Hang on to your skinny jeans
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: A few months back, you answered a reader’s question about the return of high-waisted jeans and you gave them a thumbs-up review. I’ve been meaning to email you a related question. Everywhere I look online, I see that straight leg jeans are now the fashion. They look kind of baggy (the old “boyfriend jeans” of years back?). Do I need to give away all my skinny jeans now or risk being hopelessly out of style?
— Jen P.
Dear Jen: Hang on to your skinnies. Lots of women (me included) are still committed to their skinny jeans. For many body types, skinny jeans are a flattering silhouette. It will take a while for us to get used to how straight leg (and bell bottom) jeans look, but you’ll be seeing more and more of them. I know this because the street style of trendsetting models and celebrities, currently all over the internet, is heavily weighted toward looser jeans.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I am a plus-size woman. I have been all of my adult life. My taste has always been fashionably conservative. Not that long ago, I was able to shop at specialty stores like The Answer and August Max Woman and even Lane Bryant. Alas all of these stores have either disappeared from the landscape or no longer stock the classics I love. And I wonder if women of any size even wear suits and dressy dresses anymore. Everything is so casual and trendy. Online has not served me well ... again too casual/trendy and you never know what you are gonna get (quality and fit-wise) when you order something. You think your readers can lead me to a place (brick and mortar or online) that sells quality, mature, plus-size fashions? Are the clothes previously carried by the above vendors still being made? If so, where can I find them?
— Maxine W.
Dear Maxine: More than once, I’ve raised this same issue here. Since the average American woman is size 16 to18, why do retail stores (and designers) keep failing us? It doesn’t make sense! Granted, we’re seeing more inclusive size ranges and plus-size models. But this is mostly true for casual and trendy fashions, which are not what you’re looking for. Readers always come through when I ask them. So let’s see what they come up with this time. Let’s point Maxine to places to shop like she used to!