Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Since I’ve been back working in the office a few days a week, I’m noticing that more and more men—and a few women—are wearing T-shirts under a blazer or jacket.

While I know that office dressing is less formal than it was pre-COVID lockdown, is this really an acceptable look? It seems way too casual in a workplace like mine where we conduct a lot of meetings with our clients who seem to be more traditional. Men wear suits and ties and women are wearing what I consider professional office wear. I feel like my co-workers don’t look professional.

--Eleanor A.

Dear Eleanor: At least the guys are wearing shirts under those blazers. Celebrity fashion coverage features men (and women) wearing nothing — not a T-shirt, not a blouse, nothing — under their blazers! Jennifer Aniston, Timothée Chalamet, Taraji P. Henson—well, it’s a long list.

Considering that skimpy trend, wearing a T-shirt under a blazer these days is viewed as totally acceptable in many business settings. We are not talking, however, about ratty T-shirts that look about ready to wash the car or weed the yard in. But a nice “T” in white, black or a complimentary color is fine. And yes, even white ones, once delegated to the underwear drawer, are now on display beneath jackets by fashionable men and women.

The fashion press is filled with stories about “the best white T-shirt” where the simplest seeming of these basics can easily cost over $100 apiece. Personally, I suggest Hanes brand available at under $14 — often much cheaper — in white, black and many other colors at Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, Dollar General and lots more.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Please explain to me the thinking behind women wearing anklets — colorful and/or sparkly, sheer or not, over knee-high socks or on top of stockings for a “layered” effect. I’ve seen them worn like that with open-toe shoes so the socks are poking out. Where did that come from? And sometimes, the anklets seem not to even have much elastic so they’re droopy and, I think, silly.

--Lara L.

Dear Lara: The first time I spotted this phenomenon was in fashion magazines showing Miu Miu socks in various high-low combinations. This led me to miumiu.com where I learned they were made of silk and cost $440 per.

My immediate reaction was: You Must Be Kidding.

Now you can find similar ones: sheer, not sheer, glittery, droopy, one or multiple pairs at a time, some worn over contrasting colorful stockings. And, prices of knockoffs are available online for under $10. I can’t tell the difference except they don’t have a prominent miu miu tag for all to see.

Multi-sock dressing was on display in the “street fashion” photos from the recent fashion shows in Milan, Paris, New York and London. Fashion is fun. It can be expensive. Much of it isn’t to be taken seriously. I’m with you. This look is a bit silly, kind of whimsical, not for everyone and not here to stay, but fun to look at and wonder why … or why not.

Angelic Readers

More readers wanted to share what they put in those (seemingly useless?) tiny pockets in their five-pocket Levis and other jeans…

From Janice F.: “I use it for small stones or pebbles or rocks that me and my husband collect whenever we go on road trips/vacations as memory stones. I'll put a different one in my pocket after coming home and then every time I reach into my pocket, I remember a wonderful vacation we were just on.” More pragmatic, Lori S. says, “My husband uses his to hold his car key.”

Bern writes: "The tiny pocket works well to keep my clip-on earrings, which after a few hours of wearing them, become pinchy-feeling. They don't get lost or damaged as they might when getting thrown into my purse. Also handy for tip money or keeping lucky pennies one might find on the ground. I hope they never change making the 5-pocket jeans with the tiny pockets!”

Anonymous carries a condom in his little jeans pocket. Scott H.: “Living in New York growing up, the tiny pockets were used for subway tokens. After moving to Nebraska, they have never been used.”

Reader Rant

Sue Q. writes: “I know fashion has become casual, but a trend I’ve noticed recently really has me scratching my head. On TV newscasts, particularly the sports segment, the sports announcers are dressed in suits and ties, but are wearing sneakers! This looks absurd, especially a dark suit with white sneakers. At least wear dark shoes that aren’t so obviously sneakers!”

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