Answer Angel: Hair accessories

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I’m in search of a hair accessory that on hot days will help me manage the unwelcome result of summer weather on my shoulder-length hair. After trying various clips, scrunchies and pins, the one I have found that works best to keep my hair in check is a headband that keeps my frizz away from my face and sort of under control.

My question is whether I look like I am trying to return to my teens when I am a 44-year-old professional.

--Kathryn M.

Dear Kathryn: Headbands of all kinds are enjoying a renewed popularity for women of all ages including style-makers like Elle Fanning, Kendall Jenner, Chloe Sevigny, Zendaya, Bella Hadid, Princess Kate, Lupita Nyong’o and loads more. If it’s good enough for them, surely the rest of us can feel just fine about joining the fan club.

Especially popular this summer are classic cotton bandanas rolled and tied in a knot at the top of the head. Check out crowd photos from Lollapalooza and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Drop by a Michaels store (michaels.com) and find them in a huge selection of colors at $2.99 per. Other fabrics, prints and color options range from $10 to many hundreds of dollar silk designer options (not recommended).

Bandanas have the advantage of overcoming the head-squeezing properties of some headbands in plastic, leather, faux tortoise shell, etc.

For comfort and efficiency, I also recommend full circle fabric bands with stretch elastic at the back to go under the hair. An internet search turns up a huge number of options at prices of a few dollars and up. Also in the plus column: If your gray roots are telling the universe that you need to get to the salon colorist or a DIY coloring kit, a stretch headband pulled low can cover your hairline.

Give a couple of these suggestions a try and tell me what you think.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have two pretty, good quality tops that I bought online from a vendor that I often shop from. Unfortunately the V-necks are way too low-cut for me. Scarves don’t work. They do fit nicely over a black turtleneck I have. Would this look silly if I wore these tops over a turtleneck in cold weather? Do other women layer tops this way?

--Suzan B.

Dear Suzan: Other women — including me — layer tops all the time. Another idea, if the turtleneck is too bulky underneath your V-neck top, is a long-sleeve black (or whatever color works) T-shirt with a round crew, high scoop or boat neckline. The T-shirt doesn’t need to be thick to warm you up. One option: Uniqlo Heattech shirts (uniqlo.com, cashmere blend, 14 colors, $29.90; polyester blend, white, black, dark gray, light gray $19.90).

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Lately I’m noticing women with not just multiple ear piercings but C-shaped ear adornments that hug the outer ear. Do these require actual ear piercings? I’ve never had pierced ears and don’t want to start now.

--Lindsey N.

Dear Lindsey: What you’re seeing are non-piercing ear cuffs. In many cases they’re adjustable and well-priced. Most are simple colored faux gold, silver or rhinestone that you place on the ear cartilage and pinch slightly to hold in place. You’ll find them in-store on jewelry racks in Target, Walmart and similar stores across the country.

Angelic Readers

For reader Alexis who was looking for thrifty ways to furnish her first apartment on a small budget, I suggested thrift stores. Readers have more suggestions…

Shawn C. likes estate sales. “They offer furnishings for every room, usually at great prices, for quality items.” (From Ellen: For the lowest of the low prices, arrive near the closing hour of the last sale day and the prices have dropped even lower.) C.L.B. writes: “I have found incredible buys at Home Goods, Marshalls and TJ Maxx. They often have sales, which is even better. I could easily decorate an apartment with many new items from these stores. It is a treasure hunt each time I visit.” Annette S. says the state university near her “collects all the unwanted furnishings, appliances, linens, etc. from student dorms/apartments and sells them at good prices. Perhaps other universities do the same.”