The Vivienne Files - Page 12 of 269 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

Want a Timeless Summer Capsule Wardrobe? Start with a Shirt – the Mountainside Shirt by L.L.Bean

July 12, 2024

While much of the world is getting ready for cold weather (I'm looking at you, Nordstrom!), some retailers are still introducing clothes for NOW. TODAY. Summer... (in the Northern Hemisphere)

One of you spotted this and wondered if it was a good base for a small summer wardrobe:

The three colors in the shirt are obvious for a wardrobe, and I decided to add white to the mix because... SUMMER! If you just don't do white, you can always substitute more navy, or denim, or chambray...

I started with simple navy classics, as well as a bandana, a sling bag, leather tennis shoes and a pair of earrings...

Then I looked at all of the "lake blue" things at L.L.Bean and chose a range of tops. Shorts and sandals ... View the Post

What Do YOU Need in Stressful Times?

July 10, 2024

I think about the role of clothing in our lives A LOT. And I'm currently reading the best book I've read - maybe ever - about a woman and her wardrobe.

Yes, it's not cheap, but it's a big, long book, and it talks at great length about O'Keeffe's wardrobe, and the deliberate choices that she made to define her personal style. It also shows what a brilliant seamstress she was!

I particularly like that when the author talks about a photograph, or a garment, the image is either RIGHT THERE on the page, or very close, and clearly labeled. I hate having to stop and Google a painting while I'm reading...

Anyway! This book got me thinking about the things that have been essential to me this last few months - ... View the Post

Variation on a Theme? Start with a Scarf – The Mosaic Tile silk scarf by Echo

July 8, 2024

Someone took a look at Saturday's post, and decided that they could easily replicate the wardrobe with an accent of pink! She's even got a scarf in mind:

Although it takes a while to find the perfect pink items, the overall idea for this wardrobe is very simple - remove all blue things - replace with pink!

Like this - same cardigan and pants, different top and accessories:

Please note - everything doesn't have to be flawlessly dye-lot matched! I try to come really close for The Vivienne Files, because all of the things appear quite close together on a small screen. It just looks better if they're a good match! But in the real world, your shoes are at the end of your legs (I assume...) and your bag is ... View the Post

When Wardrobe Plans Go Awry; Start With a Scarf – the Emily Henry scarf by Echo

July 7, 2024

Oh yes, she knew IMMEDIATELY that this was going to be hers!

She could see her color palette a mile away:

She goes to visit friends at the beach every weekend. Literally. If she visited the SAME friends, she could leave some clothing at their summer home, but she moves about and visits a variety of people...

If you're not reading Ninth Street Women, you should. One of the things that's really material to all five of their lives is the time they spend in the Hamptons. In case you think I exaggerate about everybody leaving the city to go to the shore every weekend...

Her first outfit just sort of fell into her lap...

And then - NOTHING. Any turquoise item she found either cost $500, or didn't come in ... View the Post

Forgiveness…

July 5, 2024

I like to think that every human being who's reached a certain age of responsibility has, at least once, failed to complete all of their "assigned" tasks.

Maybe it's a family thing.

Maybe it's a health thing.

Maybe it's just taking on too much, and realizing that there are limits.

Today, I've reached my limit. What should have been today's post - about a lovely new Echo scarf - will be released tomorrow...

Many of you know that my household is busy and full of caregiving, and ALL of you know that this caregiving is more important to me than anything else. As it would be for you, and as it should be for all of us.

That's why I don't lose sleep on these days when I have to postpone...

much ... View the Post

July 2024 “Six Paintings, Twelve Months” – Part 2

July 3, 2024

Let's drop in on our other three heroines... First up, my second-favorite wardrobe, maybe....

Ah, there was a day when I would have worn the daylights out of this wardrobe:

And the accessories... sigh...

For no good reason that she can identify, this heroine found herself (1) wanting some grey, calm, almost inconspicuous clothing, and (2) wanted to grab some of the good winter things now that it's JULY and they're starting to arrive in stores...

seriously, if there's something for which you particularly hanker for the winter, start looking soon...

L.L.Bean is where she found herself, and this is what she chose:

How can you resist a scarf that reminds you of your favorite painting?

Her new ... View the Post

July 2024 “Six Paintings, Twelve Months” – Part 1

July 1, 2024

And just like that, the year is half over! We're past the longest day of the year, if not the hottest... Change is the only thing upon which we can rely, but it still never ceases to surprise!

Our first heroine is being very intelligent, careful and disciplined this month...

Her painting inspiration is this:

And the very complete and coherent wardrobe with which she starts the month is this:

With these accessories:

Even though I haven't worn navy since (literally) the 80s, I could cheerfully toss all of this into a bag and travel for a long, long time...

Our heroine looks at what she has - very carefully - and realizes that she owns neither a simple navy & white tee shirt, nor a pair of ... View the Post

Do You Love Larkspur? Are You Passionate About Periwinkle?

June 28, 2024

OMG, tomorrow is my birthday! I will be 64... although I feel like I'm somewhere at the crossroads of 21 and 90. My brain is young, my knees are past retirement age!

What do I want for my birthday? For you to recommend The Vivienne Files to anyone who might enjoy our community, and my ideas...

Speaking of community - many of you - MANY OF YOU - really love the color "Larkspur" offered by L.L.Bean. They currently have THIRTY-THREE items available, so it's pretty easy to find something you can wear frequently. That said, many of these things are marked down, and therefore might just rush into retail oblivion...

I assembled this French 5-Piece Wardrobe in Larkspur to help me focus on how this color might be ... View the Post

Some Wardrobe Update Ideas – Pantone London Autumn/Winter 2024/25 Fashion Week Colors

June 26, 2024

Some of us are diligently wearing our well-crafted wardrobes regularly, but still have... an itch? a yearning? for just a little bit of an update. Something fresh (for us). A bit of a wake-up call for our usual outfits...

And Pantone delivers, with ten colors that they isolated from what they observed at the London winter fashion week. Does this mean that these colors will be readily available or easy to find? Heck no! But they do give us ideas, and ideas are where all beautifully-dressed women start!

Oddly, there is NO shade of pink here.

Please note that I really don't think anybody will wear ALL five items in these images at one time. I'm not sure that you should buy all five, unless you've got a serious ... View the Post

Love the Primary Colors? Start with a Scarf – the Rufai Zakari Silk Scarf by Echo

June 24, 2024

Okay, I think this is spectacular:

And I know the woman who wears this scarf - she embraces the primary colors, with black and white, and lives with a wardrobe that's truly foolproof. This is her palette:

Packing is simple for her, as is getting dressed every day - reach into closet (in dark, with eyes closed - why not?) and get dressed...

But she does want to be sure that she doesn't pack four dresses (well, maybe...) or four pairs of shorts! So she start with complete outfits. More and more I'm thinking that packing outfits that are part of the same family is a great way to assemble a travel capsule wardrobe - do you agree?

An outfit that can span moderate to warm temps is sensible:

Something ... View the Post

Want a Wider Range of Colors in a Travel Capsule Wardrobe? Revisiting Start with Art – Mirage by Max Ernst

June 21, 2024

Remember this from last week?

Well, our (quite real!) heroine was pretty pleased with the blue and white wardrobe, and was wondering what might happen if she added some brown and pink...

Just for clarity (and to help those of us with a less than stellar memory!), this was her original travel capsule wardrobe:

Our heroine's first instinct was to add another 10 pieces of clothing, to try to keep everything even and balanced. But she realized that this might be pretty ambitious, as well as making the wardrobe rather large. (if she was just planning for a summer wardrobe, it might make sense to do this; since she specifically asked me about travel, I'm trying to keep the wardrobe reasonably small)

So after a ... View the Post

June 2024 Start with a Bracelet – Cabernet Dreams Bracelets by Fierce Lynx Designs

June 19, 2024

So if you're going away for the weekend to visit a few vineyards, shouldn't your wardrobe be based on a "wine-themed" bracelet? (or scarf, or brooch...)

Especially when your favorite neutral is navy!

The weather where they're going will be warm, unless it's cool. The days will be hot, or chilly. Nobody seems to be sure what to expect, so she packs accordingly!

She knows that they will be going to a nice dinner, and she's hopeful that there will be a day warm enough to wear shorts. But she's determined not to pack too much - if she has to wear burgundy pants all three days, so be it!

Our heroine is channeling her favorite author - Laurie Colwin - by packing three striped tops. Laurie was ... View the Post