Answer Angel: Looking for lightweight leggings

Ellen Warren, Tribune News Service on Feb 11, 2025

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Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My wardrobe consists of many longer tops, tunics and dresses, which I usually wear with leggings or tights in solid colors. Most of the year, my usual leggings work fine. But in the hot, humid, warmer months, light dresses are cool, but most leggings feel suffocating (and tights don't work with sandals!). I don't choose to expose my white, veiny legs most of the time (though I do sometimes out of desperation).

Are there reasonably priced lightweight leggings?

--Sherry W.

Dear Sherry: Yes! You’re looking for low-denier tights (they come in footless too for wearing with sandals).

The higher the denier, the thicker the tights. The term denier is based on the fiber weight of the fabric. You want 10 to 40 denier, sometimes called sheer, light or semi-opaque.

There are many options in a wide price range including brands such as MeMoi and Manz and a large selection online. Search the internet for “summer weight," “light weight” or “low denier” tights (or footless tights) and you’ll find a good selection.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I often wear crew neck sweaters with a white T-shirt (my undershirt) underneath for warmth, or comfort, or both. But often the white T-shirt shows a little at the neckline. I feel like my white undershirt looks kind of tacky showing a bit. Am I wrong? And if I am right and it is a kind of tacky look, what do I do? The undershirt underneath the sweater is so comfortable!

--Derek C.

Dear Derek: White T-shirts (what you think of as an undershirt) are quite the conversation in some circles with various consumer sites doing tests on which is the very best, most flattering, most versatile white T-shirt — to be worn as outerwear. Some seemingly simple white Ts can cost over $100 while other wearers swear by popular, well-priced labels like Hanes from big box stores and sites. Whatever.

You feel like a white T reads “undershirt” and that showing it isn’t appropriate under your sweater. So you have two easy solutions: Buy a brand of white T that has a lower neck profile—perhaps a V-neck? Or, why not chose a T-shirt in gray, black or a complimentary color to wear under your sweater and make that a subtle fashion statement!

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I had a great lightweight travel raincoat that folded up but was fairly stylish and worked great to keep out rain and wind. The rubberized coating on the inside is crumbling, though, and I can’t find the same item to replace it with. The brand is ExOfficio.

--Cheryl F.

Dear Cheryl: I have some good news. You can still purchase what you’re looking for at L.L.Bean (llbean.com). I knew that L.L. Bean carries ExOfficio-branded items so when I searched for “ExOfficio raincoat” on the Bean website I found the Women’s Trail Model Rain Coat for $119 in black or navy. (A similar, shorter Women’s Trail Model Jacket, for men and women, is on sale for $84.99.)

Here’s what the site says about your coat: “Redesigned tougher—our bestselling packable raincoat features a durable laminate interior that provides more rugged protection and breathable comfort.”

In an interview with Harpers Bazaar, designer Isaac Mizrahi reflected on the misery of discovering that a favorite item has been discontinued: “Everybody stops making everything great.” I agree. But every once in a while, we find that a much loved item is still in production. You’re in luck. Enjoy.

Angelic Readers

From Barb B.: “When not using my iPhone, I exclusively use my iPad. I too have smudgy fingerprints and screen swipe trails on my iPad. I highly recommend iRoller. It is a self-contained screen cleaner—no sprays or wipes. In addition to being quite compact for portability (roughly the size of a fat lipstick), it is washable and reusable. I have ordered this item several times for myself and as a gift. It is currently available on Amazon for $18.95.” (From Ellen: Earlier I recommended a similar, pocket-size item that does involve a small refillable spray. There are many models on Amazon. Mine is Cuiud brand, 2 for $9.98).

Reader Rant:

Barbara M. writes: “I dislike sheet sets that consist of one flat, one fitted and two pillowcases. I would like to buy individual flat or fitted sheets so I'm not ‘matchy-matchy’ (or because I need only one sheet, not two). Additionally the king sheet set comes with king pillowcases and I use standard.”

--Barb M.