Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Well, after about a month of not shopping, I had a little spree a couple of weeks ago. I hope you will join Marsha and me to talk about anything fashion related. We meet here every Tuesday and it’s a lot of fun. I am amazed by all the different angles fashion can take in this link up.

I actually have a lot to talk to you about today, so grab your favorite drink or set an alarm to read this when you have more time.

As hard as it is, I decided to do a try on sesh of my recent purchases…

I placed an order from J.Crew Factory, an order from Halara, shopped one of my consignment stores and bought 4 items, and then shopped at a local boutique to see what they had out for early fall. About a week before this “spree”, I bought a brown blouse at TJ Maxx.

I love this white blouse from J.Crew Factory! It was kind of pricey for what I usually spend at $49 but everything about it is perfect. The material is kind of a cool feel, the length is perfect, and the fit is perfect. I dropped some guacamole on it but put some Dawn on it and did a quick wash cycle and it came out. I like this blouse so much that I am considering buying a second one. What?

I also bought this camel cardigan thingy and I think it will be a good workhorse. I can see it going over a white button down or a long sleeved shirt. It was final sale and I took a chance on it. It was $24.

I gasped when I saw this crochet duster for fall at one of my local boutiques. I tried it on with a white t-shirt, but I think black might look better. Unfortunately, I was too lazy to go get one and try it so you will have to be in suspense. I didn’t like the Dansko Mary Janes with it. Should I have bought these last fall? I’m not sure. Back to the crochet duster – it was $68. They only had about 3 of them so I knew if I wanted it, I needed to jump on it. I see this as being all the “coat” I need for some of the cooler months.

The consignment things I bought were athletic yellow shorts, a plain white tee, Reef flip flops, and a fun hot pink clutch. I spent $50 total on all 4 things and showed you those last week.

I wore this one day for an errand:

I have on the JCF blouse, Halara jeans, and the Reef flip flops.

I wore this for a happy hour:

This is the brown TJ Maxx blouse, Halara jeans, and Dr. Scholl’s buckle heels (from a few years ago).

Another thing I would encourage anyone else to do, too – as you are starting to inventory fall stuff… I took some jeans I would like to wear soon to the tailor. The zipper will not stay up and it’s not because they don’t fit. She is going to try a new zipper pull or replace the entire zipper if needed.

I also took these fun printed pants to have the rip fixed. Many of you encouraged me to repair rather than get rid of. I like these well enough that I think repairing is smart. Now, both of these repairs combined will run me about $40, but that is worth it to me to have it done professionally. Are you good at taking things to the tailor or repairing them yourself? I could not buy new of the jeans and the pants for $40 so it’s worth it.

Let’s talk my Halara order. I am a huge fan of my Halara jeans and I have become much more of a jeans person because of them. I had been curious about their other pants offerings, too.

I bought these olive green stripe track pants.

And, these olive green barrel leg pants.

I love the track pant trend. I have Halara jeans with the stripes down the sides that I wear all the time. I also bought a pair of Lands End pants in navy with a red stripe. Lands End runs so big. I should have sized down but I still like them. This is why we as women need to stop getting hung up on a tag size. It goes both ways. Some things run incredibly small or are made for a person without any curves and some things run incredibly large for vanity sizing.

Here I am in the barrel legs:

I am still not quite sure about footwear with barrel. I feel like I need a bit more ankle skin showing.

If you also have sisters, you know they will tell it like it is.

And, here I am in the track pant:

It’s kind of hard to know if you made a good purchase until you get into a season and see what you really wear in your real life, you know?

And, a couple of other outfits from the week…

Saturday day:

Saturday night:

Yes, my photos are incredibly professional (NOT), but these are quick snaps I take before walking out the door.

Let’s talk Matilda Jane. Do you know her? He, he. It’s a little girl brand that you would go to trunk parties to shop for. I became a fan of her women’s pants as a teacher. Teacher pants. There’s a lot to talk about on the topic of teacher pants.

I am pretty sure Matilda Jane is kaput, but I have been seeing ruffle pants lately and even ruffle hem jeans. Are these the height of fashion now?

Look at what I saw on a Target ad:

If you are in the market for a ruffle, it might be worth it to try Target’s version.

Here is me in a MJ ruffle:

Here is me in a MJ full length knit pant:

They are extremely good quality and very comfortable. When I discovered Matilda Jane for women many years ago, my mom found a “dealer” who was going out of business and bought out her stock in my size. Major score! I still have both of these pairs of pants. I do not have the tops or the silver booties. Was I going line dancing after school?

Do you agree with this:

I love flip flops with jeans, personally! When did it NOT make sense?

Ok, what have you been wearing lately? Have you been shopping?

I have no one to do back to school shopping for anymore – not even myself!

This was fun! I was super chatty today!

Please link up here!

Amy

34 thoughts on “Fashion Files”

  1. I’m kinda surprised Matilda Jane went kaput. They became popular for girls around here when my girls had recently outgrown the style of MJ. I could have seen myself purchasing LOTS of MJ clothes for them had my girls liked them when they were younger. I like the ruffle pants that are back in style (for adults!). Your outfits are all cute! The white blouse is super cute- I really like it with the lighter jeans but it looks good with the darker ones, too.

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    1. I am, too. There are some with a smaller and not so intense ruffle that I have seen that might be easier to wear now. Thank you. I am happy when I make a good purchase and sometimes that means spending a little more at the outset. I like it best with the lighter jeans, I think.

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  2. I’ve always worn flip flops with jeans, with “dressy” outfits… to me they are a staple and go with everything. You got some cute and great new items.

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  3. Such great purchases! Love the JCF blouse, it is a classic you can keep forever. Great new Halara purchases too.

    The barrel leg pants are terrific on you! Glad Kate approved – how nice to get feedback from your sisters!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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    1. Thank you! Sorry that I keep talking about it. I can’t trust myself much with white but I do anyway!
      I feel like I need a bit more ankle to show but I bought them in the short length.

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  4. I love all the recent purchases and your outfits for the week! I never got into the MJ trend; I think they’re cute on some people, but I cannot see myself in them. I used to love flip flops and I love all of yours! I can’t really wear them now, because they hurt my feet. I’ve gotten to the point that I need more support…but my metallic Reef platform shoes are a great substitute. All of your outfits from last week are so cute! I love the jeans, white JCF blouse, and flip flops the most…I also love the one with the denim skirt and fun clutch. Thanks for hosting us!

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    1. Thank you! I get that. I tell you what – I got so many compliments on the ruffle pants from the teenagers at my school. They were a bit of a 70s vibe and that was in for quite a while.
      I also get that about flip flops. I couldn’t wear them to teach in all day. Reef are so awesome! Thank you! I had a lot to show this week with all of my try ons! But, mostly I am in a t-shirt and shorts right now! You’re welcome!

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  5. That white short sleeve shirt is just perfect and I agree, your crochet long “coat” will be a lot of fun this fall! I do love my ruffle pants and just pull them all out to wear. I am trying to pull some things I haven’t worn as much yet this summer. Making sure I still like everything.

    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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    1. Thank you! I have already worn it several times! I hope so – I hope it’s a good purchase. Sometimes you don’t know right away.
      I still love mine, too. I also looked at mine after writing that post. Haha!

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  6. Yes that J Crew blouse looks fabulous on you- don’t blame you for wanting to get another. Those jeans look great too! I agree with you on having tailors fix pieces/do zippers. I brought a favorite dress from the Tik Tok shop for $11.39 -kid you not. Well the zipper broke pretty quickly so I rushed it to the tailors and they replaced the zipper for $30. Funny how the zipper cost more than the dress- ha! It was worth it to me though 🙂

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  7. That white blouse does look great on you, I really like the style and that crochet duster is gorgeous!! I never think of wearing track pants but you have made them look so good, pairing them with a shirt. I am not a flip flop person, I’ve tried to be but they always seem to hurt my feet.

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  9. As usual all of your outfits are so cute! I really love the track pants and the hit pink bag though. I have been wearing mostly workout clothes as I am trying to get a workout in every day and it’s been very hot. I wasn’t going to buy anything from the Nordstrom anniversary sale but I needed new pair of walking/running shoes. I got a new pair of On Cloud black and white running shoes and then one thing led to another and I was called to buy the Nordstrom Tina booties in dark brown and the Steve Madden Lela mary janes. So much for not shopping the Nsale! 😆😬

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    1. I don’t know about “as usual”! Lol! I have never related more to how 3 pairs of shoes jumped in your cart! I will look up the Tina and the Lela – your new besties! I love On Cloud and used to have some.

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  10. So many great outfits! And I love it that you took those two garments to the tailor!

    When I started reading your blog (from the beginning :D) you wore those ruffle pants all the time! And do you remember your “rule of 3”!? You made me buy some cover-ups to follow that rule! 😀

    Yes for flip flops with jeans! I bought a super nice pair of Michael Kors from Ross and they look so great with jeans (can’t wait to show my middle school students :D). Did I mention they gave me the title The class’ fashionista this year? 😀

    Didn’t shop that much in the US this year (oh, who am I kidding; 3 bags and 5 pair of shoes…).

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    1. I patted myself on the back!
      That’s funny! They are a great teacher pant. I also had a collection of longer vests for my rule of 3. Lol.
      Nice! The kids will think you look great! Do you ever teach slang? I heard the new “6 7” this year will be “quiet on the creek”. I can’t figure out exactly what it means.
      Well, one of your summer goals is to bring home some stuff, right? So, you did it!

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      1. I love to teach slang, but many times it’s the students who teach me! That 6 7 used to drive me crazy… whenever I “spoke with my hands” they started chanting it… I love it when you share expressions, got to stay on top you know! 😀

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      2. So true. They taught me, too. I want you to be the coolest teacher in all of Sweden. With your Michael Kors flip flops, your Florida stories, and your newly acquired slang, they will hang on every word.

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      4. I did an idiom exercise where I gave the kids an idiom/saying/motto from Spanish and they had to directly translate it, explain what it meant, and tell their opinion on it.

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  11. Yes ma’am I remember Matilda Jane. Grace had several sweet dresses when she was little, but I never tried the pants. They look so comfy and fun. I love the JCF white top – just my style. The crochet duster would be a perfect “coat” for Houston weather. Happy Tuesday.

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  12. Your purchases were so good! I really like that brown top as well as the JCF white blouse! Did I tell you my friend in Portugal buys Halaras and loves them? I haven’t bought any track pants, but I always say, “Never say never!” I have my one pair of MJ brown flares that I love. Did you know they are now sold online? My daughter bought my grand so many outfits and sold them when she outgrew them. She made her money back on every piece! You honestly look fabulous in those barrel leg pants. I agree skin should show, but it just doesn’t on me because I’m vertically challenged! I really like flip flops, but I don’t wear them much anymore because of the lack of support. One time, when I was teaching, I said I loved to wear thongs (that’s what we called them when I was growing up). You should have seen my kids’ faces! I had to explain what I meant…but I wonder what they went home and told their parents!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. Thank you! Two blouses I am happy with. It’s hard to fit my chest in blouses but I love a button up.
      No – that’s so funny! Halara in Portugal!
      Do you mean that the MJ are on Poshmark? Or, maybe the company went to online only?
      I don’t think barrel leg is my best but I am going to try to embrace these. I could hem them a bit? I will try different heights of shoes. I have leopard barrel leg and the leg is just too voluminous, sadly.
      My mom called them thongs, too. I had to quickly change my wording!

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  13. I love the crochet duster! I’ve noticed that repurposed quilts and crochet items are really “in” right now!

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    1. Thank you! It was a bit of a splurge, but I hope it pays off in “price per wear”. They really are. I like the quilt type jackets I see the younger women wearing, too.

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  14. Oooh, look at all the fabulous pieces you’ve acquired! I keep reading wonderful things about Halara jeans. I don’t wear jeans often anymore because I can’t stand the feel of heavy weight course denim. I really need to give Halara a try! I love that you decided to repair your colorful trousers instead of getting rid of them. I do most clothing repairs myself as long as they are simple ones. More complicated things I would take to a professional because I am at the lower end of the novice scale when it comes to sewing. LOL Thanks for the link party. I hope the rest of your week is fabulous!

    Shelbee

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    1. Thank you! Oh, I think you should try them. They are literally pants you can fly in, sleep in, whatever. I think my medium denim color are the most lightweight. No zippers or button. I get the high-rise wide leg.
      Same – gotta leave it to the professional for my tailoring. It’s worth it to me.
      You too!

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  15. I love the white J crew factory blouse – I just ordered the strip one which will work with a lot of things – may a suggest you order the stripe too !

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