Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My very favorite white hoodie somehow got a stain that I can’t get out, having used all of the usual methods. The hoodie has sentimental value but right now it is unwearable.

Do you have any suggestions to get rid of the mystery stain?

--Faith T.

Dear Faith: My “last resort” method is to dye the garment -- using Rit, a product that that has been around for 100 years and has worked for me. Most recently I tried it on a mostly cotton white T-shirt and it turned the unwearable into a really nice pinkish maroon (I used the "wine" shade of dye) with the stain magically gone. I just followed the directions on the bottle, using a plastic storage bin in the bathtub and rubber gloves. The dye did not color the white polyester thread that was used to sew the shirt but it looks fine and is now wearable. (Rit dye, $3.99 and up at hardware and grocery stores, Walmart, target, art and craft supply stores)

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Watching some football game commentary, I was surprised to see Jim Nantz and J.J. Watt making a men’s fashion statement that was new to me. Both were wearing classic crisp white men’s dress shirts and tightly knotted nice looking ties but they weren’t wearing jackets and they both had their sleeves rolled up in a very casual manner. Is this a new thing in menswear? If so, this was first time I’ve seen it.

--Audrey J.

Dear Audrey: It seems kind of contradictory—nice tie, nice shirt but ultra casual shirtsleeve treatment sans jacket. I’ll keep you posted on whether this is catching on as the menswear look for fall. I doubt it.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: A friend is traveling overseas for a couple of weeks and asked me if there was one essential item that she should pack that I might have not thought of. I came up with the usual things like a travel outlet converter for my laptop, no-wrinkle black pants and a few different scarves. How would you and your readers answer the question?

--Courtney T.

Dear Courtney: The Internet is loaded with “the 10 must-pack essentials” but I asked my veteran traveler friend, Pamela J., for the one item she always packs no matter where she’s traveling that doesn’t show up on any of the traditional lists.

Her suggestion never occurred to me but now I’m totally on board: “The one item I never leave town without is an oversized denim shirt. It has come in so handy as a jacket, shirt, nightgown, pillow, raincoat, swim cover-up, even a makeshift sling purse and probably other uses. Dress it up with a belt or jewelry, wear it with jeans, leggings, trousers, shorts.” From Ellen: The only thing I would add is to be sure that the shirt is made of soft denim — or a pre-washed flannel -- that feels good against your skin and not the stiff denim that never really softens up.

Angelic Readers

From Cynthia S.: “Responding to Jada O. wanting info for comfy round-toe ballet flats. Naturalizer has a style entitled Flexy. It comes in a variety of colors at a reasonable price. I have had several pairs in various colors and am ready to order another pair. From day one they are extremely comfortable. I always have them as my go to shoes when I travel. I walk mile upon mile with ease. Never have had any issues. Highly recommend them.”

Terry T. says, “For Jada O. and her search for round toe basic flats that require no break-in time, I buy mine from Vionic ( vionicshoes.com, $100 and up). They are well-made and comfortable.”

Lisa Z. has an answer for reader Mike D. whose wife was looking for a lipstick she can leave in the car that won’t melt on a hot day: “I live in central Texas where the temps have been over 100 for over 45 days. I don't carry a purse. Just my phone and credit cards. So my lipstick stays in the car. I use Urban Decay Vice Lipstick. Never melts. May get a little soft but never melts.”

____

©2026 Tribune Content Agency, LLC