The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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

September 4, 2023

I'm so happy with these; sometimes I struggle to find things to add to these wardrobes, but this month I feel like it all just fell out of the skies and into my computer!

This very casual heroine came into September with a wardrobe that's got a lot of soft, gentle colors... 

She knows that she wants a pair of casual pants for cooler weather that AREN'T grey, as well as a couple of darker tops, to reflect the changing season; this is what she found:

Her wardrobe retains its distinctive look and feel, but offers her more options if she wants to wear darker colors!

 

And her accessories are wonderful...

She has plenty of outfits - including warm, darker-hued choices for cold, ... 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

Assemble an Autumn Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Lonely by Erika Giovanna Klien

August 30, 2023

Sometimes a painting just grabs your attention and won't let go; that's how she felt about this...

Yes, she has almost black hair, and eyes that are either aqua blue or green, depending on something she can't quite figure out... 

So for her upcoming trip, so thought that this would be a great inspiration!

Until the last day or 2 before she leaves, she's not sure what she will wear in transit; she decides to assemble her wardrobe far ahead of time, and then just choose her travel outfit when she knows what the weather will be.

Start with the neutrals, with some essential accessories:

yes, these are the same 5 grey pieces from last week!

Now the fun starts! She's been collecting tops ... View the Post

Building a 12-Piece Winter Wardrobe in Camel and Charcoal Grey – Start with Art: Damp Autumn by Ivon Hitchens

August 25, 2023

This painting is about as far as you can get from Chicago weather right now; our heat index is over 100F, and we are NOT leaving the building...

But we still have to prepare for autumn and winter; one thing we can be certain of is the eventual arrival of bitter cold and wind! 

Hurrah! /s

Our heroine has always believed that shades of grey belong in an autumn wardrobe - where would beautiful trees be without their trunks?

She's onto something...

She pulls winter clothes out of boxes, and garment bags, and other odd places, and starts to sort, steam (the clothes, NOT her!), and prepare things to donate...

First - charcoal grey!

And then camel - THIS scarf is so perfect for this ... View the Post

Start with Art: Lattice and Awning by Arthur Garfield Dove, as an inspiration for a Travel Capsule Wardrobe

August 21, 2023

An Unconventional Woman That's how she thinks of herself. She knows that she has been described as such, more than a few times! And that's when people are being nice...

Now that she's retired, she is embracing her uniqueness, starting with her wardrobe, but branching out in all kinds of ways...

She's the person who goes into the city for a long weekend when the Natural History Museum gets a new exhibit of fossils...

She attends all of the opera world premiers, no matter HOW weird the music is reputed to be. If it's unusual, she figures she has a good chance of having fun!

She is beloved as a supporter of new artists and musicians. She will try any dish in any new restaurant. It's just the ... View the Post

Build a Travel Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art – Spanish Moon Moth by Rebecca Zwanzig

August 17, 2023

This artist's works are available to purchase here! This includes tee shirts and sweatshirts... From Moths to a Book Tour...

It started one night on her back porch, when she noticed that there was not ONE INSECT fluttering around her porch light. She was particularly disappointed to not have any moths about - she really admires moths...

So she converted both her front and back yards to native plants and grasses... And she helped her friends do the same...

"You should write a book!"

So she did; she called it Bug Love...

And NOW, she's on tour!

She goes out for long weekends, mostly, to be interviewed at bookstores, and on television, and sometimes on the radio, and sometimes on podcasts. ... View the Post

Start with a Bracelet – Dignified Lynx Bracelets by Fierce Lynx Designs, and a Travel Capsule Wardrobe in navy, blush & purple

August 16, 2023

A Calming Presence That's how she's been described, and she's happy with that. For years, she has worked toward being a mature and reassuring woman... If you want a "grown-up" in the room, she's what you need.

At work, she always wears a dress or skirt under her robes; nobody would know, but she feels that it's all a part of her demeanor...

So even when she travels, she sticks to her classic clothing preferences, accented with timelessly elegant accessories:

Often, she is the only person in the room wearing a skirt or dress. She doesn't mind; she feels comfortable, and authentically herself! THAT is what real style is all about...

She fully understands that there may not be another woman in the ... 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 – August 2023

August 2, 2023

My favorite work every month! This, to me, is the closest The Vivienne Files can get to showing how a real wardrobe might grow, month by month. If we all (I mean ALL) carefully planned our purchases to be versatile AND to endure, we could eliminate a lot of waste in the world. At least we should try, eh?

Last month, we left our heroine with a wardrobe of 23 garments; it's pretty well balanced, except she might be challenged to wear her dress in cooler weather. 

Tights and a sweater will get her through, of course, but maybe a skirt would be useful...

This heroine added another grey tee shirt to her wardrobe; the shirt she has is pretty sporty, and she thought a more classic one would be useful. ... View the Post

Accenting Black with Another Neutral

July 26, 2023

I've been thinking about accent colors ever since I finished Monday's post about the blue dress...

What happens when I start with this?

For many of us, finding 2 things like this in our closet isn't tough! Yours might be navy, or grey, but the idea is pretty similar...

And THEN, I was thinking about colors in wardrobes; this is NOT an exhaustive list - just something to remind me to look for Camel, when my wee brain falls black and exhausted!

If you can think of 20 colors, and if you're willing to wear any color with any other color, that gives you 400 possibilities! No wonder I don't run out of ideas!

But maybe you want this to be your uniform - or maybe it IS your uniform, once you get to ... View the Post

A Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Navy & Stone, with Rose & Lavender: Start with Art – Night Music by Chuck Groenink

July 19, 2023

One of a Kind...

After she saw the 3rd corporate "campus" with beehives, she realized that she is qualified for a job that nobody has ever thought of - corporate pollinator consultant!

If companies are going to have big lawns, and ponds, and flower beds, they may as well put some pollinators in there to keep it all regenerating and... real - right?

So now she travels about, visiting corporate campuses (a term she really doesn't love), helping get beehives installed, and advising the gardening company about replacing plants. Strictly ornamental isn't nearly as sensible as something that's both decorative AND good for the environment...

It's not a really outdoorsy job - she is more likely to meet ... View the Post