Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Say it isn’t true! I’ve recently seen women of all sizes and shapes wearing very tight jeans, exercise tights or skin-tight pants with high heels!
I was grateful when that style went out of fashion in the early 2000s. While it certainly is an attention-getter, this look always struck me as streetwalker rather than a flattering style. Is it back? Here to stay?
–Jen V.
Dear Jen: In the immortal words of “Project Runway’s” Heidi Klum, “In fashion, one day you’re in and the next day you’re out.” This style was in, then out and now is creeping back in. I agree with you that this look is not flattering on virtually anyone except models and favored by those who want attention, e.g. Kardashians and Kardashian-adjacent women. By the time you read this, this controversial look will probably be on its way out. Again.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I bought a pair of denim jeans on sale, not returnable, with a 36-inch waist. Admittedly, I was taking a chance thinking I needed to lose a few pounds around the midriff and I thought this would incentivize me to knock off the inches through diet and a stepped-up exercise program. I should have learned from my past experience but … now I am stuck with the pants that I really like, cannot comfortably button and can’t send back. I emphatically don’t want to pay to have them altered. This is a long shot, but do you or your readers know of a reliable DIY remedy for me to stretch out the waist? Even an inch would help.
–Harry W.
Dear Harry: There a few options with varying success depending on how much stretch you need. Easiest is a no-sew button extender, which has a button on one end and a buttonhole on the other. They’re only a few dollars on amazon.com or at the ever-dwindling number of fabric stores with accessories departments.
A few more complicated ideas:
— Spray the waist with warm water until damp. (For better results, add fabric softener to water in a 4-6 ounce/1 ounce water-to-softener ratio). Turn pants inside out and inch by inch, press down hard on the waistband with your iron at high steam, stretching as you go.
— Spray as above. Stretch jeans by inserting wooden hanger — longer than half of the waist size you’re going for — into waistband. Or, instead of a hanger, buy commercial waist stretcher (wood not plastic) but beware of cost (amazon.com, about $22 and up).
— Spray as above. Buy or borrow from a woodworker friend a “ratcheting bar clamp/spreader” (again, at least half as long as desired waist size) (amazon.com, $12 and up). This is trickier than it sounds and cheap plastic won’t do the job. Watch youtube.com how-to videos and/or visit Lowe’s, etc. with your jeans and ask for professional help in the bar clamp aisle.
Let me know if any of these suggestions work for you. And readers: Your suggestions are welcome!
Angelic Readers 1
Karen T. says: “Please tell Cara T. that many of us need to cover up our gray top-of-head ‘zipper’ while waiting for our next appointment with the hairdresser. A great product is L’Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up (walmart.com, $9.90; target.com, $11.99; ulta.com, $12.99). It can be purchased in various colors. I am using mine right now as my appointment is in two weeks. Many of my friends have embraced their gray…NOT ME!” Pam P. writes, “Clairol has an effective product, Root Touch-Up 2-in-1 Color+Volume Spray. It’s water resistant, lasts up to three weeks and is just right for disguising that stripe where roots grow out before it’s time for a beautician’s treatment ( walgreens.com, $11.49; walmart.com, $9.97). From S.G: “Another quick root cover-up is eye shadow. It also cuts the glare on the scalp from showing through thinning hair.”
Reader Rant 1
B.K. writes, “When, oh when, will they sell tops and dresses that have flattering necklines again?” From Ellen: The necklines you favor will be back! Hemlines, necklines, fabric choices, color choices — they all come and go but your preferences will return. I promise.
Reader Rant 2
From LaVetta B.: “I’ve always been petite. Finding a skirt that isn’t a tripping hazard is impossible in stores. I like skirts to hit the knee or just below. Even catalogs are hard to find correct length in skirts. Most list skirts at 30 inches and petite at 28. News flash: Most petites are more than 2 inches shorter. I’m 5 foot 1. Where are skirts for me?” From Ellen: Let’s hear from readers who can help LaVetta find what she’s looking for!