The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

The Vivienne Files - Page 215 of 269 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

Wee gizmos that make my life easier and better

July 9, 2013   First thing in the morning, chez nous, is coffee. Not negotiable, and certainly not optional.  But in the super-hot weather, heating water for the French press can bring added heat to the wee apartment that is NOT necessary.  But we discovered the idea of the electric kettle when we lived in Ireland - furnished apartments included the kettle!  And it heats up a full pot of water in about a minute, AND you can adjust the temperature for the nuances of optimizing black tea, green tea, French press coffee etc. It doesn't leave behind a hot stove burner, and it uses electricity for only a very short period of time.  Through the day, when I want to drink tea, I turn it on ... View the Post

The ABC’s of Chic Sightings: Graceful, Honest and Individual

Awkward is always awkward.  If you seriously feel that this is something you want to improve, look into yoga, ballet, or some other physical activity. Nobody is too old to improve muscle control and enhance their grace.

More than anything else, you have to look like yourself.  You can dress up in outfits that are supposed to make you more professional, or sexier, or more elegant, but ultimately you have to dress like yourself.  Yes, of course it is possible for you to be more professional, more sexy, and more elegant, so long as at the core of everything, you continue to have a core SOMETHING that is truly you, as you are now.  

So many of the people that I see when I'm hiking around Chicago look as if they ... View the Post

Packing for a Special Event: Black

July 5, 2013  

For a  business event that is quite dressy, this ensemble below would be wonderful.  And I particularly like this whole assortment of clothes, because it is all very suitable for those of us who do not have a well-defined waistline.  Do remember, this much unrelieved black relies heavily on judicious and generous accessorizing to avoid looking monastic...You may not feel comfortable wearing a black dress to some occasions; I see them more and more at weddings - but of course now many brides dress their attendants in black, which opens up the possibility for the guests also.  It's all about how comfortable you will feel - that's the only standard that ultimately matters.  

Dress-  ... View the Post

When a White Shirt is PERFECT

Sometimes, a white shirt (tee shirt, tank top) is the ideal choice for an outfit...  First and foremost, if you love the way you're dressed, then you're wearing the perfect clothes, no matter what ANYBODY else says.  In hot weather, when you're wearing other light-colored garments, or when you need the brightening effects of white near your face.And you do understand that "your" white might be ecru, or cream, or ivory, or some other variations of white?  Choose what's best for you.  Always. Every day.  Without exception.  Your happiness is really the only standard by which your garments should be evaluated.

The lighter-background tee shirt is much more in keeping with the feeling of the white jeans. ... View the Post

Signature: Hermes Clous de Trompe L’Oeil enamel bracelets

July 3, 2013   If you have the good fortune to own a pair of Hermes enamel bracelets, you may want to use them as the basis of some outfits...  

 

Cardigan –Closed, Earrings- Georg Jensen, V-neck – Closed, Silk blouse – Steffen Schraut, Blue cardigan – Massimo Alba, Wine jeans – Closed, Bag – Dolce & Gabbana, Grey tee shirt – Organic by John Patrick, Wine tee shirt – Organic by John Patrick, Slate blue pants – Massimo Alba, Tweed skirt – Dolce & Gabbana, Suede loafers = Patricia Green, Flats – French Connection    

 

 

 

  love, Janice

  ... View the Post

Packing for a Special Event: Lavender and Grey

July 2, 2013   It's always difficult to know what shoes to wear with a dress like this.  While metallic sandals would always be an appropriate choice, the coat in this ensemble makes it possible to wear open, ornamented black sandals. Packing a black clutch and black sandals is handy, because you can then wear them if you want to dress up the other dress, or the skirt.    

Amethyst earrings - DeLatori, Lavender dress – Valentino Roma, Bag - Artessorio, Sandals – Van Eli, Coat – Philosophy di Alberta di Ferretti    

Blouse – Giambattista Valli, Cardgan- Nicole Farhi, Pants – Saint Laurent, Bracelet – Sisco & Berluti,   Bag – Bottega Veneta, Suitcase – ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Weeping Cherry & Bullfinch by Katsushika Hokusai

July 1, 2013   This painting is so beautiful - the first thing that struck me was the clean simplicity of it.  So I was initially drawn to cool, somewhat architectural clothes, of course in blue...  

  More blue - still simple, clean, with silver accents.  

  I loved this sweater juxtaposed with a lace skirt- it felt like it captured the balance between the simplicity of the overall painting contrasted with the delicacy of the flowers.  And there was no way I could resist chambray...  

  And even winter clothing can reflect the beauty of this painting.  Soft sweaters, tweed, suede, all capture the gentle grace Katsushika Hokusai brought to life ... View the Post

The ABC’s of Chic Sightings: Detail-Oriented, Elegant, Fit

June 29, 2013  

  This is really a biggie - the woman with loose threads dangling about, run-down heels, just a generally ill cared-for appearance, will never be one of my Chic Sightings.  You may not have money, you may not have access to the world's most amazing assortment of clothes, but you can always be clean, tidy, and well-maintained. Anything less just doesn't cut it!  

  By elegance, I don't mean decked out for the opera in the most expensive, high-fashion swank garments available.  To me, elegance is a reflection of clarity and simplicity.  I always feel a bit twitchy when I'm confronted with too many ruffles, studs, grommets, and other gee-gaws on fast fashion.  Pile on a couple ... View the Post

When White Shirts Fail

June 28, 2013   White shirts are an absolute classic, right?   Everybody should own one.   Everybody should pull it out and wear it whenever they're in doubt about what to wear.   Uhhhh - I don't quite agree. Yes, there are times and places where a white shirt is the most appropriate choice - a conservative job interview, for example. But many of us, on a day to day basis, might be better flattered to wear tops that are closer in color to our pants or skirts -  if not a solid color, then a darker background. See what you think...   Belovedest and I saw this woman a couple of days ago, and he asked me why she seemed  so out of proportion - the woman in question is actually tall and thin. Her white ... View the Post

What happened to the Vivienne Files?

The Vivienne Files is not dead - they've only been moved back to their old URL.  

Due to circumstances that only someone MUCH more computer-savvy than me could explain, the site theviviennefiles.com has died.  Gone kaput. Vanished.  Google ate it, and Google will NOT spit it back up for me.

So I can be found at theviviennefiles.blogspot.com.  

I'm so sorry.  If I knew who to yell at, I would be screaming myself hoarse right now...

love, Janice

p.s.  Make sure you scroll down and see today's "real" post about all of the Chic Sightings of white in Chicago, in the heat of summer... ... View the Post

Chic Sightings: White

June 27, 2013   As soon as the weather warms up, white clothes are a common choice, even in Chicago. I personally would be more likely to go out naked than to wear white - especially a white dress, but I admire many of these choices. They bring a freshness to summer, and color to the streets.   And note that there are, indeed, a pair of leggings in the mix here.  Worn, modestly, with a tunic that covers all of the anatomically graphic bits...  

Pink cardigan – L.K.Bennett, Earrings-Shanny Alon,  White pique dress- Damsel in a dress,  Pink ballet flats-Ras, White sheath – Dorothy Perkins, Purple belt – Ralph Lauren, Purple tote – Lacambra,  Purple jacquard sandals – ... View the Post