Answer Angel: Where are the pantyhose?

Ellen Warren, Tribune News Service on Oct 1, 2024

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Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Why can’t I find sheer or semi-sheer pantyhose in stores any more?

I don’t like going to work in the office or to meetings with bare legs. Am I “old-fashioned”? Maybe, but I’m only in my 30s. I’m having trouble locating a decent selection in stores where I used to find them. (With samples you could actually touch to see how sheer they are.) Now the stores have minimal selections, if any.

--Anna M.

Dear Anna: Bare legs are ever more popular — even in cool weather. Lots of women welcome the trend. But plenty of us don’t. Cooler weather means more opaque tights in stores and online.

But that’s not what you’re looking for. I buy my sheerer hosiery online now, which is where many “name” brands have migrated. Nordstrom stores still carry a decent selection of sheer and semi-sheer hosiery but they too have cut back on their selection.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Does anyone make lightweight men’s workout tank tops anymore? All I can find are tops that cover the whole shoulder and are as thick as an undershirt. All of that defeats the purpose for which I wear tanks in the gym, outdoor runs and at winter escapes from the cold. I'm trying to stay cool, and they cling to me with all their thickness. I will not wear a mesh outdoors for fear of getting skin cancer.

--Troy K.

Dear Troy: It’s not just men who are looking for lightweight tanks. Your best bet is thrift shops like Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. Depending on the season or location they’re plentiful — and cost only a few dollars.

Lululemon (lululemon.com) makes really durable lightweight ones, but they’re pricey! I see them on sale racks at Lulu but even then they’ll cost you. You’ll also find a good selection in shops at popular beach vacation spots — like Puerto Vallarta; seaside Delaware; Provincetown, Massachusetts, etc.

Can you help?

A plea from Dalida T.: “ For the past 6 months or so I have been looking for a product that was made by Almay. It's a tinted BB cream. It was perfect for moisturizing and light coverage. It seems they no longer make it. It was my go-to. What's a girl to do? Can your readers help me find it or a comparable product?”

Angelic Readers

Plenty of readers wanted to share their eye makeup tricks, tools and favorites…

From Kristi B.: “It’s not so much the mascara, as it is the BRUSH. To push straight lashes upward, or to lift fine, sparse lashes, try using a mascara that comes with a 2.5 mm (teeny tiny, skinny mini) brush. You’ll be surprised at the results! The skinny wand gives you so much more control. I use the Giverny Milchak brand sensitive mascara (amazon.com, $16; dodskin.com, $19.95 on sale). It gives me so much more definition! Another thought: A heated eyelash curler works wonders for exceptionally stubborn eyelashes before applying mascara -- better than the old stainless steel manual ones. Less breakage from all of that pinching!”

From Jeanette DeV.: “I can attest to briefly warming my metal eyelash curler with my blow dryer. Just like a curling iron, it gently heats the eyelash curler so my eyelashes stay curled longer. I’ll admit it’s not part of my daily routine, but taking the extra time to briefly warm the curler makes a difference. Be very careful you don’t overheat it and burn yourself. Just gently warm it.”

Carolyn I. writes: “Roller Lash by Benefit is the best (amazon.com, $25.07)!! It will curl your lashes, and I can apply as much as I want to. Never thick or ‘way too much’!! It goes on smooth and looks very natural.” (From Ellen: It too has a skinny wand.)

Reader Rant

Wendy D.’s lament: “I am so frustrated! My waist and tummy have expanded, but my hips and legs have not. I’m so tired of trying on pants that fit everywhere but the waist (even elastic waists) and are so tight I cannot breathe and now I have created a muffin top. Who needs that? With the style being more on the baggy/loose side, to fit my waist, I’m swimming in the leg area. How can we get the word out to these designers to make jeans, dress pants, etc. I’m sure this is a problem for many of us! (From Ellen: Thanks for doing your part to wake up the jeans and pants industry!)