https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:25:38 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873851 Tue, 02 Jan 2018 03:13:21 +0000 Suz 1873851@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This has been such an interesting discussion -- thank you! I agree we should keep it positive and I also think it's fair to say what works and doesn't work in any given system, for us -- what has inspired us and what does not feel personally applicable--as long as we do so with respect. As an artist, I expect critique of the work I put out there in the world. I just hope it will be respectful and thoughtful critique, which I think is what people have offered in this thread.&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't read the Vivienne Files any more but I used to look at the blog a lot, and I just love what she does with gorgeous scarves! Basing outfits or wardrobes on beloved artworks is also a genius idea, and her comments about choosing neutrals are very well considered and were helpful to me.&nbsp;</p> <p>For myself, I find the combinations would work brilliantly if you were devising a travel capsule or starting a classic wardrobe from the ground up or for a specific purpose (as per <b>3style</b>'s remarks) but do work better for a "classic" type than for other types (as per <b>LaPed</b>'s comments). They won't work for anybody with an eclectic style. They will work better for uniform dressers than for those who need lots of variety and those who enjoy trends. And that's okay! Horses for courses, as <b>Angie</b> says! </p> <p>I like to look at colour combos but more than that, I need to see clothes on bodies. My own personal challenge tends to be with outfit <b>proportion</b> vs. a question of what "goes with" what. It has to do with how it looks on someone like me, with my figure challenges. That's what's great about a forum like this where real live people show the clothes! But everybody's needs are different and I agree, it is really soothing to see those beautifully coordinated mix and match capsules!&nbsp;</p> <p><b>3style,</b> I haven't seen the capsule in question but you explained your thinking perfectly and I was utterly persuaded. Taking those two tops out of the picture would make the capsule more coherent perhaps but also less fun and interesting. At least for someone like me -- and someone like you. But I guess it has to do with how highly a person values coherence vs. variety and perhaps how many different roles a person has to fill. For somebody like me, with a wide range of roles, that variety is really key to feeling properly dressed at all -- I'd flounder with a closet that lacked those special items. In fact, that describes my pre-YLF closet and explains why I needed help with my wardrobe!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873846 Tue, 02 Jan 2018 03:01:54 +0000 DebbieLM 1873846@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I, like MaineLady, have been following Angie's blog from Maria Killam's mention of her almost 10 years ago. I rarely post, but I am a faithful fan, discussing privately many of these articles and forum threads with two other YLF members&nbsp; several times a week.&nbsp; I feel the need to thank The Cat for presenting her thoughtful response above. I, too, am grateful for bloggers like Angie, Janice, and a wide variety of others who unselfishly share their talents and time for us. I am old enough to remember that there were barely any books on the subject of style when I was evolving my own during my 20s and 30s. The first book I remember being published and my devouring was LOOKING TERRIFIC by Emily Cho. That was&nbsp; in the late 70s. How lucky we are&nbsp; now to be able to read about style and fashion on a daily basis and find the bloggers that we can relate to personally. I could never make a choice between Angie (such expertise and advice and an eye for color)&nbsp; and Janice (so talented and painstaking patient putting together her capsules from art, scarves, or one dress accessorized differently for each month). They&nbsp; have diverse&nbsp; talents, as do Brigette Raes (lovely color combinations for working women and a brilliant piece for Mrs. Pence) and Imogene of Inside Out Style (articles on color contrasts, values, hues). I, too, wish that this whole discussion had taken place elsewhere. My heart is a bit 'pinched' for Janice today, the very first day of a new year, and I know that it was not the original intention of this thread. On one hand many contributors have shared intense analyses of Janice's&nbsp; and Angie's styles and methods that I might not ever have been able to articulate myself; however, I am thankful that there have been some gentle reminders that we all can be inspired by their thoughtful outfits, formulas, and pure joy of dressing without needing to focus on what some readers might perceive as shortcomings or as a style that cannot benefit them. As a retired English teacher, I could sit through&nbsp; hours of continuing educational presentations and be happy to implement the few ideas that worked for my group of students, leaving behind the many others that wouldn't. As an avid sew-er, I could sit through a day of instruction by a nationally acclaimed instructor, and I would&nbsp; be thrilled to go home and try one or two techniques that caught my attention. As a reader of fashion blogs, I am elated that there is such a plethora of information that will keep me on my fashion toes until I take my last breath. At the recent Downton Abbey exhibit in NYC, the gift shop sported a shopping bag with the following saying: "If you are tired of style, you are tired of life". It wasn't attributed to any particular character, but I couldn't wait to return home and look it up, thinking it might Violet (played by Maggie Smith., mistress of one liners). To my surprise, it was the head butler, Carson. Kudos to Carson, and kudos to all of our favorite bloggers who generously share their lives and love of style with us. Their unique interpretations are appreciated and inspiring.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873752 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 22:01:27 +0000 The Cat 1873752@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Would like to say that I am very grateful to bloggers like Janice Riggs and Angie, who supply others with inspirational posts several times a week. While I don't plan my wardrobe according to i.e. Janice's "4 X 4 Wardrobes" posts or Angie's "Ensemble" posts, I enjoy looking at the (often colourful) pictures and reading the blogger's and others' viewpoints. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873750 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 22:00:01 +0000 The Cat 1873750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wonder if it would have been more fair to discuss The Vivienne Files at theviviennefiles.com instead of here. I also wonder what Janice Riggs thinks if she reads the comments here ...</p> <p>I have found great inspiration in many posts at The Vivienne Files. And I love seeing the colour combos there. I happily pick tips and ideas from that site as well as from this forum and several other places. However, I don't follow any of the advice slavishly.</p> <p>I have realized that you cannot expect others to come up with fashion systems that will suit you 100%. Style is very personal, so you have to find your own style and develop systems which work for YOU, whether you focuse on capsule building, colour combos or whatever. This might take a long time, and even after you have found your style and some systems you like, you may feel the need (or a wish) to adjust them now and then. However, this can be a fun, interesting and educational process, in which you probably learn more about yourself. At 60, I have learnt a lot, but I'm still learning, and I enjoy the process. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873717 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 19:40:41 +0000 LaPed 1873717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SarahD8 -- Yes! You articulated a lot of my thoughts. I'll add, I think the model Janice uses is really suited to Classics (in the Kibbe sense of body type). You end up with a lot of outfits that hinge on a column of colour or a sense of tonal integrity. There's a sense of everything being very streamlined and either tidy or serene, depending on the palette she's using. I'd be very curious to see how she'd dress a Kibbe Gamine or a Romantic, or anyone whose personality is more suited to visual busy-ness, ornamentation, and contrasting elements. Like you, it is very rare for me to wear a column-of-colour, or an outfit that consists of all solid pieces, because those minimalist looks fall flat on me unless they have a lot of texture/dynamism... I have to use a lot of imagination to translate Vivienne Files capsules into formulae that work for me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873700 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 18:49:54 +0000 Anonymous 1873700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agree that the capsule pictures of all the perfectly coordinated things are very enticing visually :-)</p> <p>I think Angie has “complements” which is like 5 of those collages, each with a different set of colours. (I might be using the word “complements” incorrectly.) all of those complements are within the same person’s wardrobe, so you get a lot of variety. </p> <p>Fashiontern: that is interesting that your “buying outfits instead of mix and matchables” strategy didn’t work. It makes sense that it might lead to closet orphans. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873685 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 18:01:02 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1873685@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SarahD8, yes, I’m also talking about capsule how-tos in general, though her specific site made me feel it a little more strongly. I’m trying to be flexible in learning about strategies and formulae, think the ability to do that shows a certain amount of growth. But when there is too much “does not apply”, then I can’t do it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873678 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 17:48:23 +0000 SarahD8 1873678@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just one quibble FashIntern, I didn't mean to say that her outfits are bland. I do find that some of the outfit formulas she relies most on feel blah *on me*. Those formulas like "column of neutral" etc. work GREAT for lots of people! (I am mindful of what was said upthread about keeping things positive, and even though I'm writing here about how I've struggled to apply Janice's systems I do think the work she does is quite brilliant and really appreciate the effort she puts in.)</p> <p>I do think I know what you (and others) mean about "over-coherence," I think that is a phenomenon that applies to capsule wardrobes put together by many bloggers. When you see a collage image of clothing, it is really pleasing to the eye if all of the tops, say, are different shades of blue. But in terms of putting daily outfits together, your tops don't all need to match because you're not usually wearing multiple tops at once! You can wear a blue top one day, an orange top the next, and a green top the next, and this can be compatible with having a "coherent" and easily mix-and-matchable wardrobe. It's just that this wouldn't look as "pretty" in a collage image. (And again, this isn't really a criticism of The Vivienne Files, it's something I've noticed about "capsule wardrobe" images in general.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873677 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 17:36:01 +0000 Anonymous 1873677@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok. &nbsp;So I am starting to understand the disconnect between Janice's clear and concise methodology to build a wardrobe and the problem I have with implementation. &nbsp;Thank you for helping me clarify that in my brain. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873666 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 17:04:51 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1873666@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SarahD8, when you put it that way, it sounds great. I do want to be able to use things in different ways. I’ve generally purchased in outfits, which results in closet orphans when one piece dies. A main reason I want to learn about pattern mixing and new ways of combining colors is that it will allow me to do that.</p> <p>But in what you just wrote, I also see validation for the way her posts read to me. You said she focuses on just one way of dressing, and that her outfits are bland. Neither of those appeals to me. I think that’s the underlying tension that gets to me in most things I’ve seen about. capsules. Like LBD so brilliantly explained in her goals post, I want my wardrobe to do a lot of different things, depending on what I’m doing. When I travel, I’m probably trying to fit many different activities/roles into a shorter timeframe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873655 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 16:32:57 +0000 SarahD8 1873655@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for starting this thread, <b>3style</b>. I have enjoyed reading the thoughts everyone has shared so far. I am also a big fan of The Vivienne Files and have learned a lot from Janice's posts about color schemes, being deliberate about wardrobe building, the possibility of making lots of outfits from a relatively small number of clothes, etc. </p> <p>However, like many here I have struggled to apply her systems to my own wardrobe. I think her approach is a good match for the way that she dresses -- almost exclusively black and white with pops of red. That is VERY different from the way I dress. I wear a LOT more color, I like to mix neutrals, and combine multiple colors in one outfit.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>So, I often find the capsules she puts together very pretty and soothing to look at, but the outfits made from those capsules mostly don't appeal to me. (For example I often feel flat and drab in a "column of neutrals" -- in fact I tend to mix neutrals specifically to AVOID those sorts of outfits.)</p> <p>I keep thinking that there must be some way to adapt her systems to my way of dressing but I haven't been able to crack the code yet.</p> <p>I do have a goal of having a "cohesive" or "coherent" wardrobe. To me this doesn't necessarily mean that "everything goes with everything," but it does mean that each item goes with multiple other items and can be worn in multiple ways, and when I add a new item to my wardrobe I can make multiple outfits with it using the garments I already own. This doesn't feel like "make work" to me at all! It feels fundamental to getting my money's worth from the clothes I buy and also to avoiding going crazy when trying to put together an outfit in the morning.</p> <p>When I look at my fashion Pinterest board, I can see that half of my pins are collages of capsule wardrobes with very narrow and often neutral-heavy color palettes, and half are English countryside-type outfits with two plaids and three fair isles. Clearly, there is something in me that really wants a way to merge the two! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873597 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 11:55:22 +0000 Staysfit 1873597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As an analytical thinker I started out liking to read Janice’s Blog, but I am also a practical realist, and an experimenter, so I try things. Who here remembers all the pictures I posted about value and contrast? I take what is useful from an idea and then leave the rest. Capsules only help me when I think about travel. I like to pick a very limited color scheme and hone in on what will coordinate together when I pack. Her posts have been helpful to me in sorting out the right pieces. The more general take home lesson is that sticking with a very well defined color palette, wherever it comes from, really does allow for more wardrobe cohesion and at the same time, versatile use of all the pieces. I absolutely find that sticking rigidly to my chosen color palette has allowed me to mix and match my clothes more easily. I definitely stray from my palette, because I find something I love, or an item I need doesn’t come in a color I want, etc. So, like everything, reader be the judge, and make use of what makes sense for your life. Her blog is beautifully put together. She took the time to thoughtfully create the posts, and Even though they don’t specifically apply to my current wardrobe plan, I enjoy checking in to see what she is posting. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873590 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 10:20:34 +0000 rachylou 1873590@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is very interesting about ‘cohesive’ and ‘coherent.’ Because this HAS been a goal I strive for. But I play around ‘too much.’ I like figuring out what makes different styles tick, but that has led me to a closet full of things that belie the true me... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873568 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 04:54:56 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1873568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great thread!&nbsp; @<b>3style</b>, I actually had bookmarked the subtractive posts when they were first published.&nbsp; I thought it was an interesting concept, but couldn't seem to make it stick, and now I understand why.&nbsp; &nbsp;I revisited a few times, and I started to map out something similar with a spreadsheet, but couldn't quite see the exercise through.&nbsp; &nbsp;I did purge a couple of things, and separate out a few other things that I eventually added back to my closet.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I am a huge fan of the Vivienne files, especially her travel capsules - which I've found extremely helpful, and I refer to every time I pack for a trip.&nbsp; &nbsp;I do find the clothing choices she uses to be kind of bland, but I also recognize that they're visual placeholders, so that you can superimpose your own items or fantasy items on top.&nbsp; &nbsp;At least, that's how I look at it!</p> <p><b>@Fashionintern</b>&nbsp; you said this,<i> "...really anywhere that talks about having a cohesive, coherent wardrobe. It feels like make-work to me."</p> <p></i>YES.<i>&nbsp;&nbsp;</i>I catch myself feeling that way sometimes, and when I do, it's because I'm using make-work to procrastinate tackling something else bigger and more pressing in my life.&nbsp; &nbsp;I fall back on this urge to organize in order to feel like I have control over something 'easy'.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873550 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 04:17:02 +0000 Jenni NZ 1873550@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great thread thank you 3style. I had little idea of capsules a year ago when starting here but perhaps the ideas would have helped 10 years ago when rebuilding a wardrobe at age 47 after weight gain. As it is I bought and bought randomly which left me in a fix of overflowing closets without much cohesion. I'm slowly improving the situation with the help of Angie's ideas and all of you. I enjoyed Rambling Ann's Ocean Park project in 2017 based on a painting, which I understand was somewhat inspired by Janice. And did my first ever "travel capsule" for a Conference last July which helped, for almost the first time ever I didn't pack much too much! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873543 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 04:05:01 +0000 Anonymous 1873543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting thread. I first discovered capsules on The Vivienne Files, but quickly discarded the whole idea when trying it for myself. I finally came back for another go when Angie put together a fall casual capsule a few years ago. I spent hours analyzing her choices and tried something similar pulled from my wardrobe. It worked! There was variety. Tops very very varied...different lengths, sleeves, fabrics; some knits, some woven, some plain, some pattern. I hope Angie does one of these again. I still use her "template" when setting up a 30X30 or travel capsule. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873532 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 03:37:42 +0000 Jaime 1873532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The part of the VF that I like best is when she starts with a painting. Ultimately her system doesn't really work for me because, as La Pedestrienne says above, the whole thing is too abstract and disconnected from the actual individuals wearing the clothing. Dressing, style, wardrobe, whatever it is has to begin with the person in the clothes (in my book ). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873505 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 01:48:54 +0000 Carla 1873505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another big fan of the 'Vivienne Files'. One of my take aways from her site is to aim for 4 items when auditioning a new colour introduction to my wardrobe. I tune in mostly for colour theory and inspiration. 'Start with Art' is genius! Also, her love of travel and her neat travel capsules are inspiration for my own, where 4X4 is a good start for packing.</p> <p>Every blogger has their own ideas and just as Janice may prefer more homogeneous colours in her capsules another blogger we all know and love frowns on corduroy! </p> <p>I might agree with you that the striped sweater and red shirt deserve a place in the fictional muse's closet, just as there might be a pair of corduroys in mine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873496 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 01:24:02 +0000 Toban 1873496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I enjoy viviennefiles color palates, especially the start with art or scarf ones, and it has led to me trying new color combinations. I visit her blog frequently for color palettes. The 4x4 templates don’t work for me mostly because I choose not to wear columns of color or high contrast outfits, so many outfit combinations I rule out - however, I can easily see why these outfit combinations and templates appeal to many. I think we all pick and choose elements from various stylists and bloggers that appeal to our personal preferences and styles. I have learned a lot from those who share their personal findings. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873482 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:24 +0000 Emily K 1873482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a fan of the Vivienne Files. &nbsp;That said, I do agree that the majority of the pieces used often seem too bland. &nbsp;I think that is a consequence of the mix-and-match model. &nbsp;</p> <p>I did not find fault with the proposed wardrobe eliminations because&nbsp;I fall victim to a certain number of "false positive" purchases and I usually find that my shopping mistakes stem from going outside of my comfort zone instead of looking within and editing more stringently. &nbsp;I see the benefit of the wardrobe eliminations in this scenario in that they help the hypothetical wardrobe owner to identify more closely the core of her style. &nbsp;The eliminated items seem like potential "false positives" to me and therefore missteps for an inexperienced wardrobe builder--maybe not so much for an already confident person who has desire and storage space for a lot of clothing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873477 Sun, 31 Dec 2017 23:22:38 +0000 3style 1873477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks to everyone who has replied thus far. I'm glad to share things that have been rattling around inside my head with other fashion geeks who can appreciate them ;)</p> <p>In response to Liz, I very much appreciate Janice's work. However, when Janice described this hypothetical wardrobe owner by saying "what was she thinking?" (With respect to buying stripes and bolder color) It comes across to me as a touch snarky and not a genuine question. I decided to take that question at face value and say exactly what I think that "our heroine" might have been thinking, if I were in her place.... </p> <p>In terms of what I personally have gotten from Janice. First off, I learned that there is no rule that says you have to cover every neutral. I used to think that a versatile wardrobe had to have black and brown and navy and tan and gray and ivory and white, etc. I've realized that I can actually have preferences for neutrals and not just think that the best plan is having one of each. I still have a lot of different neutrals, but I no longer see that as a goal in itself.</p> <p>Second, I never thought about " bridge garments" containing neutrals. I mean, if you have a black blazer and brown pants, it never occurred to me that you could go looking for a print with those two neutrals. Which is not to say that I never owned neutral prints prior to that. I just never previously thought to seek them out as completer pieces. </p> <p>When I was younger, I thought about bridge prints for unusual colors like if I was wearing a dark green skirt, I would wear a sweater with green purple and blue. Nowadays I tend to be team mismatch. Yesterday I wore dark green with light green, peach winter white and denim. I didn't repeat colors, but since the light green was a mixture of white and dark green, it made sense and I got complements. </p> <p>Also her work trained me to buy in small clusters of coordinating garments at once, when one is dealing with a tricky color to match, like this year I chose a particular shade of bright pink which doesn't skew coral nor hot pink. With a color like that it's likely that next season's pink will clash. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873476 Sun, 31 Dec 2017 23:18:11 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1873476@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree that Vivienne Files is more on the theoretical, 'thought experiment' side of things - but then, I tend to appreciate that as it's easier to picture myself in the clothes without a model or a blogger wearing them. That's probably a matter of personal preference though.</p> <p>It's funny to think that an additive approach seems easier but that situation almost never happens for anyone in reality - we are almost always working with existing items that we want to/need to incorporate into a new plan, and making trade offs between cohesion and versatility. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873449 Sun, 31 Dec 2017 21:16:17 +0000 Style Fan 1873449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a big fan of Vivienne Files and I love all of the charts.&nbsp; I like the way she is inspired by art and how she creates colour schemes. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873444 Sun, 31 Dec 2017 21:07:58 +0000 Anonymous 1873444@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for writing this, <b>3style</b>. &nbsp;I am a <u>big fan</u> of the Vivienne Files and it is nice to know that there are other fans out there as well. &nbsp;Her methodology appeals to my analytical mind. &nbsp;I should take to her work like a duck to water, but I have difficulties implementing her templates. &nbsp;My problem is the monochromatic looks. &nbsp;I rarely, if ever, dress in one color from head to foot. &nbsp;However, I seem to be moving in that direction in recent years. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Liz </b>-- point taken. &nbsp;I mean absolutely no disrespect to Janice. &nbsp;I respect her deeply. &nbsp;She has taught me so much about so many different subjects (color schemes, number of clothes that are really needed, when enough is enough). &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873433 Sun, 31 Dec 2017 20:47:54 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1873433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I tried reading that site, on the suggestion of someone here, but could never really get into it. Even when I went back to the first capsule posts, I kept feeling like there was a lot I was missing. </p> <p>Really, though, you’ve identified a problem I have here as well, and really anywhere that talks about having a cohesive, coherent wardrobe. It feels like make-work to me. As long as what i have is appropriate for my setting, in terms of weather, activity, and what others are wearing, I don’t see any reason to come up with one look that identifies me. My personality already does that pretty well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873429 Sun, 31 Dec 2017 20:34:26 +0000 Liz 1873429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>&nbsp;I do hope we can keep this thread kind and generous toward Janice. I suspect she'd be the first to say that she does not expect her approach will work everyone (no single approach ever does) but I have appreciated the tireless effort and work she puts into her site, and it has given me a lot of food for thought. </p> <p>3style, on Sterling's thread, I seem to remember you saying something about what you'd learned personally from Janice. I'd be interested in hearing how what you've gleaned from her has helped you with your capsules -- any talk of capsules and how people are using them helps me, as it's something I'm still learning a lot about. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873423 Sun, 31 Dec 2017 20:02:30 +0000 LaPed 1873423@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For my own purposes, I always found the Vivienne Files capsules have a bit too much emphasis on cohesion, and sometimes lack variety and contrast. When I build a capsule, I tend to go for maximum variety rather than maximum cohesion. It is possible... Also, her whole process is too abstracted from real bodies for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873420 Sun, 31 Dec 2017 19:31:45 +0000 Toban 1873420@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>3style, you’ve identified why I have been uneasy about many of the viviennefiles capsules. Not enough variety in mood and occasion and many items with almost duplicate purposes. Her 4x4 doesn’t work at all for me. I prefer YLF and bridgette raes capsules and ideally would aim to have a couple different capsules focusing on different colors or statement pieces, with moderate overlap between capsules. I really like Angie’s use of color complements. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873395 Sun, 31 Dec 2017 18:53:15 +0000 rachylou 1873395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have to return and contemplate. But I think that’s the thing about my bedroom decor scheme, lol. I was going to be disciplined and stick to a green, blue, cream scheme. And I did, for a year. And then I had to go out and buy a completely clashing modern orange lamp. It was becoming a caricature of itself... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vivienne-files-additive-vs-subtractive-capsule-building#post-1873388 Sun, 31 Dec 2017 18:46:47 +0000 3style 1873388@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sterling's 30X30 challenge got a number of people on that thread thinking about how Janice Riggs from theviviennefiles.com approaches capsule building. I said that I would start my own thread about it, rather than hijacking her thread, so here goes... </p> <p>I like all of Janice's additive building a wardrobe from ground zero methods:<br /> start from scratch<br /> whatever is clean 13<br /> Start with art (or a scarf or other pattern).<br /> I think that they are all good techniques if you are changing sizes and need to build a small capsule quickly, such as maternity clothes or if you are planning for after surgery and you suddenly can't wear pullovers and need button downs or can't wear pants and need skirts or whatever the case may be. </p> <p>However, I really take issue with her subtractive method. If you take a look at the March 13 and 14 2017 pages, you can see some of her techniques for whittling down a larger 40 piece summer wardrobe down to a 24 piece capsule. This is where she and I part company. The two pieces she seems most eager to purge from the wardrobe are the two which I feel give it the most range. The wardrobe is generally relaxed, shy, traditionally feminine in feeling. It is lots of pastels, soft florals and ruffles. Janice immediately wants to purge two pieces which don't conform to that feeling, but to me those two pieces are what round out the wardrobe and give it its full depth and range. The items:<br /> (1) A very cheerful horizontal striped sweater which is a little bit closer to midtone than pastel. A cheerful sweater like this is great for so many occasions: watching sporting events from the stands, playing with young children, snuggling up at home with a good book on a rainy day. It seems to me that most people would want one cheerful and sporty top in their summer wardrobe.<br /> (2) A deep red long sleeved romantic looking blouse. This blouse again is such a versatile piece. First off it is the only formal evening event appropriate piece she's got. Second it can be layered with white and denim for a casual daytime look, especially for Fourth of July (Bastille Day or many other flags days too). Likewise, it would be great with one of her suit-like ensembles, matching blazer and dressy skirt or trousers, if she were giving a motivational presentation to a group. </p> <p>When Janice Riggs removes these pieces, in favor of an extremely monochromatic and emotionally "one note" wardrobe, she looses me almost completely.</p> <p>I can see her position, if someone bought variety for the sake of variety and the stripes and red top were unflattering because they overwhelmed the person's pale coloring. But assuming that the tops look good on the theoretical wardrobe owner, why not cover a lot more bases, and reduce redundancy a bit? </p> <p>This all being said, I love grayscale's wardrobe and I think that a really distinctive style and color palette can work great for some people. But the point is, in the hypothetical online wardrobe, the owner did purchase those items, so she did feel that they were useful additions to her wardrobe. To disregard this in favor of duplication of many neutral garments seems like the wrong thing for a consultant to do.... I feel like such a strict style would need to come from a very strong personal vision (like our lovely grayscale) and not be the product of some didactic wardrobe consultant's vision. In other words, Janice's method might work best if you are the wardrobe consultant for Jennifer Aniston, Lopez or Hudson and you want your client to build a cohesive brand image and ensure the most perfect paparazzi snapshots. For the rest of us, many people like to switch up their looks a little bit, and unless you are creating closet orphans, or wearing personally unflattering pieces to needlessly conform to some peer group, I don't think that it's a problem for a small wardrobe to have a little bit more range of styles and colors. Whew... this was pretty challenging to articulate. </p>