The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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18=216, in a really big, perfect wardrobe slot machine…

April 28, 2014  

I said on Saturday that the idea of a wardrobe slot machine could be expanded, and one of my dearest friends was eager to see how this would play out.  For some of us, the idea of getting dressed for work every day is just plain annoying - nobody is going to pay much attention to what we're wearing, as long as we're appropriately dressed.  

So I promised her that I would show an example that would give her more than a week's worth of shirts or blouses (i.e. six), and then show how it could be expanded.  Six top layers x six shirts or blouses x six pants or skirts =216 combinations.

She could literally shop once a year and then forget about work clothing for a long time...  In the hottest ... View the Post

I Want to Dress Like an Empire-Style Hotel Room

April 9, 2014  

This is a typical room in the Hotel des Grands Hommes, in Paris.  The colors and the details in this room can inspire a beautiful wardrobe.  The colors words that I focused on were taupe, beige, camel, apricot, slate, gold, copper and bronze.  I was looking for soft, patterned, draped and refined looks...  

   The striped colors of the headboard drew my eye to this sweater - it's softness confirmed my choice.  And the combination of apricot and charcoal with a detailed scarf were irresistible.  

   I loved this coat, and the ornate flats appealed.... and the draped tunic dress, with warm tobacco leather leggings and metallic ballet flats are a ... View the Post

Three Garments – Four Seasons

April 1, 2014   The clothes I bought in Paris are going to have to do a lot of heavy lifting, so I've been giving some thought to how many different ways I can wear them.  Here are my ideas, so far...   First up, the dress that I bought at French Trotters.  It's not available, but it's rather similar to this dress (mine has a bit more clearly defined pattern).  I know that I can wear this with a turtleneck layered underneath, warm tights, boots and a scarf - I did that in Paris!  But I can also scale it back to just leggings and flats, or sandals and bare legs...  

 

 

  Next, I want to make sure that I get maximum utilization from my new striped tee shirt. ... View the Post

How to Pack for Springtime in Paris: Sunshine and Clouds

March 22 2014   This post was originally on A Femme d'un Certain Age on March 28, 2012.  If you've never browsed through her ginormous archives, there' a world of loveliness there...   And if you're one of the lucky ones that wear yellow well, then GET TO IT!  The rest of us swoon with desire when we see it, and envy you your ability to look so fabulous in it...  

Grey blouse – Diane von Furstenberg, stud earrings – J.C. Penney, Scarf – Anne Selby, Blazer – Preen, grey pants – Reiss, silver loafers – J. Crew, grey sequined tote – Deux Lux    

Yellow sweater – Burberry Brit, grey tee – American Vintage, grey pearl earrings – Lord & Taylor, flower earrings & bracelet  – ... View the Post

How to Pack for Springtime in Paris: Black, White and Clouds

March 21, 2014   From the April 2, 2012 A Femme d'un Certain Age - visit there to see all of the possible combinations.  

Cloud-print tee – Stella McCartney, grey pants – Veronique Branquinho, cable-knit cardigan – Stella McCartney, pave earrings – Marc by Marc Jacobs, silver flats – Bloch, grey metallic scarf – Dorothy Perkins, grey tote – Laema  

Dotted scarf – Aspinal of London, pearl & jet earrings – JCPenney, star-print georgette scarf – Helene Berman, Cap-sleeved black silk blouse – Marc by Marc Jacobs, Black & white diamond flower ring – Lord & Taylor, white cardigan – Yves Saint Laurent, pearl drop earrings – Kate Spade, diamond and rhodium earrings – Lord & Taylor, bangle bracelet – 2028, ... View the Post

Start with Art: Abstract by Nicolas de Stael

February 15, 2014   This beautiful work is Abstract, by Nicolas de Stael, and these cool, subtle colors are amazing for the upcoming summer.   First, I'm looking for a neutral from within this painting. If you're comfortable wearing white, or if you have a good relationship with your dry cleaner, I would start with the crisp clarity of white for the initial four summer garments. Sandals that pair white with silver, and some silver loafers, might be all the change you need to update your existing wardrobe in this direction.   If you're nervous about wearing this much white, substitute the deepest petrol blue...  

  If you've got budget and ambition to add to this summer wardrobe, look to the cool ... 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

Six Days of a Navy Suit

February 7, 2014   Many people ask me about what to do with their interview suit after they've interviewed... so I'm going to show a week of work attire that uses your suit as separates.  Just as the daily crossword puzzles become more difficult during the week, these outfits become progressive more casual...   Two notes:   (1) I'm working with a palette of navy, grey, beige, pink and white.   (2) I'm going to show the same shoes repeatedly, just to emphasize the utility of a few pair of good shoes, rather than my usual unique shoes for each outfit.   Monday is our dressiest option - use your suit jacket over a contrasting dress, or use your skirt as a base for a tweed jacket and silk ... View the Post

From Dream to Suitcase

January 31, 2014   We'll be in Paris soon, and I'm already daydreaming about what we'll do while we're there...     First off, I'm trying really hard to look upon the whole flying process as positively as possible. I can sit for 8 hours without a whole lot of trouble - I've done it at work for decades, so being on an airplane isn't that big an adjustment. I can hold hands with Belovedest, relax, and listen to music or some of my favorite apps on my phone.     I've recently downloaded Insight Timer, which has dozens of guided meditations that are grand for relaxing... and then I can switch to one of the many apps that is just one long soundtrack of thunderstorms. A bottle of water, some skin serum, and I'm good ... View the Post

Start With Art: The Breakfast Room by Childe Hassam

January 30, 2014   My life - wardrobe-wise - is now an interesting contrast between being in gym clothes, or leisure clothes, for much of my time, and then every now and then I have to look like I belong in a business meeting or a dinner party...   Apparently I'm not at all alone, because many people have asked me about how to have a coherent wardrobe strategy when you dress for such a wide variety of activities.   So I chose one of the very beautiful paintings suggested to me, and went to work.  This painting is an innovative combination of accent colors, some interesting asymmetry, and a wide range of grey through beige and taupe neutrals.   First up - the gym!  Being able to use grey as a neutral is ... View the Post

Shopping with a Painting, or What I Bought, January 2014

January 20, 2014   For quite a while, I've described my personal style as LaValise de la Garçonne, aka The Tomboy's Suitcase.  I try to remind myself that I really don't need clothing much beyond what I would pack for my next trip, and that as much as I'd like to be a classy, elegant, lady-like creature, I'm much more likely to be the person who climbs up the ladder and fixes the broken gizmo than I am to be the prim princess with the clipboard supervising the process...I've just recent stumbled upon the perfect painting to express my colors and overall feeling that I want to accomplish in my wardrobe: Two Sisters with a Cello, by Marie Laurencin.  I can't actually SHOW you the painting, because I can't afford to buy rights ... View the Post