The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

The Vivienne Files - Page 237 of 282 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

How to Wear Pink Jeans…

The conversation about red jeans quickly turned into questions about jeans in other colors... so here I've played around with a pair of pink jeans, to explore the possibilities.   And may I just rant for a moment about the ubiquity of "skinny jeans"?  In a civilization in which obesity and weight issues are so common, I find it absolutely bizarre that it's nearly impossible to find plain old regular jeans.  Not "mom" jeans, but not leggings, either.  Do you really want to look like an egg balanced on toothpicks?  sigh...  

Pink jeans – Current/Elliott,  sweater – Dagmar Gae, necklace – BaubleBar, loafers – Massimo Dutti, color-blocked sweater – Stella McCartney, watch – Armitron, boots – Rag ... View the Post

Packing: Camel, grey, & scarves

I get a LOT of questions about what to wear with specific scarves.  It's really easy to walk into a store (not necessarily Hermes!), fall into temporary insanity over a scarf, and take it home...  where it languishes unworn and unloved.  These kinds of questions are among my favorites; I'm a long-time believer that nothing can elevate the look of simple clothes like some "silk jewelry."   And I'm growing very infatuated with camel & grey...        

Silk scarf - Hermes, pashmina – Barneys  

 

Necklace – BCBG Max Azria, dress – Yves Saint Laurent, drop earrings – Banana Republic, clip earrings - Vaubel, pumps - Coach, camel hair sweater – Jil Sander, skirt – ... View the Post

Red Jeans & Warm Colors

March 5, 2013   It has been very politely brought to my attention that, while I did discuss the utility of red jeans back when I purchased my own pair of them, I have not addressed the possibilities of wearing red jeans with warmer colors.  Since red is positioned on the color wheel precisely between yellow and blue, it has the charm of being neither a warm color nor a cool color, and thus can "swing both ways", in wardrobe terms.  And for those of us who don't care to wear bright colors too near our faces, for a variety of reasons, a brightly colored pair of jeans or trousers is an interesting option to consider.  

Red jeans – Theory, sweater – Dorothy Perkins, earrings – 1928, flats – Stuart Weitzman, blouse ... View the Post

Just Because You Can…

So I've already been to work for a couple of hours, and then out shopping with belovedest.

In the course of trying on clothing, B started with a pair of slim-fit pants, and asked our lovely young salesperson if there was anything available that was MORE slim.  Indeed there was, and they did... indeed... fit.  

The looked pretty adorable, frankly.

But he also reminded me quite strikingly of our 19 year old nephew. B is 50...

There are no rules about what you can wear at which age - I'd be the first person to protest any such policies.  But I do think that there is a voice inside all of us that helps us remember when we're comfortable and true to ourselves.  That voice was SCREAMING at B, when he put on the ... View the Post

Packing: Peach scarves and delicious tee shirts

Sometimes, knowing that you want to take your favorite scarf, and two absolutely LOVELY tee shirts is everything you need to get started...   And we all understand that these ideas extend beyond packing, right?  This might be a great shopping strategy for adding a couple of essential pieces to one's wardrobe, in order to get maximum mileage from a beautiful scarf.  

Silk scarf - Bougainbillier, pashmina - Forzieri  

Tee shirt - Hugo, cardigan – J. Crew, earrings – Irene Neuwirth, watch – Citizen, pants – Derek Lam, loafers – Tod’s, bag – Cambridge Satchel Company, suitcase - Tumi    

Necklace – BCBG Max Azria, dress – Christopher Kane, bracelet - Lanvin, pearl earrings – Majorica, ... View the Post

Packing: Start with Scarves

February 28, 2013   Sometimes, when you need to pack for just a few days, it can be impossible to get started - just to get that first garment off of a hanger and into a bag.     One idea I've had for giving impetus and focus to this project is to start with a favorite scarf of two, and to build a mostly-neutral wardrobe around it. A few brightly colored garments brighten things up, and give you a lot of mileage for just a few things, in a small bag.  

   

   

   

love,

Janice ... View the Post

9 more! Whatever’s Clean Summer Wardrobe

February 27, 2013

 

First, let me get this off my chest... L.L.Bean clothing is NOT frumpy. It can be frumpy, but so can clothing from 3.1 Phillip Lim. Frumpy is the person, and the way things are worn, not the garments themselves. Some accessories, some attitude, some good posture, and these clothes will look as chic as anything that costs 10 times as much. Make your own style!

UPDATE:  I welcome all comments. You don't have to love what I do - it would be impossible for me to create web posts that everybody loved. But everybody IS welcome to come by here, share their opinion, read the opinions of others, have a laugh or two, pick up something to think about, and stop back another day for a post that might be more to ... View the Post

The Whatever’s Clean Summer Wardrobe – 6 variations

Pretty much 45 seconds after I posted the 13 = 81 summer wardrobe, in which you can literally wear whatever's clean, and it will still go together, I got suggestions.  Dozens of suggestions..."This is wonderful, but I can't ever let me knees be seen in public!!!"

Variation: No Visible Knees Whatever's Clean Summer Wardrobe

"Okay, this is great, but you need to do a version that doesn't have anything sleeveless in it - my armpits are horrible!!!"

Varation:  No Visible Knees, nor Armpits Whatever's Clean Summer Wardrobe

"Please do a variation that doesn't include any black - I never wear black!"   Variation: The "No-Black" Whatever's Clean Summer Wardrobe

"Since I retired, I refuse to ... View the Post

A PINK coat…

Today, I'm guest-posting (have I recently mentioned what an HONOR this is?) over at A Femme d'un Certain Age.  My project is to take seven really basic pieces of clothing (from L.L.Bean), and snazz them up with a great coat and some amazing accessories.  It's great fun... ... View the Post