The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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A “Two-Neutral” Capsule Wardrobe? Start With Art – Five Women by Max Beckmann

September 25, 2023

I don't generally think of Max Beckmann for wardrobe inspiration - his paintings always feel very cluttered and busy. But this one has a special charm:

Our heroine really wants some variety in how she can dress this fall - as much as she loves black, she wants to be able to wear quite a bit of "beige/tan/oatmeal" too...

She wasn't sure that this was something that one is allowed to do (what folly!) until she saw this painting, and realized that she would LOVE these colors:

She's very organized - the first thing she wants to be certain of is that her black wardrobe core is perfect:

Next, she very carefully selects her oatmeal/camel/buttercream/twig grouping - four garments, four color names! But ... View the Post

Autumn Outfit Ideas: Japanese Season Shūbun – Autumn Equinox

September 22, 2023

Now that the world of retail has managed to synchronize itself with the seasons, and the weather, I feel comfortable returning to the Japanese 24 seasons.

I've tried to imagine 6 different heroines, all preparing for the cool weather and that "back to school" feeling that so many of us get when the days get short and the breeze quickens...

Our first heroine is a traditionalist, which a lot of navy in her wardrobe. She's pretty excited that she can mix in some lovely tan shades with very little effort...

Our next heroine dresses for the office, in mostly traditional colors, with little touches of brightness and whimsey. What's the point of being the coolest person at work if you can't bust out ... View the Post

A Travel Capsule Wardrobe that Starts with a Bracelet: Visionary Lynx Bracelets by Fierce Lynx Designs

September 20, 2023

Itty Bitty Tags, with Itty Bitty GPS Sensors Inside That's what she invented. They go onto saplings to tell the people planting trees that they're in a good spot!

Rather than planting hectares and hectares and HECTARES of the same trees, planters can now mix saplings up, based on how well the area they are in suits a particular species...

The wee tag will glow green when the tree is near the best altitude, exposure, slope, and all sorts of things for that particular species...

So if the conservation staff stumbles upon a glen or hollow that would be suited for a cluster of white birch, the trees will tell them! 

Plant the trees, pop off the reusable tags, and move on...

She ... View the Post

A Fall Capsule Wardrobe: Start with a Scarf – Vintage Vision by Simba LDN

September 18, 2023 True-Life Adventures of Wardrobe Planning!

She started here. She's pretty smitten that this scarf is available in FOUR SIZES - if a scarf is truly perfect for your wardrobe, you can easily make the case for owning 2 sizes...

So these are the accents for her navy wardrobe, in her plan:

She knows exactly where she wants to start - she loves her navy cords, and her navy jacket. Her sparkly pink sweater with the ruffled neckline makes her smile...

The obvious first garment to check for - a navy tee! It's not the most riveting outfit in the world, but it's an ideal base for beautiful accessories. She adds her pink scarf to the plan, too...

Next? Green, of course!

This may not have been what ... View the Post

A Cool Weather Capsule Wardrobe – Start with a Fair Isle Cardigan

September 15, 2023 RETIREMENT!!!

One of her first projects is to get EVERY SUIT out of her closet. And all but 1 pair of pumps... And donate them to Dress for Success.

She will, of course, save a nice dress and cardigan/jacket for somber events...

But now, she's buying SWEATERS!!! She could never wear sweaters to work... And a patterned sweater just piles on - she couldn't wear any patterns except the most conservative, menswear-inspired prints. If she never sees a pinstripe again, it will be too soon!

Dangly earrings... swoon...

She fell in love with the cardigan, and determined that her first 13 garments would be based on the colors in it...

If you like this shade of "Green Dune", please note that Nordstrom ... View the Post

A Cool Weather Capsule Wardrobe – Start with Art: Ruffled Autumn Clouds by Emile Nolde

September 13, 2023

She knew that this would be just right for the upcoming cool weather...

So many of the colors were comfortable for her from her existing wardrobe, and the colors that she doesn't have, she's willing to buy. What a palette!

She takes everything out of her closet and start carefully choosing what's going back in! Simplicity is what she's working toward...

Starting with the core navy pieces she knows she will want to wear all the time:

She decides to order some mustard pieces; she's never worn this shade of yellow, but when she daydreams about wearing it, she finds it very appealing!

She loves to wear pink and navy together - this is a chance to include her favorite tee shirt! And at this ... View the Post

Choose a Travel Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Portrait of Margaretha Trip by Helen Frankenthaler

September 8, 2023

Things I learned from this post:

Shades of grey are A-okay! You might want to think seriously about your preferences for high-contrast outfits vs low-contrast...

Listening

Two weeks at a Buddhist center, participating in a workshop on listening. It's actually an event to which many companies send top executives; that's why she's going...

She won't know anyone else there, and they won't have any know each other's job titles...

Somehow, she suspects that she might be able to tell at least a few things about some of the other participants!

The environment is very casual. The weather will be somewhere between cool and almost winter - it will be interesting to see how other participants ... View the Post

A Capsule Wardrobe Idea – Start with Art: Waldlichtung im Nebel mit Mond by Erich Buchwald Zinnwald

September 7, 2023

Art can be the inspiration for your accent colors; your favorite neutral doesn't actually HAVE to be in the painting!

It translates as "Forest Clearing in Fog with Moon"

"You Know it Could Snow..." Yes, she knows...

But they're going for a couple of weeks, and she has no intention of cancelling, or coming home early, just because of a little bit of cold weather!

So she start her travel capsule wardrobe with a warm jacket, and 2 warm sweaters!

She realistically understands that most of the time, the weather will be cool - possibly even chilly. She is not a child, and she knows how to dress warmly!

Also, she knows how to choose pretty things that make her happy!

She loves ... View the Post

Building a 12-Piece Winter Wardrobe in Camel and Charcoal Grey – Start with Art: Damp Autumn by Ivon Hitchens

August 25, 2023

This painting is about as far as you can get from Chicago weather right now; our heat index is over 100F, and we are NOT leaving the building...

But we still have to prepare for autumn and winter; one thing we can be certain of is the eventual arrival of bitter cold and wind! 

Hurrah! /s

Our heroine has always believed that shades of grey belong in an autumn wardrobe - where would beautiful trees be without their trunks?

She's onto something...

She pulls winter clothes out of boxes, and garment bags, and other odd places, and starts to sort, steam (the clothes, NOT her!), and prepare things to donate...

First - charcoal grey!

And then camel - THIS scarf is so perfect for this ... View the Post

Wardrobe of the Week: May 21 – 27, 2023

May 28, 2023

It's STILL not particularly warm in Chicago - it may get up into the 70s by Monday!

Thus, I am still wearing long-sleeved shirts (in linen, though!) and sweaters or sweatshirts.

Note - I bought my linen shirts from J.Jill at LEAST 10 years ago, and they're still going strong. Linen is tough...

Happily, our apartment is like a wee greenhouse, and warms up tremendously in the morning, when the sun streams in over the lake and into our huge windows! A great view, AND heat...

love,

Janice ... View the Post