The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Dublin: What I REALLY Packed, Emergency Shopping, and Chic Sightings

July 23, 2025

Will someone clarify for me WHERE July has gone? 

When I was in Dublin, there were a couple of days when the temperatures were up around 80 degree Fahrenheit, which is quite warm by Dublin standards. I learned to my chagrin that it's also quite warm by MY standards!

First lesson - when a country's weather service issues weather warnings of any sort, heed them. They probably haven't had their budgets cut the pieces so their work is still thorough and accurate, and they certainly know something about local weather that you don't...

The resident of Dublin were smart - they flocked by the hundreds to parks:

Let's flash back to how I packed for Ireland; I changed things up after I posted my travel capsule ... View the Post

Foolproof Packing? Start With The Common Wardrobe

November 18, 2024

Come rummage through my closet with me!

Yes, I'm going to Paris after all. You may recall that Belovedest and I had to cancel a trip to London and Paris last month after my wee pratfall in the hotel bathroom; there was no way that I could face an international flight that soon after I broke seven ribs!

But I'm finding now that I can sleep on my side (which is a game-changer, for me!), walk on a treadmill for over a half hour, and be outdoors for 3 or 4 hours at a stretch. I'm not leaving until December 11, so I'm working with the assumption that I will feel at least somewhat better than I do now, and be quite a bit stronger.

All that said, Belovedest insists that I check my suitcase, even though it easily fits ... View the Post

What Do YOU Need in Stressful Times?

July 10, 2024

I think about the role of clothing in our lives A LOT. And I'm currently reading the best book I've read - maybe ever - about a woman and her wardrobe. 

Yes, it's not cheap, but it's a big, long book, and it talks at great length about O'Keeffe's wardrobe, and the deliberate choices that she made to define her personal style. It also shows what a brilliant seamstress she was!

I particularly like that when the author talks about a photograph, or a garment, the image is either RIGHT THERE on the page, or very close, and clearly labeled. I hate having to stop and Google a painting while I'm reading...

Anyway! This book got me thinking about the things that have been essential to me this last few months - ... View the Post

Do You Have a “Signature” Painting? I Finally Found Mine…

April 17, 2024

My Mother's 90th birthday!

It's something that fascinates me - people who know themself so well that everything about them seems to be made for them. You can't imagine them dressed differently. You know that their home is perfect for them, as is their car, and the books that the read, and the music that they love.

"Know thyself." Is there harder advice? When we're buffeted by advertising and entertainment that encourages us to try new and different EVERYTHING all the time (got to keep the economy churning, you know), being loyal to your personal style is far from simple...

Enter Emilio Pettoruti, and this wonderful painting:

Yes, I used this here on The Vivienne Files back in October, but it took me a while ... View the Post

Wardrobe of the Week: June 11 – 17, 2023

June 18, 2023

This was a challenging week - I'm still wearing a brace on my right wrist 24/7, on my left wrist at night, AND I got a cortisone shot in my left foot! I was left unable to put on any sort of shoe over the top of my foot for the entire week; it was cool enough that I would have preferred sneakers or loafers...

Also, I'm sharing a snippet of the fabric of my 2 pairs of pants - they're both black and white, but quite different. Note that my black and white dress is made of the same tic-weave fabric as one pair of pants. In that fabric, I also have the tunic, and the sleeveless top, and a dress... When something is just exactly what you love, you stock up, right?

Maybe the most interesting thing about looking at what I ... 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

Wardrobe of the Week: March 26 – April 1, 2023

April 2, 2023

I've finished my 31 days wearing the same black wool tee shirt - and getting dressed the first day of April was difficult! Well, not difficult, but I did have to hesitate for more than a moment to think about what I would wear...

It's difficult to explain just how amazing wool tee shirts are - after 31 days, my tee shirt STILL DOESN'T SMELL BAD!!!

It's tempting to say that it's because I am in some way free of any bodily contaminants (ahem...), but one must credit the amazing qualities of wool. I can't encourage you enough to try one - even in warmer weather. If we're all going to live with smaller, more carefully-chosen wardrobes, tee shirts that are THIS comfortable, and hold up THIS well, must be ... View the Post

Wardrobe of the Week: March 12 – 18 2023

March 18, 2023

The weeks go by...

Every day so far in March, I've worn the same black long-sleeved wool tee shirt. It's sort of a miracle the way it does NOT smell bad. It's hard to explain unless you actually wear one yourself, I guess... But these things that I'm learning about wool clothing are going to change the way I dress - less, better, and less laundry!

love Janice ... View the Post

An Exciting Event (for me) and a Fun Distraction for You

March 13, 2023

Tomorrow, the very elegant and highly esteemed auction house Hindman is holding an auction of "Spring Fashion & Accessories." It starts at 10 a.m. Central Time, and can be viewed online...

The exciting part? I'm auctioning my Hermes Poster (lot 243)!

If you've never watched one of these auctions before, they're worth the time! Seeing what's still around, what things are worth, and just getting caught up in the bidding excitement...

I wanted to share!

love,

Janice ... View the Post