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Studying and learning my style

jayne

Veteran

I have been fascinated by the Vivienne files so I spent a few days back-reading from the start.

Her basic idea is that you start with 8 items (4 bottoms and 4 tops) that match each other in color so that each can be switched out with the others.
Then you add another 8 in a second neutral
and then add accent color items, at most 2 colors

Then you use scarves,especially, and shoes or pearls to add the sparkle. It is pretty often a column of color/neutral with a spark of color in scarf or cardigan or something like that.

It is beautiful. And stylish. And I wanted to see what it would take for me to get from here to there...you know?

So I charted up for my spring wardrobe what I am using. Spring is COLD here so real shoes are necessary and I don't want to wear dresses because I am so uninterested in dark tights right now. So that leaves a slacks only capsule.

See what I am using in 1 and how the outfits I have made so far.

What I have learned is that

1. her style is elegant classic - at least my guess
2. although I might be modern classic, I am far from elegant and would rather add sporty to the mix than elegant.
3. that I have far too many statement tops to mix and match them with all my current bottoms and my bottoms do not fix into an 8. They are all unique, not interchangeable.
4. to build a wardrobe like hers, I would have to pick just two basics and stick to them, and I know I would feel so very limited doing that. I am already frustrated enough with this limited selection I am using, to consider skirts again!

Anyway, it was very very interesting for me! Just wanted to share.

have a nice afternoon...I am heading to bed soon and will miss any responses, although I will love to catch up tomorrow!

Oh, and another thing, I discovered which shoes I am really using now and a potential hole for gold loafers. Nice!

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Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from harmonica

catgirl

Veteran

What a great idea! Are these your actual clothes? If so, you've got a great foundation! I've never been enthralled by the idea of "basics" but this is a different concept. Any time you learn a lot this way, it moves you further along in your journey.

Last night I was fascinated by the mini-capsules of the CAbi stuff I saw. There's a color theme (like navy/white/citron) and it all goes together in different ways. Check out their lookbook to get the idea.

http://www.cabionline.com/collection/look-book/

I was telling my DH about it and how some women were buying stuff in sets, never intending to mix them up (i.e., I will always combine this skirt + this top), whereas I'm the opposite, always wanting to wear a slightly different mix.

rachylou

Veteran

This is the sort of thing that I'm interested in: hard numbers

I have to ask a question: When you say 4 bottoms and 4 tops that have to match, are we talking for example 8 items all in the same shade of a color?

Small But Mighty

Your post made me laugh! When I first discovered the Vivienne files, I went back and read all her back posts, too. I find her stuff beautiful, and it inspires me, but like you, it's a little more classic than my style. However, I TOTALLY AGREE about those J. Crew gold loafers she's been showing every day for a week or two. I want them! But they're a little pricey for me...

DonnaF

Veteran

Vivienne files is more my fantasy life (elegant) than my true life with a lot of jeans! I skimmed back through her postings and learned that her staple cashmere turtleneck, v-neck, and cardigan are from Lands End and her staple slacks and cords are from Eddie Bauer. Who would have guessed with all her high end stuff?

I like her approach, but I don't think I could find that many pieces that fit, flatter, and MATCH! Even when I used to buy a lot of Lands End, stuff wouldn't match even if bought in the same season because their fabrications would be slightly different. I have dozens and dozens of scarves, but none are Hermes. If I had one (or more), it would probably make the rest of the outfit look shabby instead of elevating the look.

jayne

Veteran

Thanks Una for the link, I will look it over! And yes, these are 'my' clothes (most pictures from internet as close as I could get). So it has been an interesting excercise. Seeing so man flowery blouses makes one think!

Rachylou, by 8's, she will have 1 slack in black, one skirt in black, one jeans probably black, and a jacket, cardigan, and a vneck. then the last two might vary, a dress or another type of slacks, a blouse or Tshirt. But the color is nearly the same so the items can be interchanged with each other and always match. Then when she adds the second neutral set of 8, these should two sets of 8 should be able to play with each other. I have never seen black and camel, for example s that is harsh, but grey and navy, black and grey, white and camel...

here is a link to the 8's
http://theviviennefiles.blogsp.....y%20eights

SmallBM and DonnaF, so nice to find fellow dreamers. I think that because she lives in a big city it might be easier to be elegant. But my life and culture are not elegant...but maybe someday when my life changes! I don't think I will ever be a Hermes scarf gal though.

And I am also so fascinated that the clothes she wears are not designer....she just posts that stuff as inspiration. I have begun to just use it as a great source of inspiration pictures!

Kiwichik

Veteran

Ohhh cool thanks for posting this Jayne I have never read the Vivienne Files but I will be now.

christieanne

Veteran

I love her travel capsules. Always brings me "back to earth" that it is well chosen pieces and accessories that can make a good closet and not lots of mismatched low quality items.

You did a lot of hard work there Jayne! I need to think this all through.

rachylou

Veteran

Ooh. Thanks for the links! In my chosen colors too I have to learn more about this. I think it's pretty smart. I wonder if I should reorganize my closet: neutral-neutral-showpiece...

jayne

Veteran

I do agree, she certainly makes you only want to buy quality!

MsMary

Veteran

It's so funny -- I want to love The Vivienne Files, I have tried to love it, but that site just makes me twitch! LOL To me all those mix and match outfits start to look the same very quickly and it all seems more like homework than fun.

Different strokes, huh?

jayne

Veteran

Oh yes, MaryK, I do agree. the column of color only works for me part of the time.

I am attracted and not attracted at the same time. Just like preppy was for me. I think studying it so much now, and seeing what she is really doing, just neutral columns with splashes of color via scarves has finally settled the deal that it is not me. The part I do want to keep watching is the way she puts outfits together...for example, she showed a suede midi with knee high boots. No skin gonna show in that combination, which I have always kinda liked, but felt alone. Seeing her make that combination makes me feel 'allowed' to wear it. Sad, but true.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm SO attracted to Vivienne's ideas and her wardrobes! I love them. Love them. Love them. And I don't even think I'd get bored of them. Not if I switched the main neutrals for each of my four seasons, that is.

But, like Donna, I don't think I could find that much stuff in one season (or even over three seasons of wardrobe building) that actually matched (and fit). And it's also a bit fantasy life for me...though I, too, was intrigued to know she gets basics from EB and LE.

You have learned SO much by analyzing your closet as compared to her crazy 8s. Very clever of you. I have just sat there feeling overwhelmed by how perfect those wardrobes look and never thought to try it with the stuff in my own closet!! Now I am eager to do that. Thank you, Jayne.

Meredith1953

Veteran

Excellent post and a lot to think about. I like the idea of the 8's (a capsule if you will). I don't think it is the entire answer to taming the closet and making a wardrobe make sense but it is certainly a part of the equation, at least for me. A large part of me is very attracted to this kind of dressing by the numbers to maximize wardrobe efficiency. Of course maximizing the number of outfits that can be combined does not necessarily lead to the most brilliant of outfits but some very nice ones can be made this way.

Sarah A

Veteran

I have never looked at the vivienne files... but hers is some thought provoking stuff. i have been purchasing a lot lately and now need to make things start working so this a great inspiration for that part... i think "pop of color" is probably part of my style signature so I am excited you posted this. thanks! i love the online mixing too BTW... someday i might get that organized LOL!

Carole

Veteran

I, too, have been fascinated by Viviennes capsules. And while sometimes I think that some of the outfits can look every repetitive, even though you are switching out the items, I think it appeals to me because I am trying so hard to simplify my wardrobe and have fewer items of better quality that all work togther. Sometimes I have wondered how the items in her crazy 8's would actually look "on" a real person. I think it's valuable to help train me to think in a more organized way about how to get dressed and for those of us who feel overwhelmed with so many choices everywhere, it is somewhat settling and pleasing to have a little focus and direction.

That being said, I think you have a great base here, with some wonderful staement pieces. It was probably a valuable exercise to go through to help you move forward.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

It is funny but I was never attracted to this particulat guidelines. I guess it is really
boring for me to have 4 bottoms and 4 tops in the same color to match: I would be bored to death by day 3! I understand how it can help and be a starting point for some but I am much more adventurous I guess
Partly this was due to my yellow raisin skirt revelation last year. When I considered the color for this skirt I was afraid that yellow will be very limiting but I risked it. I was so surprised to find that it works with 80% of my tops which come in many colors and shades - neutral, bright and jewel tones. It is much more fun to wear yellow skirt with a turquoise shirt than grey top and skirt.
My point is: don't be afraid to step out of comfort zone and play in your closet!:-)

Elly

Veteran

I do like the idea--- however, I find 2 things that irritate the heck out of me:

1) as a sweaty, dirty person I could only wear each piece once (maybe 2-3 times for bottoms and cardis if I'm lucky) per laundry cycle. So, yes, I could mix and match for new outfits from week to week, but not really within the week-- I'd still have to wear every top every week. I'd have to duplicate to avoid bottlenecks, which is kind of against the point.

2) you never see these on a person. Never. It is fine to say that your black t-shirt goes well with every bottom and every cardi in your closet. However, IRL (maybe it is my lack of perfection when shopping or my body type) I never have found a black t that is flattering with all different types of pants silhouettes AND skirts. Therefore I have to have multiple black tees in different styles or limit my combinations. Plus, I don't know what this woman looks like, but I'm an hourglass and I often look dumpy in the LE and EB pieces that are her "go tos" --- while I don't doubt the quality-- maybe I'm just the wrong body type? I have seen some ladies look great in a few pieces, but for the most part see women looking bad in them.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Elly, you make some excellent points here, and I agree absolutely that it would be SO helpful to see some of these outfits on a real body. I have played "paper dolls' with my clothes laid out on my bed for hours and yes, they can look FAB together...in theory. But so much has to do with the proportions. So even if the colours or patterns work together, they don't necessarily make an outfit that works well.

Also, I agree wholeheartedly that the basics she wears may not look all that wonderful on...like you, I'm unable to wear the EB and Land's End clothes because they do not fit my body type and even if they did SORT of fit, they would look dumpy on me.

I think it's fantasy for me because the ideal of a small workable, easily mixable wardrobe is a good fantasy for me. And I don't necessarily think one needs to confine oneself to 4 tops and 4 bottoms in exactly the same colour, as she seems to do, to make this work. I think if they are coordinating colours (or patterns) that is enough.

Elly

Veteran

I absolutely agree-- I'm still a fan of a minimalist wardrobe that really works hard for YOU, your body and your life. I do believe that there are things that can be remixed and things that definitely should work with at least 1-2 other pieces in your wardrobe.

That said, I don't care for the VF and stuff like it because it creates a fantasy that hardly anyone can live up to. We constantly hear about ladies being attracted to the idea of minimalism, but often they leave discouraged because they are attracted to the fantasy of being able to have an "endless closet" without the space or money or waste issues, the fantasy of always being perfectly dressed for every occasion with only 20 pieces, and the fantasy of it being "easy." Women who pull a really strict wardrobe off are usually incredibly knowledgeable and talented with a great eye or low expectations or spend a ton of time and effort doing it. It encourages women to fail and give up, where Angie starts us off small and you build up to having a more cohesive wardrobe.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I had never heard of the Vivienne files. I really like the way she builds wardrobe capsules around basics in a neutral color (black in several of her examples) and then introduces trend colors and clothing which she integrates with the basics. Her approach is worth studying on my part. I bookmarked her site. Thank you Jayne!

ETA -- Although I feel the styles I love are more casual and RATE than Vivienne's, what interests me is her conceptual approach. Everything I do fashion-wise is by intuition, then trying things on and playing with what works *on me.* However I feel overwhelmed presently with the amount of things I have (three 36" clothing racks, a dresser and some storage boxes with jeans and shoes and hot weather clothes). So her more analytical approach will help me sort and purge. I hope.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

And I totally agree with Elly's comment on seeing this on real people. I don't do the polyvore/paper doll thing. I have to try it on, play with it. So an outfit that might look good pieced together on her website, might look awful or maybe just uninspired on me.

jayne

Veteran

Wow I love all the comments.

CocoLion, Ely: referring to the "seeing the stuff on" comment- in all the backlog I read through there are only 2 pictures of the author and they are not outfit pictures but pictures to show how to tie a scarf so full body is missing and no face. Dear VivienneFiles, if you read this, no disresopect intended, but the top she is wearing is formless and looks a bit big. which disappointed me. I expected a perfect fit.

And I so agree that when you try on an idea from a polyvore photo, it looks so different in real life....so I posted my comparison picture below...you see the idea and the real thing on....big difference huh?

My hourglas/pear body shape really fills out those jeans where the models don't and tucking and untucking, while great in theory, are both a challenge on a real body that curves..

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jayne

Veteran

Suz, Meridith, Elly and Sveta, you all commented on the difficulty of living with these few items, and one of my favorite comments hidden way way back and only said ONCE on the VF site, is after she had traveled on a 6 week trip with just her 16 piece wardrobe and mixed and matched all to perfection..... "at the end of the trip I hated all those clothes"

Which confirmed for me that I need not continue a secret shame that although I could try to limit myself to a small and exclusive wardrobe like minimalism and parisien chic promote, I was/am afraid I would be bored and frustrated.

So I am doubting more and more that I can manage such a limit. And to be fair to the author of VF, she is not the only person pushing a minimal wardrobe at us. There are lots of 30 for 30 challenges implying we should learn to mix and match more and get by on less. But in this modern world, it is like going back to eat only what is grown naturally (not locally) in your environment. I don't mean to promote maximalism either, as I appreciate so much having full control of my current spring wardrobe, but the few items you see I pictured are already making me itch for more.

jayne

Veteran

Last comment on the comments...he he...the fit problem...I see some of you have experience with the clothes VF author actually buys, Lands End and JCrew. I just wanted to thank you for admitting that because I cannot try on those clothes and have been considering a long distance purchase (ie send to mom, mom sends to me).....and now you have saved me the trouble. I will stick to the brick and morter! (or a trip to London MUST be planned soon)

harmonica

Veteran

Thanks for posting this, Jayne. Really interesting! I absolutely love the Vivienne files, but can't quite figure it out in my own wardrobe. And I am beyond tired these days. Thanks for the inspiration anyway