Vivian files

October 15, 2021 Maybe it’s because I’m home almost all the time. Maybe it’s because almost all of us have been home most of the time for MONTHS AND MONTHS… But I’m looking at the essentials of a wardrobe. The core; the base; the springboard for all of the bright, memorable, snazzy things that we […]

July 5, 2019 I love this artist… And this painting is a perfect ensemble of neutral colors! We’re Going WHERE? To her sweetheart’s college Chess Club reunion, that’s where! She decides to pack on an outfit-by-outfit basis; she knows that the weather is going to be hot, so she’s focusing on linen, and shorts, and […]

The Common Capsule Wardrobe I started using the term ‘Common Wardrobe’ back in 2012 to describe a core wardrobe of basic clothing items most of us already own. I used to work in advertising, and thus I have hung around with some of the most eccentric, exotic and extraordinary people imaginable. Flash back to a […]

March 22, 2019 Someone mentioned it a few days ago – if you plan well, you could use a “color” as a neutral. Of course I had to see how that might work! And I’ve got a fondness for this artist’s work, so it seemed an opportune time to use this as an inspiration for […]

February 15, 2021 Let’s wallow in some flowers! This has the potential to take black and white RIGHT into spring – at least in our hearts! What lovely colors: Today’s heroine assures me that her wardrobe is pretty classic black and white, so let’s start with a 12-piece Common Wardrobe that will see her […]

November 22, 2019 Can You Get Out of Work on Monday? Because Friday is the anniversary of our first date… “And I would like to take you into the city for a long weekend… We could dine out, and go to a concert, and just have a lovely time together…” “There’s an exhibit at the […]

August 24, 2018 Yes, I’m fascinated with this artist… The Autumn Quarter Will Require Numerous Client Visits… That’s the title of the memo… She took a deep breath, and looked at her computer, where the background was this calm, simple, but gracefully beautiful image: She knew it was coming. Their acquisition by a much larger […]

June 17, 2019 After some mulling about, making lists, thinking and thinking some MORE, I think I’m ready to give this a go! Starting the first Monday in July, I will, every Monday for a year, propose a garment which for most of us would qualify as a core wardrobe item. A staple. A classic… […]

Sometimes, a white shirt (tee shirt, tank top) is the ideal choice for an outfit… First and foremost, if you love the way you’re dressed, then you’re wearing the perfect clothes, no matter what ANYBODY else says. In hot weather, when you’re wearing other light-colored garments, or when you need the brightening effects of white […]

August 18, 2020 One last look at this seemingly massive wardrobe. It’s funny how gigantic this seems when I’m trying to squeeze everything onto a page! In reality, most of the world would be thrilled to have this much clothing, but I suspect many of us have a lot more than this! Bring out the […]

December 14, 2020 My mail box often contains requests for assistance (or cries for help!), and this one seemed like a bright, cheery question to share. I personally adore Fair Isle sweaters, and this one is pretty gorgeous: Rather than write a tale of glory about one of our heroines, I’m going to share my […]

August 4, 2015 When your wardrobe plan gets difficult When I received a note about building a wardrobe around the coloring of a Northern Flicker, I was really excited; taupe and black, with accents of orange? What’s not to love? But as most of us have found, it’s one thing to choose and truly commit […]

December 9, 2024 I’m leaving for Paris on Wednesday unless something happens to hold me back. I haven’t been to Paris in five years, which for me feels like half my life… I plan to have posts here for you while I’m away, but bear in mind that I won’t be able to fix stupid […]

I Love It, But Will I Wear It? Boden Paisley Velvet Skirt - The Vivienne Files

November 21, 2013 I love these travel vignettes, and I’m going to share the step by step thought process I go through to build them. Once you have your two core neutrals chosen, the rest just falls into place. It gives you a great deal of ease in life to have a nicely-chosen wardrobe […]

October 14, 2019 Yes, if you live where it’s cold, you might easily want a stack of these turtlenecks! If you don’t anticipate that much cold weather in your life, or you just don’t feel that you’re going to need more than a couple of these tops, you can skip this garment entirely, or substitute […]

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…) […]

August 17, 2015 Yes, I promised a capsule wardrobe with turquoise and purple. I should have taken a look at what’s still available for summer before I spoke so precipitously! It’s kind of an unwritten policy when I’m working on The Vivienne Files that, if I show a piece of clothing, it should be […]

The Echo scarf company was so impressed by how many of you commented on the post on which they gave away a scarf that they have extended a 20% discount to ALL OF US for the next 2 weeks… Use code TVF20 to get 20% off of anything on their site: www.echonewyork.com I’m sure I […]

August 15, 2013 In the interest of full disclosure, if your click on any link to Boticca and purchase something, they give me a (very) small commission. That’s not why I use their accessories on The Vivienne Files; I use them because they’re timeless, elegant, classic, and unique, just like us! love, […]