sweaters Archives

Can Chinos be Pretty? Starting with Flat-Front Cotton Pants

August 31, 2026

So Friday's version of "what to wear with chinos?" focused on a pair of pleated, warm-hued pants, worn with neutrals. Today, I've found a pair of more grey-ish, taupe-ish pants - (they call it stone), and I'm pairing them with pastels and soft accents!

I love dressing like this - I can wear a sweater or top that's distinctly pretty, but I don't look twee, or over-dressed, because the chinos take the mood in a more relaxed direction:

The first thing I tried was putting these pants into the very LAST outfit from Friday - the one with the labradorite jewelry, and the perfect scarf and boots:

After that, I just looked around for pretty scarves or sweaters! I love this mixing of shades of pink:

This ... View the Post

Chinos? Khakis? Whatever You Call Them, They’re the Surprise Star of My Wardrobe

August 28, 2026

I keep track of what I wear - I actually have an Excel spreadsheet that I've been keep for years...

But I don't often actually USE this data for analysis... Until just a few days ago, I decided to see what I could learn about myself and my wardrobe from this diligent record-keeping.

Most frequently worn garment? Blue jeans

Second most frequently worn garment? Black jeans (I sense a theme...)

THIRD most frequently worn garment? Khakis! Or chinos! Or whatever they're called in your neck of the woods... We call 'em khakis around here....

These aren't exactly like mine, but these are really nice! All-cotton too...

I resisted buying chinos for decades. Literally decades. But I found a pair - used - very ... View the Post

If You’re Only Going to Have One Sweater – Oliver Charles Winter Cable Knit

February 21, 2024

It's here, and I'm wearing it! My sweater from Oliver Charles - lovely, comfortable and beautifully well made... Here's a close-up view:

If you only want to own one sweater (okay, you may want a cardigan too!), this is a pretty good candidate - classic style, luxurious fiber content, neutral color... (this scarf is 100% yak, which is AMAZING...)

I'm going to be wearing my sweater for at least the next 7 days - probably longer, so on Instagram you'll be able to see what I'm wearing each day. But I have so many ideas about how this sweater can be worn...

I truly believe that you could get married wearing this sweater - pile on pearls and go for it!

Any neutral skirt, and a pretty brooch, and you're ... View the Post

Ideas for Layering Tops: Japanese Season Sōkō – Frost Descent

October 20, 2023

I'm still not used to the fact that autumn is here, and October is mostly over! But I love autumn clothes, so that helps me adjust...

Today I'm thinking about how we have to layer up a LOT of clothes first thing in the morning (I wear gloves any time the temp is below 55 Fahrenheit!), but by afternoon we can peel off at least 1 layer...

In the past, I've called this the "Triple Top Secret" because having three tops that work together give you at least a half-dozen different combinations... Pack 3 tops and an extra pair of pants, and you're good for a long weekend!

Your "pivot" top - the one around which you build - can be your 2nd layer, as I've shown here:

A lovely blazer is always a good place to ... View the Post

Six Paintings, Twelve Months: Paysage Algérien by Renoir

October 11, 2023

This painting really feels just right for this time of year - we're actually on our 4th consecutive day of true autumn weather!

What do you think? To me, this feels the most like a "normal" wardrobe. Maybe it's the mix of colors, or the number of colors?

This heroine starts out thinking that she's going to get some basic, infinitely useful garments this month; many of us start out thinking this way!

A navy tee shirt? Perfect for a solid column of color with her navy pants. The polo sweater can be worn with something under it, or on its own. And a v-neck sweater is classic, and also can be layered or worn alone...

Maybe gold loafers and a sparkly brooch aren't absolutely basic!

This wardrobe ... 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 Cool Weather Wardrobe Accent – 10 Sweaters, with Accessories

August 28, 2023

Let's assume, for the sake of fun, that we know what our core neutral wardrobe color will be for upcoming cool weather (in the Northern Hemisphere, of course!).

But most of us are going to want to add something to accent our wardrobes for the upcoming 6+ months of sweater weather...

I've already found mine - I bought the Lands' End Velvet Plum Heather cashmere cardigan THE MINUTE it was available. I didn't wait for it to go on sale, because it had real, serious whappage, and that means grab it now!

I could have purchased the crewneck, but I already have a purple crewneck sweater - in a different purple! - so this filled a wardrobe gap, and also sang sweet songs of cashmere to my heart...

But there are ... View the Post

Three Capsule Wardrobes: First Half of Six Paintings, 12 Months – August 2023

August 2, 2023

My favorite work every month! This, to me, is the closest The Vivienne Files can get to showing how a real wardrobe might grow, month by month. If we all (I mean ALL) carefully planned our purchases to be versatile AND to endure, we could eliminate a lot of waste in the world. At least we should try, eh?

Last month, we left our heroine with a wardrobe of 23 garments; it's pretty well balanced, except she might be challenged to wear her dress in cooler weather.

Tights and a sweater will get her through, of course, but maybe a skirt would be useful...

This heroine added another grey tee shirt to her wardrobe; the shirt she has is pretty sporty, and she thought a more classic one would be useful. ... View the Post

Accessory Families – Adding a Fresh Color for Warm and Cool Weather

April 28, 2023

It's fascinating to me that one can buy a cashmere sweater any month of the year, but it offers us an interesting wardrobe-planning option.

Think of this: you choose a color that you'd like to add to your wardrobe - maybe a bright or pastel accent, maybe a new neutral.

Over the next 6 months, you gradually add things to your wardrobe, and by the time autumn comes (or spring, depending on what hemisphere you call home!) you will have an accessory family in your new color!

Maybe you already own a piece or two in your color; I'm thinking of doing some deliberate shopping to get more mileage out of my purple cashmere crewneck sweater!

One really excellent item per month is a much easier way to ... View the Post

Part 2: HOW CAN YOU WEAR A NEW ACCENT COLOR? PANTONE AUTUMN/WINTER 2023/24

February 27, 2023

Let's spend some time with the other 5 colors that Pantone identified as "important" for Autumn/Winter 2023/24...

yes, I would definitely put a brooch over the logo on this cardigan; I just couldn't resist this, because the color is so perfect!

Of course, this color is lovely with navy:

I think I could have found a better name for this shade of green, but they never ask my opinion!

I'm not sure about this with navy - I think I will pull together a beige core wardrobe next week and try all of the colors with it...

I love this color!

And I love it with navy; navy is a great neutral!

I think Pantone almost always include some shade of blush peach/pink. It's a pretty ... View the Post

Six Paintings, 12 Months – January 2023

January 2, 2023

Well THAT was weird to type...

Our six heroines all decided that they wanted to go shopping to augment the TWO garments with which they started our year-long adventure.

If you have something specific in mind that you want to buy, this is a difficult time of year to shop; lots of stores are sold out of all of the really nice things, and much of what's left is only available in a limited number of sizes.

But our heroines know that places like L.L.Bean will ALWAYS have a good assortment of timeless, classic garments. When you have very few clothes, buying trendy things is silly!

Let's visit our heroines and see what's up!

First up she thought that a black jacket would make sense. Being the ... View the Post

Japanese 24 Seasons of the Year – Tōji – Winter Solstice

December 21, 2022

The days start getting longer tomorrow! And while I'm quite ready for a big massive snowstorm (I love snow...), I'm also ready for a bit more daylight.

We live in a place just a bit too far south, and too brightly lit, to ever see the Northern Lights. Sigh...

For no clear reason I can offer, this post turned into 3 pairs of outfits - maybe I'm thinking about the balance of the solstice?

First up - a 2-piece dress!

You could pack the 2-piece dress, and then this sweater and pants; you would at that point be ready for at least a couple of parties!

Doesn't this look frigid, and beautiful?

If you find a scarf that you like somewhere, it makes sense to look at that same retailer for ... View the Post