The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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Pantone Fall 2016 “New” Colors, and Way to Try Them

March 16, 2016   Always a favorite time of year for me - Pantone finds "new" colors to share with us! Of course, there's no such thing, but I always like to spend some time looking at the colors, and trying to see if I can find them represented anywhere in the world of merchandise. Gone are the days when these colors dominated retail offerings!   While a couple of these colors are nothing more than cleverly named neutrals (the grey and the taupe), the other 8 might serve as a fun new accent color for a season or two. With that in mind, I looked at accessories, nail polish, and a few tee shirts, to see if anything was tempting.... And don't forget that canvas shoes are available in about a billion different colors, ... View the Post

Pantone 2016 Colors, and an Accessory Refresh

January 13, 2016

This horridly cold weather in Chicago reminds me of the best aspect of writing The Vivienne Files - I don't have to leave the building. (seriously - grocery story, gym, pool, dry cleaner etc. all in the building!) But I begin to crave a change of colors, and something to brighten up my winter clothes, which begin to all look the same.

While we all understand pretty clearly that Pantone colors don't actually rule the world, nor do they actually find "new" colors, they can still be a useful guide to looking at some accessories in colors that we might not otherwise consider.

What could be more fun than a new bottle of nail polish, and maybe an inexpensive ring, to cheer up the end (?!?) of winter? I think things on ... View the Post

Pantone 2016 – Useful Colors, If We See Them!

December 5, 2015

Yes, "new" colors.

Normally, Pantone gives us just one color for a year, but this year we've been given two... (can you imagine the changes in the world if there really WERE two new colors? I dream of these things...)

I like to imagine that there was a huge fight going on at the Pantone offices, and that announcing 2 colors for next year was the only way to settle it. Talk about your 1st world problems. (no, I don't really like that term, but it's a good way to describe any color dispute...)

I debated not even blogging about this, but I think I have to turn in my official blogger eyelash curlers or something if I completely ignore this announcement. I was really undecided.

And then I saw this:

First off, ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Fall Accent Color: Linden Green

September 21, 2013   I wasn't crazy about this color when I started looking for accent items for our capsule wardrobe, but when I started putting it against the neutral colors it really began to grow on me.  And I'm also beginning to see the value in an accent cardigan.  I think it's easy to assume that an accent color for a season or two might be best purchased in a blouse, tee shirt or sweater, but upon reflection I can see that a cardigan could be worn more often, and make more of a visible impact...  Food for thought.

 

  While I was combing the internet for this color, I noticed that the brand Schumacher had a variety of garments in this color currently available.  It's not uncommon for a ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Fall Accent Color: Deep Lichen Green

September 14, 2013   This is another Pantone seasonal color that feels a lot like a neutral to me - and a beautiful neutral!  There are lots of items available in this color; if you aren't comfortable wearing this near your face, there are still a lot of options for shoes and pants...  

Scarf – YuhOkano,  cardigan – Bark, earrings – Nikki Baker, Buddha bracelet – Eastern Mystic, loafers - Munro  

 

love,

Janice ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Fall Accent 2013: Vivacious

September 12, 2013   I'm always amazed when a bright shade of fuchsia or hot pink is considered a "special, seasonal" color, because it seems to me that it's always available in some shape or form...    

Drop stud earrings – Dorus Mhor,  Blouse – Maison Martin Margiela,  scarf – Pucci ,  clutch – Poupee Couture, flats – Adam Tucker  

  love, Janice                        ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Fall Accent 2013: Turbulence

September 9, 2013

I've had lots of questions about the Pantone Autumn/Winter 2013 colors, and how to integrate them into a wardrobe, so I'm going to show a series of posts that might give you some ideas, or some help.  I'm starting with Turbulence, because it's easy to work with, since it's more of an neutral than a bright accent...So you decide that Turbulence is going to be your fall focus, and you find a blouse, and a handful of accessories:

Scarf – Arlette Ess, Blouse – MM6 by Maison  Martin Margiela,  rope necklace – Alienina, earrings – Ippolita,  flats - Munro

Next, just for working purposes, I'll start with a very neutral wardrobe; 10 pieces that might be in almost anybody's wardrobe, are readily available, and easily ... View the Post

Pantone Fall Colors, and the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

July 28, 2013

I might be the last blogger in the world to be mentioning the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, but it's certainly worth mentioning, IF you have a clear idea of what you're planning to purchase for this fall and winter.  Nordstrom marks down selected NEW merchandise for a couple of weeks, before returning those items to their regular price in early August.  IF, AND ONLY IF, you KNOW what you need and want, this can be a great opportunity.  If you just wander in unprepared, you're doomed - everything looks delectable, and you will leave laden with parcels, flat broke, and confused...

I'm going to show you a few things that are currently on sale, and I've chosen them to reflect the colors that Pantone has advised ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Spring 2013 Accent: “Tender Shoots” & A Common Wardrobe

February 20, 2013  

I've taken a different approach here, which I think might be an effective way to wear a color that you really LOVE, (or that you have to wear for purposes of work or social solidarity - think favorite sports team) but that isn't terribly flattering to you.  (if you look good in the color, live it up; you're an uncommon beauty!) 

Basically, I've concentrated the color in a pair of shoes, and a bracelet - two items that aren't going to have any opportunity to flatter or detract from your face, unless you're a contortionist.  Then a couple of prints or patterns that include moderate doses of the color in question, but which will bring the shoes and/or bracelet into your outfit with a ... View the Post