The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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One dress – Six ways, in Black, White and Pink

May 22, 2013  

Okay, let's do some imagining... Imagine a person who has truly made the choice that their wardrobe core colors are going to be black, white, and pretty pink. Over the years, she accumulates the necessary basics - cardigans in her colors,  a black suit, shoes and sandals in black, with a fun pair of pink dress shoes, just for kicks. She has a beautiful pink scarf that has been around forever, and she has been carefully, gradually accumulating pink and silver jewelry...

 

Now, one day this person is shopping, and they see a dress. A classically cut, simple, (no beads, nor sequins) dress.  In black, white and pink!

It's easy to immediately fear that a dress in a print or ... View the Post

Closing the triangle of Hot Pink, Turquoise, and Orange; traveling again with Hermes Fleuri de Provence

May 11, 2013  

There was one more color combination waiting to be addressed in the beautiful Hermes Pique Fleuri de Provence - Turquoise and Hot Pink. And that got me thinking that these three accent colors (don't forget Orange), on a base of black and white neutrals, would be a perfect wardrobe scheme for... well, for everything, forever. I see the symbol for this wardrobe like this:

And with this as your focal point, you can just combine garments and make purchases with confidence...

So one last trip, with the Hermes scarf as the initial inspiration:

Piqué Fleuri de Provence silk scarf - Hermes, silk  “Neon Love” scarf – Marc Andersen  

 

Shirt – J. Crew, jacket –Faberge & Roches, ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Project 333: Another week, with travel, work, and the gym

Last week I experienced another small hitch in my Project 333- my striped tee shirt is NOT going to be wearable for the summer, so I've replaced it. (Yes, with another striped tee shirt...)   Otherwise, I have been delighted with my choices, so far.My travel wardrobe, based on two pair of black pants - one silk, one cotton twill - worked out well too.  It was warm enough that I didn't need to wear my scarves, and one day I pulled off my sweater mid-day, but that was part of the plan. Layering makes it possible to pile on, or peel off, depending on what you encounter.

So Monday and Tuesday I dressed out of my suitcase - Monday, I did some gardening, and Tuesday we flew back to Chicago. (yes, on Monday I borrowed casual shoes ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Packing from the 33 for a long weekend

I'm out of town right now - actually, I've been out of town since Thursday afternoon; the magic of the internet means that I can schedule blog posts ahead of time!  I'm visiting a number of my relatives, which is the easiest packing; laundry is available, and borrowing clothes is always possible.  I'm carrying the huge suitcase because belovedest and I are sharing the bag, and his clothes and shoes take up a LOT of space...

       

  ... View the Post

Now to wear a Neon Yellow v-neck sweater

April 23, 2013  

This was a special request from someone who LOVES, and looks good in, neon yellow.  To her I say carpe the sweater; few of us can wear this color well.  It's a great way to stand out in a crowd, and make a very cheery statement on even the gloomiest days.

Outfits including a yellow sweater and a dressy printed skirt

Sweater – Erica Cavallini, earrings – Tita, skirt – Sportmax, sandals – Marc by Marc Jacobs, earrings – Tita, skirt – Prabal Gurung, sandals – Frye  

Outfits with a yellow sweater, solid jeans or trousers, and a patterned scarf

Sweater – Erika Cavallini, scarves - Etro, jeans – Ralph Lauren, sneakers - Keds,  black linen pants – Vince, boots – Christopher ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Project 333: FAILURE, in the second week in my uniform

Well, not anything horrendous or drastic (let's be serious, last week wasn't a great week for many of us...), but when I woke up Friday morning to the sounds of SNOW HITTING MY WINDOW, I  retreated to my jeans, which I had not included in my 33 garments.  Of course, when I picked those 33 pieces of clothing, I didn't expect to have to dress for snow.  Sigh...Monday and Tuesday were great, similar to last week, I started with a black "suit", chose a bright tee shirt, and added a scarf to tie things together and brighten things up.  Tuesday was a core of black garments, with boots, a cardigan, and a cashmere scarf to keep warm,

 

  Wednesday and Thursday were also very uncomplicated.Another core of black, ... View the Post

Must every woman own a pair of Khakis? Customizing the Classics…

Pants – Brunello Cuccinelli, sleeveless top – Dorothy Perkins, cord bracelet – Dorothy Perkins, blush sandals – Marais USA, chalcedony earrings –NuNu, tunic – Mary Portas, lace ballet flats – J.C. Penney, tank top – Uniqlo, tote bag – Ted Baker, sandals - Balenciag  

When you read those "10 wardrobe classics every woman MUST have", you'll often see a pair of khaki pants included as one of the ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED pieces of clothing...What utter tripe - there is NO REQUIRED GARMENT for any woman's wardrobe.  (Yes, I firmly believe some women can live without a bra, and if you wear tights every day, then other undergarments might be optional too...)

That said, there is some logic to the idea of a pair of khakis are a core ... View the Post

A Simple Black, White and Bright Blue wardrobe, with accessories

A core of black and white, with a bit of khaki, is an easy base upon which to build with almost any color.  What other colors could I use to accent these simple garments.    

Cardigan – Patagonia, sunglasses – Ray-Ban, drop earrings – 1928,  necklace – Masato Pearls, stud earrings- Gurhan, tee shirt – Miss Selfridge, bracelet –  Good Charma, silk scarf – Ayako Kanari, skirt –Boy by Band of Outsiders, scarf – Hermes, flat sandals – Alice+Olivia, glitter sneakers – Jimmy Choo, striped flats – Libby Edeman  

 

 

  ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Project 333: My first week in “my” uniform

This was NOT the best week for me to begin the Project 333 - our weather was impressively wintery, so I had to do some creative layering, and piling on of scarves.  Happily, I managed to figure things out, and I was very pleased with how I felt...Monday and Tuesday - I started with my black "suit", added a pink tee shirt and a scarf, with some socks and loafers.  I was particularly delighted with the Tuesday outfit, in which I layered a sweater over my dress (which is something I will do all summer), but then added a white cashmere scarf, opaque tights, and my boots.  Instant cold-weather outfit!

Wednesday I went all black, with flats, an Hermes scarf and pearls.  Wearing tights with flats makes everything warmer. ... View the Post

A simple black & white summer wardrobe, with accessories

Oooh, I could live in these clothes for the entire summer... This first outfit would be fine for work, and then slip on the skirt in place of the pants, ready to go out to dinner. 

A striped tee shirt isn't usually worn with a skirt - I wonder why?  And the cardigan and scarf take a simple tank top and capris, and make them perfect for all kinds of activities.

Some days, simple white and khaki, with silver accessories, is all you need.  And your sundress kicks it up quite a few notches with the jacket, a nice necklace, and dressy, but still comfortable, sandals.

With the more classic, trim, cardigan, the tank top and capris take on a more traditional look.  And amazing diamond earrings add a lot of spark, and ... View the Post

How to wear a lavender (lilac? light purple?) v-neck sweater

April 4, 2013   Why yes, we have seen this silver skirt before - a few times!  I'm delighted to see how it adapts to the various sweaters... Sweater – Bellerose, earrings – Allegro, skirt – Bottega Veneta, sandals – Alexandre Birman, earrings – Swarovski, skirt – Marc Jacobs, flats – Butterfly Dream    A gold necklace and sandals are pretty versatile too, as are simple white sandals, and a classic mother of pearl earring.

Sweater – Bellerose, necklace – Amrita Singh, pants – MONO, sandals – K Jacques, earrings – White House Black Market, pants – Rag & Bone, sandals – K Jacques  

Sweater – Bellerose, scarves - Etro, jeans – Ralph Lauren, loafers – Cole Haan,  khakis – MaxMara, flats – ... View the Post