What to wear to the office?
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I’ve always had trouble figuring out what to wear to the office every day. So, working from home during COVID-19 has been a big relief. I could just roll out of bed and go to work without stressing about my clothes. Now, the whole what-to-wear issue is back since I have to go to the office. I’m tempted to go the Steve Jobs/Mark Zuckerberg route and wear a “signature” outfit — essentially the same color shirt and pants every day (although I’d probably add a jacket since I am not the boss of anything much less a multibillion dollar company). My partner suggested I ask you if the signature outfit thing is a good idea — or at least OK. FYI: My favorite color is maroon/burgundy.
— Pat E.
Dear Pat: Go for it! If it’s good enough for those billionaires, why not you too? A big plus: A signature look works well for both men and women — like Theranos biotech entrepreneur and convicted fraudster Elizabeth Holmes (black turtleneck and black pants), former first lady Barbara Bush (triple strand of fake pearls) and former White House COVID-19 coordinator Deborah Birx (silk scarf ). Even Vogue czarina Anna Wintour wears her signature colorful jeweled necklaces and indoor sunglasses virtually every day.
An all-maroon jacket and pants paired with a matching turtleneck, a white shirt or a graphic T-shirt could work for a very successful unisex signature outfit. And don’t
forget NBA players with piles of money to spend on their off-court ensembles are rocking all-one-color suits in colors ranging from pink to red to the brightest of blues. So in your maroon coat and pants, you’re the height of fashion.
Angelic readers
“For your reader who complained about squeeze tubes that leave half the contents inaccessible,” Laura K. writes, “When cosmetic and health squeeze tubes (toothpaste, moisturizer, etc.) get low, I cut off the bottom, then store upside down so I can extract the rest. I leave enough of the tube so I can fold the cut end and clip the fold with a clothespin or chip clip to keep it from drying out.” From Ellen: A binder clip will give a tighter seal but folding the tube over is essential to prevent drying
out the cream stuck in the tube. Diane S. loves Flip-it Caps (flipitcap.com ,$8 and up). These and similar gizmos on amazon.com don’t always hold containers upright. They topple over, depending on their size and weight. So pay attention to the fine print and product photos before you buy.
Reader rant From Shirley S.:
“Thank you Ellen for the opportunity to rant about envelope flaps that do not include glue on the ends of the flap to properly secure the envelope. Greeting cards, invoices, you name it, no glue on the flap ends!”
Now it’s your turn
Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds — on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty — to answerangelellen@gmail. com.