The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

The Vivienne Files - Page 256 of 285 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

Capsule Wardrobe Project 333: Redefining Normal

In the mid-1990s, the average American bought 29 items of clothing a year.  Today, we buy 59 items.  We also throw away an average of 83 pounds of textiles per person, mostly discarded apparel, each year. - From Mother Jones.I've discovered that wearing 33 garments, well-chosen, is plenty.  Abundant.  An embarrassment of choices.  Going too far beyond this level is, for me, to spend money on clothes that I could be spending on... a trip to Paris?  Our retirement home?  Better-quality garments, made in countries that take care of their workers?  

 

 

 

 

 

Here are just some of the combinations I've discovered.  This isn't exhaustive.  I've ... View the Post

Why yes, everybody IS blogging about this…

because it's an amazing video about tying scarves.  (alas, Eileen Fisher does not address tying the square Hermes silk twill scarf).  This is SO well worth the six minutes you'll spend watching it.  Thanks Pam, at Over 50 Feeling 40, for introducing us to this video.    

Now, I want cold weather, and lots of scarves!

love to all - I don't say that often enough - Janice ... View the Post

Shopping at Art Galeries

July 28, 2012

Just a quick reminder - when you need a new accessory, don't forget to check the websites of art galleries.  The above brilliant little idea is available from the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art. My favorite tiny handbag is from there...

And you get to support smaller designers, you don't sport big gaudy logos, and you don't see yourself coming and going on the street...

love, Janice ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Mary Cassatt’s Lydia Seated in the Garden

Sweater – Topshop, Pants – The Row, Brogues – John Lewis, hoody – Patagonia, cropped jeans – Acne, boots - Bogs  

Dress – Vanessa Bruno, scarf – All Saints, flats – Carvela, blouse – Givenchy, skirt – J. Crew, pumps - rsvp  

Blue cardigan – Romwe, scarf – Malene Birger, woven flats – Mia, dress – Go Green M by M, cotton shirt – Organic by John Patrick, skirt – Cacharel, pumps – Salvatore Ferragamo  

Aquamarine earrings – Ponponella, silk dress – Issa, nude pumps – Rupert Sanderson, scarf – Faliero Sarti, green coat – Sonia Rykiel, boots – KG by Kurt Geiger   ... View the Post

How I wear a scarf

After I slipped off my scarf last night, I threw it down on the bed and photographed it.  This is the way I wear a scarf about 90% of the time...

Very simple:

bias fold tie a knot about 8 inches up from one of the ends of the scarf.  You can move the knot up or down depending on how you'd like to wear the scarf pull the loose end of the scarf through the knot look at the scarf and decide which side looks better to the front slip over your head, and go

Just toss it on and wear it.  This isn't rocket science, nor origami - it's just a lovely piece of silk you're using as a surrogate piece of jewelry.  Don't over-analyze the tying process. ... View the Post

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