Answer Angel: Clear purses?

Ellen Warren, Tribune News Service on Dec 30, 2025

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Dear Answer Angel Ellen: At a recent, dressy holiday party I attended, one of the guests was carrying a see-through (plastic?) evening bag and I wondered if this is a new style.

The woman with the purse appeared to be wearing an expensive Chanel suit so I figured she knew what was “in.” Did she?

--Alexandra P.

Dear Alexandra: I don’t think so. You didn’t mention whether you could see her balled up Kleenex and ratty cosmetics and other stuff that most of us carry around in our purse for nobody to see.

A clear plastic handbag (or tote) did have a style moment. An Internet search even turned up a Chanel version on the resale site poshmark.com. But the price had been slashed from the optimistic $500 to the still-hefty $199. Not so coveted anymore. So impractical. Other fashion labels that gave the clear bags a try include Michael Kors, Kate Spade, LeSportsac and Telfar.

However, nowadays you are much more likely to see these bags carried by people waiting in line for a sport or concert stadium event. Which is why some sellers advertise them as “stadium bags” or “stadium compliant” (there’s even a website, sheergear.com) because many venues limit the size of a purse or tote and and/or require see-through material so personnel can see if they hold weapons or prohibited alcoholic beverages. The bags are inexpensive and clearly not high fashion.

Here’s an obscure footnote: The late Robert Gottlieb, former editor of The New Yorker magazine and the publishing house Alfred A. Knopf, had a significant collection (400+) of mid-century Lucite (plastic) see-through and opaque plastic handbags.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: A friend recently introduced me to a feature on vogue.com where extra extravagant weddings are covered in excruciating detail. Having been to a number of, in my view, foolishly expensive multi-day events of this kind, I’ve often wondered why otherwise intelligent (?) people are eager to spend massive amounts of money on such things when so many couples don’t even make it to the fifth — or even second — anniversary of the huge event before they split up.

What are your thoughts on such lavish spending? And why do people throw these ridiculous parties anyhow?

--Kate L.

Dear Kate: This is a good question…but I don’t have a good answer. This area of inquiry is better put to psychologists, therapists and, perhaps, wealth-management experts. I limit my advice to the realm of style, fashion, shopping, beauty and makeup.

But a confession: I just love to read stories about these massively expensive parties where the engraved invitations alone can cost more than many weddings. Vogue is definitely onto something. Call it a guilty pleasure and enjoy.

Angelic Readers 1

To the rescue for reader Maggie K., looking for recommendations on products for fine, thin, straight hair to give the appearance of volume…

Laura G. says: “My hair has always been fine, thin and straight. The best shampoo and conditioner that I have found is from the Soapbox brand. You can buy them at Target ( target.com ) I use the Biotin and Superfruit Blend Volumizing Shampoo Restore & Volume Shampoo ($7.99) and Volumizing Conditioner ($7.99) but they have several different products. I have been using this product for many years. Highly recommend!” Angela B. writes: “I recommend a conditioner bar. I’ve use Viori brand shampoo and conditioner bars for years and love it. You can order from their website ( viori.com, $13.99), amazon.com ($8.81 and up) or sephora.com ($7.99 and up). From Janice L.: “I use any WOW product from amazon.com, like the Dream Cocktail Carb Infused Leave-In Treatment for Thin Hair ($26). There is something in that product that poofs up the hair and makes it look thicker.”

Angelic Readers 2

On bed linen issues…

Jennifer S. needs reader recommendations: “As I have four pillows on my bed, I would really like to be able to buy extra pillowcases when I purchase queen bedding sets.” And Louise C. is a crisp sheet fan and has this to say: “Regarding crisp percale sheets, two words: Ralph Lauren. Positively crunchy.”

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