The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

The Vivienne Files - Page 228 of 285 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

The ABC’s of Chic Sightings: Timeless, Unique, Vital

I think one of the most striking things about seeing photographs of true style icons - Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis etc. - is that they could easily be seen on the streets of any major city in the world TODAY, and they would still look wonderful.  There's a lot to be learned from this.

Uniqueness isn't essential - you can easily conform to the current uniform of modern culture and blend in, but that's (1) no fun, and (2) not very chic.  You might have to do some thinking in order to figure out who you are, and what you want to convey  in your image, but if you want to live an authentic life, your personal image is an important thing to establish and refine.  

Walk with some energy.  Look interested in your ... View the Post

More about Preloved

August 16, 2013

A number of readers have been curious about my Preloved shirt that I bought a few weeks ago in Toronto.  Well, I adore it, and moreover, I really like the entire premise of the company...Even if you're not nuts about the idea of clothes made of multiple fabrics, Preloved has some wonderful things to consider:

A tote bag made of khaki pants, lace, and leather - I think this is SO beautiful.

A hooded sweatshirt for children - what a brilliant idea!

A couple of old tee shirts, made into a pillow.

I do not get commissions from Preloved; I support them enthusiastically because of their thoughtful solution to the endless global problem of garment waste.

love,

Janice ... View the Post

Transition: Phasing out a secondary neutral

I repeatedly make the questionable choice of including beige or khaki in my summer wardrobe... sigh...  it's not a great color for me.  So here, in addition to addressing the idea of moving toward warmer clothes, and buying with a purpose, I'm also showing a move from one color in a wardrobe to a different one.Remember, this was the summer Whatever's Clean wardrobe:

 First, because I'm starting to really feel like beige isn't working well, the 2 beige pieces are going to take a back seat. And of course white linen pants aren't going to go too far into the fall...

 Here's where grey takes the place of beige, and a pair of jeans will replace the white linen pants.

 Second step:  the ... View the Post

The ABC’s of Chic Sightings: Polished, Quiet, Relaxed, Simple

You would never wear clothes that were dirty or torn.  So why do so many people wear shoes that are scuffed and run down at the heels?  Such a simple thing - looking better, and having shoes last longer too.

And of course polished has a larger meaning - attention to detail, and a certain "finish" about one's appearance.

Quiet, to me, means not screaming for attention.  Recently, I saw someone in a blouse which combined leopard print, paisley, flowers and appliqued rhinestones.  Trying too hard...

Relaxed is not synonymous with sloppy, or slouchy, or messy.  I think relaxed means being comfortable in what you're wearing - both physically and mentally.  And being able to move around without hindrance ... View the Post

Transition Summer to Fall: Tan and Brown Accessories

August 10, 2013   A few simple accessories will help you get into the autumn mood...  While the tote bag I show is technically supposed to be a beach bag, it's so incredibly well designed that I wanted you to see it!  It could easily be used through most of the year - where did we get the idea that we could only use certain materials at certain times of the year?  If you're not a scarf person, you might want another necklace or two; if jewelry isn't your thing, then you can go nuts with scarves...  To each her own very personal and beautiful preferences!  

  love, Janice

  ... View the Post

Transition: Whatever’s Clean in Brown and Beige

Quite a few people have asked me to show how to move from a beige and brown wardrobe into something with more brown.     

The Whatever's Clean Summer Wardrobe in Brown, Beige and White

The first three garments to phase out are the sleeveless beige linen top, white linen pants, and the shorts.  Remember, you can do these in whatever order you prefer, and that "phase out" does not have to mean "put in some inaccessible place for the next six months".

[/caption] In October, we can choose to find replacements for the white tee shirt, the beige linen dress, and the beige linen skirt.

[/caption] And in November, the last of the linen "bottoms" are due for a rest, and the white tunic is ready to take a ... View the Post

Chic Sightings: Red Shoes (and Belts)

August 8, 2013  

 One very striking dress, and one utterly simple and classic dress:  

  A great printed tee shirt with exquisitely well-matched shorts, and very fun zippy red moccasins. And a shirt covered with tiny red hearts, accented with red leather accessories, and white capris.  

  All shirts have sleeves rolled up, this time of year...  

love,

Janice ... 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

We Have a Winner! in the Impressionism, Fashion & Modernity drawing

Yesterday evening, I tallied up the last of the entries, and found that I had 135 people entered into my drawing for the catalog for the Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago.  This is how I chose a winner.

 This is a particularly cool outcome, because Emma is only 10 years old, and is a BIG fan of Impressionism.  I'm sure everyone joins me in congratulating her on her good luck, and wishes her great joy in this lovely book.

The exhibit was amazing - very hard for me to digest in just one visit.  As one might expect, it was tremendously crowded (not "Mona Lisa room in the Louvre" crowded, but more like "on the staircase near the Winged Victory" crowded). ... View the Post