The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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A khaki & green summer wardrobe, with accessories

April 9, 2013  

Many people have asked me to clarify how I choose the accessories that I put with these simple wardrobes; I will try to explain my thought process.  And some of you have expressed a desire to see these wardrobes with fewer shoes - thinking that these little vignettes would make great packing templates...The accessories I've chosen are:

Silk/cashmere cardigan – Diane von Furstenberg, sunglasses – Jimmy Choo, dangle earrings – Kara Ross,  necklace – Fossil, seashell earrings – Rose Pierre, tee shirt – Balmain, daisy bracelet – Stella &Dot, striped cotton scarf – Mapoesie, skirt – Sophie Hulme, fabric slingbacks – Andre Assous, ballet flats – Franco Sarto, gold sandals – Taryn Rose, ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Project 333 for warm weather – my search for a uniform

I won't even try to kid you - I've been under a lot of stress recently, and there's no apparent reason for it.  I have one of the easiest lives that any human being could want, but I still have been feeling pressured, inadequate, hurried to get things done, and as if much of what I do has been "weighed in the balance and found wanting."

So as the weather finally warms up, my goal is to simplify, and to try to give myself more time to accomplish things that will give me a sense of gratification and competence.  Thus, I'm stripping this summer's wardrobe back to the absolute basics - a uniform of sorts.

The late Olivia Goldsmith co-authored the above, very insightful, book (available here, finally at a reasonable price!). ... View the Post

Accessories for a very simple summer wardrobe

Many people felt that my very simple summer wardrobes were just too plain, but the wardrobes as they were shown were never going to be the final  product.  With a few accent pieces of clothing (which count as accessories in my world), some shoes, scarves, and jewelry, the look of the clothes can change quite a bit...

Cardigan – Valentino, sunglasses – Ray-Ban, earrings – Karen Millen, striped bracelet – Jean Lous Sherrer, spiked necklace – Kenneth Jay Lane, gold earrings – Brooks Brothers, tee shirt – J. Crew, pearl bracelet – Stella & Dot, navy & white bracelet – Wing Paris, checked cotton scarf – Aquascutum, skirt – Montaigne Market, black sandals – Manolo Blahnik, flats – Born, espadrilles – Michael ... View the Post

9 more! Whatever’s Clean Summer Wardrobe

Sigh... L.L.Bean clothing is NOT frumpy.  It can be frumpy, but so can clothing from 3.1 Phillip Lim. Frumpy is the person, and the way things are worn, not the garments themselves.  Some accessories, some attitude, some good posture, and these clothes will look as chic as anything that costs 10 times as much.  Make your own style! UPDATE:  I welcome all comments.  You don't have to love what I do - it would be impossible for me to create web posts that everybody loved.  But everybody IS welcome to come by here, share their opinion, read the opinions of others, have a laugh or two, pick up something to think about, and stop back another day for a post that might be more to their taste.  As long as ... View the Post

The Whatever’s Clean Summer Wardrobe – 6 variations

Pretty much 45 seconds after I posted the 13 = 81 summer wardrobe, in which you can literally wear whatever's clean, and it will still go together, I got suggestions.  Dozens of suggestions..."This is wonderful, but I can't ever let me knees be seen in public!!!"

Variation: No Visible Knees Whatever's Clean Summer Wardrobe

"Okay, this is great, but you need to do a version that doesn't have anything sleeveless in it - my armpits are horrible!!!"

Varation:  No Visible Knees, nor Armpits Whatever's Clean Summer Wardrobe

"Please do a variation that doesn't include any black - I never wear black!"   Variation: The "No-Black" Whatever's Clean Summer Wardrobe

"Since I retired, I refuse to ... View the Post

A Four by four Capsule Wardrobe: the entire summer

So if you remember from yesterday, we had these garments in our Four by Four capsule wardrobe, planned for a trip to the shore:   

After finding that these items worked really well for our specific needs, it was determined that the entirety of the summer wardrobe would be purchased with the same guidelines.First, a little something in darker colors, just so our jeans don't get lonely in the laundry!

And then a really pretty color, just because it's summer, and because it goes with our three neutrals:

Some more tops, in a variety of colors, and a few more essential summer accessories...

With these 24 garments, your summer is pretty much handled...And NO, I AM NOT TELLING YOU TO GO BUY YOUR ... View the Post

A Four by four Capsule Wardrobe: summer at the shore

When I see the ocean, it is NOT at the beach - it's more Humboldt County, California, or the west coast of Ireland, or the coast of Maine.  Warm, sunny days, cool evenings, and a gray and damp day every now and then, where you spend the day sitting by the fireplace...  This Four by Four Capsule Wardrobe gives you options for any kind of shoreline...

 

Yes, our rental house DOES have laundry facilities....

Throw in a little bit of color....

 And essential accessories.

I'm not necessarily saying that you need to run out and buy your entire summer wardrobe from L.L.Bean - I use these clothes as an example of what's possible.  But if you're a sturdy New Englander, with a ... View the Post

A bonus travel idea…

Over at A Femme d'un Certain Age, I posted a nifty little travel ensemble.  Come visit!  

striped tank – Second Female, tee shirts – J. Crew, white drop earrings – Max and Chloe, red cuff bracelet – Intermix, 

white zodiac bracelet – Adesso, yellow necklace – Maxmara, sunglasses – Albert Maysles, Red skirt – J. Crew, 

chambray espadrilles – Soludos, chambray capris – Old Navy, white sandals – Michael Antonio, white linen pants – Wallis Fashion, 

chambray shirt – Old Navy, dress – Komodo, tote – Forever 21, red sandals - Worishofer   ... View the Post

Chic Sighting: bright pants X four

Tee shirts – J. Crew, bracelet – 9 West, blue capris – Dorothy Perkins, Orange sandals – Stuart Weitzman,

 pink capris – Diane von Furstenberg, scarf – Missoni, sandals – Hush   

Tunic – Emanuel Ungaro, earrings – Alexis Bittar, pants – Yigal Azrouel, ballet flats – Isabel Marant,

 brown tee – La Garconne, scarf – Hermès, jeans – Exit Brooklyn, sandals – Dolce & Gabbana   ... View the Post

Visualizing French Chic: olive, and young, and casual

 

Jacket – Virginie Castaway, vest – Humanoid, cardigan – Manestrale, dress – Go Green M by M, Rolled capris – Dorothy Perkins, jeans – J Brand, shorts – D&G  

Black tee – Uniqlo, sunglasses – Lacoste, athletic shoes – Nike, White tee – Fat Face, bracelets – 1928, boots - Cordani  

Tank top – Madewell, fedora – Forever 21, Sandals – Mulberry, flower earrings – Lord & Taylor, gold clutch – Style & Co., gold sandals – Sam Edelman  

Short-sleeved shirt – Old Navy, cross body bag – 9 West, sunglasses – Wetseal, tee – Nike, espadrilles – Mad Love, woven flats - Blowfish  

Tee shirt – J. Crew, scarf – Tillys, ballet flats – Aldo, earrings – Inc International ... View the Post