The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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From the Style Shelf: Style Statement

If you're only every going to read/own one book to help you define your personal style, this is the one. This isn't just personal style as in "I wear black rather than brown" or "I prefer silk to cotton", although those kinds of considerations are addressed.  This is personal style writ large - the kind of basis for personal expression that can affect and influence every aspect of your life.  Seriously!  And it's a book well worth revisiting at any point in time when difficult decisions are to be made; it serves to remind you of what really matters to you (or at least what you THOUGHT mattered at the time you originally read the book).

I have never been one of those people who really liked books that had lots of ... View the Post

French Fashion Bookshelf: L’Armoire Idéale des paresseuses

September 20, 2011    

  Yes, it means “the perfect wardrobe for lazy women”!  It’s part of a series of whimsical little paperbacks for “desparesseuses” that includes things like cooking, dieting etc.  But this one is particularly appealing; while some of the suggestions aren’t really appropriate for everyone, there are enough thought-provoking ideas in here to leave one feeling that the time reading was well spent.  And practicing my reading in French is never a waste of time!   As with almost any “wardrobe” book, this one has “the ultimate check-list” for the perfect wardrobe.  I list them here without comment; I fully intend to debunk at least some of these in my series “Customizing the ... View the Post

Paris shopping: Clif Shoes

I'm rather drawn to accessories that have a menswear flair - especially in shoes. Men's shoes are timeless in their styling, and their quality is unparalleled.  Clif leather goods are beautifully well made, and they seem to emphasize the quality and the beauty of leather.  It's hard to explain;  just go there if you get a chance and see if it makes more sense to you!

My last wardrobe addition, from our trip in March:

 

I adore them. ... View the Post

Things Europeans own: Longchamp Sac Pliage

July 26, 2011

Of course these aren't exactly rare in the United States, but I first was exposed to them in Europe and so I always think of that when I see someone with one of these bags.

They are particularly handy when you travel; the first thing into any suitcase of mine is my folded and snapped Pliage, which I then use to accumulate all of my purchases and receipts along the way.  Then I use the bag as my carry-on for the return trip, so everything is in one place on that rare chance that the Customs people will want to inspect my newly-acquired treasures.

And online, you can order CUSTOM Pliage bags, specifying the length of the handles, the size of the bag, the finish of the metal fittings, AND!!! the colors of ... View the Post

You have a moral obligation to buy expensive clothes!

Lucy Siegle recent released her newest book To Die For: Is Fashion Wearing Out the World?   This book is full of chilling statistics, including the following:  

The average British female:

invests in 62 lbs. of clothing each year. has upwards of 20 garments hanging in her wardrobe that she has never worn. owns four times the amount today than she did in 1980. is expected to spend £133,640 ($217,232) in a lifetime on fashion.

When you buy this much clothing, a lot of it has to be made in conditions that are less than salubrious for the factory worker, with environmental standards which may be non-existent.  Pile on a few thousand miles of transporting the garment, and the issues around how that item will ... View the Post

French Chic: The origin of my French wardrobe fascination

Thirty years ago (heavy sigh) this book was released, and this is where it all began for me - the whole fascination with French wardrobe planning, the idea of a minimalist, well-chosen wardrobe that would take me anywhere.  The following images that delineate the possibilities inherent in seven pieces of black clothing were revolutionary to me.  Up until this time, I was very stuck in the "gray suit, navy suit, white shirt, red bow tie, black pumps" aesthetic of the time (thanks for nothing to the Dress for Success theories).     Breaking out into black opened my eyes, changed my self-image, and finally gave me the excuse to spend a lot of money on clothes that I actually really liked.  I know that this idea ... View the Post

The Voyages of Vivienne: sleeping in airports

 

July 15, 2011

I have traveled a lot, and I have had to sleep in airports more times than I care to remember. It's an acquired skill; perhaps you can benefit from my experience. (and the insights of the hysterically fun and useful http://blog.sleepinginairports.com/)

Worst case, without doubt, was late summer at the Norfolk Virginia airport.  We were informed, in rapid succession, that (1) no more flights would be leaving on the night in question (it's about 10 pm when we're told this), (2) there are no hotel rooms available in town, (3) TSA has gone home for the night, so if we leave the airport, we have to stay OUTSIDE all night, and (4) all concessionaires are closed for the night.

So here's the choice - sit ... View the Post

Paris shopping: Les bouquinistes

It is impossible to walk through Paris and not see the (approximately 200) dark green book "boxes" along the Seine.  In addition to selling the usual posters, postcards and refrigerator magnets, one can find amazing old books and magazines.  Unfortunately, unless you can read French, there's not necessarily a lot which might be of interest.

Except...  I've started buying magazines which were released the month that I was born.  They're a fascinating little snapshot of history, and it gives me a good reason to support a Parisian cultural institution.  They're easy to carry back in my suitcase, and they only cost, on average, around 10 Euros.

In the next few days, I'll post some more information about my most ... View the Post

Things Parisians own: Paris Par Arrondissement

Paris is large, and has streets which (1) are only a block long, (2) change names repeated over the length of the street, and (3) have very similar names and are easily confused. Thus, it's not at all uncommon to see someone in Paris dig one of these nifty little books out of the bottom of a handbag or briefcase.  There's simply no way for even a native Parisian to know where every street in the city is!   Just five inches tall, less than an inch thick, and covered in waterproof plastic, the PPA (say pay pay aaaah) includes every street within the Periphique (the ring road) around Paris, as well as maps of the subway and the suburban train system, and nifty listings of parks, hospitals and other items of interest.  They can ... View the Post