Making a case for socks with sandals
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My male relatives (son and husband) wear rubbery slip-on “slides” sometimes called “pool” or “shower” sandals — the style that soccer athletes, etc. wear when they take off their cleats.
My men prefer slides to flip-flops because they can wear socks with them. I think socks with sandals look dorky. They disagree. Who is right? — Alisa J.
Dear Alisa: In general, I am not a fan of socks with sandals on any adult. But I put this one in the category of You Win Some, You Lose Some. On fashion/style issues for men (and women) there are no “rules” — with a few exceptions, and this isn’t one of them. If pro soccer players choose this look, I’d say your son and husband are in good company.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have dark brown hair and olive/brown eyes. The past few years, ever since COVID, I have had a hard time with the color of highlights. With silver coming in on the sides now, the highlights seem to clash with my grays at the hairline around my face. I have tried multiple hair colorists, and it looks OK for a day or two and then back to warm tones next to silver tones next to dark brown. In your opinion, is it best to do what nature has given me at this point and give up on finding a way to camouflage the gray? — Cindy G.
Dear Cindy: It sounds like your main issue is covering your grays in a way that doesn’t wash out after a few shampoos. Don’t give up. If you want to conceal your silver, there are solutions out there. But it might require continuing patience. Everyone’s hair reacts differently to hair coloring products, and it might be that a different brand of hair coloring would have better staying power on your grays.
Are all the colorists you’ve consulted using the same brand that is not working for you? It’s frustrating to try to find the right product applied by the right colorist, but it’s worth it. And do not be shy about asking women whose hair colors you admire for their recommendations of a colorist. You will prevail!
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I cannot figure out if this is a joke or what. I recently was reeled in by a fashion story with the headline, “Imperfection is the new perfection,” which referred to “artfully disheveled clothes.” The photos showed uneven hems and ratty new sweaters with tears and holes in the elbows. Really? — Lila P.
Dear Lila: Remember grunge? This “new” look was popular in the 1980s and early 1990s and it is back. Don’t go there.
Runway looks and style writing rarely translate for the vast majority of us who lead busy lives with limited budgets — and limited interest in fleeting trends. If your first reaction is a huge “whaaat the ...” you are in the majority. (Granted, denim with holes and frayed hems seems to be here to stay for a while.)
My advice is never wear something that makes you feel uncomfortable or silly. It will sit in your closet to remind you of your poor choices. A little experimentation is great and highly recommended. But go slow and steer clear of purposely looking disheveled. That’s something most of us achieve without paying for it.
Angelic readers 1
Barb C. writes: “For your reader who is having trouble finding tops that flatter her pear-shape figure, I discovered the brand Habitat a couple years ago and love the loose fitting, stylish tops. You can find them at habitatclothes.com and on amazon.com.
Angelic readers 2
From Lexi C.: “Do your readers have recommendations for me on this one? I’m so disappointed that Schwarzkopf changed their mousse products. For years, I’ve used Got2b Fat-tastic. I stocked up from Amazon when I noticed the manufacturer had changed their product line. After trying several other products, not one had the volume and hold of fat-tastic. Any recommendations?”
Reader rant
Terry S. says: “When it comes to socks, one size does not fit all! Sport socks wind up bunched at the back or stretched tight at the toes for me. I have expanded my horizons and purchased children’s socks. As an added bonus, kids’ socks seem more durable. Don’t judge me for my pink socks.”