Rolling Back the Clock

Dear Short Answers: I find it incredibly irritating when my boy friend comments on my clothes. It is never something simple like “that looks great” or “I prefer the yellow sweater.” It is always something like “that belt breaks the line of the dress” or “that scarf is too bright when you still have winter [...]

YUCK!

Dear Short Answers: A friend of mine often asks to borrow evening clothes. It makes sense to me to share things like that since they are expensive and not frequently worn.  BUT my friend returns my dresses without dry cleaning them which strikes me as … vulgar. Should I say something? Wanda Dear Wanda: YES!  [...]

Clothes Maketh the Man

Dear Short Answers: A friend of mine’s husband recently passed away. He was very stylish and had a great many wonderful clothes (which I often commented on). I’m sure that my friend remembered because she has given my husband boxes and boxes of her husband’s old clothes. The problem is that they aren’t the nice [...]

Hair Police

Dear Short Answers: A few months ago, a good friend got a really bad haircut. I didn’t say a word. Now she is going back to the same stylist and plans to ask for the same thing. Wouldn’t it be better if I told her how bad the haircut was so that she doesn’t do [...]

A Matter of Taste

Dear Short Answers: A good friend of mine recently became an “empty nester” when her youngest child went off to college. I encouraged her to develop some new interests and hobbies and she decided to try knitting (I have no idea why). All of her friends were supportive and thanked her profusely for the scarves [...]

Go with the Flow

Dear Short Answers: I hate “token gifts.” I’m an all-or-nothing kind of guy but friends and relatives seem to prefer giving and getting some piece of junk. I would rather get or give something significant — or skip the whole thing. What should I do? Roll over or hide through the holidays? Bah! Dear Bah: [...]

Tiara Not Essential

Dear Short Answers: I am going to a black tie event — it is midweek, but in NYC with many celebs. My standard black dresses suddenly seem not quite festive enough. What’s enough? Cinderella Dear Cindy: You can’t compete with the celebs.  You are not required to leave your comfort zone for events of this [...]

Mirror, Mirror

Dear Short Answers: My friend is in her sixties and dresses like she is 25. I think she looks ridiculous. How do I tell her without damaging our friendship. Concerned about Appropriate Dear Concerned: Leave her alone! She’s not applying for a job or  learning “fashion basics.” Are you sure you’re not jealous? Like Unlike

When Black Tie Isn’t Black Tie

Dear Short Answers: I was recently invited to a Black Tie Event in another city.  I took the invitation seriously and schlepped my tux 2000 miles.  But when I got there, most people were in jeans and checked shirts!!! I am very annoyed… whassup with this? Tuxxed Off Dear TO: We agree!! Black Tie means [...]

Ask the English

Dear Short Answers: Three years ago I felt a change in my sexuality. I’m not  full  blown Gay but I have fallen to cross dressing  — which turns me on now at this advanced age. I am enjoying it, and that is what’s puzzling  to me. How and what happened to my body’s system? Is [...]

keep looking »