Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I am trying to understand the prevalence of facial tattoos and piercing on nose, mouth, etc., and if you can, please share a bit of background on both of these that seem to be current trends.

--Linda Z.

Dear Linda: There’s no single answer to why people do this. For an expert voice on this issue, I interviewed my relative who has tattoos on his arm, one leg, one foot and his chest:

Why do you get tattoos? “Self expression.”

Any regrets? “No!”

Why no tattoos on your neck or face? “There’s a lot of professional stigma around facial tattoos and piercings. I would like to have those areas tattooed, but I don’t because it could limit job opportunities. My friend would like to have her neck tattooed, but she doesn’t do it because she also believes it could limit her professional advancement. Most facial piercings can be concealed by temporarily removing the earring, etc. Obviously, that is not true of gauging.” ("Gauging" is the process of slowly enlarging the earlobe piercing hole so you can wear “gauges” or spacers. Returning the earlobe to its natural size often requires surgery.)

The history of both tattooing and piercing is lengthy, dating back many thousands of years and on many continents. I found hundreds of scholarly answers to these questions with a single online search and it’s fascinating but too long to get into here.

My tattooed relative has often urged me to go with him to get a tattoo. I’ve declined. A middle-aged woman I know — a well-dressed, respected professional — surprised me when she got a tattoo on her shoulder to commemorate her beloved late father. She thought about it for a long time after her college-age son urged her to come with him and get the same tattoo to honor his grandfather. And so she did.

I welcome readers’ suggestions on this topic! I bet there are a lot of them.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Can I wear white sneakers with a dress?

--Julie D.

Dear Julie: Yes you can. In fact, you can wear any color sneakers with any clothes in your closet. Many of the most famous actors, singers, athletes and TV sports broadcasters in the world wear white or colored sneakers with expensive clothing. (Some do even if they’re not getting paid by a sneaker company to wear their brand.)

Brides in their wedding finery often switch to sneakers (especially white ones) when the dancing gets going at the wedding celebration. Some are even officially married in sneakers. However, the only occasion I would wear sneakers with a dress at work or to a professional gathering is on the walk to and from the train, bus or parking lot. But that’s just me.

I always have dressier footwear in my tote or by my desk and switch to that when I get to work or for a meeting. But if you choose to wear white sneakers with a dress, you’ll have plenty of company.

Angelic Readers

Some reader suggestions for Faith T. on removing stains on her favorite white hoodie…

Susan T. writes, “For your reader’s stubborn stain you suggested dying the whole thing. Here’s what I do: I had a cherry stain on a white top that didn’t come out with any stain treatment. Then a friend showed me her trick — and it worked! She squeezed some fresh lime juice on the stain, rubbed in some white table salt, and put the top in direct sunlight outdoors. It came out beautifully. This is now my go-to for stubborn stains on white fabric. It hasn’t failed me yet. I’ve also rubbed whitening toothpaste on stains, but you have to immediately throw it into the wash or it can bleach the spot.”

From Sandra S.: “For years now, I have used white cotton sheets and white cotton towels. I've gotten almost all stains out by loading my washer with warm water, the usual detergent and as much bleach as my bleach dispenser holds. I run it on a moderately long cycle and almost every stain, including blood and makeup, disappears. I know bleach is harder on fabrics, but if you can't wear the item anyway you might as well try this method. Also, it does have the advantage of being a disinfectant. If you find the scent of bleach is lingering, just add an extra rinse.”

Andrea S.: “When I have soaked and sprayed and tried every powder and bottle, I squeeze lemon juice (fresh from a bottle) and leave it outside in the sun. I am laundry/ironing mad and you would be surprised how well this works.”

©2026 Tribune Content Agency, LLC