Vivienne Files, part I

 I adore Vivienne Files. Except that her taste in clothes is very different from mine, and also, I'm not a businesswoman :-D Also, I suspect she's Summer because those awful dusty colors keep creeping in to her wardrobe suggestions :-D (I mean, I hate those colors, mauve and taupe are the ugliest colors I know. But that's just my opinion. It's totally fine if you like them. And I adore Janice's job even when I disagree with her on taste.)

So, I am adjusting one of her capsule wardrobes. Go to her blog to see more of it, she's really good at what she does.

I like the idea of a cream/pink/green spring wardrobe, and I like her first outfit with the pink crepe blouse, pink cardigan and cream skirt. I don't like the skirt much, though, so I replace it with a longer A-line skirt.

Now, her 4x4 capsule wardrobe idea starts with a "core four". That is, two tops and two bottoms, and preferably the two tops can be layered, that is, one is a jacket or cardigan. I love twinsets, because, as Vivienne Westwood says, they can be styled in many ways. You can use the cardigan as a sweater wearing it with buttons on the back, and it works as a light jacket. 

With these four pieces, you'll have already 10 different outfits. You see how wearing the t-shirt outside the bottom or tucked in, creates a totally different impression. I've added some accessories to the last one to give you an idea of how to diversify these outfits even more. 

Basically, you could choose a V-neck t-shirt and wear that back and front, and thus give yourself a couple more outfits.

And if you choose a jersey skirt with an elastic waistband, you could hitch it up over your breasts, and get a miniskirt, or wear it on your hips and get a longer skirt. Or, you could use it as a strapless dress. It would look very nice with a belt and the cardigan.
But - I am all for multiuse garments and multi-using garments. There's a hack on how to wear a long, wide sweater with a big neckline as a lot of things :-D I think I have posted it here.

Some things need to be said about capsule wardrobes:
- it is primarily meant for working women who need a classic, moderate, basic wardrobe. So it might look boring. It is boring. You should practically be able to wear the same clothes for decades. This wardrobe would have worked in the 80s just as well as now. You are to express yourself with the accessories. So, a capsule wardrobe idea doesn't work for everyone. 
- you need to choose colors that fit you, and cuts and styles that fit your body. Now, there's a lot that has been said about body types and shapes and personal colors, and most of it is... well... not BS, but you can take it with a pinch of salt. Or leave it. The most important thing is that YOU feel good in the clothes you are wearing. That YOU like the colors of your clothes. That is more important than any color analysis or style guide. You have the shape you have whatever you choose to wear, and no "disguise" and "diversion" hides it. If you have a tummy and want to wear belts, wear belts. 

So, let's talk about the accessories. Janice has written about that, too, in her excellent blog. For example, this: ADDING ACCESSORIES TO A WARDROBE: START WITH ART – SUNLIGHT ON THE ROAD, PONTOISE BY PISSARRO

I love accessories. The thing is that you can accessorize every bit of your body. There are shoes, belts, bags, hats, scarves, jewelry for ears, neck, arms, legs, and other things. 

Now, the classic style says you shouldn't over-accessorize. Take a look at yourself before you go out and remove one item. Or count the "points". I'll use this photo of elborn_doris to illustrate this point counting thing. (I learned it from a style guide from 1960s)

sunglasses 1p

earrings 1p

t-shirt 1p

cardigan 1p

belt 1p

slacks 1p

watch 1p

ring 1p

bag 1p

shoes 1p

colors: 

white, ecru, tan, red, gold: 5p

details: 

belt buckle 1p

bag details 1p

pant cuffs 1p

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18 points

Now, the style guide says one shouldn't have more than 12 points, and 10 is better. In my mind, she looks very good, and I don't think she needs to cut down points, but - according to the book, she should. For example, removing earrings and rings. Choosing a belt with a buckle of the same material as the belt. Choose either white, ecru, tan, or gold shoes. Maybe a tan cardigan, just a lighter shade. (That cardigan is a lighter shade of coffee, and thus a whole different color from the tan of the bag and belt. Which aren't really the same color either, but closer so that at first sight they look the same.) Uncuffed pants. 

Frankly, I don't fully agree with this, because I'm a maximalist :-D I wouldn't think worse of her if she added things, like a scarf, a hat, more bracelets, a corsage, a couple of brooches... :-D

Anyway, Janice continues accessorizing in fours. 

1: earrings

2: bracelets and watches

3: necklaces and brooches

4: scarves

5: leather - shoes, and bags (2x4)

I chose to accessorize the cream outfit with a belt, suede ankle boots, a necklace, and earrings. I would add a bag (suede envelope) and a scarf (square silk with pink, green, and cream).