The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for two weeks in Europe

One of the stranger joys of keeping a laptop for a REALLY long time is that you stumble across files that you completely forgot existed.  To wit, I found my old travel planning file from 2003/2004!  And thus I can tell you with a great deal of certainty what I wore on a combination business and leisure trip I took to Copenhagen and Berlin in late August and early September 2004.  What a blast from my wardrobe past it was to find this.

As with all business trips I take, I grew to roundly detest all of these clothes by the time I got home.  But this trip required only a carry-on bag, and I always consider that a success! ... View the Post

Build a Capsule Wardrobe Starting with Art: Alfred Sisley

You may have noticed that wardrobes are appearing here are NOT in the order in which they were requested. I work on almost all the wardrobes simultaneously (yes, my hard drive hates me), and I post them as I finish them. Your wardrobe request has NOT been forgotten; some are just more difficult than others.Don't hesitate to post a comment with a specific wardrobe request. I will do my very best to choose beautiful things for you... ... View the Post

Wardrobe: ORANGE!!!!

I really love you all.  Seriously.  You take time every day to read my writing, look at my work, and give me feedback and challenges.  What else could I ask from total strangers?

I particularly enjoy the wardrobe requests I get.  This one was AMAZINGLY difficult:  "I'm a gold jewellry wearer and love to wear orange which I think always goes well with black or white depending on the season. I would love your suggestions for a core wardrobe for a femme d'un certain age." 

This is my best effort - I threw some blue into the mix because I adore it with orange, black and white, and I think it keeps the whole package from going too "Halloween-y" on us.  Enjoy! ... View the Post

Wardrobes mantra: Carefully Curated and Deliberately Distilled

So far, all of the wardrobes I've built have been posted under the heading French Chic, and I'm frankly becoming a bit uncomfortable with that.  We've wandered quite a distance from what the original guidelines of Susan Sommers' iconic book, and I'm not sure that I should continue to exploit the title which is so indelibly hers.

Thus, I'm just going to call them wardrobes.  And with that decision, I thought I should share with you the mantra I use for the building of these little gems.

First: Carefully Curated.  Each garment has to make the cut.  I've heard some fairly harsh criticism recently that "good enough" is really okay for one's wardrobe, and I have to disagree.  Yes, in some circumstances we do have to ... View the Post

French Chic: if you’re really exotic and work in advertising!

One of my friends has long black hair, an outrageous personality, and works in advertising.  This is for her!

Please bear in mind that I couldn't wear this.  But it takes all kinds, and doing this wardrobe made it clear to me that the concept of core garments works for any style or personality.

I've noticed that the most straightforward way for me to "build" a wardrobe is to start with the scarf and work from there.

And as I think about it, this could be a good strategy for anybody looking for some guidelines and some structure around which to build their clothing choices.  The beauty of this approach is that you don't HAVE to actually own the scarf - you can find one that resonates on a deep level with you ... View the Post

What my French friend wears to work: The roots of the Vivienne Files

Vivienne and I first got to be friends because of packing - she works in a hotel in Paris and was helping me pull together a training session I was running - and after the first or second day, she said something like "you got dressed in my closet this morning" and then we wound up having drinks, and THEN she came up to my room to eat room service (Gratis, since she works for the hotel) and hanging out with me while I did my ironing.

Bottom line, I know the girl's packing philosophy cold, since she and I have the same approach.

Start with a base of 5 garments, no matter how long or how short the trip: Jacket or cardigan Pants that match Skirt that matches Top that goes with the above Another top that matches

Vivienne would go with a ... View the Post

One French woman’s Small, Simple wardrobe: Back to the roots of the Vivienne Files

  This is from a posting on a discussion group in which I listed the entirety of Vivienne's work wardrobe. She tells me that it has changed very little in the intervening years... Note that I've assigned "days of the week" to these little vignettes, but I don't think that necessarily corresponds to how and when Vivienne actually wears these.

  Here's the inventory...  (1) Charcoal gray flannel pants, gray and black striped sweater  (1b) red and gray twinset

  (2) Black short knit skirt, black merino twinset (2b) black and white striped turtleneck longer (tunic length?) sweater

  (3) Black pants and blazer, black and white paisley blouse  (3b) black and white mixed cashmere crew (3/4 ... View the Post