The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

Home » Navy Blue » Page 52

Navy Blue Archives - Page 52 of 60

From Desk to Dinner Party: Take off a Cardigan, and Add Some Bracelets!

December 27, 2013  

I don't see a lot of bracelets in the world, and I think that's too bad.  Bracelets elevate any outfit to something much dressier, and they're particularly effective at the dinner table.  Make sure that you're choose bracelets that aren't too bangy or clinky or clanky - you want to be beautiful, but not to the point of distraction!For all of these outfits, I've shown a very simple 3/4 sleeve ("bracelet" sleeve) top, in a color matching the pants, and for day I've topped them with a cardigan that makes sort of a statement, and some simple loafers.  Then after work, in addition to pulling on your bracelets, I'm suggesting some shiny shoes - always flat and comfortable though!  A change of ... View the Post

How to Pack for a Long Weekend: Navy and Camel

November 22, 2013   A classic cabled cardigan is always a good starting-point for this travel outfit.  After I tossed in a striped top, I thought that a solid scarf with a little bit of embellishment might be a calming touch.  This scarf is one of those things that you could wear forever... and if you want jewelry made of genuine stones that don't break the bank, take a look at Novica.  You know that these aren't investment-grade gems, but they aren't glass or synthetic, and the unique designs are delightful.  

Cardigan – Ralph Lauren,  earrings – Novica,  pants - Jaeger, cowl top – Phase 8, watch – Skagen, sparkle scarf – St. John Collection, loafers – Munro, Coat– Uniqlo,  tote – ... View the Post

How to Pack for a Long Weekend: Grey and Navy

November 21, 2013  

I love these travel vignettes, and I'm going to share the step by step thought process I go through to build them.

Once you have your two core neutrals chosen, the rest just falls into place. It gives you a great deal of ease in life to have a nicely-chosen wardrobe that is focused...

First off, choose your travel outfit using any combination of the two colors  I usually opt for a cardigan and pants that are the same color, and then use the 2nd color for shoes and a coat. A printed tee shirt, and a printed scarf, that include the 2 colors, finishes off your travel outfit.

Your watch and your bag will probably be in one of your neutral colors, and a simple pair of stud earrings give you some ... View the Post

Two Neutral Colors – Dozens of Options

I get a lot of emails from people who are concerned about building a wardrobe around neutral colors, because they're worried that they will end up looking like everybody else.  If you devote yourself to black, and you live in a major city, that is certainly a valid concern!  But I think that there are more neutral colors around than you immediately think of, and that if you can focus on two colors as your predominant theme, you have dozens of options.   First off, let's choose a palette of possible neutral colors.  This palette is NOT exhaustive, and the colors as they are shown here are NOT intended to reflect the beauty and the depth that the color actually exhibits in three-dimensional garments and accessories. ... View the Post

Casual Packing: The “Triple Top” Secret

October 29, 2013   Here are a couple of examples of how my Triple Top Secret selection of tops can work for a really casual trip (or just a day to day wardrobe).  First, I started with a cool flowered shirt, got really gutsy and tossed in a striped tee shirt, and worked from there.  Yes, I would wear the stripes and the flowers together...  

I realized after working with this idea for a while that there are, in fact, two "triples" inherent in this idea:

 

  Yes, the button-front shirt is critical!  A shirt that can both be worn as a jacket or 2nd layer, but also layered under a sweater or sweatshirt, is key.  

    Here's an example of how this can work with some ... View the Post

Chic Sightings: Purple and Navy

September 25, 2013   A variety of shades of purple, but all of them using navy as their neutral, from the most simple choices of navy pumps with a purple dress, to a very dressy silk blouse and velvet skirt ensemble.  

Earrings – Nikki Baker,  dress – Malo,  pumps – Trotters, scarf – Esther Bonte,  blazer – Aspesi, pants –  Cedric Charlier, loafers - Geox  

Scarf – Joanna Allsop,  sweater-  Armani Collezioni,  skirt – Pauw,  boots – Nine West, amethyst bracelets – Lagos, amethyst earrings – Lagos,  cardigan – Malo,  skirt – Sofie D’Hoore, navy suede pumps - Clarks  

Blouse – Aspesi,  clutch bag –  Georgina Skalidi,  velvet skirt – Vanessa ... View the Post

Four pack! Navy, Grey, etc.

August 23, 2013   One of my very longest-standing readers recently asked me about packing with only four garments - which of course is entirely possible.  She also requested a variety of colors, rather than my usual four by four of one color. This is easily enough clothing for a 3 or four day trip - even longer, if you have laundry facilities available, and you could easily pack in a tote bag.  Keep the 2nd pair of shoes light and flat, add just a few accessories to keep things lively, and make sure you've whittled your toiletries down to the absolute necessary minimum.  

Cardigan – Dear Cashmere, blouse – Isabel Marant, trousers –Dorothy Perkins, loafers- Rebecca Minkoff,, earrings – NightFox Jewelry, cashmere ... View the Post

Packing a Four by Four Capsule Wardrobe: Navy, Tan and Coral

August 19, 2013   I've had a ton of questions from readers about packing for trips that include multiple cities, and a variety of activities.  And I've also had a few requests for packing navy, tan (or khaki) and coral.  So I endeavor to answer questions and fulfill requests with this post.   As usual, I like to start with the travel outfit that includes a couple of capsule wardrobe essentials - I'm always a fan of a cardigan, long pants, loafers, and a big scarf.  Simple stud earrings don't get caught on things when you're sleeping on the plane.  Dark colors are good because they don't show wrinkles or spills, and a cardigan gives you the layering option for when the plane is cold.  

Gold ... View the Post

Transition: Whatever’s Clean in Navy and Pink

Ah, we're all pretty interested in how to shift from warm weather to cool.  Even if it's not yet time to actually WEAR cool-weather clothes, it's nice to have a plan in which we can do a bit of shopping and look forward.  So starting in August, we have this wardrobe:

Sleeveless and shorts seem like natural items to phase out (although that sleeveless navy top, with the navy cardigan, really is 12 month...).  So these would be the garments that would be slowing down:

Add in some jeans, a striped jersey, and a long-sleeved pink shirt in a pretty floral...

By October, you've got to say goodbye to the white pants, and it might be time to look for something to take the place of your white tee shirt, and your ... View the Post

Simply Seasonless: Navy Skirt with White Dots

July 19, 2013    

 

Navy sweater -  Maison Martin Margiela, Scarf – Brooks Brothers, Boots – Frye, Pink sweater – Proenza Schouler, Necklace – Georg Jensen, Sandals – Softspots

Anchor-trim sweater – Lucien Pellat Finet, Pearl necklace – Ann Taylor, Navy suede flats – Brooks Brothers, Quartz earrings – Nikki Baker, green boucle tee shirt – Michael Kors, Hermès vintage scarf,   Suede flats – Butter  

Navy tee shirt – Paul Smith, Striped bag – TL 180,  Pumps – Bettye Muller, White embellished tee shirt – 3.1 Phillip Lim, Leather bracelet – Totokaelo, Striped flats – Jenni Kayne  

Tank top – Organic by John Patrick,  Earrings – Georg ... View the Post