Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Well, guys, I started shopping again!

I have always shopped a lot in the summer as a teacher – “It’s fun! I love summer! I love summer clothing! I can wear all of this when I go back to school in August and until about the end of September. This is the year I will find the perfect teacher shoe – comfortable enough for 8 hours on a cement floor but not nerdy so the kids won’t whisper about my shoes! I’m kind of sad about starting school but new clothes will help!”

This was always my justification!

I think many women would say that retirement extends into one’s closet. You don’t need as much and you don’t need the same things, I’m learning.

I was pretty proud of myself this summer for being more thoughtful about my needs and my lifestyle. I did a nice weeding out at the beginning of the summer and I have had a smaller wardrobe than ever before and it’s been wonderful!

I decided I wasn’t going to buy any more summer clothes, but I did start thinking about fall last week.

First, I stepped into Clothes Mentor and found four things! I heard that my favorite consignment shop, Sassy Fox, already has some fall stuff out! I may check that out this week.

You always need multiple white tees. This was new with tags and Target’s Universal Thread brand. I think it will shrink a bit in the dryer.

The bright yellow shorts have a fun pleating on the side kind of like my pink ones that I love from Old Navy this year. These were Target Joy Lab brand. Now you might say, “Amy, those are summer things” but the shorts are exercise or boat shorts, and you can wear them into fall, and I need white tees to wear under things.

I gasped when I saw this clutch:

And, finally I saw some like new Reef flip flops and snatched them up. Yes, I know I have other neutral flip flops, but Reef are some of the best and I couldn’t leave them there.

So, I got all of this for $50.

I feel like I need more black and white tops in my closet. I just love a plain black or plain white top with jeans or cut offs or any of my printed bottoms. I also have fun accessories that will work well with black and white.

I went looking online and saw this blouse:

I ordered it to come to my J.Crew Factory store to save on shipping. I love it! I haven’t worn it yet, but I tried it on and then did the steam cycle of my dryer. I will try to style it soon.

And, I saw this and it interested me for fall, too. It was on clearance and not returnable and I think it said it was a bathing suit coverup!

I wore it Sunday and copied the model!

I wore this to happy hour this week:

I want to replace the gauzy white with the new J.Crew Factory white. I wasn’t happy with how the old gauzy looked.

I took myself shopping in this outfit:

I saw something for fall, swooned, and then allowed myself to get it because stock was limited and I knew I could regret it if I left it there.

It’s a crochet duster and looks like Grandma’s afghan. I also thought this is all the “coat” I need for some of the fall and winter. Picture it with jeans and a plain white or black tee.

I wore this to look for some pants for my hub:

I need to wear the blouse with slimmer bottoms because it’s tent-like. I really like it, though.

I wore this to go on the boat:

I bought a pedometer that has no app and no charging needs. I felt like I was missing out on many a step only using my phone since I don’t hold my phone all the time and I don’t want to hold my phone all the time. Here it is if you are interested. I did have an Apple watch many moons ago. It slipped off my wrist, cracked, and I never replaced it.

And, finally, I went back to Clothes Mentor with my niece and found these:

They were $18 and something I had looked at buying in the past. I have heard good things and I wanted another athletic sneaker to wear.

Well, I shopped my head off. Thoughts on anything I bought? Any favorite outfits this week?

What about you? What have you been living in? Buying?

Please join us here!

Amy

24 thoughts on “Fashion Files”

  3. You made some great purchases this week! I think my favorite outfit was the one where you copied the model with the tan crochet thing. I love that! I also really like the jeans, white button down, and new clutch. That Afghan duster is adorable! It’ll look great with something white and maybe some slim style pants! I shared my post today, but I didn’t do much last week and only had a couple of outfits to show for the week. The other days I spent time here at home in leggings and t-shirts. That won’t be the case next week, though!

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    1. Thank you! I feel like that little sweater can be made to look more fall, too. That is my issue on the weeks that I stay home more. At least that is true when it’s hot like this. I did a good job of dressing up more for errands in the spring and fall!

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  4. Golly, so many good finds! I like your recreated outfits- spot on. And the white blouse- very cute. The pink clutch is adorable. I feel like you will be able to use that a lot.

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  6. I love the J Crew white blouse with the cute sleeve! I might look for that one here. We need clothes that say fall but feel like summer in terms of our temps in the fall. I typically hang all my t-shirts to dry. I throw them in for a few min to fluff and soften but there’s less shrinking with the hang dry. Have a great day!

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    1. Thank you! I appreciate its perfect length. I think it was $40. I have been quite happy with my J.Crew consignment finds and my J.Crew Factory purchases.
      Exactly! I have a category of fallish color clothes in lighter weights – lol. That’s a good tip. I had to bleach a t-shirt with a stain yesterday and then I hung it to dry. I can always use my 3 minute fluff cycle on the dryer.
      You too!

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  7. You found some really adorable things! I love that clutch and your amazing granny square cardigan! I also really like your boating outfit and the outfit that you copied from the model. But it’s all so cute, it’s hard to choose a favorite. I applaud you for minimizing your wardrobe. I bet it makes crossing whaat to wear so much easier. I often get overwhelmed with the choices in my closet, but I will forever be a maximalist!

    Shelbee

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    1. Thank you! I guess you have to be careful wearing an afghan the older you get because you might look like you are wearing your blanket. Thank you for all the kind compliments. Yes, I realized I couldn’t handle having too much. Everyone needs to find their own sweet spot!

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  8. Scrolling and reading and I GASPED when I saw the clutch. So pretty. I love your “model inspired” outfit. So chic! What a score with the tennis shoes too …& I wouldn’t have left neutral flip flops behind either, haha

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  9. I love that clutch! And I love that feeling when you see something and just “Wow, that is so me!”. I bought a t-shirt at TJ Maxx, a bit retro with California written on it and a vintage car… Instant love :D. (you know, with jeans cut offs, flip flops, tan…)

    I have another rule for shopping; if I still think about a thing that I want after a couple of days I can buy it… (doesn’t work with TJ Maxx though – you have to buy things you like on the spot!).

    Weather in Sweden tends to flip from summer to cold fall within a week, so those in-between clothes are not for me…

    (btw: stop, you can’t put t-shirts in the dryer!)

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    1. Yes! That is the best – when something jumps out at you! Love the CA tee look!
      You do have to jump on things at TJ!
      Much of our year is transitional weather, to be honest.
      I do put t-shirts in the dryer! Americans love their dryers! Lol!

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      1. I’m so jealous of the transitional weather! More than actual summer really!

        I repeat: do not put t-shirts in the dryer! (:D)

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  10. That purse is awesome!! I love the pop of color and texture it adds to an outfit. I looked up your bag using lens and found some on Poshmark. So many pretty colors! Your swimsuit coverup looks great with your outfit!

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  12. Hi Amy!
    I really like the “coat” it’s unique like you! One thing I didn’t comment on last week was your saying you would like to write a book. I think you doing that is a great idea. With what I’ve picked up on from your blog, you being raised with 3 sisters, you being closer to your dad, and maybe some issues with your mom? If I’m wrong I’m sorry. But, that’s what I’ve picked up on!
    Cheers!
    Missy

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