The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

The Vivienne Files - Page 240 of 269 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

Variations on a dress: black & white

One of my dear readers asked me for suggestions about accessorizing this very lovely Talbot's dress. Since the dress is uncomplicated and classic, a variety of ensembles is easy to envision!

And the dress is no longer available from Talbot's, but that does NOT matter; the lessons here apply to any dress that is simple enough to provide a background for the accessories.

Dress – Talbots, cardigan – Valentino, pumps – Bottega Veneta, bag – Christian Louboutin, pink jacket – River Island, hand-painted bag – Les Envers, & black flats – Marc by Marc Jacobs  

Dress – Talbots, silver hoop earrings – YooLa, clutch – Dareen Hakim, sandals – Onex, bracelet – Lee Angel, backpack – Studio Harlen, sandals – Matt ... View the Post

Visualizing French Chic: Taupe

July 24, 2012

 

Way back when, the original French Chic book listed seven garments, and then a dozen ways to combine them and accessorize them.  I've chosen to visualize this potential in a non-black color (and in some "not quite solid" pieces), and in some younger and less conservative iterations...

And please note that your clothes don't have to all be out of the identical dye lot; a bit of blending is quite alright.

 

 

 

 

love,

Janice ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a scarf: Hermès Tendresse Feline

White shirt – Theory, navy pants – Jil Sander, belt – Vince Camuto, loafers – Ferragamo, Handbag – Mulberry, sweatshirt – American Vintage, jeans – Rag & Bone, shoes - Converse    

Dress – Diane von Furstenberg, Handbag – Mulberry, pumps – Simply Soles, sweater – J. Crew, tan pants – The Corner, loafers – Lucky Brand    

White jacket – Theyskens’, pants – M Missoni, tee shirt – Witchery, pumps – Kate Spade, wool dress – M Missoni, racelet – Sidney Garber, slingbacks – Salvatore Ferragamo    

Blue tee – Dorothy Perkins, white capris – Alexander McQueen, ballet flats – Repetto, handbag – Mulberry, coat – Stella McCartney, jeans – Steven for all Mankind, boots - ... View the Post

A Column for All Seasons: Black

You KNEW I was going to do this in black, right?  

Sunglasses – Monki, bracelets – Asos, black sandals – Valentino, Black tee – Splendid, pants – Chloe, earrings – 1928, tote – Rag & Bone, espadrilles - Soludos  

Black tee – Splendid, pants – Chloe, ivory cotton cardigan – Jack Wills, scarf – Marc Jacobs, ballet flats – Toms, red cardigan – Milly, red clutch – Miller and Jeeves, black loafers - Debenhams  

chambray brazer – Paul Smith, scarf – Barneys CO-OP, shoes – Fred Perry, Black tee – Splendid, pants – Chloe, leather & knit jacket – Rag & Bone, bracelet – Zelia Horsley, boots – Maison Martin Margiela  

Jacket – Barbour, Scarf – Dominique Mosley, boots – Acne, ... View the Post

A Column for All Seasons: Brown

Sunglasses – Cutler & Gross, bracelet – LK Designs, sandals – Michael Antonio, tee – Awear, 

brown pants – Maxmara, earrings – Simply Soles, canvas bag – Awear, espadrilles - Soludos  

Brown tee – Awear, brown pants – Maxmara, pink cotton cardigan – J. Crew, pink scarf – Marc Jacobs,

 ballet flats – Bloch, cardigan – Weekend by Maxmara, striped scarf – Paul Smith, penny loafers – Church’s  

denim jacket – Isabel Marant, scarf – House of Fraser, boots – Nina Ricci, Brown tee – Awear, 

 brown pants – Maxmara, blazer – Gucci, scarf – Hermès, suede pumps – Donald J. Pliner  

Jacket – Barbour, Scarf – Futabaya, loafers – Robert Zur, Brown tee – ... View the Post

A Column for All Seasons: Navy

Sunglasses – Cole Haan, bracelet – Tova Jewelry, navy sandals – Mel by Melissa, Navy tee – Awear, Navy pants – Windsmoor, earrings – Barse, canvas tote – Dorothy Perkins, espadrilles - Soludos  

Navy tee – Awear, Navy pants – Windsmoor, striped cotton cardigan – Organic by John Patrick, scarf – Debenhams, ballet flats – John Lewis, gold cardigan – Marc Jacobs, clutch – Miller and Jeeves, navy loafers – Robert Zur  

denim blazer – Etro, bracelet – Jung ee eun, navy loafers – Rupert Sanderson, Navy tee – Awear, Navy pants – Windsmoor, purple blazer, scarf – Hermes, pumps - Fluevog  

Denim jacket – Current/Elliott, scarf – Diane von furstenberg, suede brogues – Esquivel, Navy tee – Awear, ... View the Post

A Column for All Seasons: Grey

I'm committed to wearing a solid column of garments as an easy and flattering base for a million accessory variations.  This week, I'm going to explore the variations possible with a column, using a different neutral each day.

Sunglasses – Ray-Ban, bracelets – Charlotte Russe, Tee shirt – Old Navy, pants – L.K.Bennett, silver sandals – Giuseppe Zanotti, earrings – Miriam Salat, canvas tote – Marimekko, espadrilles - Soludos  

Tee shirt – Old pants – L.K.Bennett, linen cardigan –J. Crew, scarf – Debenhams, flats – Debenhams, earrings – Chen Fuchs, cabled cardigan – Superdry, driving shoes - Tods  

Tee shirt – Old Navy, pants – L.K.Bennett, denim jacket – Dorothy Perkins, bracelet – Phillippe ... View the Post

Brooches in Bunches

How to find vintage brooches?  All of these are currently available on Etsy, and all are of the brand Coro...Tips:

search for both "brooch" and "pin", and even "broach", if you can bear to decide up front what your tolerance is for wear and tear: scratched enamel, yellowed rhinestones etc. check the description carefully - some pieces are sold JUST for dismantling and using parts for repair - the are NOT wearable "as is" Make sure that you're choosing brooches of a similar size, if you plan to group them.  Unless you want a variety of sizes, in which case - go for it! If you see a design or pattern that you love, be patient, and check all over the internet.  Most of these designs were made in a variety of ... View the Post

Wearing a scarf in warm weather

July 13, 2012

 

It's a necklace made of silk!  I've always felt that scarves were essentially silk jewelry, and this really proves the theory.   How to?   1.  Bias fold the scarf.  

2.   tie a knot in the middle of the scarf   3.   tie two more knots, equally spaced on either side of the middle knot   4.   if you want the "necklace" to be shorter, tie a couple more knots on either side of the middle knot.  Please note that the knots do NOT have to be perfectly matched, nor perfectly spaced.   5.   the the ends of the scarf in a tiny knot.  Voila - necklace!   Yes, this still touches your neck, in the back, a little bit.  Worst case ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a shawl: Hermès l’Art du Temari

It might seem "out of season" to be thinking about a shawl, but it's well worth planning ahead in order to be prepared to wear this beauty.  Fifty-five inches square, and an almost sheer blend of cashmere and silk, these shawls can be worn as a light layer in even the warmest weather - never forget the blast of air conditioning in every restaurant this time of year.  Or use it to cover up during a long car trip...    

Color-blocked turtleneck – The Row, jeans – Current/Elliott, athletic shoes – Debenhams, earrings – Miriam Salat, sweatshirt dress – United Bamboo, grey leggings – Douuod, ankle boots – Giuseppe Zanotti  

Pearl earrings – Astley Clarke, dress – 3.1 Phillip Lim, suede pumps – Miu ... View the Post