided to emphasize the darker shades of brown, this time of year. And she found a blazer she particularly loves!

A ... View the Post

Another Pair of Capsule Wardrobes: November Six Paintings – Twelve Months

November 6, 2023

Our final heroines for November! One of them is not at all concerned with getting dressed up, but the other is overwhelmed with invitations...

Let's start with our very relaxed, earth-toned heroine:

Her wardrobe at the beginning of November was 32 pieces that were as close to fool-proof as a wardrobe can get; last month she bought a plaid cardigan that still hasn't settled into place, but she's patient...

 

This month, she doesn't have any worries (yet?) about holiday festivities, so she finds an assortment of garments that appeal - the vest will be perfect with last month's dark pants...

She now is the proud owner of TWO plaid garments, and something in tweed too! Nonetheless, her ... View the Post

Six Paintings, Twelve Months: Paysage Algérien by Renoir

October 11, 2023

This painting really feels just right for this time of year - we're actually on our 4th consecutive day of true autumn weather!

What do you think? To me, this feels the most like a "normal" wardrobe. Maybe it's the mix of colors, or the number of colors?

This heroine starts out thinking that she's going to get some basic, infinitely useful garments this month; many of us start out thinking this way!

A navy tee shirt? Perfect for a solid column of color with her navy pants. The polo sweater can be worn with something under it, or on its own. And a v-neck sweater is classic, and also can be layered or worn alone...

Maybe gold loafers and a sparkly brooch aren't absolutely basic!

This wardrobe ... View the Post

Three Capsule Wardrobes: First Half of Six Paintings, 12 Months – September 2023

September 1, 2023

It seems as if ALL of the children in the Northern Hemisphere are back to school! This time of year always makes me want to pull on a sweater and corduroy pants, some short boots and a lovely wool scarf...

Soon enough for cool weather!

Let's get started...

This heroine found herself last month with a 26-piece wardrobe; most of us could manage for quite a long time with that many clothes, if they were for the right weather...

Our heroine clearly understands that she should grab yellow things when she sees something just right. She loves her navy cotton skirt so much that she would like to find another navy skirt to start to dress up for longer evenings ahead... She could certainly get a narrow skirt, ... View the Post

3 Capsule Wardrobes: Second Half of Six Paintings, 12 Months – August 2023

August 4, 2023

Let's see what our other 3 heroines have going on in their wardrobes...

Our first heroine's wardrobe from last month was 23 pieces that gave her a good range of options...

This heroine was thinking of another skirt; as much as she loves her navy one, she would like one in olive! And while she's at it, she just wants to fill in some more olive in her wardrobe.

And she knows that if she wants olive tall boots, she'd better get on it!

I know that it seems really early to look at tall boots, but if you need a pair, don't delay! You'd be amazed at how many pairs of boots I almost added to these wardrobes, only to find that they're already sold out in a lot of sizes... sheesh!

This is what our heroine ... View the Post

Three Capsule Wardrobes: First Half of Six Paintings, 12 Months – July 2023

July 5, 2023

Our heroines are filling in gaps and rescuing wardrobe orphans this month!

Let's start with our fair and blond heroine... (at least that's how I imagine her - your may see her differently!)

When we left our heroine last month, this was her 20-piece capsule wardrobe:

Our heroine has been thinking for a while that she is overdue to add some yellow to her wardrobe! It's worth mentioning that you can change your color palette if you find that you've included an accent color that doesn't feel right to you... but our heroine is going to give yellow a try!

And she doesn't have a pair of shorts! She's not one to wear shorts frequently, but a whimsical pair might be useful for her. So she shops, and this is what ... View the Post

First Half of Six Paintings, 12 Months – February 2023

February 1, 2023

I'm already at the point where it's better to break this post into 2 posts; it's a lot to digest (or to produce!) at 1 time!

The order of the paintings is different this month; I'm hopeful that I can remember to re-order them each month to keep things fresh...

First up - the train station!

Maybe it's the single-digit temperatures today, but I realized that all of our heroines could probably use a jacket (although these are NOT the jacket one needs for the dead of winter)... Another tee shirt is pretty important at this point, and jeans or other pants. 

This heroine is due for something in beautiful soft green (called "eucaluptus steam" - it feels like a humidifier when you have a cold!), and a pair ... View the Post