The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

The Vivienne Files - Page 238 of 248 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for two weeks in Europe

One of the stranger joys of keeping a laptop for a REALLY long time is that you stumble across files that you completely forgot existed.  To wit, I found my old travel planning file from 2003/2004!  And thus I can tell you with a great deal of certainty what I wore on a combination business and leisure trip I took to Copenhagen and Berlin in late August and early September 2004.  What a blast from my wardrobe past it was to find this. 

 

 

 

As with all business trips I take, I grew to roundly detest all of these clothes by the time I got home.  But this trip required only a carry-on bag, and I always consider that a success!

  ... View the Post

French Fashion Bookshelf: L’Armoire Idéale des paresseuses

September 20, 2011    

  Yes, it means “the perfect wardrobe for lazy women”!  It’s part of a series of whimsical little paperbacks for “desparesseuses” that includes things like cooking, dieting etc.  But this one is particularly appealing; while some of the suggestions aren’t really appropriate for everyone, there are enough thought-provoking ideas in here to leave one feeling that the time reading was well spent.  And practicing my reading in French is never a waste of time!   As with almost any “wardrobe” book, this one has “the ultimate check-list” for the perfect wardrobe.  I list them here without comment; I fully intend to debunk at least some of these in my series “Customizing the ... View the Post

Paris shopping: agnès b.

Since I’ve quit shopping, I’m starting to really notice the garments upon which I frequently rely when I’m scrambling to get dressed.  Foremost among them has to be my agnès b. cardigan.  It’s made of a sweatshirt fabric, and has pearlized snaps down the front.  I can wear it almost anywhere I would wear a black cashmere cardigan, but it’s more… relaxed?  Cool?  Fun?  All of the above, I think.

The agnès b. stores that I’ve been to in Paris (Village de Bercy, rue de Marseille, rue de Castiglione) all share the same qualities of clarity, light, and ease of shopping.  Nothing is crowded, things aren’t layered to the point of being impossible to dissect, and everything looks terribly appealing.  ... View the Post

wardrobe: 4 Hermes scarves

Jacket – Stella McCartney, Dress – Max Mara, Pants – Stella McCartney, Skirt – Stella McCartney  

Tee shirts – T by Alexander Wang  

Tux blazer – Topshop, charcoal cardigan – Dorothy Perkins, white blouse – Topshop, black pleated skirt – Dorothy Perkins, gray wool skirt – Monsoon, jeans - Levis  

Peach blouse – Equipment, peach tee – Dorothy Perkins, petrol blue sweater – American Vintage, petrol tee shirt – American vintage,  yellow sweater – N. Peal, yellow tee – Dorothy Perkins, red knot-front top – Dorothy Perkins, red sweater – Stella McCartney    

Scarves – Hermès, gray pumps – Banana Republic, silver link bracelet – Michael Kors, silver hoop earrings – Michael Kors, ... View the Post

The Unbroken Vertical Line in Brown

Navy cardigan – M. Patmos, bone blazer - Gucci, camel blazer – Rag & Bone, ivory cardigan - Missoni  

Yellow blazer – Theory, Rose cardigan – Diane von Furstenberg, Blue cardigan – N. Peal,  Pink blazer – Acne  

Gold cardigan – Topshop, turquoise blazer – Iva,  red blazer – Hermès, hot pink cardigan - Patagonia  

Long cardigan – Missoni, applique jacket – Manoush, Leopard cardigan – Dolce & Gabbana, Plaid jacket – Moschino Cheap & Chic, block print cardigan - Quicksilver   ... View the Post

Be Aware of Invisibility!

No, not THAT kind of invisibility, although some days walking in the downtown areas leave me feeling invisible!  Between the aimless wanderers, and the just plain clueless and rude, I often come home feeling like I was wearing my cloak of invisibility.

But I’m talking about the invisibility that happens in our closets and dressers.  Let me ask you, without going to look, do you know what the five garments furthest back in your closet are?  What about the bottom item in each dresser drawer?  And how long has it been since each garment has seen the light of day, outside of your home, being happily and proudly worn by you?

So here’s a project:  before you go to bed tonight, pull out a “buried” garment.  Look ... View the Post

read this. now.

I take a lot of heat for showing expensive clothes on this blog, but I do it for aspirational and aesthetic reasons.  At no time do I think you should EVER buy anything for which you can't pay cash.  

now go to this blog: http://cupcakecaramel.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-consumerism-can-ruin-your-life.html

Read every word.  And thank the source of all blessings that there is someone out there writing these things that we all need to read, remember, and take to heart.

Thank you, Cupcake, for writing this post.  I will always remember it, and always be grateful to you for writing it. ... View the Post

Wardrobe: back to work mom…

Red flats – Topshop,  teal flats – Dorothy Perkins, silver & teal earrings – Hannah Zakari, dotted scarf – Debenhams, teal pearl set – JC Penney  

tee shirt – Miss Selfridge, long-sleeved tee shirt – J. Crew, black capris – Dorothy Perkins, skirt – Topshop, back flats – Topshop, Fairisle cardigan – Buckle, earrings – 1928, purple cardigan – Old Navy, scarf – C and C California  

Tee shirts – Dorothy Perkins, Jeans – Tillys, boots – Clarks, hat – Monsoon, cardigan – John Lewis      

Clothes and shoes – L.L.Bean, scarf – Modcloth, bracelet – Forever21       ... View the Post

Wardrobe: navy, with green and yellow!

Jacket – 3.1 Philip Lim, Cardigan – Paul Smith Black, green blouse – Marc by Marc Jacobs, White tee shirt – Oasis, Pants – Paul and Joe, Tweed skirt – Giambattista Valli, Jeans – Ferris, Scarf - Hermès  

White shirt – Witchery.com, Trench coat – Burberry Prorsum, Winter coat – Diane von Furstenberg, Sweater dress – Joseph, Pants – Katharine Hamnett, Pleated skirt – Junya Watenabe, yellow sweater – N. Peal, green jacket – Jil Sander  

Dress – Lela Rose, Tweed jacket – Oscar de la Renta, Tee shirt – Debenhams, short-sleeved striped tee shirt – Old Navy, Long-sleeved striped tee shirt – L.L. Bean, Pants – Marc by Marc Jacobs, Plaid shirt – ... View the Post

Wardrobe: gray, navy and lavender

Jacket – Theory, Cardigan – 3.1 Phillip Lim,  blouse – Zac Posen, tee shirt – Kain Label, Pants – Opening Ceremony,  Tweed skirt – Lanvin,  Jeans – Marc Jacobs, scarf - Hermes  

White shirt – Witchery.com, Trench coat – Risto, Winter coat – Windsmoor, Sweater dress – Theory, Pants – Katharine Hamnett, skirt – Darling, sweater – Proenza Schouler, Tweed jacket – Rag and Bone  

Square scarves – Hermès, Swirl scarf – Debenhams, Paisley scarf – Liberty of London, Purple labradorite earrings – Monica Vinader, Marble ring – Max & Chloe, Bow brooch – Alexis Bittar, 3-strand necklace – Tarina Tarantino, Sunglasses – Gucci, Hat – People Tree, Flower stud earrings – Lanvin, Watch – Skagen, Nugget ... View the Post

Not so crazy eights: Black, and bonus items

1. Pumps – Sam Edelman, Scarf – Hermès, bag – Sissi Rossi   2. Brogues – Robert Clergerie, necklace – Daniela Swaebe, earrings – Max and Chloe   3. Pumps – Jimmy Choo, scarf –Erdem, brooch – 1928   4. Flats – Giuseppe Zanotti, ring – Les Pommettes, bracelet – Hermes  

5. Flats – Stuart Weitzman, scarf – Hermès, bag – Hermes   6. Flats – G by GUESS, earrings – Nnu Designs, necklace – ice.com   7. Slingbacks – Asos, scarf – Hermes, bracelet – Hermes   8. Loafers – Tod’s, brooch – Zina,  ring – Laura Alexander  

9. Pumps – Soft Style, scarf – Hermès, bag – Reed Krakoff   10. Shoes – Loeffler Randall, Bracelet – Judith Jack, earrings – Judith Jack   11. Pumps ... View the Post