Thanks, y'all!
I wore the sweatshirt around the house, while I worked on my laptop, etc., with tags to see whether the ties annoyed me. They really weren't bad after all. The sleeves stay pushed up my arms with the ties on, which really helps. I might try that trick you suggested, Chris! I also wondered if less-contrasting ties might be good (I kept thinking I had a kleenex or something under my elbow), but not a deal-breaker. I'll keep!
To explain the jeans fit: I agree that the regular size jeans *fit* me better, from a typical fit standpoint. Especially in the seat and thighs. But it is nearly impossible for me to ever find jeans that are LOOSE on the thigh, and sometimes I want that, especially in warmer weather. My existing BF jeans from a few years ago have that, but they taper so much that they actually cling on the calf when I first start wearing them. Plus those jeans are now a few years old, and will probably be demoted to ranch wear soon. I've been hoping to find a BF-ish fit without that very tapered leg -- more straight -- and this is the first I've found. So you can see why I'm reluctant to let go of one pair! My other loose BF-ish jeans are ranch wear.
I love the shoes. The exposed arch does not feel odd at all. They are slightly awkward to put on -- I might use a shoe horn to make it easier and have less risk of wrinkling the leather -- but once on, they are secure and hug the foot nicely. I could use a smidge more room across the forefoot (but the forefoot only!), so I'll see if Nordstrom can put their stretcher to use to gently ease that area. They did get more comfortable with wear, so it may be that they stretch a bit on their own. The leather is quite soft.