The Vivienne Files - Page 234 of 283 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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

Navy and Hot Pink: A Capsule travel wardrobe based on 2 scarves

I received a very specific request for a travel plan that was mostly navy, but accented with hot pink, and which wasn't "stodgy". This plan built on a "core of four" in navy: pants, skirt, cardigan and tee, and tossed in a navy dress too. A white tee shirt, a bright cardigan, and a couple of whimsical tops negate any possible worries about being too mumsy... Some fun jewelry, and you're away!

Promenade au Faubourg silk scarf - Hermes, silk wrap – Stella McCartney

Tee shirt - Hugo, cardigan – Vanessa Bruno, earrings- Michael Kors, watch – Mougin & Piquard, pants – Lucza London, loafers – Brooks Brothers, bag – Solomon Appollo, suitcase - Rimowa

Necklace – J. Crew, dress – Philosophy ... View the Post

How to wear a White v-neck sweater – the final sweater installment

May 3, 2013 This is the final v-neck sweater request - this time: white. White sweaters are tricky because they don't tend to be opaque, and so layering under them can be difficult. So for the most part, I've opted to treat this sweater as a really really nice tee shirt, and take advantage of its simplicity to enable to wearing of some great scarves and amazing jewelry. And of course, fun shoes!

Sweater – Closed, scarves - Hermes, pants – Reiss, loafers – Tory Burch, skirt – John Lewis, pumps – Kate Spade

Sweater – Closed, necklace- Aris Geldis, watch – Movado, pants – Burberry Prorsum, flats – Repetto, earrings and necklace – Banana Republic, skirt – Calvin Klein, pumps – ... View the Post

“You’re So French” – the most recent addition to the Style Shelf

May 2, 2013

As soon as I saw this available for sale, I knew it was going to go onto the Style Shelf. Aside from the fact that I'm terribly tired of book covers in hot pink (every "chic lit" novel in Ireland had either a pink or a lavender cover, I swear...), this is an interesting addition to the wee library.So here, in my less than expert translation, is what the authors have to say about cleaning out closets:

ARRANGE YOUR WARDROBE

"We have a tendency to choose the first clothes that are on top of the pile. It's easy, one does not waste time, and takes no risks, and one gets dressed automatically. What a pity for all of those treasures which have been sleeping for years, and upon which you lavished such care ... View the Post

A Post-Travel debriefing

May 1, 2013

The best time to evaluate the success of your packing plan is the day after you return; theoretically you're not exhausted (ahem...) and you can still remember what choices and decisions you made on your trip.My results were very mixed on this trip:

I did NOT pack enough underwear. Don't ask me how this happened, but let's just say that it was really handy that I was visiting relatives. I've gotten so accustomed to assuming that my normal suitcase stash will be complete, that I didn't actually pull out my pajamas and undergarments and check them...

Two pair of black pants were perfect - one was cotton twill (which I wore for all of the yard work) and one pair was silk, which I wore for more ... 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

How to Accessorize A Simple Brown and Beige Wardrobe: Turquoise

April 29, 2013 Someone suggested that the orange accents from last week might easily be substituted with turquoise blue. Entirely right, very simple, and very beautiful.

Cardigan – L.K.Bennett, sunglasses – Ray-Ban, pearl stud earrings – Dorothy Perkins, necklace – Mawi, blue flower earrings – Kate Spade, tee shirt – Warehouse, bracelet –Souffle, chiffon scarf – Liberty London, pants - Topshop, scarf – Hermes, flat sandals – Cole Haan, flats – Blowfish

love, Janice ... View the Post

Navy and Turquoise: A Capsule Packing Wardrobe based on 2 scarves

Silk scarf - Hermes, linen wrap – Etro

Tee shirt - Hugo, cardigan – Jardin des Orangers, turquoise stud earrings- Jamie Joseph, watch – Kate Spade, pants – Lucza London, loafers – Brooks Brothers, bag – Saint Laurent, suitcase – Samsonite

Necklace – Stella and Dot, dress – Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, drop earrings – Sandra Dini, bracelet – Kelly Wearstler, pumps – Jimmy Choo, sweater – 3.1 Phillip Lim, skirt – Toast, cardigan – DKNY, silk blouse – Skunkfunk, sleeveless top – Prabal Gurung, ballet flats – Bloch

... View the Post

Does every woman need a denim jacket? Customizing the Classics

April 26, 2013 A couple of people have asked me about the widespread advice that every woman show have a denim jacket. Of course I disagree with this idea - I don't think anybody else can tell you what you should have in your wardrobe.

Traditional denim jackets can be really cool, but they're not always flattering:

There's nothing particularly wrong with denim; there are a variety of options in denim that could be a lot more flattering than the traditional cropped, narrow fit.

Maybe the cut is okay, but the color doesn't work very well; there are denim jackets in other neutral colors that might be a lot more useful for you.

Or you could get really radical and choose a ... View the Post

Do you want this in your closet?

April 25, 2013

I know, if we don't buy their clothes, they won't have jobs. I've heard that. I don't care. I don't want this in my closet. Happily, at this moment, absolutely NO retailer has admitted that they purchased garments from this factory. That seems unlikely, doesn't it? sigh...

love, Janice ... View the Post

A Simple Brown and Beige summer wardrobe, with orange accessories

Silk cardigan – Marni, sunglasses – Ray-Ban, pearl stud earrings – Dorothy Perkins, necklace – BCBG Max Azria, barrel hoop earrings – Michael Kors, tee shirt – Warehouse, bracelet – Good Charma, cotton scarf – Mapoesie, pants - Topshop, scarf – Hermes, flat sandals – Cole Haan, ballet flats – Banana Republic

love,

Janice ... 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