The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

The Vivienne Files - Page 242 of 248 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

Wardrobe: ORANGE!!!!

Jacket – Missoni , Cardigan – Acne, White tee – Vince, Silk blouse – Marlo, Black pants – Missoni. Skirt – Piperlime, White jeans - Levis, Scarf - Hermès  

I really love you all.  Seriously.  You take time every day to read my writing, look at my work, and give me feedback and challenges.  What else could I ask from total strangers?

I particularly enjoy the wardrobe requests I get.  This one was AMAZINGLY difficult:  "I'm a gold jewellry wearer and love to wear orange which I think always goes well with black or white depending on the season. I would love your suggestions for a core wardrobe for a femme d'un certain age." 

This is my best effort - I threw some ... View the Post

Wardrobe: things you will never see

I spend a LOT of time looking at clothing, shoes and accessories, and I've noticed that I have certain ABSOLUTE biases about what I will or will not include in the wardrobes I build for you.  If you particularly love any of the following items, you'll have to find them on your own!  There's no good explanation for these aversions except just my personal tastes...

platform shoes - Olive Oyl is NOT a fashion icon open-toed boots - I just don't see the logic visible logos - only if a garment is absolutely perfect in every other way would I consider including a visible brand name.  Unless you are compensated appropriately, do NOT endorse any company. Baby-doll garments.  I'm an adult, and I will assume that you are ... View the Post

Wardrobe: gray, plum and sea green

Blazer – DKNY, Cardigan – Etro, Silk blouse – Paul & Joe, Silver short-sleeed top – Jason Wu, Pin-striped pants – Moschinol Skirt – Lanvin, Jeans – J. Brand. Scarf - Hermès   A very appreciated reader in the UK asked for "My colouring is "Summer"; style "Full Classic"; bodyline "Straight". A little more info on colour - My 100% Neutral is Dark Blue Grey; 100% Basics - Deep Sea Green, and Plum, and I suit the deep and smokey colours of my palette."  This is what I chose for her...  

Blouse – Dolce & Gabbana , Trench Coat – Alberta Feretti, Charcoal coat – Jaeger. Dress – Rick Owens,   

Pants – Etro, , Skirt – Max Mara Studio, Sweater ... View the Post

I’ve got good news, and I’ve got bad news…

Good news:  I started a temp job.  It's two weeks, with a distant possibility of turning into a permanent position.  I'm not yet convinced that I want it to be permanent, so I'm just doing my very best, being my normal charming and mellow self, and the chips (chimps?) will fall where they may.  If I do all I can, and it doesn't work out, I have no regrets.

BUT...  I'm going to have to post a few of my "older" wardrobe schemes, as I'm not able to devote as much time to customizing things for you all.  I have a few custom wardrobes under my belt, as well as some of my earlier brainstorms, and of course a few of Vivienne's rants.  Those of you who have so kindly asked for wardrobes - I beg your patience ... View the Post

Vivienne Veto: Struggling Strapless

Strapless garments can be very attractive.  What is not attractive is watching you (every FIVE minutes) readjusting the balcony to be appropriately covered.  

If the garment does not fit properly, do not buy it.  Constant wardrobe readjustment is neither appealing nor elegant.

More wardrobes are on the way - I appreciate your patience.  (some of these take a while!)   And please, if you have a theme or leitmotif in mind for a wardrobe, leave a comment and let me know!  I'm particularly loving the idea of working from a scarf, a work of art, or a particular garment.  Leave a link in your comment if I'm going to need a point of reference. And thanks so much for the really cool requests I've ... View the Post

A Travel Capsule Wardrobe with two suits

Gray blazer – Chloé, Striped cardigan – Aubin & Wills, Pink sweater – Ralph Lauren, Henley top – Dolce & Gabbana, Black sleeveless dress – The Row, Gray crewneck – The Row, Black & gray tweedy crewneck – The Row, Cream long-sleeved tee – The Row, Tweedy skirt – Markus Lupfer, Gray flannel skirt – Vionnet, Gray pants – Donna Karan, Black lace-trimmed tee shirt – Jason Wu, Black blazer – The Row, Black pants - Gucci

 

Square scarves - Hermes, Sequined muffler – John Lewis, Bracelet – Blu Bijoux, Black and silver balls necklace – Kenneth Jay Lane, Silver hammered disc earrings – Dorothy ... View the Post

Wardrobe: Hermès Ferronnerie in burgundy

Blazer – Maison Martin Margiela , Cardigan – Ralph Lauren Black Label, Silk blouse with merlot cuffs – Stella McCartney, Tee Shirt – J. Crew, Pants – Maison Martin Margiela, Skirt – A.L.C., Jeans - Levis, Scarf - Hermès  

Silk blouse - Aces, Trench coat – Derek Lam, Winter coat – Vanessa Bruno, Dress – Balenciaga, Corduroy jeans – J. Brand, Skirt – Diane von Furstenberg, Sweater – Stylebop, Black wool jacket – Alexander McQueen   

Dress – J. Crew, Cardigan - Crumpet, Purple tee shirt - Debenhams, Tee shirt – J. Crew, Cashmere v-neck – Ralph Lauren, Pants – John Lewis, Sweater – See by Chloe, Sleeveless ... View the Post

Capsule wardrobe in navy & brown, with lavender accents

Blazer – A.L.C., Cardigan – John Smedley, Blouse – Golden Goose, Tee Shirt – Dorothy Perkins, Pants – Theory, Skirt – Theory, Jeans – J. Brand, Scarf - Etro  

The lovely Anonymous asked "I would love to see your creative French style on a wardrobe capsule which uses: Navy, Chocolate Brown and Soft White ( base colours) with Soft blue, Soft pink and Lavender as accents."  This is my best effort - I hope you love it!  Brown leather goods are SO beautiful... 

blouse – Joseph Paolina ,  Trench coat – Weekend by Maxmara, Winter coat – Etro, Dress – Missoni, Pants–  Bodkin, Suede skirt – Burberry Brit, Sweater – Crumpet, Leather jacket – Haider ... View the Post

Wardrobe: carefully curated and deliberately distilled for warm coloring

July 18, 2011

Jacket – Gucci , Cardigan – J. Crew, blouse – Fanfare, tee shirt – Proenza Schouler, Pants – Gucci, Leather skirt – Jitrois, Jeans – J. Brand, Scarf - Hermès  

Blouse - Chloe, Trench coat –  Paul and Joe, Winter coat – Weekend by Max Mara, Sweater dress –  Alexander McQueen, Pants – Proenza Schouler, skirt – Vince, sweater – Snobby Sheep, Leather jacket – Matthew Williamson  

Dress – 3.5 Phillip Lim, Cardigan – The Row, Shirt – Modstrom, Tee shirt – Yves Saint Laurent, Sweater –  Acne, Pants –  3.1 Phillip Lim, Shirt  - Aubin & Wills, top – Burberry Prorsum  

The ... View the Post

Accessories for a bright, graphic, colorful capsule wardrobe

Square scarves – Hermès, Quotation mark gold earrings – Tom Binns, Black faceted onyx earrings – Primadina   

Umbrella – Kate Spade, Striped cashmere muffler – Michael Kors, Black stone necklace – Amrita Singh, Smoking lips necklace – Lynn Ban, Cuff bracelet – House of Harlow 1960, Red tassel earrings – Citrine by the Stones, Watch – Movado, Bag – Michael Kors, Gloves - Forzieri, Silver oval pierced earrings – Swarovski, Tall boots – Christian Louboutin, Black & red pumps – Kors Michael Kors, Polka dot flats – Dolce & Gabbana,   

Black white loafers – Bass, Slingbacks – Stella McCartney, Yellow sandals - cocolico, Black short ... View the Post

Wardrobes mantra: Carefully Curated and Deliberately Distilled

So far, all of the wardrobes I've built have been posted under the heading French Chic, and I'm frankly becoming a bit uncomfortable with that.  We've wandered quite a distance from what the original guidelines of Susan Sommers' iconic book, and I'm not sure that I should continue to exploit the title which is so indelibly hers.

Thus, I'm just going to call them wardrobes.  And with that decision, I thought I should share with you the mantra I use for the building of these little gems.

First: Carefully Curated.  Each garment has to make the cut.  I've heard some fairly harsh criticism recently that "good enough" is really okay for one's wardrobe, and I have to disagree.  Yes, in some circumstances we do have ... View the Post

French Chic: if you’re really exotic and work in advertising!

Blazer – 3.1 Phillip Lim, Cardigan – Acne, Blouse – Yves Saint Laurent, Tee Shirt – Topshop, Pants – 3.1 Phillip Lim, Bermuda Short – 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jeans – Alexander McQueen, Scarf - Hermès  

One of my friends has long black hair, an outrageous personality, and works in advertising.  This is for her!

White blouse – Marc by Marc Jacobs , Trench coat – Dolce & Gabbana, Winter coat – Maxmara Studio, Dress – Alexander McQueen, Pants – 3.1 Phillip Lim, Leather Skirt – Helmut Lang, Sweater – 3.1 Phillip Lim, Leather jacket – Helmut Lang   

Dress – 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jacket – 3.1 Phillip Lim, Tank – 3.1 Phillip Lim, Tee ... View the Post