Sept. 14--Dear Answer Angel Ellen: In the fashion magazine descriptions of clothing and accessories I often see the phrase "price upon request." Why don't they just say how much it costs? I usually see that in the high-end publications where I am guessing the mystery prices are stratospheric. Is that why they say that?
--Jeni
Dear Jeni: As one fashion magazine insider explained it to me, "Yes, it's because a high price tag gives readers sticker shock, which is distracting in every way." As a practical matter think of it this way, "If you have to ask, 'How much?' you probably can't afford it. Individual mags make their own rules (which often change from issue to issue) but generally they set a cut-off number and if the price tag is higher than that they say "price upon request." During the recession, many magazines tried to appear more sensitive by not listing the astronomical prices of the items they used in their fashion layouts. Of course, what is astronomical to you and me (17-year-old Malia Obama in a $498 Kate Spade dress!) is a steal for some others.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I was watching television and saw a woman (not a celebrity) singing the national anthem and her nipples were showing through her shirt. I'm sure she would have been embarrassed to know this. Any advice for those of us who want to be sure to avoid this "don't?"
--Maryann E.
Dear Maryann: Almost every bra maker has at least one "T-shirt" or "full-coverage" bra style -- the euphemism for nipple camouflage. These are seamless, with a molded cup made of a thin layer of foam. Also, check out the wide range of adhesive nipple concealers on amazon.com. Underwear departments and boutiques often carry them too. The ones I see most often in these stores are "Hollywood" brand in the $10-$13 range.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My guilty pleasure is the TV show Mistresses on ABC. I love the clothes the women wear on the show. How do I find the clothes they are wearing?
--Lisa W.
Dear Lisa: This was news to me too but there are websites that actually will give you this information. Wornontv.net lets you search by show, episode, even character. So, if you yearn for Calista's kimono or April's yellow floral wrap dress, the what and where-to-buy info is right there. Other sites you might want to look at are shopyourtv.com, pradux.com, celebritystyleguide.com and possessionista.com.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have discovered that giving crazy socks is a frugal fun way to gift my friends. Any suggestions on where to shop? Solids in black and boring navy just don't cut it.
--Teresa P.
Dear Teresa: I'm with you. I love to give wild socks as gifts -- especially for the people who have everything. Who can't use another pair of socks, right? President George H.W. Bush is a big fan of wild socks. So are my son and husband. Until now my sock shopping has been hit or miss but I've found some notable ones at reasonable prices at Marshalls and unique pairs at Urban Outfitters. But a friend just introduced me to a new store with a huge online selection for men, women and kids, Sockified (sockified.com). If you're looking for naughty (f-bomb and more) or nice (cows, kitties, camo) look at the offerings there.
Angelic Readers 1
Millie L. complained about scratchy tags in clothing and reader Susan B. has a suggestion to solve the problem: "Those miserable clothing tags can be covered with cloth tape, easily found in store aisles with bandages. I use Nexcare's Durable Cloth Tape (nexcare.com), cut it to cover the tag, and it holds up through multiple washings. Ahhh, the relief."
Reader Rant 1
I got a huge amount of agreement on my "leggings aren't pants" column arguing against the trend of wearing gym clothes everywhere. Typical was this from Sue J: "I'm with you, Ellen. How did it become acceptable to show every little nook and cranny of our 'privates' while wearing the skintight leggings that are everywhere nowadays? It's sickening. Women have no modesty, and are not self-conscious at all about what they're showing off to the world out there. From overweight women showing their cellulite and rolls to perfect little figures that advertise that they're not wearing any underwear...I think it's disgusting how slovenly so many women have become. Do they not care or realize that when these things were invented they were meant to be worn with sweaters or long tunics for street wear?
Reader Rant 2
Deborah D. had to get this off her chest: "Just returned from a funeral of a loved one where professional men (family members) were the pallbearers. The men knew beforehand yet showed up no suit, no sport coat, no tie just shirt and pants. Mind you, these are men who have been pallbearers for other family members so are not foreign to the routine. Whatever happened to making an effort and showing a little respect? Another fine example of the slobification of America."
Reader Rant 3
From Katie N.: "I have tried on many nice looking, name brand long-sleeved shirts/blouses in XL or plus size that fit me everywhere except the upper arm. This is especially true of the roll-up tab type sleeves. By the time you roll the sleeve two or three times, they are ridiculously tight. If a woman needs an XL or plus-size, she usually has XL or plus-sized upper arms."
Dear Katie: I hear gripes like this all the time from women who wonder why designers can't get it right when it comes to plus sizes. And, while we're at it, what's with the racks and racks of sleeveless dresses? Why can't we find dresses with elbow-length sleeves for the vast number of women who aren't that happy with their upper arms?
Now it's your turn
Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds -- on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty -- to answerangelellen@gmail.com.
