July 02--Dear Answer Angel Ellen: A relative of mine at the last minute called off his wedding after we'd sent a shower gift, a wedding gift and bought airline tickets to attend. My question is not about how do I get all that back -- I figure that's up to the couple to do their best to make it right. No, I'm wondering about the reason the wedding was canceled. The groom called it off after his fiancee raised a huge stink because his mom (mother of the groom) bought a red dress to wear to the wedding. It turned ugly, unkind words were spoken about (and to) his mom and about how the red dress would take attention away from the bride on her big day. The groom figured that if his bride was going crazy over this silly detail, their future together was doomed. My question: Is it OK for the mother of the groom (or mother of the bride for that matter) to wear red? Or any other color of her choice? You can probably guess that my son is getting married and I had planned on wearing red but do not want to cause World War III.
-- Keeping the Peace
Dear K the P: Not to put Bridezilla on the couch or anything (oh, why not?) but surely her flip-out had more to do with things other than her future mother-in-law's color choice. Anyhow, there is only one rule for wedding wear: Do not upstage the bride. It wasn't that long ago that I attended a wedding where the M.O.B wore red and nobody gave it a second thought. Wedding-goers, especially those in the wedding party, would do well to run their dress choice by the couple beforehand just to avoid this kind of thing. But in today's wedding world, guests and bridal party wear all sorts of things and colors (including black or white) and it's perfectly acceptable. What would be more out of line than a red dress would be a Beyonce-style costume that guests couldn't take their eyes off. I'm presuming in the case you mention, the mom's red dress was not in that category.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Everyone recommends wearing long sleeves to protect our arms from the sun. But finding lightweight, long-sleeve, relatively inexpensive T-shirts is hard. And I don't want a neckline cut down to my navel -- just a nice comfortable neckline. Do you have any suggestions?
-- Nancy M.
Dear Nancy: You can't go wrong with thrift shops that have racks and racks of what you're looking for in good condition for under $5. I buy my long-sleeve T's at Target. The Merona, Mossimo and Champion brands are well-priced with a modest neckline. Wal-Mart's Hanes and house brand Faded Glory also are worth a look.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I saw a television ad about eliminating crepey skin on arms, legs, neck, etc., with a cream that you rub on your skin.Of course I bought it, hoping the wrinkly parts of my arms and legs would improve or go away. Have you heard of this product (Crepe Erase), and can you recommend some solution? I am thinking the cream is not going to do it. Thanking you in advance for any info on this.
-- Teresa E.
Dear Teresa: I wish you'd written me before you spent your money! There is a reason older stars wear long-sleeve gowns on the red carpet. No creams can stop gravity, and even the most fit among us can't avoid crepey skin. Ask famously toned Jane Fonda, 77. She has plenty of cash and motivation to solve this problem -- if there were a solution -- but she publicly displays her upper arm waggle on her Netflix comedy series "Grace and Frankie." If she can't beat it, nobody can.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I think you have answered this once, but can't remember the answer. I've been getting little holes in my T-shirts. They are at the waist. This is very frustrating as I have to throw away shirts that may have been worn only a few times. Getting very expensive.
-- Mary K.
Dear Mary: Holes are caused by your untucked shirt rubbing against the waist button of your pants -- aggravated by rubbing against the edge of your desk or kitchen counter. Try tucking in the shirt or wearing an apron in the kitchen.
Angelic readers
In a recent column Kathy P. asked about long-torso swimwear. Laura M. recommends the site swimsuitsforall.com, which was "very helpful for finding suits in my size--tall and curvy." Readers Laura P. and Elizabeth A. S. B. like "Longitude" brand that they buy at J.C. Penney, other department stores and eBay. Cheryl H. especially likes Miraclesuit. Responding to a reader who asked for yoga pants that sit at the waist, not at the navel, Sherry B., Bridgid B. and Jackie S. like Lucy. Says Jackie, they're "indestructible and cut for 'real girl' proportions" and priced a little lower than Lululemon. Cheryl H. says you can't beat the tummy control yoga pants at The Girls. Beth S. recommends Lysse.
Reader rant 1
Georgia K. responds to the reader who recommended going to a store to try on shoes to find the right fit then ordering them online for less: "The store loses revenue. One day they will wonder why the store is no longer open. And no, I do not own a store. I am hoping to keep our downtown alive and keep a community."
Reader rant 2
I hate bra straps and other lingerie straps peeking out from sleeveless tops.
-- Mimi
Shop, drop, get help
Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds -- on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty -- to answerangelellen@gmail.com.
