Answer Angel: Lighten the load

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: At a recent baseball game, I saw men wearing shorts with pockets so bulging — cell phone, overstuffed wallet — that the weight of the stuff was dragging their pants down so much that you could see their naked stomachs and more.

Not a pretty sight! This wasn’t just one guy but many, many!

Please tell the guys how to lighten up.

--Melody L.

Dear Melody: I’d be a hypocrite to point fingers at these droopy drawer fellows since I don’t pack light -- even for a trip to the drugstore! My purse often looks like I’m heading for a weekend getaway.

In their defense, cell phones are getting bigger and, for some of us, so are wallets. Furthermore, many sporting venues, concert sites, museums, etc. don’t allow backpacks or other larger receptacles -- for men or women. Stuffed pockets are the go-to.

Here are a few suggestions, none of them very satisfactory:

*For avoiding accidental showing of a swatch of bare stomach: Wear a belt and a shirt with ample shirttails to cover the gut.

* Trim your wallet down to essentials — adding “swipe-to-pay” on your phone.

*Bare midriffs on men and women of all sizes and shapes are everywhere this summer. It’s a popular, often unflattering, style. Let’s hope it’s a trend that doesn’t last much longer.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I love my white, all-rubber flip-flops for summer, but they get dirty fast. I’m not sure how to clean them to get them sparkling again. I’ve tried soaking in dish soap but it isn’t that helpful.

--Jenny G.

Dear Jenny: You might be surprised at the things you can clean by placing on the top shelf of your dishwasher. Your flips are an excellent candidate, as are those sturdy kitchen rubber gloves and smelly dish sponges.

Other options: Use a Magic Eraser and/or make a paste of a 50-50 solution of baking soda and warm water, then scrub with a soft brush.

Angelic Readers

From Mandi M.: “Just wanted to throw in another suggestion to college students wanting to outfit their dorm or apartment. If they have a store nearby, IKEA is a great option! I have spent numerous trips there over the years when I didn’t have much money to spend. One of their bed frames lasted me 20 years and through several moves!” Rhoda P. suggests, local websites like nextdoor.com or a nearby freecycle.org: “It's amazing what some people give away just to get rid of things or if they are moving.”

Reader Rants

The grammar police are on the job…

Deborah P. writes, ” Your letter from reader Alexis D., who is looking for items to furnish her new place, gave me a migraine. She just graduated from college, and she writes, ‘Me and my roommates are looking . . .’ Would she say, ‘Me is looking’? Did she speak that way at her job interview?” From Bruce L.: “You could have done Alexis D. a favor and changed ‘Me and my roommates’ to ‘My roommates and I.’ It's troubling that a recent college grad made this egregious error, especially in writing." From Ellen: I welcome questions of all sorts. Many readers like Alexis write me as if we’re talking over a cup of coffee and that’s just fine.

From Elizabeth B.: “In your recent column, I was disappointed to read that ‘frizzy hair’ is “unkempt” and ‘hellish.' I don’t need to abide by your admonition to ‘don’t go there’ because I’m already there having been born with frizz. Lots of us were born with frizz, are not ashamed and do not feel we must correct it. Many women need to use their time and money on more than hair appointments, costly products and elaborate morning hair routines.”

Nancy D. says: “I can’t believe you would advise someone with ‘ugly toes’ not to wear sandals. Should one not dance because they have two left feet or abstain from singing because they can’t carry a tune? Or not put on a swimsuit because they’re chubby?” From Ellen: I still think closed-toe sandals are a good option, but thanks for writing, Nancy.