The Vivienne Files - Page 3 of 286 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

June 2026 – Building a Wardrobe Starting With Ruffled Autumn Clouds by Emile Nolde

June 1, 2026

I believe that Summer has arrived!

watch, it will snow tomorrow...

Although this painting is of clouds later in the year, I could certainly pretend that the beautiful green landscape is mid-summer. Those are greens vivid enough for Ireland!

At the end of May, our heroine had this wardrobe, shown in two images - one for clothes and one for accessories.

It's well worth looking at these images for a minute, because there is a world full of people who have this much clothing OR LESS. Well-chosen, a small wardrobe can be enough. I know nobody who deliberately tries to keep their wardrobe small, but there could be good reasons...

I could manage with a small number of clothes, so long as I had lots of ... View the Post

An Investment in an Accent Color – I Love It But Will I Wear It?

May 29, 2026

One last look at a bunch of matching garments - unless more things turn up in the next month of clothing "releases."

I remember when pretty much EVERY clothing company released new garments once a month. A few still do - I know that Alex Mill, J.Crew and Eileen Fisher stick to that schedule. Some companies have new releases on their site every day. Literally. Seems excessive...

Anyway!!!! Let's say you're a heroine with a good core wardrobe in navy, camel, beige and white. You're longing for an accent color that's not obvious. For warm weather, you've considered pink, Kelly green, and true red. All of them feel too bright for you, and you think you're just eschew an accent this year.

Then you see Sundried ... View the Post

Lots of Bright Summer Print – I Love It But Will I Wear It?

May 27, 2026

If you're going to indulge in florals, go big or go home! (I don't believe this, but the phrase "go big or go home" is an ongoing joke chez moi...)

I was very inclined to include the sleeveless top that matches these pieces, until I found that it's a DIFFERENT FABRIC. While I've chosen 100% linen garments, the sleeveless top is a linen blend. Would that wear the same way? Would it take on the same softness? Would it last as long?

Oh these retailers... but it's always worth looking for ALL of the matching items that might be available.

If you already have a stash of white clothes for hot weather, incorporating these garments into your wardrobe will be simple:

And if you like green, you're in luck - I ... View the Post

I Love It – But Will I Wear It? Navy Striped Blazer & Pants

May 25, 2026

I was looking for two-piece dresses - or tops and skirt that match. Two-piece dresses is such an odd term, isn't it?

And I bumped into this:

I often hear that "I don't want to buy a patterned suit" because there's a concern about being able to wear the two pieces frequently enough to make it worth the while.

I have ideas!

This is a relatively easy suit with which to work, because the print is classic; if it were floral, paisley, or a novelty print of tiny chickens, it might be more difficult...

I'm imagining a heroine with green eyes, for what it's worth. The accent color could be pink, yellow, purple, or even red. Red might be too "flag-like" for some of us...

The striped tote and multi-toned shoes ... View the Post

I Love It, But Will I Wear It? A Matching Shirt and Skirt

May 20, 2026 Yes, this shirt sort of feels like a pajama top... but tucked into the skirt, maybe with a belt...

I followed the same images that I showed on Wednesday, so a few outfits will look similar, and you may recognize some accessories too!

This is NOT done because I'm inherently bone-deep lazy (although I could make a case for that!), but because I really want everybody to grow accustomed to wearing things frequently. But better, buy less, wear the heck out of it!

First up - a white cardigan. Always so useful in warm weather. And pink pearl jewelry... big deep sigh of smittenness...

Roll the sleeves just a bit, and pile on the gold! If one was inclined to try to make it through a season or two without buying ... View the Post

A Two-Piece Dress in Pastel Floral – Some Ideas

May 20, 2026

So pretty! And a top that will cover bra straps, for those of us who founded our "lingerie under wraps" opinions decades ago:

I've been thinking of a system by which one could evaluate a two-piece set... Can it be worn with a light neutral? A dark neutral? Is there an accent color that will look good?

For example, this two-piece dress is just right with a light neutral (in this case white) cardigan:

The dress also looks good with an accent cardigan in orchid pink. (going to a wedding, anyone?)

The top is just the right touch with a simple linen set in light blue:

And this top can be really casual, with wild lilac shorts and a hoodie:

The skirt could be worn with a plain white tee shirt ... View the Post

Revisiting Start With Art – Wall of Light Orange Yellow by Sean Scully

May 18, 2026

We first visited this painting, and this heroine, back in February. I think my plan is to look at this painting four times over a year, and see what happens...

If you used a painting like this for your wardrobe, there are at least eight colors here to inspire you. Enough to have abundant neutrals, and a couple of snappy accent colors too...

This is the current color wheel - I need to update it! There yellow to be included, and gold, and a true grey, and a great shade of putty taupe...

Our heroine's first travel wardrobe, back in February, was muted, warm and versatile:

Our heroine is anticipating warm but not scorching hot weather for her next trip. And, inspired by her jewelry from ... View the Post

May 2026 – Building a Wardrobe Starting With Lonely Erika Giovanna Klien

May 15, 2026

Our last painting in our "Six Paintings" series - an enigmatic image, with maybe a message inside? It's certainly one of the most interesting color palettes we've ever seen:

Three timeless neutrals, and two accents that are unexpected, and sometimes difficult to find. The best things can require some patience...

At the end of April, our heroine's 20-piece wardrobe took her to work with ease, as well as lots of other places! Since our heroine works at home a lot, jeans and tops can go a long way...

Even though the weather still isn't delightful and warm, our heroine decided that she was going to dress as if spring had truly arrived:

If our heroine is going to be faithful to her wardrobe template, ... View the Post

May 2026 – Building a Wardrobe Starting With Saints Genevieve and Apollonia by Lucas Cranach the Elder

May 13, 2026

A favorite of so many of us, and such a rich and striking painting:

And a bright, cheerful palette:

Our heroine came into the month of May with this 20-piece wardrobe; I could live with this for months...

This is a DRESSY heroine! And she started her May shopping with the idea that she would find a pretty floral dress...

Only to realize that she can grab the skirt that matches her printed blouse, and have her dress and separates, too! The rest of her purchases are relatively simple and classic - although green shoes and a green handbag aren't on just everybody's shopping list:

Of course, she didn't add a second layer to her wardrobe this month - that might be something she needs to address next ... View the Post

May 2026 – Building a Wardrobe Starting With Common Shelduck by Dennis A. Jones

May 11, 2026

I wonder how many different birds could inspire how many different wardrobes?

This is such an easy and classic color palette. If you absolutely couldn't live without blue denim (I bet you can, but you do you!) you've always got the water to give you shades of blue...

One of the many things hanging on the GIGANTIC pin board in front of my computer is a photograph of a magpie. Black, white and blue... We don't see magpies in Chicago!

At the end of April, our heroine had this wardrobe. To my mind, the outfits just jump off of the page:

Our heroine was seriously thinking about red when she started browsing, but when she saw this linen jacket and tweedy pants, she changed direction. Slightly - still plenty ... View the Post

May 2026 – Building a Wardrobe Based on Spirit of Autumn by Albert Pinkham Ryder

May 8, 2026

I don't know if the character in the painting is sad, or is just getting away from the news - and other people - for a few minutes...

This heroine remains quite pleased with her color palette. She's having good luck finding things that she both likes and needs - shopping isn't always easy when you've decided to wear just a limited palette. Unless you live in black, like some of us...

At the end of April, our heroine had this 20-piece wardrobe:

Although the weather still isn't particularly warm where our heroine lives, she decided that she was going to look for clothes for warm weather ANYWAY.

And she debated about the necklaces. She was trying to choose between the two, and she kept going back and ... View the Post

May 2026 – Building a Wardrobe Based on Ruffled Autumn Clouds by Emile Nolde

May 6, 2026

Such a wonderful painting:

Our VERY determined heroine might find that she wants to change her color palette; the blue at the bottom of the sky (yes, the lovely teal/petrol blue) is almost impossible to find in clothing. And frankly, our heroine doesn't want to spend hours and hours looking for clothes - she's far too busy studying for financial certification exams!

She's willing to give it another month, but she may just concentrate more on finding some nice white garments instead...

Right now, this is here wardrobe palette:

At the end of April, this was our heroine's wardrobe. It is very orientated toward looking serious and business-like at work, or online when she works from home.

As much as she ... View the Post