Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I keep going back and forth on whether I should make some necessary purchases now or wait for more clarity on the effects of higher tariffs and the U.S. economy. I am specifically thinking about replacing my aging cell phone, but other purchases as well.

What would you do?

--Cynthia L.

Dear Cynthia: What would I do? I already did it. Last week I broke down and bought a new cell phone, based on my belief that — to generalize — prices of most things will not be going down. As for your dilemma, buy now or wait? You and every consumer I hear from are asking these timely questions. People much more informed than we consumers don’t know either. Good luck to us all.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Recently I’ve seen a number of women wearing “dressy” boots (not flats but heels) and the boots just cover the ankle. Is this a new style? The women I saw were wearing them with knee-length skirts. What’s your take on this? I don’t like the look.

--Helen F.

Dear Helen: This boot style comes and goes. I bought a pair of ankle boots years ago — to wear with pants. I still wear them — with pants. With skirts and dresses though? I’m not a fan.

As some readers will recall, I’ve been trying to convince women that capri pants are not flattering, because they make our legs look shorter, which is not flattering. Same goes for ankle boots worn with a skirt. The only exception is when they are worn with tights the same color as the boots. That combo (usually black) actually makes legs look longer. Thanks for asking.

Angelic Readers 1

Many readers had recommendations for Brittany’s search for comfortable but versatile black travel pants. Thanks to you all…

Barbara G. writes: “It may be an unattainable Holy Grail, but there is one place that might not be the first place you’d think of. I went straight to the lingerie section of Bloomingdale’s in Beverly Hills and found an array of stretchy black pants, not leggings, mainly by Hue, with narrow, straight legs, pockets, no drawstring, for less than $75. The pair I bought took me through the rest of the trip, including sightseeing and dinner at fancy Los Angeles restaurants with the right top. No one looked twice. They were totally comfortable, have stood up well to laundering (I usually air dry, but they can be tumble dried).”

From Marilyn R.: “I have worn Susan Graver Liquid Knit Straight Leg pants from QVC (qvc.com, $49.98). They wear, wash and travel extremely well (and come in 14 neutral colors, not just black and a wide size range)." Julie P. recommends “Bootcut Scuba Heavyweight Pants” (which she says are not really very heavy). She buys hers for $89 at theclothingcove.com. Her first pair is 10-years old and “they still look like new!” Jane N. favors halara.com for her versatile black pants. Although they are pricey, Karen S. favors Eileen Fisher black “Stretch Slim Ankle Pants.” Her two pair are from Nordstrom (nordstrom.com, $178): “I wear them with a silk blouse, heels or nice flats when I need to dress up and with a T-shirt or jeans skirt and casual shoes/sneakers to dress down.” Carol F. recommends Alfred Dunner brand from jcpenney.com, usually under $30. (From Ellen: Skip the many Alfred Dunner capri pants offerings!)

Angelic Readers 2

Kelly C. writes in defense of the teeny weenie beanie that one reader thought was impractical because it doesn’t cover the ears: “I'm a follicly-challenged man in my 50s. When the weather is very cold, I do need to cover my ears. But my head gets cold in less-harsh weather as well. Without the insulating effect of hair, I need something to keep cozy. I have baseball caps, but their brim makes that tricky in windy weather, and it's not always the look I want, anyway. A knit beanie is perfect for keeping my head warm in those times when a full winter hat, and ear warming, isn't necessary.”

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