November 11, 2016 It’s tempting to say we’ve reached the home stretch of building this capsule wardrobe, but in reality, you’re never finished building your wardrobe. Things wear out, or suddenly shrink, or you just plain can’t stand the sight of that tee shirt EVER AGAIN… (after travel, you might need to find something […]
This Californian bungalow is anything but traditional thanks to an extension that continues to wow.
August 21, 2015 The turbulence of nature, in cool, calm colors, with a touch of gold… A perfect office wardrobe color scheme, with unexpected accent colors! Calm, relaxed… The place is a madhouse, everybody admits that. One would think that they were engaged in life-saving surgeries, or transporting of vital medicines, or something […]
Even though I don't really need to do much more research, I seem to be addicted to downloading books from Internet Archive. I really am a research junky. I guess I may as well put all this research energy to good use by sharing some of the good stuff I've found. Because I'm putting lots of pictures in this post, I'm going to insert a page break so it won't bog down folks loading the main page. If you want to see all of the pictures, you'll have to open the post. On my mind this week are closets and other bedroom built-ins—probably because we're trying to make progress on our closet this month. I've cited where I got the drawings. From Housewifery by L. Ray Balderton, 1919 From Home Interiors by the National Lumber Mfg. Association, 1929 From Home Interiors by the National Lumber Mfg. Association, 1929 These three wardrobes are from the Morgan Millwork catalog (1921) I shared a couple days ago. These 5 pages about Closets and Wardrobes are from the book What Makes the House Beautiful: A Collection of Building Details and Measured Drawings, published in 1920 by Henrietta C. Peabody. And three more from various sources. From the Curtis Cabinet and Stair Work catalog, 1927. From an Ideal Built-In Furniture catalog, c. 1920 From a Sears Honor Bilt Building Materials catalog, 1930.
January 8, 2016 Someone sent this to me ages ago, and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get to this gorgeous piece… This suggests the most lovely color scheme, which is both timeless and seasonless: I’ve also received lots of requests for travel suggestions for longer trips – that 3 […]
It doesn’t surprise me that this post was high up on the list of all-time favorites – it’s a perennial topic for The Vivienne Files! Remember 3 and a half years ago, when I built SIX separate wardrobes, from scratch? This was the first post of that series… While these aren’t the most creative or […]
Here are the 3 Factors to Consider When Planning a Capsule Wardrobe: There are two main factors that are critical to building a long-lasting capsule wardrobe: garment color and proportions in relation to your body. I think we can all agree that some colors are more flattering on us than others. And if you’re unfamiliar […]
It’s apparent, when you look back through years of The Vivienne Files, that my thinking about some concepts… evolves… the more I work with them. Foremost among the ideas that have gone through some changes is the Four by Four Capsule Wardrobe. But I’m pretty settled on how I think this best comes together, (finally…) […]
March 10, 2016 Adding the accessories is fun – I’m going to do a few of these in a row, so we can all see the system, and the cumulative benefits that accrue when you get a nice core of accent pieces, growing bit by bit.Here’s where this second “1 at a Time” started: […]
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 […]
For two weeks this month, I wore the 16 items pictured above in 14 outfits as part of my May style sudoku, at home edition . The outfits are made from the rows, columns, corners, and diagonals of the sudoku. A style sudoku is my favorite style challenge—if you know me, you know I’m a big sudoku ner
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 […]
Do you want to reduce your impact on the planet ? Learn about green fashion with this complete guide about how to make your wardrobe more sustainable.
Learn how to build a capsule wardrobe that looks like YOU, and not just a carbon copy of someone else's style, in 6 easy steps. You can have a minimalist wardrobe and still let your personal style shine!
June 9, 2015 You all send me the best requests! How about a “Whatever’s Clean 13” in navy and beige, with the accents and prints/patterns in the accessories? Our starting template: The “Flower Burst” scarf from KathKath was specifically mentioned, and I thought that a few She-Beads bracelets would work well. […]
I’m SO happy that so many of you found Tuesday’s Color Method to closet decluttering useful! When I head off into these new blog directions, I’m never quite sure how things will be received; my head is so full of ideas that every now and then I have to toss one out there and cross […]
July 29, 2015 I am really glad that I asked you all to send me painting suggestions – otherwise, I would never have seen this gorgeous thing! The Rose Garden by Ute Laum is an example of a painting in which the camel/cognac plays a very small, but absolutely essential, role. None of the other […]
It's been over a year since I've decided to change how I think about clothes, fashion and shopping. Living with a small wardrobe - it's a process. I, too, used to dream of a bright and spacious walk in closet filled floor to ceiling with everything I could ever desire. I too would pick up and try on dozens of things while visiting a favourite store - and I would take home a lot of them too. Now I try five, or ten, but only one or two come home with me. Or none, even! Realising that like you don't always need to finish your plate if you're full, you don't need to buy everything you rest your eyes on, has been rewarding. But the truth is I still have a way to go to be a "better" wardrobe minimalist. I'm learning. I'm being picky - pickier than ever, but I'm not stuck up on rules. I do love me some framework though, which is why this graphic is here. For me, for you, for all. Last year I was struggling to build the perfect wardrobe for myself, I was frankly confused about where the heck to start. And, how? It seemed (and was) a huge quest. And it's really quite simple. So how do I build the perfect (capsule) wardrobe? 1. First, you clean out your closet. There's no reason for unworn items to take up precious space. It's okay if you can't get rid of everything all at once. I, for one, like to take my time, I keep combing through my closet even now - and I forever will. I've just put away my summer wardrobe and I know that next spring I will again rid that collection of more things - things that I wasn't able to say goodbye to now. That's how it goes for me. If you can be ruthless and really send away everything you're not totally in love with, I applaud you - you are strong! But if you take away one and only one thing from all the things I write, it should be this: The space in your closet should be precious to you, sacred even. So don't settle for stuff that doesn't work. (In other words, don't fill it up with **** ) 2. Uniforms. Whether you're building a capsule wardrobe or not, knowing your uniform(s) is an immensely useful shortcut to creating successful outfits. Basically it means that you know what cuts, silhouettes and combinations of clothes suit you. If you love wearing jeans, semi-casual tops and ankle booties, then you damn well make sure you have a few good jeans and semi-casual top options for instant, feel good, you outfits. My current uniforms are along the lines of: a) Mini(ish) skirt with black tights + tee or a top + cosy knit + sneakers / booties b) Blue jeans (damn you good black jeans so hard to find!) + top or shirt + jumper / leather jacket + sneakers I'm also partial to a pretty dress or two, just so you know. I created examples of 7 uniforms in the picture - mine would be combos of 1, 3 and 6. It's just what I wear and what I feel comfortable in right now. Uniforms are great when you travel too. I hate lugging a suitcase so I always pack into a carry on. When you maximise your mixing and matching possibilities, there really is no need for a large case. I've written about packing for a weekend away here and here. 3. Make sure you're clear about your style. You'll most likely have an idea about what your style is. E.g. mine is feminine, comfortable, a little urban, a little boho. Depends on the season. If not, however, scout the internet, create a Pinterest board and dissect your favourite outfits. What's the person wearing? Would you wear it? Why do you love it so much? What's the vibe of the outfit? Pick 3-5 words that best describe the style you want to impersonate and keep them in mind as you construct your shopping list. If you're going for a masculine vibe, it wouldn't make sense to stare longingly at floral skirts. (But perhaps if you're staring longingly at floral skirts, you should rethink that masculine vibe in the first place.) Point is, listen to your gut! You may really admire and appreciate a style but not feel right wearing it yourself. 4. Set yourself a colour palette. This one can be tricky. And with some of us the colour palettes change by seasons. Every spring you crave pastels, every autumn you crave deep, rich tones. That's normal! Appropriate your palette to your skin tone, to your existing closet, to the shades you like to wear, whatever feels right. Keep in mind that the more the colours mix and match, the easier it will be to create many outfits from a small amount of clothes. The common misconception about minimal wardrobes is that they have to be neutral for them to work. Well they don't! You can still wear colour and prints to your heart's content. I purposefully created colourful colour palettes in the 6 examples above. There's a neutral palette, a pastel palette, a colourful palette. There are so many colours in the world - you're bound to find a combination that floats your boat. 5. Analyse and shop! When you've cleaned out your closet and thought about everything there is to think about, it's time to sit down, look at your wardrobe with fresh eyes and with your uniforms in mind, figure out where its weaknesses are. Note it down, research and...gasp...shop! A little by little, your wardrobe will come to life. And if you think too much is missing, don't despair! I think it's best anyway if you add to your wardrobe a little at a time. This is an experiment, your style evolves - be patient with yourself. When it comes to capsule shopping, I prefer to do it alone. I know lots of women like to shop with their girlfriends but truth be told, this is your wardrobe, that you are going to wear day by day and so your opinion is the only one that matters. Go at your own pace, listen to your gut and take as much time as you need to think about your choices. And my favourite thing, always apply the 3 outfit rule! When shopping and trying on clothes in the fitting room, imagine your wardrobe at home (or use your phone if you store images of your closet in an app - bonus points!) and in your head, create 3 outfits with this new item - but beware, the outfits must consist of only clothes you already have at home (+ that new item you so want to buy, duh). Don't be tempted to get a beautiful new top for which you also have to get beautiful new trousers and beautiful new shoes, 'cause you ain't got nothing at home to wear with it. Seriously, don't do it. Your style will suffer. So this is basically my seasonal process, after a year of capsule wardrobes. At the beginning of every wardrobe season I clean out my closet. By now I know what uniforms I like to wear and I don't much care about the number. I have a good idea of what my style is and what I want it to be. I know what colours are "my colours" and I know I get fashion-depressed if I have a neutral wardrobe. So I keep trying new colours but always applying the 3 outfit rule - will this mustard sweater go with the rest of my wardrobe? (It does.) And every season I analyse my wardrobe, by looking at it, looking at my inspiration boards and I figure out what's missing and try to get the best quality I can afford. That's it. That's the trick. How do you build your perfect wardrobes? I'd really love to know! And do you shop alone or with friends? Live simply Live thoughtfully Live with less
July 31, 2015 “Are you feeling okay? You seem to have been tired lately,” her sweetheart asked her last night. “Now that you mention it, between all of the stress at work, and the heat this summer, I do feel a little bit… wilted, I think you could say. Why do you ask?” […]
November 8, 2016 When we paused at the end of yesterday’s capsule wardrobe building, we had five pieces of clothing – not a ton, but still enough for a tidy handful of outfits: Clearly, this wardrobe is going to take on some real depth of color with the addition of some accessories. I’m […]
Soo...our contract says our house will be finished in two months. Seeing as we haven't even officially started yet, I'm going to take a wild guess and say that's not going to happen. I know
Outfit formulas are a great way to define your personal style - and they make it much easier to get dressed, too. Here are 4 outfit formulas to try out.
