Tuesday, September 29, 2026

This past week has been fun! Link up with Marsha and I if you also have a post today! It’s been fun because Marsha did a cute little comparison of Halara jeans and Cicy Bell jean-like pants and because I got to wear some early fall clothing! Woohoo!

I’m not sure if this is very flattering – should have tucked the shirt in to some degree but last Tuesday the weather changed from summer to fall in perfect timing with the first official day of fall and I wore my Halara barrel, Old Navy pumpkin tee, and Old Navy cardigan wtih my Adidas Sambas.

The next day we were going to a concert and I tried this on but then at the last minute remembered my new crochet long cardigan…

I wore my charcoal Halaras, Dansko Mary Janes, white J.Crew Factory blouse, and the boutique cardigan I found a month or so ago. The floral blouse above is a boutique brand blouse that I got last winter, I believe.

I wore this to Friday happy hour. It’s my consignment sleeveless sweater with a tank under, my Halara straight legs (I think this would have looked better with wide leg, maybe), my Kork Ease sandals and my new Amazon necklace. I already had the bracelet which worked well with it. The necklace was a rec from Jen.

Here is a little Cicy Bell story. I ordered a shirt that made me look like a security guard and contacted Cicy and said I wanted to return it. They said just keep it but gave me a $40 credit. Now, that’s some customer service. I chose this brown polka dot cardigan with my credit and had to pay about $25 more. Now, do I think it is worth $65 for the quality? Probably not. I am happy to have it, though, and again, A+ for customer service.

The sweater is pretty thick and warm so it will be a bit before I can actually wear it and I might have to wear it to outside events only. Lol. Or it could be like a jacket. Cicy Bell is also available on Amazon, by the way.

I’m not really a J.Jill shopper but I have been in the past. I have three pairs of capri leggings – remember wearing them with kimonos as I did? That was my jam for a bit. The material is just perfect for a wearing out legging. They are not athletic type leggings and they have no pockets. I think the pima cotton is what makes them perfect to me. So, I ordered a pair of black full length that I envision wearing like this and with a crisp white button down and flats. I ordered them in petite length and I love when I have that option.

I bought these Birkenstock lookalikes at TJ Maxx last fall. I can’t remember who told me this trick but you wear Pilates sticky socks with them and they stay on better.

I did something fun with my capsule of late summer/early fall clothing in my closet. I took a “brand inventory” to share with you. These do not include work out wear, pajamas, or home clothing – just things I would actually style for outfits to wear outside my house.

Halara: 9 – I have light wide legged, medium wide legged, another medium wash wide legged, charcoal wide legged (seen above), stripe down the side wide legged, light straight legged (seen above), dark green barrel (seen above), dark green wide legged track pants, dark pair that button and zip. All of the others are elastic waist.

J.Crew Factory – online and in store: 5 – I have ordered online and I also go in the store next to my Trader Joe’s sometimes and find something on the clearance rack.

Old Navy: 7

Target: 7

Boutique brands – Umgee, Entro from my local boutiques: 5

TJ Maxx: 5

Consignment: 2

Amazon: 2 – both are cardigans – black scallop and red

Are you surprised at my inventory? What would be your highest number if you did this?

I am so impressed with how the Halara jeans wash and hold up and how comfortable they are. I noticed they now offer a heavier weight or some sort of lining for colder weather, but for the perimenopausal/women out there, the weight is perfect to not get too hot. I did notice after wearing the light straight leg that I had scraped the back:

I must have scraped the jeans on a chair I was sitting on outside or something. If you want to try Halara, I would do a medium wash wide leg pull on. They are super flattering and I think the elastic waist (pajama jean) is what they are known for.

Link up here!

Amy

28 thoughts on “Fashion Files + Brand Inventory”

  1. Lots of cute fall looks! I would have no idea where to start with a brand inventory as I tend to buy a bit of everything anywhere.

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  2. I can think of a few brands that I know I have in my closet but as far as numbers of items, I’d have to really take some time to do that. I would be a bit curious to know which jeans brand I have the most of- I’m guessing it’s the Democracy brand but I can’t say for sure. The weather really got the season memo last week, didn’t it? That is good customer service! It’s good to know there are companies out there like that. Thanks for the link up!

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    1. I was working with a pretty small capsule and not all of my clothes. Just a jeans inventory would be interesting. I miss Steinmart where I could try on Democracy jeans easily. It really did! I loved that I could wear some fall clothes. Very nice to know that about this company.

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  3. I love your outfits this week! That crocheted cardigan is stunning. It looks so good with the jeans and shirt you had on. Remember when none of us knew what Halara was?! You’re welcome for being the tester for you. 🤣 I have two new pairs, and two new pairs of their leggings coming in this week! I can’t wait.

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    1. Thank you! It was fun to finally wear some different stuff. I hope I made a good purchase with that. Halara is all due to you! I will never forget! Lol! Girl, you better do a post on those new Halaras. I only just branched out to non-jeans Halara purchases. I love the barrel green and I am getting ready to wear the track pant in green soon, too.

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  4. Halara needs to work with you! You are a great spokesperson!

    I have only ever ordered Cicy Bell through Amazon – I had no idea you could order direct!

    I really love that colorful boutique cardigan, it is so pretty.

    xo,

    Kellyann

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  9. The inventory is interesting! My top brand would be Old Navy for sure. Not sure what would follow but I have a variety of brands that could be found at Nordstrom but I got at Goodwill, Poshmark or eBay.

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  11. Hi Any!
    I took your question to my closet and I would say leggings, sweatshirts, sweat pants, are from Victorias Secret/Pink and I have 32. That’s scary! I am wearing a sweatshirt from Pink right now and cut offs. Good question!

    Cheers!
    Missy

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  13. I love, love, love J Jill pima leggings! I have them in several different colors and will continue to wear them despite people saying they’re not in! Can we say I influenced you to buy them? I have been busy purging in my closet (oh, that didn’t sound right), but I’ve been using the dog poop test! It works wonders because I have several huge piles of clothing I’m donating, giving away, and maybe sending to one of those online consignment places.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. Sure but I have had mine for 10 years? I have navy, gray, and black and they are capri but could almost pass for full length on me. You will feel so much better having less stuff even though it sounds counterintuitive. I try to make sure everything is a 10 because I don’t need much now!

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  14. A brand inventory is a cool idea to see what brands you tend to wear! I really love that crochet cardigan and the short sleeve white sweater. Some really cute outfits this week! I am loving being able to wear a layer for a couple hours in the mornings. I really want to wear my full length jeans but will wait till next week. The afternoons this week are a little toasty.

    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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