The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

The Vivienne Files - Page 260 of 285 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

Futility, time-wasting, and fraying the edges of your self-esteem

Indulge me while I do some math:

10 minutes/day messing with my hair = 1 hour per week (I'm taking Sundays off)

1 hour/week = 6 1/2 work days per year

6 1/2 work days per year X 40 years (adult working life) = over ONE WORKING YEAR...

And what am I trying to do during these boring, and futile, 10 minutes per day?  

I'm trying to have hair like Louise Brooks.  Or maybe even Juliette Greco.  But it's a waste of time, electricity, hair-care products, and ultimately, I'm spending a little bit of time every day telling myself that I'm JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH the way I am naturally.

Which is this:

There are dozens of ways in which we engage in futile battles. We could easily just surrender, and be happier, more productive, ... View the Post

Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a tote bag?

Why yes, you can build your personal style around a bag you love!  Why not... although I confess, carrying the patterned bag with the Missoni cardigan would be tough for me...

Dress – Pink Tartan, cardigan – Missoni, sandals – J. Crew, ivory silk pants – 3.1 Phillip Lim, turtleneck – Gucci, loafers – Debenhams   

Turtleneck – Lord & Taylor, Skirt – Debenhams, boots – Tod’s, tee shirt – La Garconne, orange capris – Dolce & Gabbana, woven flats – Burberry Prorsum  

Silk tank – Alice + Olivia, skirt – See by Chloe, beige sandals – Loeffler Randall,  dress – Tibi, jacket – Allsaints, espadrilles - Bank  

Brown dress – Donna Karan, bracelet – Aspinal of London, pumps – ... View the Post

Chic Sighting: bright pants X four

Tee shirts – J. Crew, bracelet – 9 West, blue capris – Dorothy Perkins, Orange sandals – Stuart Weitzman,

 pink capris – Diane von Furstenberg, scarf – Missoni, sandals – Hush   

Tunic – Emanuel Ungaro, earrings – Alexis Bittar, pants – Yigal Azrouel, ballet flats – Isabel Marant,

 brown tee – La Garconne, scarf – Hermès, jeans – Exit Brooklyn, sandals – Dolce & Gabbana   ... View the Post

Visualizing French Chic: olive, and young, and casual

 

Jacket – Virginie Castaway, vest – Humanoid, cardigan – Manestrale, dress – Go Green M by M, Rolled capris – Dorothy Perkins, jeans – J Brand, shorts – D&G  

Black tee – Uniqlo, sunglasses – Lacoste, athletic shoes – Nike, White tee – Fat Face, bracelets – 1928, boots - Cordani  

Tank top – Madewell, fedora – Forever 21, Sandals – Mulberry, flower earrings – Lord & Taylor, gold clutch – Style & Co., gold sandals – Sam Edelman  

Short-sleeved shirt – Old Navy, cross body bag – 9 West, sunglasses – Wetseal, tee – Nike, espadrilles – Mad Love, woven flats - Blowfish  

Tee shirt – J. Crew, scarf – Tillys, ballet flats – Aldo, earrings – Inc International ... View the Post

Chic Sightings: three pairs of ideas

Maybe it's because I was in such a good mood yesterday, but I saw LOTS of nicely-dressed women yesterday.

After a while, I realized that I could group these sightings in pairs, so that you get two perspectives on how to wear beige capris, two different outfits based on bright blue pants, and a way to wear the separates of a navy suit, paired with yellow.

Two things I must call out: 1.  If you would wear a dress over a swimsuit, you probably shouldn't wear it to an office. 2.  Leggings are NOT pants.  And FWIW, neither are yoga pants...

Blouse – Giuletta, Capris – Miu Miu, belt – J. Crew, black sandals – CL by Laundry, cardigan – A.P.C., leopard tee – Romwe, ballet flats – Jimmy Choo  

Tee – J. ... View the Post

Packing: start with a favorite cardigan

A great question: I KNOW I want to take this cardigan, and use it as my "base" for my packing plan.

This sweater let me branch out in two distinct directions - brights, and black & white.  Lots of choices, and quite a bit of versatility, while still all in one carry-on bag!

Cardigan – Oasis, pearl & ruby earrings – Macy’s, red tote – Lulu Guinness, tee – Debenhams, scarf – Pashmina Art, pants – Donna Karan, loafers – Tod’s  

Tee shirts– Madewell, pearl & red agate necklace – Blue Nile, bracelet – Dream Mullick, teal earrings – Amrita Singh, black and white earrings – Kate Spade, crossbody bag – Marc by Marc Jacobs, cardigan – Mango, flowered tee – Minuet, sunglasses – Ray Ban, White capris – ... View the Post

Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a necklace: dragon pearls

What a great necklace!  It made me think of softness, iridescence, and creating a background that wouldn't detract from the details of the clasp, and the textures of the pearls.  

 

Dress – Cacharel, sandals – Frye, sweater – Isabel Marant, jeans – J Brand, boots - Acne  

Sweater – Miu Miu, skirt – Moss & Spy, boots – Frye, tee shirt – Mr. Mrs., sandals - Allsaints  

Skirt – Cacharel, silk tee shirt – Jigsaw, sandals – Softspots, leather jacket – Vanessa Bruno Athe,

 silk dress – A.P.C., espadrilles – Lauren by Ralph Lauren  

Dress – Cynthia Rowley, Cardigan – Orla Kiely, sandals – Sigerson Morrison, tunic sweater – Steven  Alan,

 pants – Michael ... View the Post

Visualizing French Chic: 7 in black

May 19, 2012   One of the sections of the book French Chic, by Susan Sommers, which I read repeatedly, was one in which she listed seven items of black clothing, and then set out a little grid of how you could combine these items, and how they would be accessorized.   I could never visualize this.   So I decided to put together her suggestions in images.  Some of the accessories ideas just scream "early '80's", and so I didn't stick to all 12 plans exactly as written...   This is an interesting approach to wardrobe-building, or to packing.  The vest is, to me, a difficult garment, and I would probably be tempted to substitute a leather jacket, denim jacket, or second cardigan.  And if you're not ... View the Post

A Four by four Capsule Wardrobe: teal and navy

One of the most frequent colors that I'm asked to work with is the teal/turquoise family.  This pairs it with navy, and a dash of pink.  You can see that you don't have quite as many outfit options when you include more colors, but still enough choices to satisfy almost anybody. 

Pants – Stella McCartney, Tank and shirt – J. Crew, skirt - DKNY    

 

Jeans – Rag & Bone, cardigan – Mint Velvet, tee – Karl Marc, skirt – J. Crew    

 

Flowered tee – Minuet, Pink tee – Mango, white sweater – 360 Sweater, striped top – Viyella    

 

Scarf – Tiffany, shoes – Amalfi by Rangoni, fabric bag – Vera Bradley, bracelet – ... View the Post

A Four by four Capsule Wardrobe: in camel and grey

Every day, I get a request for capsule wardrobes in camel and grey - I hasten to satisfy!And please note, I'm NOT suggesting that your entire wardrobe should be 12 garments. (unless that's what is best for you, in which case I support your choice completely!)  This is a plan for wardrobe coordinating, and updating.  The number of these "pods" you choose to have is entirely up to you...

Also, if you're not fond of wearing classic styles, or if you're looking for garments for warmer (or cooler) weather, just substitute similar garments that please you more for the ones which I have chosen.  These guidelines are intended to be just that - guidelines - and not a specific prescription for what you should ... View the Post