Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I bought some Chuck Taylor Converse All Star black high top sneakers embellished with pearls and jewels. Looking closer, I realized these were stick-ons done by hand. I Googled “Sneaker Embellishment” and saw dozens of customizing kits available.

Since I bought them, I’ve seen a few (mostly younger) women wearing fabulous blingy sneakers. Are bejeweled sneakers a “thing” now — and just for the young (which I’m not)? I’d like to design and wear a pair myself.

--Pam J.

Dear Pam: Bling is a Thing. It even rhymes! Wearables from purses to evening gowns, to denim…and Chuck Taylor Converse All Star high tops are bejeweled.

As you point out there are kits to buy online to embellish DIY. Etsy.com sells customized blingy high tops, although they’re likely to run you in the $200+ range. And converse.com lets you personalize your sneaks with embroidery, metallic eyelets and more, although if you want them jeweled you’re on your own.

You ask if these jeweled sneaks are “just for the young” and the answer is no (with an asterisk). I’ve said many times that in fashion there are no rules. That includes age limits. Except: Never wear anything that makes you truly uncomfortable. Fashion designer Betsey Johnson, 81, has shown up in some pretty out-there styles and you can too.

But, if you want to take your bejeweled high tops slow, consider limiting your bling to a classic: covered in white pearls.

One more thing: The self-adhesive on many rhinestones and other embellishments can be pretty feeble. My favorite to make stuff stick is clear, transparent E6000 adhesive, which is widely available at craft and hardware stores and online.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I know you are a big fan of Goodwill and other thrift stores, but buying “used” items is not something I was brought up with. It makes me a little uncomfortable. Any suggestions for getting over this? I certainly love a bargain, but…

--Jennifer S.

Dear Jennifer: I have noticed that thrift stores, especially Goodwills, are carrying more and more new items. Check the new stuff scattered throughout your local store and get a better feeling for today’s thrift stores. Take a look at a clothes rack or two while there. New items, some treasures still with tags on, are sometimes found there too. You might be surprised and more comfortable than you expected to be.

On a recent visit to a Goodwill near me, for example, I found bargain pricing on these brand new items, mostly housewares—none over $11 and some as low as $1.75: kitchen cleaning brush, cat toy wand, woman’s belt (violet leather!), Cuisinart dish drying mat with rack, sets of three flashlights with batteries, Pyrex casseroles with covers and sets of four aluminum prep pans.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I’ve noticed, from the red carpet to the streets, women wearing black clothing items that don’t match! This has always annoyed me! I’m wondering if it’s done accidentally or on purpose. Should I stop worrying if my black top doesn’t match my black pants?

--Andi E.

Dear Andi: I had never considered that black clothes that “don’t match” are a problem. Sure, some black clothing is more intensely black than others, but whether wearing different shades all at once is accidental or not, it is definitely not worth fretting about. The only reason wearing blacks that don’t match is a problem is if one of them looks dingy, washed out or otherwise past its expiration date. That doesn’t apply to such items as vintage rock concert Ts and similar collectibles.

Angelic Readers

For reader Ellen H. who complained that because of short lashes and very small eyes she needed an eyelash curler that doesn’t pinch her skin or just “barely crimps” the ends of her lashes, Susan S. says “ I had the same issue with eyelash curlers too wide for my smaller face. I found that the “Revlon Gold Series Eyelash Curler, titanium coated for maximum durability” is arched and fits perfect (amazon.com, $9.49).

Reader Rant

Kathleen L. writes: “This has been bugging me for years regarding men's suits. I feel the current two-button jacket with only the top one buttoned is not a good look at all. The men on TV, particularly on news and/or late-night shows all wear this style. I find it totally distracting to see the bottom of their tie and/or a silver belt buckle as the jacket spreads open as they are talking. It also looks like the jacket is too small for them. They should either button both buttons (while standing) or leave both unbuttoned for a more casual look. I have to admit, I always loved David Letterman's fashion-defying non-buttoned double-breasted suit coats.”

©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC