The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Flowers: Delphiniums

June 7, 2014  

I think these are delphiniums, but of course I live in the middle of a city, so my floral knowledge isn't exactly top-drawer! If you can give me a better identification on these flowers (photo taken in the Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina) send me a note or leave a comment and I'll update things...For this photograph, I imagined that someone has to go on a business trip, but they're going to be able to arrive early, and maybe stay a few days extra, so this is a dual-purpose travel capsule wardrobe.

 

  These are the high-contrast colors that I chose:  

  For a couple of days of sight-seeing before the meetings have to begin.  

Peplum top – Alexander McQueen, black ... View the Post

2 dozen = 12 dozen, at least

April 18, 2014  

I'm always intrigued by how many outfits you can pull together from a well-chosen capsule wardrobe, so after I built yesterday's ensemble, I started pulling together outfits, just out of curiosity...Remember, these were the 24 garments with which I started:

  There are almost certainly more possibilities here; I threw in the towel after I passed twelve dozen...  

love, Janice ... View the Post

A Variety of Colors: A Simple Summer Wardrobe

February 13, 2014   I've been thinking a lot about how to plan a wardrobe that gives you options for a wide variety of accent colors. There are other way to go about this, and I'm going to figure them out, but my very first thought was the following. Here's what your summer wardrobe will look like, after we've worked out way through the steps.    

  Assuming that you're going to be carrying over a few garments from your cold weather wardrobe, I've pulled together this core of four in grey. I'm also including neutral footwear - canvas sneakers, and a simple pair of suede loafers.  

  As much as I know that the point of this is to introduce lots of accents, I think it's pretty important that we ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Woman in Hat with Pompoms and a Printed Blouse – Picasso

January 7, 2014   Many readers asked me to work with a Picasso painting, and I happily oblige.  These outfits are based on beige, just as the painting is literally on a beige background.  Accents of red, orange, yellow, a touch of green, and you're set for almost anything!   My guiding adjectives for this project were warm, saturated, and clear, with unexpected bursts of bright against the toasty neutral.  

     

  This is a wardrobe that could see someone through much of the summer!  

love,

Janice ... View the Post

A PINK coat…

Today, I'm guest-posting (have I recently mentioned what an HONOR this is?) over at A Femme d'un Certain Age.  My project is to take seven really basic pieces of clothing (from L.L.Bean), and snazz them up with a great coat and some amazing accessories.  It's great fun... ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a scarf: Helen Ruth’s Magic Roundabout

Scarf – Helen Ruth, Sweater – Gucci, skirt – Farhi by Nicole Farhi, boots – Fratelli Rossetti, navy silk blouse – The Row, jeans – Current/Eliott, ankle boots - Acne  

Scarf – Helen Ruth, Dress – Mango, sandals – J. Crew, navy leather jacket – 3.1 Phillip Lim, rust jeans – Helmut Lang, penny loafers – Florsheim  

Scarf – Helen Ruth, Navy sweater – Hugo, white jeans – Mint Velvet, spectator oxfords – Church’s, sweater dress – Stella McCartney, ring – Antique Jewel Box, ballet flats - Debenhams  

Scarf – Helen Ruth, Blazer & skirt – Hugo, silk blouse – Chloe, pumps – Van Dal, tee shirt – Hugo, pants – NW3, penny loafers – J. Crew   ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a scarf: Hermès l’Ivresse de l’Infini – version two

Why yes, I have styled this scarf before, in very different colors...  

Tee shirt – American Vintage, denim skirt – Closed, sandals – Wallis Fashion, denim jacket – J Brand, white dress – AXParis, flats – Betsy Johnson  

Sweater – Miu Miu, skirt – Sonia Rykiel, boots – Acne, tee shirt – American vintage, pink capris – Closed, sandals – Sam Edelman  

Turquoise earrings – Gurham, Dress – Alice + Olivia,   ballet flats – Elie Tahari,  v-neck sweater – Closed, bracelet – Macy’s, corduroy pants – Elizabeth & Games, brogues – Dolce & Gabbana  

Dress – H&M, cardigan -Burberry Brit, sandals - Pour la Voictoire, pink sweater – J. Crew, beige jeans – Dorothy ... View the Post

Packing for Ireland…

Over at my favorite other blog - A Femme d'un Certain Age.

If there's anything I know about, it's how to dress in Ireland!  If you're going next week, you'll want to lighten this assortment up a little bit.  But if you're going to be in Ireland in the autumn, which is UTTERLY beautiful, expect sunshine, rain, wind, and to be cold most of the time...

On a different note - does anybody have a favorite scarf, piece of jewelry, garment, etc. around which you would like to see some outfits suggested?

Or, how about a favorite painting???

Post a comment, or send an email to [email protected]. ... View the Post

A Four by four Capsule Wardrobe: the entire summer

So if you remember from yesterday, we had these garments in our Four by Four capsule wardrobe, planned for a trip to the shore:   

After finding that these items worked really well for our specific needs, it was determined that the entirety of the summer wardrobe would be purchased with the same guidelines.First, a little something in darker colors, just so our jeans don't get lonely in the laundry!

And then a really pretty color, just because it's summer, and because it goes with our three neutrals:

Some more tops, in a variety of colors, and a few more essential summer accessories...

With these 24 garments, your summer is pretty much handled...And NO, I AM NOT TELLING YOU TO GO BUY YOUR ... View the Post

A Four by four Capsule Wardrobe: summer at the shore

When I see the ocean, it is NOT at the beach - it's more Humboldt County, California, or the west coast of Ireland, or the coast of Maine.  Warm, sunny days, cool evenings, and a gray and damp day every now and then, where you spend the day sitting by the fireplace...  This Four by Four Capsule Wardrobe gives you options for any kind of shoreline...

 

Yes, our rental house DOES have laundry facilities....

Throw in a little bit of color....

 And essential accessories.

I'm not necessarily saying that you need to run out and buy your entire summer wardrobe from L.L.Bean - I use these clothes as an example of what's possible.  But if you're a sturdy New Englander, with a ... View the Post