Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have two wool suit vests that have small moth holes in them. They have a small multi-colored pattern.
Do you know of anyone who could repair them? I have tried local tailors, but they are unable to help.
— Terry William K.
Dear Terry: The service you are looking for is re-weaving. Check online for re-weaving shops in your area or by mail. It is an exacting process and can be expensive but the only time I tried it many years ago it was amazing. The damage from those wicked moths was truly undetectable!
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I’m writing for my sister (Hi, Kathy!) who is despondent. Her absolute favorite jeans, the “Double L 100% cotton denim jeans” from L.L.Bean have been discontinued. They are still making them in the men’s sizes, but as she is rather petite, those wouldn’t work for her. Can you suggest any 100% cotton jeans for her? She prefers a relaxed style, high waist, petite-sized jeans.
–Ellen H.
Dear Ellen: As you’ve already found out, it’s not easy to find all-cotton jeans, that’s for sure. But Levi (levi.com) still makes a number of all-cotton women’s styles. Some Lee jeans (lee.com) come in 100% cotton. Noend jeans (noenddenim.com) are pricy but also come in 100% cotton.
Kathy will have better luck online if she includes the words “no stretch” or “non stretch” in her search, although it is no guarantee. Even when you include “no stretch” the search maddeningly turns up thousands of jeans with at least 1% Lycra or other stretch fabric. So be sure to drill down to the “fabric and care” fine print to locate the real thing.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have a black laminate kitchen countertop that drives me nuts. Even a drop of water shows. Any suggestions?
–Lauren L.
Dear Lauren: I asked a friend who has a similar dark countertop; hers is always spotless. So I asked her for her secret. She told me she once tried Weiman stainless steel wipes although her counter isn’t stainless steel. The sheen doesn’t last long, she says, but they do work ( walmart, $4.99; amazon.com, $4.68; grocery stores). Here’s my gripe: Why do many cleaners specifically made for stainless steel cause streaks and mess?
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have been a devoted fan of Clinique’s mild soap bar for 30 years. However, in trying to purchase more, I found that it has been discontinued. Might you or your readers have suggestions for comparable bars (they last so much longer!) for sensitive skin?
–Michelle D.
Dear Michelle: Why don’t manufacturers at least have the decency to warn us when they’re about to discontinue our favorite products? Not going to happen! Readers, can you help Michelle?
Angelic Readers
Responding to the reader who asked if those product-rating sites are worthwhile, Annemarie S. says, “One of the sites I have used for years is Good Housekeeping (goodhousekeeping.com). They do extensive testing in their labs on everything from mascara to washing machines.” From Ellen: If you want full access to the testing info, you have to pay to join.
Reader Rant 1
Christie writes: “For a number of years, necklines on regular knit tops have been wider — including petite sizes. Numerous other friends have complained as well. And I really prefer the longer body length of regular sizes, not the ‘cropped’ length that is so popular in stores now!”
Reader Rant 2
“At my job men, are expected to wear long-sleeved dress shirts with a tie. The women? Not the same, just ‘appropriate.’ Short sleeves, V-neck? Not a problem. The men are sweating like field hands. The women are complaining that it’s too cold. The thermostat looks like a yo-yo as it goes up and down. My argument — that the women can put on as many sweaters as they desire, while I can’t remove anything –fell on deaf ears. How about some sex equality in office dress codes?”
–Wayne G.
(Send your questions and rants – on style, shopping, fashion, makeup and beauty – to answerangelellen@gmail.com.)
