The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch – The Wardrobes, Finished (for now…)

July 17, 2014

Remind me, when trench coats are back in stores, that we want to revisit these capsule wardrobes and make some additions. If you think of anything else we should address (December holiday attire?), send me a note at theviviennefiles at gmail dot com.

I broke everything out into two pages; I might have been able to fit everything on one page, but we wouldn't have been able to see anything - the earrings would have been teeny little dots on the page!

And I think the links are working - let me know if you find some that are broken and I'll look into it...

thanks, as always!

love, Janice

PS - For more color inspiration, you can find the latest Pantone Color Planner ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 12: A Winter Coat, Boots and Scarf

July 8, 2015   For many of us, a really SERIOUS winter coat is a necessity in the capsule wardrobe.  Realistically, I couldn't get through the winter without my parka that sort of resembles a cross between a sleeping bag and a wee portable padded room...   But let's focus on getting a more attractive, more widely useful winter coat.  I've chosen a mixture of accent colors and neutrals, and tossed in yet another scarf because it's difficult to have too many scarves!   My friend in black and brights wants a statement coat to stand out in the crowd of black - and this blue should do the trick, eh?  

  My lady in navy is looking for a dark neutral coat, but some pretty flowers for an ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 11: A Complete Outfit, for Balance and Accent

July 4 2014 This is the step in which each capsule wardrobe is going to start taking on a distinct personality, based on personal needs, preferences, and desires.  I'm adding a complete outfit to each of the various wardrobes, based on a variety of scenarios that might be possible.   Starting with Madame Grey and Navy - she's starting to feel that navy is under-represented in her wardrobe, and moreover, she'd like to get a gorgeous, versatile cardigan and a luxury skirt into the mix.  Nothing overly dressy; simple and beautiful are what she wants...  

  And now her wardrobe is this:  

  Conversely, our Lady Caramel and Black is longing for something edgier - a leather jacket? A simple ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 9: A Skirt, and Essential Accompaniments

July 2, 2014   Somehow, one of the great mysteries of the internet, this post vanished, and was replaced in its entirety by a post from two years earlier! Happily, I have all of my images saved on my computer, and in the cloud, so I'm able to recreate the look of the original post. I think that my explanation will be much as it was, because I'm still working with essentially the same brain!   Any time you notice things that look complete bizarre or inexplicable here on The Vivienne Files, please send me a note: [email protected]. Your assistance is deeply appreciated!   Next step in the Starting From Scratch Capsule Wardrobe - you don't own a skirt or dress yet! A skirt is the more versatile of the two, because ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 6: Accent Color Tops and a Scarf

June 25, 2014  

Now, the fun starts!  A couple of accent color tops and another scarf will bring each capsule wardrobe to life and give you many more options.     Don't be terribly fanatic about matching up your accent colors, because you won't be wearing these pieces together; just make sure that you're choosing items that convey your preferences and your personal statement... That's what this is all about - showing yourself to the world exactly as you wish to be seen.    

Yellow tee – Warehouse, scarf – Collection Weekend, aqua tee - Reiss  

Red blouse – Cutie,  scarf – Brooks Brothers, blue shirt - Uniqlo  

Pink shirt – Fenn Wright Manson, scarf – Twisted ... View the Post

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch: Choosing Color Schemes

June 17, 2014

It's a question that's as old as The Vivienne Files - if you're starting a capsule wardrobe from scratch, how do you start?

What an ambitious question! But after thinking about it for three years, I'm going to give it a try - a step by step approach to rebuilding your wardrobe from the ground up.

Before you buy any garments at all, you've got to make a couple of decisions. One thing you'll have to work out for yourself - which silhouettes suit you best. I'm really not qualified to answer this question for every woman, but I encourage you to address this question on your own; you know better than anybody else in the world what shapes and sizes of garments suit you best...

But the next question - truly critical - is ... View the Post

Neutral Accessories: Shoes Part 2

May 16, 2014   This is the second half of the Neutral Accessories: Shoes post that I started yesterday.   Although I'm trying to show all of the 14 neutral colors that I've included in my Combination of 3 Neutrals document,  I chose put both of the shades of grey together.  Similarly, I've put natural and khaki together... In both of these cases, the number of items available are so small that it didn't make sense to break them into separate listings!    

 

love,

Janice   Looking Back:

  2012 - one of my favorite paintings of all time - I got to Start with Art: Monet Water Lilies.   2013 - Sometimes I need to be reminded of my Project ... 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

The Vivienne Files FAQ: What if I Don’t Wear Black?

March 3, 2014   I knew this would be the next question - what if I don't wear black? You have all of the rest of the spectrum from which to choose, but realistically, grey, navy, brown or tan/khaki are the most obvious other options from which to choose. Let's try the same exercise as before, but with warm colors.   Say you at least know that you prefer mostly warm hues - and these are your favorite recent purchases:  

  There's no outfit to be worn from these four - it just simply isn't possible for most of us to put together an ensemble here. But if you started with a basic core of neutral clothes in warmer tones (except for jeans, which are sort of the ultimate neutral):  

  Then you ... View the Post

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Woman in Hat with Pompoms and a Printed Blouse – Picasso

January 7, 2014   Many readers asked me to work with a Picasso painting, and I happily oblige.  These outfits are based on beige, just as the painting is literally on a beige background.  Accents of red, orange, yellow, a touch of green, and you're set for almost anything!   My guiding adjectives for this project were warm, saturated, and clear, with unexpected bursts of bright against the toasty neutral.  

     

  This is a wardrobe that could see someone through much of the summer!  

love,

Janice ... View the Post

Four pack: Tan, with THREE printed items

August 26, 2013  

The travel outfit is always the most important decision when packing a tiny suitcase.  In the worst travel outcomes, you can be stuck wearing this outfit for a REALLY long time.  Even if everything goes perfectly, this is the outfit in which you arrive - your first impression at the branch office, or the hotel, or with the relatives.   As much as I adore textured and patterned cardigans, for the Four Pack, I'd stick with a solid-colored cardigan.  This amazingly beautiful sweater might get a lot of action, if the weather proves to be cool, and a solid makes it easier to coordinate other items.  

   Now you have a variety of choices!  This doesn't exhaust the ... View the Post