Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I know you have been critical of the what’s-old-is-new-again popularity of capri pants (especially the flared ones), but how about the now-trending knee-length Bermuda shorts that are being marketed as a "new" warm weather trend — and not just for weekends, but for the office and evening outings?

--Terri K.

Dear Terri: Unlike capris, longish shorts don’t make legs look stubby — as long as they don’t drift past the kneecap. But shorts are still…short. And there’s a real danger of saying they are OK for the office or evening and pretty soon people — men and women — are wearing tight mid-thigh and shorter shorts or even cutoff jeans to the office, funerals and other inappropriate venues. I’ve seen all of that in real life.

Sure, the Kardashians get away with that stuff. But we’re not them. Bermudas are for daytime, casual events.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I am tempted to buy those compression packing cubes that promise to squeeze your clothes into smaller packages. But I worry about wrinkling. I've seen warnings on websites that delicate fabric may wrinkle in these cubes. But it seems to me that anything halfway nice would wrinkle, even nice T-shirts, and that the only things safe to pack in compression cubes would be underwear and socks. Can you advise?

-- BeeBee

Dear BeeBee: Yep. If you squish a garment that could wrinkle, it will. Even nice T-shirts. And if it’s made out of a delicate fabric, say silk, it will wrinkle badly just by being folded and placed in a suitcase.

A compression packing cube -- they have additional zippers to squeeze more air out of the cube -- can wrinkle your delicate fabrics even more than a standard cube. They do a real job on linen, let me tell you, but anyone who packs 100% linen clothes is asking for trouble under any circumstance. Compression cubes are most effective on space-hogging fluffy garments like a bathrobe or a puffer jacket.

My experience is that most people over-pack. Try cutting the stuff you pack by one-third. That is a better solution than any packing cube on the market. I’ve pared my packing way down, and if I can do it, anyone can.Angelic Readers

My family and I came up with some additional ideas for your reader who was looking for gifts for a 90-year-old’s birthday — things that would be useful and not clutter. Some of our favorites:

*A pre-loaded digital picture frame

*Motion activated nightlights for the hallway

*A soft cashmere for shoulders (blankets and shawls are often too big)

*An electric plug with a remote control so a person can turn off the light from across the room

*A selection of postage stamps

*Pump-style foaming hand soap

*Small packages of homemade smoked pork, brisket, chicken or turkey, ready to put in the freezer.

*A new welcome mat

*A wreath for the front door

*A very good box of chocolate

*Any device that helps open a jar or can. Try the device beforehand. Some of them are perfect. Some of them are junk!Reader Rant

From Jean W.: “Whatever happened to decent dressing for air travel: clean, fairly full coverage (arms, torso, and at least to the knees) clothing? It is particularly dreadful during busy summer periods and most noticeable with U.S. travelers. Seats and aisles are tiny, and nobody wants to endure exposed skin areas rubbing against you, or body and foot odor, especially from a stranger sitting next to or around you.

“I long ago learned to bring a lightweight, hooded wrap with sleeves so I could protect myself on armrests. Also, I’ve noticed much better treatment by staff on any plane and in airports worldwide by wearing clean respectful clothing.”

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